Philip Margo Explained

Philip Margo
Background:	solo_singer
Birth Date:	1 April 1942
Birth Place:	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Death Place:	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation:	Musician, author, writer
Genre:	Pop
Past Member Of:	The Tokens

Philip Frederick Margo (April 1, 1942 – November 13, 2021) was an American musician and author who was a longtime member of The Tokens, along with his brother Mitch.^[1] They are best known for their hit recording of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks in 1961.

Biography

Margo was born in Brooklyn on April 1, 1942, to Leon and Ruth (née Becker) Margules. He was of Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish origin from The Ottoman Empire, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, and The Russian Empire.

Margo authored the 2010 science fiction novel, The Null Quotient.

He died at a hospital in Los Angeles, California, after suffering a stroke, on November 13, 2021, at the age of 79.^{[2] [3]}

The Tokens

In addition to his singing, Margo also played the drums. He performed with The Tokens on the following television programs:

• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien
• The Tracey Ullman Show

Record Production

With The Tokens, Margo was successful as a record producer for artists including the following:

• The Chiffons
• The Happenings
• Tony Orlando & Dawn

Notes and References

1. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p24018|pure_url=yes}} Biography: The Tokens]. Wynn. Ron. AMG. 17 May 2010.
2. https://bestclassicbands.com/philip-margo-tokens-obituary-11-15-21/ The Tokens' ('Lion Sleeps Tonight') Co-Founder, Philip Margo, Dies
3. Web site: Philip Margo, Singer on The Tokens' Hit 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight,' Dies at 79. Lars. Brandle. November 18, 2021. November 18, 2021. billboard.com.