Lee Andrews, the lead singer in doo-wop group Lee Andrews & the Hearts and father of the Roots‘ Questlove, has died, Billboard reports. He was 79.
In 1953, Andrews formed Lee Andrews & the Hearts in Philadephia. In 1957, Chess picked up their hit “Long Lonely Nights” from Mainline, and did the same for “Teardrops.” The following year, the group moved to United Artists and charted with “Try the Impossible.” They continued to tour in the ’60s.
Questlove, born Ahmir-Khalib Thompson, has written about his father’s influence. When Questlove was 10, Andrews encouraged him to take on the group’s light show. Two years later, Andrews’ drummer sprained his arm before a concert. “My Dad just said, ‘You know the show. Go play it,'” Questlove writes in his memoir, Mo’ Meta Blues. It was his debut as a drummer.
On Instagram yesterday evening, Questlove wrote:
The Greatest Teacher in my life, my dad Lee Andrews June 2nd 1936-March 16 2016. I love you. For every backstage experience. For every drum lesson. For giving me your tireless work ethic. For our father & son record binging expeditions. For our arguments over the summer I discovered #ItTakesANationOfMillions. For the look on your face when I told you “imma give this rap thing a try” (I waited til our 2nd album to have this convo btw) For the look on your face 5 years later when I told you “you don’t have to work no more. For the look on your face when a year later I was like “Seriously dad, you don’t have to work anymore!” For bringing my mom & my sister into my life. For the years we fell out. For the years we put it back together. But really, for the last 2 conversations we had. I understand why you were so hard on me praying I didn’t succumb to a fate not meant for a teenager in west philly in the mid 80s. I didn’t understand it at the time. But I appreciate it now. I hope Donn & I do you proud. #LeeAndrewsAndTheHearts
