Philip Margo who famously sung the iconic song ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ has died at the age of 79.
The song was made famous in the hit Disney film The Lion King but was already an American number one for his band The Tokens in 1961.
He died in a hospital in Los Angles on Saturday after suffering a stroke.
Philip was famously part of group The Tokens, an American vocal group, with the band famously hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
It hit the top of the charts once again in 1994 once the Disney classic was released, with Margo previously stating that he was “thrilled”, after previously saying the group were embarrassed by the track in an interview with The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits by Fred Bronson.
(Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
The Tokens announced the news on their Facebook page as they shared it was “with a final roar” they announced he had sadly died.
They wrote: “Phil died yesterday surrounded by his beloved family. He was a multi-media entrepreneur who ran the gamut from producing gold records to writing novels and everything in between.”
The page read: “Phil began his incredible career, along with his younger brother Mitch, as founding members of the world renowned Tokens.”
They continued touring until the death of Phil’s brother Mitch, aged 70, in 2017.
Aside from his singing career, it was said that Philip also had a black belt in Kung Fu San Soo and was an avid softball player.
He also had a stint on Broadway contributing music and lyrics for the shows, with Phil later finding his way into Hollywood and managed the career of Robert Guillaume during his Emmy award winning show.
He truly covered many areas across the industry, which was recognised in the post by the band as they remembered his life.
The post was filled with likes and loving comments as fans shared tribute to Philip.
(Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
One user wrote: “He will be missed! So much energy. May his memory be a blessing.”
Another said: “My heart is breaking. My deepest sympathies to the entire Margo family.”
A third person wrote: “What an absolute heartbreak. He is loved by so many. Many hugs to the Margo family.”
Philip is survived by his wife Abbie S Margo, their sons Noah and Joshua, his daughter Neely S Irwin and his sister Maxine Rubin, along with eight grandchildren.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
