Bernie Toorish, 94, Member of Classic Pop Group, Passes Away in Hospice Care

John “Bernie” Toorish, one of the co-founders of The Four Lads, a prominent group in the pre-rock radio era, passed away on December 7 in hospice in North Olmsted, Ohio, according to his online obituary. Toorish, who was 94 years old, played a significant role in the music industry.

The Four Lads made quite an impact with their music, garnering 22 Top 40 hits, including popular songs like “Moments to Remember,” “No, Not Much,” “Standing on the Corner,” “Who Needs You?” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”, which later received a rendition by They Might Be Giants in 1990. Originally forming under the name Otnorots, which is Toronto spelled backwards, the group quickly rose to fame.

Toorish, along with his bandmates Frank Busseri, Jimmie Arnold, and Johnnie D’Arc, were known for their captivating performances, gaining recognition at the Le Ruban Bleu supper club in the late 1940s. They further solidified their status by backing Johnnie Ray on his hit songs “Cry” and “The Little White Cloud That Cried” in 1951, eventually performing with Ray on The Ed Sullivan Show and touring the Midwest independently.

It was during a performance in Cleveland in 1952 that Toorish’s future wife, Angela, first laid eyes on him. Angela recalled how she fell in love at first sight, leading to their eventual marriage in 1956 after she nervously approached him for an autograph. The eternal love the couple shared was evident as they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary just days before Toorish’s passing.

In 1964, the Toorishes moved to Northeast Ohio to be closer to Angela’s family, prompting Bernie to retire from The Four Lads in 1972. However, he didn’t stay away from music for long, starting a new group that included original Lad Connie Codarini and local jazzman Peter Selvaggio. This musical journey continued until 2018, highlighting Bernie’s unwavering passion for music and creativity.

Toorish’s contributions to the music industry did not go unnoticed, as he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. His influence and legacy will forever be remembered in the world of music, leaving behind a lasting impact on future generations of artists and music enthusiasts.