<P> Misfortune hit the group late in 1970 when George Smith fell and later took ill . With him unable to perform , the group began to search for a new lead . First they attempted to woo The Cymbals ' lead , Lee Williams , but he was unwilling to leave his current group . The group then renewed their request to Gerald Alston ( born November 8 , 1951 , North Carolina ) , who accepted and took over the lead spot . Original lead singer George Smith died of a brain tumor on December 16 , 1970 , 12 days before his 31st birthday . </P>
<P> Misfortune hit the group late in 1970 when George Smith fell and later took ill . With him unable to perform , the group began to search for a new lead . First they attempted to woo The Cymbals ' lead , Lee Williams , but he was unwilling to leave his current group . The group then renewed their request to Gerald Alston ( born November 8 , 1951 , North Carolina ) , who accepted and took over the lead spot . Original lead singer George Smith died of a brain tumor on December 16 , 1970 , 12 days before his 31st birthday . </P>
who was the lead singer of the manhattans
who was the lead singer of the manhattans
George Smith
George Smith