![]() ![]() The Tokens' version of the song features a drum roll that serves as a very good hook and a high soprano counter point by opera singer, Anita Darian. ![]() In all of this, the original South African writer, Solomon Linda, got no credit (and no money) - until a law suit was finally settled in 2006. In 1994 it would be featured in the Disney film, "The Lion King" and again in the Broadway play in 1997. The fiftieth anniversary of his seminal folk group, The Weavers, is celebrated with a reissue of their classic Wimoweh, and former Weavers member Ronnie. 3 Artists who recorded various versions of the song included Henri Salvador, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Noro Morales, Miriam Makeba, and the Kingston Trio. The original version from 1939, was called Mbube and was by Solomon Linda & The Evening Birds, (Mbube is Zulu for lion). The song would be revived in 1972 by Robert John and rise to #3. It was recorded as ' Wimoweh ' by the the Weavers in November 1951, and published by Folkways Music Publishers in December 1951. The record reached #1 on December 18 and stayed there until the end of the year. The group was glad to get the RCA recording contract but really didn't want "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" to be released - they were embarrassed by its sound. They sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads. The Weavers were formed in November 1948 by Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays and Fred Hellerman. The 1961 lineup was Medress, Jay Siegel, and Phil and Mitch Margo. The Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. ![]() The Tokens, headed by Hank Medress, had begun in 1955 at Lincoln High School in the Bronx as the Linc-Tones (and included Neil Sedaka at the time). The Tokens performed it in their audition for RCA and copied their version from a former recording by The Weavers of Wimoweh. recognizable calendars, it took him nearly another two and a half years. RCA producers gave the song a new name and English lyrics. Wimoweh (Mbube) Zulu Song, from the album Pete Seeger & The Weavers: Wasnt That a Time Their 28 Finest (1949-1953), was released in the year 2014. The Weavers, the Blacklist, and the Battle for the Soul of America Jesse Jarnow. single year (1959) and the first mixed-gender trio ever with more than one No. The Tokens performed it in their audition for RCA and copied their version from a former recording by The Weavers of "Wimoweh." The Weavers got their version from a 1939 recording of a South African folk tune. The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh). "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" has a long history. "We weren't embarrassed anymore." - Jay Siegel (after the record hit #1) ![]()
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