logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Questlove's Father Lee Andrews Led a Doo-Wop Group — a Breakdown of His Deep Musical Roots

Manuela Cardiga
Mar 12, 2021
07:35 A.M.

The Roots’ “Questlove” Thompson inherited his passion for music from his father, Lee Andrews, the lead singer of a well-known doo-wop group in the 50s.

Advertisement

Fans of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" are very familiar with Ahmir Khalib Thompson, AKA Questlove, the drummer and front-man for The Roots, the show's in-house band.

What they may not know is that the songwriter, musician, and journalist is the son of a well-known lead singer from a 50s doo-wop group -- Lee Andrews. It was Andrews who introduced his son to the music which would become his life.

 Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson on "Saturday Night Live" | Source: Getty Images

Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson on "Saturday Night Live" | Source: Getty Images

LEGACY OF MUSIC

Andrews, born in 1936 in North Carolina, was the son of Beechie Thompson, a singer with the famous Gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. Andrews was already singing in high school and formed a doo-wop group with friends.

Advertisement

The young Andrews was inspired by the smooth, sophisticated styles of singers like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby and integrated their influence into the group's four-part harmonies.

Like his sister Donn T., Questlove has followed his father and grandfather's steps and they are now third-generation musicians.

Advertisement

HIT QUINTET

Andrews and his doo-wop quintet, named Lee Andrews & the Hearts, got themselves a recording deal with Mainline Records in 1957, and in the first year charted three hits: "Long Lonely Nights," "Tear Drops," and "Try the Impossible."

"Lonely Nights" charted an impressive #11 on the R&B charts, “Teardrops” was # 20 on the pop charts and #4 on the R&B charts, and “Try the Impossible” made it to #33 on the pop charts.

Advertisement

CLASS ACT

R&B songwriter and record producer Bunny Sigler admired the group for their smooth, elegant style, which he considered "classier" than The Platters, and credited Andrews' voice and leadership with their success. He said:

"I called it ‘Uptown Saturday Night’ singing. Lee was in a class of his own (...) He was on a Johnny Mathis-type of tone with the way he sang.”

Advertisement

FAMILY LEGACY

The love of music that Andrews inherited from his father Beechie Thompson, he passed on to his own children, son Questlove and daughter Donn Thompson, a singer whose silken style owes a lot to her father's influence. Donn said:

“Music just is for our family, I think. (...) my home was always very musical and very diverse in that way."

Advertisement

FATHER SON INDUCTEES

Questlove Thompson, who won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for his work on "Hamilton" in 2016, was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame in 2015.

Andrews had been inducted in 1992, and he and Questlove became the Walk's first father-son inductees, a milestone the Grammy-winning songwriter marked with a heartfelt tribute to his father, who died a year later in 2016.

Advertisement

LEGACY

Questlove has credited his father and his mother -- a classically trained ballet dancer -- with introducing him to music, from Gospel to R&B to classical music and jazz. He revealed:

"My parents were big record collectors with stacks for days. We had everybody on the shelves from Roberta Flack, to Nina Simone,(...) Miles Davis and classical."

Advertisement

Questlove remembered his father's reaction when he told him he would be "trying out" hip hop, but the master of doo-wop cool ended up appreciating his son's gritty street music. To this day, Questlove sees his music as a spiritual connection to his father.

Like his sister Donn T., Questlove has followed his father and grandfather's steps, and they are now third-generation musicians, a Philadelphia dynasty. Hopefully, there will be the fourth generation to carry their music into the future.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Adrienne Barbeau Is Amazing as Ever at 79: Her Transformation in Photos

June 11, 2024

Inside Donny Osmond & Wife’s Home of More than 25 Years Where Neighbors Don’t Treat Him like a Celebrity

April 29, 2024

This '80s Pop Icon Was a Hollywood Heartthrob — Now, He's 'Unrecognizable' After He Overcame Dark Thoughts

May 29, 2024

This '90s Teen Idol Received 4,000 Fan Letters a Week at the Peak of His Fame — His Tragic End Still Makes Fans 'Sad'

April 22, 2024

Loretta Lynn's Son Found Dead by River about 3 Miles from Family Ranch – Tragic Details of His Death

June 27, 2024

Meet Prince William's Ex-girlfriends Who Stole His Heart Before Finding True Love with Kate

April 26, 2024

Tony Awards Scandals: Celebrities Who Rejected Award & Were Banned

June 18, 2024

8 Late Female Stars Who Passed on Their Beauty to Their Daughters – Photos of Their Reincarnated Looks

May 15, 2024

My Heart Dropped When I Saw the 'Gift' My Mother-In-Law Left in the Nightstand While I Was Away

April 08, 2024

Rod Stewart, 79, Poses with His Sons, Causing a Stir as the Youngest Is His 'Carbon Copy': Photo

March 29, 2024

Celine Dion Raised 3 Children as a Widow – Few Times They Were Seen in Public

March 30, 2024

Blake Shelton, 47, Poses at Gala Event, Causing Reactions Due to His Changed Look & Simple Outfit

May 14, 2024

These Twins Were Just 18 When Their Star Dad Crashed in Plane – His Last-Minute Cancelation Saved Them

April 02, 2024

'General Hospital' Stars Joan Benedict & Douglas Sheehan Died 5 Days Apart: Details

July 09, 2024