Well, put simply, they are five men who would like nothing better than
a well-stocked green room, a hotel with a jacuzzi and plenty of hot
coffee. Then again, aren't we all Tokens?
Mitch Margo (aka Marty, Uncle Merilee, El Cabeza, Slits)
The younger of the famous Margo brother's duo, Mitch was only
14 years old when The Lion Sleeps Tonight was recorded. He has
been the creative force behind The Tokens since before he could
drive. He was and is responsible for the majority of the group's
original compositions, including I Hear Trumpets Blow, Animal,
Some People Sleep, Cross Country, Just A Thought, 30 Years Of
Rock & Roll and Only In My Dreams. No one in the band can
deny that Mitch is light years ahead when it comes to talent.
During the live show he plays guitar, keyboard, bass and drums.
His lead vocals on Tonight I Fell In Love and The Lion Sleeps
Tonight brings audiences to their feet every time. Mitch is also
responsible for the fabulous art work donning the last two Tokens'
album covers.
To see a Google video presentation of "Romeo And Juliet"
by William Shakespeare with Music by Mitch Margo CLICK
HERE.
Phil Margo (aka Grandpa Mudge, Uncle Fern, Clem, or Robo-Pop)
"If you hang around long enough, you can grow your own
band!"
Mitch's older, cigar chomping brother is another other original
member. Phil makes up for 100% of the 200% of energy in every
Tokens show. Dividing his time between writing, producing, flying
and touring, Phil has a full plate in front of him and loves it
that way. Phil loves performing and hasn't held a real job since
he left Wall Street at nineteen. Click Here
to read excerpts from Phil's autobiography.
Phil has created the original adjustable "Spare Pocket".
To learn more about it go to: ABASABA
Noah Margo (aka Nose, Nav-Boy or The Merch-Master)
Noah, or Phil's son and Mitch's nephew, earned his spot keeping
The Tokens' beat almost ten years ago. Armed with a knack for writing
and a Master's degree Noah has split his time between writing and
touring. The favorite part of his life his wife, Laura. Noah proposed
to her from stage at a July 4th concert in Oregon in 1996. The young
drummer and the rest of The Tokens performed a few numbers at his
wedding in 1997. Noah and Laura, along with Phil and Mitch have
recently completed a children's story entitled, "The Very First
Adventure of Fulton T. Firefly."
Jay Leslie (aka "Jumpin' Jay" or Jay-Zee)
A former sax player for Sha Na Na, Jay joined the band around
ten years ago. His showmanship is unparalleled. He has put the "work"
into "foot work." When Jay's on stage, everyone is movin' and groovin',
reelin' and rockin' and having the best time, and we're just talking
about the band. In fact, Jay is so good, that one saxophone isn't
enough. (You have to see it to believe it.)
Mike Johnson (aka Johnny, The Man From Soul Mountain, or Puppy Boy)
Mike is the most gentle soul in the universe and therefore is
kept on the opposite end of the stage from Jumpin' Jay. Armed only
with the great and powerful Kurzweil, Mike pounds out bass lines
with the left hand and piano, soprano, and string lines with the
right. If there's a mountain, Mike will climb it. If there is an
ocean, Mike will swim it. If there is a banana bread, Mike will
bake it. And furthermore, Mike is the inventor if the (in)famous
Jungle Turkey.
ORIGINAL TOKENS
Black & White from the 60s.- left to right - Phil Margo, Mitch Margo,
JaySiegel
Color from 2007 PBS Television Special- left to right
-PhilMargo, JaySiegel, MitchMargo We love working with Jay Siegel.
***
And because there are times when touring may interfere
with one of our band-mates schedules we are blessed to have the following
singers and musicians fill in for them.
Damien is Mitch's older son, Phil's newphew and Noah's cousin.
He is a fantastic harmony vocalist and a remarkable drummer. He's
so talented in fact, he fills in the shoes of both Jay and Noah.
Ari Margo
Ari is Mitch's younger son, Phil's newphew and Noah's cousin (haven't
we heard this somewhere before?). In 6th grade Ari was forced into
middle school choir by his mother and ended up loving every minute
of it! He stayed with the choral program throughout high school.
With 7 years of choral experience, Ari does a great job of filling
in on vocals when either Jay or Mike can't make it to a show. Click
here to e-mail Ari.
