E

Earl Carroll

Died
November 25, 2012
Age
75 years
Cause
complications of a stroke and diabetes

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About Earl Carroll

Earl Carroll, 75, American singer (The Cadillacs, The Coasters), complications of a stroke and diabetes.

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Full Biography

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Earl "Speedo" Carroll (November 2, 1937 – November 25, 2012) was the lead vocalist of the doo-wop group The Cadillacs. The group's biggest hit was "Speedoo", which with a minor spelling change became Carroll's subsequent nickname. It was released in 1955. He joined The Coasters in 1961, leaving the group in the early 1980s to permanently reform The Cadillacs.[citation needed]

In 1982, Earl took a job as a custodian at the PS 87 elementary school in New York City and worked there until retiring in 2005. A popular figure with the students, he was chosen to be the subject of a children's book, That's Our Custodian, by Ann Morris (Brookfield, Connecticut: Millbrook Press). The publicity helped him to revive his career. He became a mainstay of the PBS series honoring doo wop, hosted by Jerry Butler and continued performing until the early 2010s when deteriorating health forced him to retire.[citation needed]

Death

Carroll died on November 25, 2012, of complications from a stroke and diabetes.

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People who died on November 25

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