Walter Paul Lester was born in Allentown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, on October 5th 1941. At 13, Lester was discovered by music producer Joe Rock, singing with an Allentown group called 'The Crescents'. With the addition of Jimmy Beaumont, they were renamed 'The Skyliners', and, at 17, he travelled to New York along with Rock and group members Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joe VerScharen and Jackie Taylor, to record the future classic "Since I Don't Have You" (featured in this Jam).
Recorded at Capitol Studios and released the day after Christmas 1958, the song went to No. 12 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 3 on the R&B; chart in March 1959. 'The Skyliners' became the first white group to top the R&B; charts (in the 'Cashbox' version at least). It led to the group appearing on "American Bandstand", and on the "Dick Clark Caravan of Stars" tour. In the group, Beaumont was lead vocalist, with Lester in the harmony at baritone, though he could still hit high notes.
They returned to the charts a year later with two more numbers, "This I Swear", and "Pennies From Heaven". However, due to the general demise of the 'doo-wop' vocal groups, 'The Skyliners' split in 1963. Lester transitioned into the business world, becoming Eastern sales manager for an international hair and beauty products conglomerate, eventually rising to vice president at the company.
When 'The Skyliners' reunited for an oldies revival concert in 1970 at Madison Square Garden, Lester was back on board, and sang with the group until 1975 part-time. He returned to Pittsburgh to perform at the "Roots of Rock and Roll" celebration for the group's 25th, 40th and 50th anniversaries, going onstage to belt out their biggest hit, Jammed today.
5 Comments (since 27 Apr 2015)
rest_in_peace
Walter Paul Lester was born in Allentown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, on October 5th 1941. At 13, Lester was discovered by music producer Joe Rock, singing with an Allentown group called 'The Crescents'. With the addition of Jimmy Beaumont, they were renamed 'The Skyliners', and, at 17, he travelled to New York along with Rock and group members Beaumont, Janet Vogel, Joe VerScharen and Jackie Taylor, to record the future classic "Since I Don't Have You" (featured in this Jam).
rest_in_peace
Recorded at Capitol Studios and released the day after Christmas 1958, the song went to No. 12 on the Billboard pop chart and No. 3 on the R&B; chart in March 1959. 'The Skyliners' became the first white group to top the R&B; charts (in the 'Cashbox' version at least). It led to the group appearing on "American Bandstand", and on the "Dick Clark Caravan of Stars" tour. In the group, Beaumont was lead vocalist, with Lester in the harmony at baritone, though he could still hit high notes.
rest_in_peace
They returned to the charts a year later with two more numbers, "This I Swear", and "Pennies From Heaven". However, due to the general demise of the 'doo-wop' vocal groups, 'The Skyliners' split in 1963. Lester transitioned into the business world, becoming Eastern sales manager for an international hair and beauty products conglomerate, eventually rising to vice president at the company.
rest_in_peace
When 'The Skyliners' reunited for an oldies revival concert in 1970 at Madison Square Garden, Lester was back on board, and sang with the group until 1975 part-time. He returned to Pittsburgh to perform at the "Roots of Rock and Roll" celebration for the group's 25th, 40th and 50th anniversaries, going onstage to belt out their biggest hit, Jammed today.
rest_in_peace
Wally Lester died of pancreatic cancer on April 21st 2015 in Southport, North Carolina, at the age of 73. He leaves wife Cecilia and four sons. http://ultimateclassicrock.com/wally-lester-dies/