Rock Musician. A drummer, he was a founding member of the 1960s music ensemble "The Box Tops". They will be best remembered for their gold single "The Letter" (1967). Smythe began his career in 1963 with the Memphis band "The Devilles", prior to their name change. Fronted by Alex Chilton, the landed a deal with the Bell Label subsidiary Mala Records and recorded their debut album "The Letter/Neon Rainbow" (1967) which contained their hit single "The Letter", resulting in a number one placing on the American Pop Charts and a Gold Record status in late 1967. The single "Neon Rainbow" from the album earned them a Top 30 chart placing. Their second album "Cry Like A Baby" (1968), which yielded the hit of the same title became their second gold single in 1968. Smythe soon departed following the recording of that album and after several more years in the music industry, he focused on art. He went on to become a successful painter, however he would revisit his musical roots with occasional reunions with various lineups of "The Box Tops".
Rock Musician. A drummer, he was a founding member of the 1960s music ensemble "The Box Tops". They will be best remembered for their gold single "The Letter" (1967). Smythe began his career in 1963 with the Memphis band "The Devilles", prior to their name change. Fronted by Alex Chilton, the landed a deal with the Bell Label subsidiary Mala Records and recorded their debut album "The Letter/Neon Rainbow" (1967) which contained their hit single "The Letter", resulting in a number one placing on the American Pop Charts and a Gold Record status in late 1967. The single "Neon Rainbow" from the album earned them a Top 30 chart placing. Their second album "Cry Like A Baby" (1968), which yielded the hit of the same title became their second gold single in 1968. Smythe soon departed following the recording of that album and after several more years in the music industry, he focused on art. He went on to become a successful painter, however he would revisit his musical roots with occasional reunions with various lineups of "The Box Tops".
Bio by: C.S.
Advertisement
See more Smythe memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
