Canadian music legend Bernie Toorish, known for his contributions to the renowned pop vocal group the Four Lads, passed away on December 7, 2021. This former Toronto choirboy, alongside his fellow group members Jimmy Arnold, Frankie Busseri, and Connie Codarini, was celebrated for his harmonic skills, with their group being hailed as the ‘zingiest male quartet in the business.’
The Rise of the Four Lads
In 1954, the Four Lads, a group of former choirboys from Toronto, found themselves singing at the Mass at Saint Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Newton, Mass. However, their fame had already begun to spread beyond religious settings. They were known in the United States as harmonizing pop vocalists whose first gold record, ‘Istanbul (Not Constantinople),’ had already made waves in the music industry.
Their success led them to appear on CBS’s The Ed Sullivan Show and perform at the illustrious New York nightclub, the Copacabana, where they rubbed shoulders with celebrities like Judy Garland, Eddie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds. Their talent was recognized by critics, with Hy Gardner of the New York Herald Tribune praising them as the “zingiest male quartet in the business”.
Legacy and Contributions
Throughout the 1950s, the Four Lads charted more than two dozen singles, with their last significant single being 1959’s ‘Happy Anniversary’. Despite undergoing line-up changes in the 1960s, the group maintained its fame until it disbanded in 1977.
Bernie Toorish, the last surviving original member of the Four Lads, was known for his role as the group’s vocal arranger and second tenor. He also made significant contributions as a songwriter under the pseudonym Dazz Jordan, penning original songs like ‘The Mocking Bird’, ‘My Little Angel’, and ‘Down by the Riverside’.
Early Life and Career
Born on March 2, 1931, in Concord, Ontario, John Bernard Toorish was the youngest of three children. His passion for music was evident from an early age. Bernie and the other future Four Lads honed their singing skills at St. Michael’s Cathedral Choir School, where they were deeply influenced by the Black American vocal group, the Golden Gate Quartet.
They turned professional in 1949, performing under various group names at lodge meetings and other venues. Their big break came in 1949 when they made their CBC radio debut and subsequently secured a booking at New York City nightclub Le Ruban Bleu.
The Four Lads’ Impact on Music
The Four Lads, along with fellow Canadian groups the Diamonds and the Crew-Cuts, were instrumental in putting Canada on the global music map. Their combined efforts led to a total of 38 hits on the Billboard Top 40 charts. Their contribution to the music industry was recognized when these groups were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1984 and the U.S.-based Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
Apart from his professional achievements, Bernie Toorish was a hockey enthusiast, an opera aficionado, and a devoted family man. After retiring from the music industry, he worked in the insurance sector while continuing to write and perform music. He leaves behind a rich legacy of music and a dedicated fan base that continues to cherish the contributions of the Four Lads to the world of music.
