Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson, the founder of the Fifties doo-wop quartet the Del-Vikings, has died of cancer. He was 57.
Johnson died Friday at his home, said band member Ritzy Lee.
Johnson founded the Del-Vikings in 1955 the first racially integrated rock 'n roll group. The four were best known for the hits "Come Go With Me" and "Whispering Bells. "
Lee said the cancer hit Johnson hard in the last few months.
"He knew it was coming because he was very weak," Lee said. "I was lucky to have known him. I owe being in show business to him. "
"He was a spiritual and religious man," said Mili Lilley, manager of the group since 1985. "He was the heart and soul of the group. He was loved by a lot of people and is certainly going to be missed. "
Elmer Hopper, lead vocalist with the Platters, visited Johnson at a Detroit area hospital earlier this month. "So sad, so fast," Hopper said.
"We worked so many shows with him," Hopper said, adding that Johnson told him, "God was good to me. I had a wonderful life. "
Johnson last performed with the band April 26 in Hollywood, Fla.
Corinthian "Kripp" Johnson, the founder of the Fifties doo-wop quartet the Del-Vikings, has died of cancer. He was 57.
Johnson died Friday at his home, said band member Ritzy Lee.
Johnson founded the Del-Vikings in 1955 the first racially integrated rock 'n roll group. The four were best known for the hits "Come Go With Me" and "Whispering Bells. "
Lee said the cancer hit Johnson hard in the last few months.
"He knew it was coming because he was very weak," Lee said. "I was lucky to have known him. I owe being in show business to him. "
"He was a spiritual and religious man," said Mili Lilley, manager of the group since 1985. "He was the heart and soul of the group. He was loved by a lot of people and is certainly going to be missed. "
Elmer Hopper, lead vocalist with the Platters, visited Johnson at a Detroit area hospital earlier this month. "So sad, so fast," Hopper said.
"We worked so many shows with him," Hopper said, adding that Johnson told him, "God was good to me. I had a wonderful life. "
Johnson last performed with the band April 26 in Hollywood, Fla.
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