‘Rama Lama Ding Dong’ writer dies

YOUNGSTOWN — George “Wydell” Jones, who wrote the doo-wop hit “Rama Lama Ding Dong” and performed it as a member of the Youngstown-based vocal group The Edsels, died Saturday at his Jackson Street home on the city’s East Side. He was 71.

“Rama Lama” peaked at No. 21 on the BillBoard Hot 100 chart in 1961. The Edsels also included Jimmy Reynolds of Youngstown, Harry Green, Marshall Sewell and the late Larry Green.

Jones, who suffered from cancer, had been retired from the music industry.

Steffon Jones, son of George, is serving as family spokesman. He called his father “a loving, kind-hearted man who loved his family. Music was his passion — music, and his love for Jesus.”

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