David Lerchey, 67, Sang With Del Vikings
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David Lerchey, a founding member of one of the first integrated rock’n’ roll acts, the Del Vikings, died Saturday at Hallandale, Fla. He was 67.
The Del Vikings were formed by five airmen in 1955 at an Air Force Base in Pittsburgh, said Harvey Robbins, founder of the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame of America. Three members were black. Lerchey was one of two white members.
“David Lerchey was a wonderful singer, he was a courageous individual, he certainly carried himself on the stage with dignity and pride,” Robbins said. Lerchey sang baritone and tenor.
The Del Vikings appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1957, Robbins said, the same year they had two No. 1 hits: “Whispering Bells” and “Come Go With Me.”
Other Del Vikings hits include “Cool Shake,” “A Sunday Kind of Love,””Summertime,” and “Bring Back Your Heart.”
