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Philip Margo

1942 – 2021

American singer, drummer and record producer

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About Philip Margo

Lived 1942 – 2021 (aged 79). Philip Margo was an American singer, record producer, composer and screenwriter.

Philip Frederick Margo (April 1, 1942 – November 13, 2021) was an American musician and author who was a longtime member of the Tokens, along with his brother Mitch. They are best known for their hit recording of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks in 1961.

Biography Margo was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 1, 1942, to Leon and Ruth (née Becker) Margules. He was of Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish origin from the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Russian Empire.

Margo authored the 2010 science fiction novel, The Null Quotient.

He died at a hospital in Los Angeles, California, after suffering a stroke, on November 13, 2021, at the age of 79.

The Tokens In addition to his singing, Margo also played the drums. He performed with The Tokens on the following television programs: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Late Night with Conan O'Brien The Tracey Ullman Show

Record Production With The Tokens, Margo was successful as a record producer for artists including the following: The Chiffons The Happenings Tony Orlando & Dawn

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Important facts

People in Philip Margo's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Philip Margo's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Philip Margo?

American singer, drummer and record producer (1942–2021)

When was Philip Margo born?

Philip Margo was born on 1 April 1942 in Brooklyn.

When did Philip Margo die?

Philip Margo died on 13 November 2021 in Los Angeles.

What was Philip Margo's occupation?

Philip Margo was a singer, record producer, composer and screenwriter.

What nationality was Philip Margo?

Philip Margo was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Philip Margo

· Wikidata: Q7184030

· DBpedia: Philip Margo

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Philip Margo. https://biography.guide/philip-margo/

MLA: "Philip Margo." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/philip-margo/.

Chicago: "Philip Margo." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/philip-margo/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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