Len Barry

Lead singer/songwriter, The Dovells[7]

What is Len Barry known for?

Len Barry, born as Leonard Warren Borisoff on June 12, 1942, was an American singer, songwriter, lyricist, record producer, and even tried his hand at authoring and poetry. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Barry initially aspired to be a professional basketball player, but a stint with the US Coast Guard band at Cape May, New Jersey, sparked his interest in music.

Upon his return to Philadelphia, Barry formed a musical group, The Dovells. With Barry as the lead singer, the group produced several best-selling records, including "Bristol Stomp", "Hully Gully Baby", and "You Can't Sit Down", scoring a gold disc from the RIAA for "Bristol Stomp". Barry and The Dovells toured with legends like James Brown and appeared on US television shows such as Bandstand, American Bandstand, Shindig, and Hullabaloo.

Barry also embarked on a successful solo career, recording hit songs such as "1-2-3", "Like a Baby", and "I Struck It Rich". He received another gold disc and a Grammy nomination for "1-2-3", a song that sold over four million copies. Many of his performances were held in renowned venues such as the Apollo Theatre in New York, the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., The Regal Chicago in Illinois, The Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, and The Uptown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also toured with Sam Cooke and the Motown Revue.

Len Barry made an indelible mark on the American music scene before his demise on November 5, 2020, in his home city of Philadelphia. His legacy, however, continues to inspire others in the music world.