R.I.P. Wally Roker, co-founder of doo wop’s The Heartbeats

We are sad to inform SoulTrackers of the death of Wally Roker, the bass singer of the doo wop vocal group The Heartbeats, known best for the song “A Thousand Miles Away.” Roder died due to complications from surgery. He was 75.

The Heartbeats began as a quartet in early 1953 in Jamaica, Queens as “The Hearts”, consisting of Roker, baritone Vernon Sievers, first tenor Albert Crump, and second tenor Robbie Tatum. When it was later discovered that there was a female group of the same name (who scored a minor Billboard hit with “Lonely Nights”), the male group extended their name to “Heartbeats”. They were signed shortly after James “Shep” Sheppard joined the group as lead vocalist and were shuffled between various production companies and record labels over the next few years. The group split up in 1959 and Sheppard went on to form Shep and the Limelites. Roker remained in the music business as a promoter while the other group members went on to other professions. James Sheppard died under mysterious circumstances in 1970.

On May 13, 2003, the four original surviving Heartbeats, joined by Walter Crump (Albert’s brother) on lead vocals, reunited for the PBS special Rock and Roll at 50 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Later that same year, they reunited again for their 50th anniversary at a meeting of the United in Group Harmony Association in New Jersey. Albert Crump and Robbie Tatum retired from performing shortly thereafter.

Publisher’s Note: There is a nice tribute to Wally at https://www.eurweb.com/2015/12/steven-ivory-wally-roker-the-ultimate-record-man-gone/

Video

More Info

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article The Heartbeats

Never miss any important news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Album of the Month

Various Artists

80s Soul Classics, Vol. 8

Choice Cut

Walter Beasley

"Come Live With Me"

Choice Cut

Paul Anthony

"Ready to Learn Your Love"

Choice Cut

Heidi Tann feat. Kinsman Dazz Band

"Island Summer"

Never miss any important news. Subscribe to our newsletter.