Hokey Pokey Singer

Description

In the 1960s four friends from the Overbrook section of Philadelphia got together to form a singing group.  They were better than most and with their unique blue eyed soul sound quickly became a favorite with fraternities at the local colleges, including their own Temple University.  With tight harmonies and choreography they called themselves The Temptones, out of respect for their idols, Motown’s Temptations.  Then things changed.  Lead singer Daryl left the group, changed his name to Daryl Hall, and along with his other Temple pal, John Oates, went on to bigger and better things.  Tenor Paul Fogel enlisted and went off to serve in Vietnam.  The other Temptones found replacements and bopped around for a few more years.  Once Paul returned, what could’ve been became a never was.  Paul became a doctor but never gave up his passion to sing, which is how he became a band singer and fronted for the top party orchestras along the east coast.  Paul could be in the middle of crooning a ballad and some guest would yell out, “Sing the hokey pokey!”  So that’s how Paul Fogel mockingly christened himself the hokey pokey singer.  In this lively memoir Paul recounts tales of his memorable life, from the major stars he met along the way to what he saw from the bandstand.  Some of the parties he performed for could’ve been considered for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.  For over 50 years it’s been a wild ride!

Available December 2025