RIP Lee Andrews: Doo-wop singer, founder of The Hearts and father of Questlove

Lee Andrews, the Philly soul and doo-wop singer who fronted Lee Andrews & The Hearts and father of The Roots drummer Questlove, passed away yesterday at the age of 79.

Questlove (Amir Thompson) said this via Instagram last night:

The Greatest Teacher in my life, my dad Lee Andrews June 2nd 1936-March 16 2016. I love you. For every backstage experience. For every drum lesson. For giving me your tireless work ethic. For our father & son record binging expeditions. For our arguments over the summer I discovered#ItTakesANationOfMillions. For the look on your face when I told you “imma give this rap thing a try” (I waited til our 2nd album to have this convo btw) For the look on your face 5 years later when I told you “you don’t have to work no more. For the look on your face when a year later I was like “Seriously dad, you don’t have to work anymore!” For bringing my mom & my sister into my life. For the years we fell out. For the years we put it back together. But really, for the last 2 conversations we had. I understand why you were so hard on me praying I didn’t succumb to a fate not meant for a teenager in west philly in the mid 80s. I didn’t understand it at the time. But I appreciate it now. I hope Donn & I do you proud.#LeeAndrewsAndTheHearts

In Questlove’s biography, Mo Meta Blues, the drummer stresses the importance his dad had on his musical career, pushing him to learn the drums in hopes he would become a studio drummer. While Quest may have taken a different road into hip-hop territory, his father was a huge influence on his life, taking him on tour and introducing him to the world of music and the incredible effect it can have on people. He would not be who he is today without his father.

We here The Key and WXPN would like to extend our deepest condolences and best wishes to the Andrews and the Thompson families. Lee Andrews & The Hearts will always be an important part of Philadelphia music history and we would like to thank him for everything that he did.

Listen to Lee Andrews & the Hearts perform “Try The Impossible” below.