# Lenny Welch

Leon "Lenny" Welch (born May 31, 1938) is an American MOR and pop singer.

## Early years

He was born in New York City, United States, and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, by his godparents, Eva and Robert Richardson. He attended Asbury Park High School. When he was 16 years old, Welch participated in the initial rehearsal of The Mar-Keys in Asbury Park, his first time singing for another person.

## Career

In 1960, Welch signed with Cadence Records. His biggest hit, a cover version of the big band standard "Since I Fell for You," reached number 4 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, selling a million copies. His other hits included "Ebb Tide"; and "You Don't Know Me." He also recorded the first vocal version of "A Taste of Honey" in 1962 and performed the theme to the 1967 CBS TV series Coronet Blue. Welch reimagined Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" as a torch song, which became a Top 40 hit in 1970; Sedaka re-recorded the song in Welch's style for a Top 10 hit in 1975.

## Later years

After Welch's recording career ended, he resumed his education, attending night school after driving a taxicab during the day. He first achieved a high school equivalency degree, then graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a bachelor's degree. He also began singing for commercials, first for Subaru and later for products that included Coca-Cola, M&M's, and Mini-Oreos.
From 1990-1991, Welch joined The Royal All Stars (The Doo Wop All Stars), first of the "supergroups" to be formed bringing together singers from different groups to perform. This group consisted of Welch, Vito Balsamo from Vito & the Salutations, Artie Loria from The Earls, Randy Silverman from The Impalas and Eugene Pitt from The Jive Five. They became a mainstay in the "doo wop" circuit and toured relentlessly in the following years.

## Discography
### Studio albums

* Since I Fell for You (1963) (US No. 73)
* Two Different Worlds (1965)
* Rags to Riches (1966)
* Lenny (1967)
* It's All About Love (2005)

### Compilation albums

* Anthology (1958-1966) (1996)

### Singles

| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both tracks from the same album except where indicated | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Album |
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both tracks from the same album except where indicated | US Billboard Hot 100 | US AC | US Billboard R&B chart | Album |
| 1958 | "My One Sincere" b/w "Rocket To The Moon" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1959 | "The Blessing Of Love" b/w "The Last Star Of Evening" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1960 | "You Don’t Know Me" b/w "I Need Someone" | 45 | — | 28 | Since I Fell For You |
| 1960 | "Darlin'" b/w "Three-Handed Woman" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | Since I Fell For You |
| 1960 | "Darlin'" b/w "I'd Like To Know" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | Since I Fell For You |
| 1961 | "Changa Rock" b/w "Boogie Cha Cha" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1962 | "It's Just Not That Easy" b/w "Mama, Don't You Hit That Boy" | — | — | — | Since I Fell For You |
| 1962 | "A Taste Of Honey" b/w "The Old Cathedral" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | Since I Fell For You |
| 1963 | "Since I Fell For You" b/w "Are You Sincere" | 4 | 3 | — | Since I Fell For You |
| 1964 | "Ebb Tide" b/w "Congratulations, Baby" (Non-album track) | 25 | 6 | 7 | Since I Fell For You |
| 1964 | "If You See My Love" b/w "Father Sebastian" | 92 | — | 43 | Non-album tracks |
| 1965 | "I'm Dreaming Again" b/w "My Fool Of A Heart" | — | — | — | Two Different Worlds |
| 1965 | "Darling Take Me Back" b/w "Time After Time" | 72 | 23 | — | Two Different Worlds |
| 1965 | "Two Different Worlds" b/w "I Was There" | 61 | 6 | — | Two Different Worlds |
| 1965 | "Run To My Loving Arms" b/w "Coronet Blue" | 96 | — | — | Two Different Worlds |
| 1966 | "Rags to Riches" b/w "I Want You To Worry (About Me)" | 102 | — | — | Rags To Riches |
| 1966 | "What Now My Love" b/w "You're Gonna Hear From Me" | — | — | — | Rags To Riches |
| 1966 | "Just One Smile" b/w "Please Help Me I'm Falling" | — | — | — | Rags To Riches |
| 1966 | "If You Love Me, Really Love Me" b/w "Once Before I Die" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | Lenny! |
| 1967 | "I'm Over You" b/w "Coronet Blue" (from Two Different Worlds) | — | — | — | Lenny! |
| 1967 | "Since I Fell For You" b/w "A Taste Of Honey" Re-release | 134 | — | — | Since I Fell For You |
| 1967 | "The Right To Cry" b/w "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" | 128 | — | — | Lenny! |
| 1967 | "Love Doesn't Live Here" b/w "Let's Start All Over Again" | — | — | — | Lenny! |
| 1968 | "Darling Stay With Me" b/w "Wait Awhile Longer" | 112 | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1968 | "Tennessee Waltz" b/w "He Who Loves" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1968 | "Halfway To Your Arms" b/w "You Can't Run Away (From Your Own True Feelings)" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1970 | "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" b/w "Get Mommy To Come Back Home" | 34 | 8 | 27 | Non-album tracks |
| 1970 | "To Be Loved/Glory of Love" b/w "My Heart Won't Let Me" | 110 | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1970 | "Such A Night" b/w "I'm Sorry" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1972 | "A Sunday Kind Of Love" b/w "I Wish You Could Know Me (Naomi)" | 96 | 21 | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1973 | "Goodnight My Love" b/w "Fancy Meeting You Here, Baby" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1973 | "Since I Don't Have You" b/w "Right In The Next Room" | — | 25 | 92 | Non-album tracks |
| 1974 | "Eyewitness News" b/w "I Need You More (Than Ever Now)" | — | — | 71 | Non-album tracks |
| 1974 | "A Hundred Pounds Of Pain" b/w "The Iguana" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1974 | "When There's No Such Thing As Love (It's Over)" b/w "The Minx" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1977 | "Six Million Dollar Woman" b/w "I Thank You Love" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |