Len Barry obit

Nov 5, 2020: Len Barry, ‘1-2-3’ and ‘Bristol Stomp’ Singer—Obituary

 

He was not on the list.

Len Barry, the original lead singer for the popular doo-wop group the Dovells, including their 1961 hit, “Bristol Stomp,” died November 5, 2020. The news was revealed by Jerry Gross, another original member of the singing group. Barry, 78, died as a result of cancer of the bone marrow. Barry also earned a solo hit with “1-2-3” in 1965.

In his post on the group’s Facebook page, Gross wrote, “We lost one of our original members. Our lead singer from 1960 – 1963… has gone on to Rock ‘n’ Roll heaven. In these trying times that we’re living in, with the politics and the virus, and now one more sad moment.

Gross continued, “Very few people know that we did two reunion shows in 1994 in Syracuse (NY) and Hartford (Conn). We had a fabulous time both on stage, and in the car between the dates. Between Lenny and Mark, the comedy never stopped. It was the best of times.

“Great being with him again after 31 years. RIP old friend. From all the remaining Dovells. Jerry, Arnie, Mike, and Mark.”

Barry was born Leonard Orisoff on June 12, 1942, in Philadelphia, Penn., performing in singing groups with high school friends. After serving with the U.S. Coast Guard, he formed the Dovells with other members, settling on a lineup in 1961 with Gross, Arnie Silver, Jim Mealey, and Mike Freda. Signed to Cameo-Parkway, they recorded “Bristol Stomp” about teenagers’ new dance step in a nearby blue collar town.

The single reached #2 on the Hot 100, blocked from the top spot by Dion’s “Runaround Sue,” and ultimately sold more than a million copies.