Vogues Singer Bill Burkette Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA - Rising from their Turtle Creek roots to national prominence, the Vogues graced the pop music charts in the 1960s with hits such as “Five O’Clock World,” “Turn Around Look At Me” and “Magic Town.”

Bill Burkette, the baritone voice behind those hits, died Thursday of lymphoma. He was 75.

The Vogues were formed in 1960 by high school friends Burkette, fellow baritone Don Miller, first tenor Hugh Geyer, and second tenor Chuck Blasko. Originally dubbed the Val-Aires, the foursome eventually signed to the tiny Co & Ce label before jumping to major Reprise label.

At the height of their popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s, The Vogues appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Tonight Show” and were frequent guests on “American Bandstand.”

Even though their chart activity ended in the ‘70s, various Vogues lineups remain among the nation’s most popular oldies acts to this day. Mr. Burkette was on the road with the group as recently as last year.

Mr. Burkette is survived by his wife, Elaine M. Downing Burkette; daughters Lori (Greg) Cinna and Sheri (Scott) Good; a son William W. (Julie) Burkette, IV; and grandchildren Brianna Mae and Holden William Burkette, and Nathan Good.

Friends will be received March 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Jobe Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., corner of Shaw & Triboro Avenues, Turtle Creek. Funeral service at 6 p.m., interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

Photo via Jobe Funeral Home & Crematory.