Dells singer Marvin Junior passed away on Wednesday from kidney and heart failure at his home in Harvey, Illinois, according to the New York Times. He was 77.
The Chicago doo-wop singer, once dubbed “Iron Throat” for his huge and versatile vocals, held a 57-year-long career. In the early 50s, Junior formed the Dells in high school and co-wrote the Billboard hit “Oh, What a Night.”
After several hit records including “Stay in My Corner,” the group amicably parted ways, reuniting in 1991 to consult for Robert Townsend’s The Five Heartbeats and in 2004 for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Junior is survived by his wife Ruby, their 5 children, and 10 grandchildren.