December 18, 1961 –
Based on an African song called Mbube (Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds)– The Tokens’ single, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, was No. 1 song on the Billboard Charts, on this date.
Solomon Linda recorded the song in Johannesburg, South Africa after being discovered by a talent scout. The chanting was mostly improvised, but worked extraordinarily well. Released on the Gallo label, it became a huge hit across South Africa. Around 1948, Gallo sent a copy to Decca Records in the US, hoping to get it distributed there. Folk singer Pete Seeger got a hold of it and started working on an English version. This version is probably the most well-known doo-wop song of all time.
The Haus of Dcaligari 