The Tokens

The Tokens
The Tokens in 1967
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres	Doo-wop, pop
Labels	Warwick, RCA Victor, B.T. Puppy
Associated acts	Record Production The Chiffons Randy and the Rainbows The Happenings
Members	As Jay Siegel's Tokens: Jay Siegel (lead vocalist) Bill Reid Kurt Yahjian Jay Traynor (former member, deceased) As The Margo's Tokens: Mitch Margo Philip Margo Jay Leslie Mike Johnson Noah Margo Ari Margo Damien Margo
Past members	Neil Sedaka Hank Medress Eddie Rabkin Cynthia Zolotin

The Tokens are an American male doo-wop-style vocal group and record production company group from Brooklyn, New York. They are known best for their chart-topping 1961 single, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" ( sample ).

The group was formed in 1955 at Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School, and was known first as the Linc-Tones. Originally featuring members Neil Sedaka, Hank Medress, Eddie Rabkin, and Cynthia Zolotin, Rabkin was replaced by Jay Siegel in 1956, and the band recorded its first single, "While I Dream" that same year. In 1957 Sedaka and Zolotin left the band, leaving only Siegel and Medress, who would recruit two additional band members and record the single "Picture in My Wallet" as Darrell & the Oxfords. Finally establishing its most famous name and crew, the band became known as The Tokens in 1960 after they recruited the 13-year-old multi-instrumentalist and first tenor Mitch Margo and his baritone brother Phil Margo.