| The Hi-Lo's | |
|---|---|
| Genres | A cappella |
| Years active | 1953–present |
| Website | http://www.thehi-los.com |
| Past members | |
| Gene Puerling Bob Strasen Bob Morse Clark Burroughs Don Shelton |
|
The Hi-Lo's were an a cappella quartet formed in 1953. The group's name (which makes incorrect use of the apostrophe) is reportedly a reference to their extreme vocal and physical ranges (Bob Strasen and Bob Morse were tall, Gene Puerling and Clark Burroughs were short).
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The group consisted of Gene Puerling (bass-baritone, arranger and leader), Bob Strasen (baritone), Bob Morse (baritone and occasional soloist) and Clark Burroughs (tenor). In 1959, Don Shelton replaced Strasen. They are considered a musical influence on groups like The King's Singers, The Manhattan Transfer, Chanticleer, The Free Design and Brian Wilson.[1] They were also supported by Frank Sinatra. Clare Fischer was their pianist for years and did some of their arrangements.
Puerling and Shelton later formed another quartet, Singers Unlimited.
Bob Morse died in 2001. Afterward, Puerling, Shelton and Burroughs still appeared very occasionally as the Hi-Lo's in and around Southern California. Shelton is an accomplished reed player and has played in Clare Fischer's bands. Clark Burroughs is semi-retired and can sometimes be heard on film soundtracks.
On March 25, 2008, Gene Puerling died just shy of his 79th birthday.