Sammy Turner
American singer (1932–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Samuel L. Black (June 2, 1932 – January 22, 2026), better known as Sammy Turner, was an American singer who was popular at the end of the 1950s.
June 2, 1932
Sammy Turner | |
|---|---|
| Born | Samuel L. Black June 2, 1932 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2026 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | Singer |
Life and career
Sammy Turner was born on June 2, 1932 in Paterson, New Jersey, where he also grew up.[1] He developed an early interest in singing and songwriting, and on the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and saw active service as a paratrooper.[2]
He was signed to Bigtop Records late in the 1950s, and his releases featured production from Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.[1] He scored several hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 and 1960; the biggest were "Lavender Blue", a number-three chart record on the Billboard Hot 100, and originally a hit for Sammy Kaye in 1949, and "Always", a number-one hit for Vincent Lopez in 1926.[3] Later in the 1960s Turner recorded for Motown Records.[1]
Turner died on January 22, 2026, at the age of 93.[4]
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions[5][6] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | U.S. R&B Singles | UK Singles Chart | ||
| 1959 | "Symphony" | 82 | - | - |
| "Lavender Blue" | 3 | 14 | - | |
| "Always" | 19 | 2 | 26 | |
| 1960 | "Paradise" | 46 | 13 | - |