David Lerchey

David Lerchey (b. New Albany, 1937 - d. Hallandale, Florida, 2005) – Singer. A native of New Albany, Lerchey became the first white member of the Del Vikings, a popular five-member doo-wop group that started in 1955. Formed by U.S. Air Force members stationed in Pittsburgh, the Del-Vikings was an early inter-racial group. Although he was not an original member of the group, he joined the group early on when their original baritone was sent overseas. In 1957, the band hit the top ten with “Come Go With Me” on Fee-Bee Records, a subsidiary of Dot. In spite of contract disputes and a split into two groups (the Del-Vikings and the Dell-Vikings, aka The Versatiles), the group (or groups) produced a number of hits and reunited with nearly the original line-up (including Lerchey) in 1970. In the 1990s, Lerchey performed with the Del Vikings on cruise ships and in casinos. At the time of his death, Lerchey was still occasionally performing with the group and had formed his own Del Vikings with his sons.