Doo-wop Singer Lee Andrews, Father of The Roots Drummer, Questlove Dead at 79

Lee Andrews, father of the legendary Roots(Crew) drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and former leader of the Philadelphia doo-wop group Lee Andrews & the Hearts, died Wednesday at 79. His son announced his death via social media.

Mr. Andrews, born Arthur Lee Andrew Thompson, formed the Hearts Philadelphia in 1953. The group later released three charting hits with “Long Lonely Nights” and “Teardrops,” and “Try the Impossible,” in 1957 and 1958. Although the original Hearts group disbanded in 1959, Andrews continued touring, sometimes under the Hearts moniker, throughout his career. In the late 1960s, Andrews would go into semi-retirement and open a clothing store.

The Hearts were inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame in 1992 and with the induction of the Roots induction last year, Questlove and his father became the first father-and-son duo to be included on the Walk.

Lee Andrews & The Hearts

Questlove paid a touching tribute to his father on social media Wednesday night, calling the R&B legend the “greatest teacher in my life.” Questlove cited his father’s influence on his musical career in the past, recounting when a young Ahmir made his debut onstage as a drummer. In that instance, his father’s drummer had sprained his arm before a concert, and Questlove was left to fill in.

“My Dad just said, ‘You know the show. Go play it,’” he wrote in Mo’ Meta Blues, his 2013 memoir.

Questlove and the Roots have earned 3 Granny® Awards and 14 nominations, and currently serve as the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Thompson family.

Questlove and dad, Lee circa 1974.  Questlove was rockin’ his fresh fro way back in the day!!