Hank Medress, 68; pop music producer, a member of the Tokens

Hank Medress, 68, who sang “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” with the pop vocal group the Tokens and went on to produce hits for such groups as the Chiffons and Tony Orlando and Dawn, died of lung cancer Monday in New York, according to publicist Diana D’Angelo.

“The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” a catchy, doo-wop tune based on a traditional Zulu melody and a reworking of the Weavers’ 1950s folk version of “Wimoweh,” was a No. 1 single for the Tokens in 1961.

The Tokens originated at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1955 when Medress, Neil Sedaka and two other students joined to become the Linc-Tones. After little success, Sedaka left in 1958 for a solo career. Following several lineup shuffles, the Tokens were formed in 1960 by Medress, Jay Siegel and brothers Mitch and Phil Margo (Joseph Venneri was later added).

Their first single, “Tonight I Fell in Love,” reached No. 15 on the pop charts in 1961. The Tokens had several more modest hits in the ‘60s and started their own label, B.T. Puppy Records.

It was the Chiffons who caused Medress to leave his singing career behind. He produced three top-10 hits for the 1960s girl group: “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” “One Fine Day” and “He’s So Fine.”

Medress left the Tokens in 1970, and later that year he and producing partner Dave Appell teamed up with Tony Orlando and Dawn on “Candida” and “Knock Three Times.” In the late ‘80s Medress produced Buster Poindexter’s self-titled album and “Hot, Hot, Hot” single.

In addition to producing other records, he worked for EMI Music Publishing and recently served as a consultant to SoundExchange, a nonprofit organization that helps recording artists collect royalties.