Rudy Lewis
Rudy Lewis | |
---|---|
Birth name | Charles Rudolph Harrell |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | August 23, 1936
Died | May 20, 1964 Harlem, New York City, New York, U.S. | (aged 27)
Genres | Rhythm and blues |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Rudy Lewis (born Charles Rudolph Harrell; August 23, 1936 – May 20, 1964) was an American rhythm and blues singer known for his work with the Drifters.[1] In 1988, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Career
Lewis began his singing career in gospel music. He was one of only two males to have sung with the Clara Ward Singers[1] and sang with the gospel group right up to the day before he auditioned for The Drifters at Philadelphia's Uptown Theater. Drifters manager George Treadwell hired Lewis on the spot to be the group's lead vocalist, a position formerly held by Ben E. King. Lewis ended up performing most of King's repertoire live in concert.[2]
Lewis sang lead on a string of hits, including "Please Stay", "Some Kind of Wonderful", "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway". He was also featured on other notable tracks including "Another Night With The Boys", "Beautiful Music", "Jackpot", "Let The Music Play", "Loneliness Or Happiness", "Mexican Divorce", "Only In America", "Rat Race", "She Never Talked To Me That Way", "Somebody New Dancing With You", "Stranger on the Shore", "Vaya Con Dios" and "What To Do".[3]
In April 1963, Lewis recorded his solo single "Baby I Dig Love" along with the
Personal life
Lewis was born in
Death
On May 21, 1964, when the group was due to record "
An autopsy was never performed, and authorities ruled his death as a probable
.Discography
Solo singles
Title | Catalogue | Year | Notes # |
---|---|---|---|
"Rainbow In My Eyes" / "Nobody Knows" | Red Top RT 124 | 1959 | [7][8] |
"Baby I Dig Love"/"I've Loved You So Long" | Atlantic 45-2193 | 1963 | [9][10] |
References
- ^ a b "Rudy Lewis Biography". Rockabilly. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ a b "Rudy Lewis Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ a b "The Later Drifters". Uncamarvy. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Rockin & Driftin: The Drifters Box". Allmusic. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Rudy Lewis found dead in hotel room". Raresoul. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ 45Cat - Rudy Lewis - Discography, USA
- ^ Popsike - RUDY LEWIS RAINBOW IN MY EYES/NOBODY KNOWS RED TOP R&B RARE HEAR
- ^ Billboard, June 22, 1963 - Page 26 POPULAR
- ^ Popsike - RUDY LEWIS Baby I Dig Love/I've Loved You So Long 1963 Atlantic northern soul VG
External links
- Rudy Lewis discography at Discogs
- Rudy Lewis at Find a Grave