Lenny Welch, Troy Seals, Wink Martindale, and Patty Maloney Dies

This group have recorded music such as “Since I Fell For You” and “Ebb Tide”; written songs for the such as Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, and Vince Gill; hosted game shows including Gambit, Tic Tac Dough, Las Vegas Gambit, and High Rollers; and performed on TV shows including Far Out Space Nuts, The Kroft Superstar Hour, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Lenny Welch, born Leon Welch on May 31, 1938, in New York City and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, was a gifted American pop and R&B singer best known for his emotionally rich tenor voice and romantic ballads that bridged traditional pop and soul. Raised by his godparents, Eva and Robert Richardson, Welch began singing at the age of eight and by sixteen had joined a local vocal group called The Mar-Keys. He attended Asbury Park High School but left early to pursue music,

later returning to earn his high school equivalency and eventually earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of New Rochelle in 1987. Welch’s career took off in 1960 when he signed with Cadence Records and released a series of singles, the most notable being his 1963 smash hit “Since I Fell for You,” which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies, becoming his signature song.

Other notable recordings included “Ebb Tide,” “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Two Different Worlds.” After Cadence folded, he moved to Kapp Records and continued to record and perform, though with less chart success. Welch served in the National Guard during the 1960s, which limited his touring schedule but not his dedication to music.

He performed at prestigious venues like the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall, and Caesar’s Palace, and made numerous television appearances on shows like American Bandstand. In the 1980s and 1990s, he also lent his voice to a variety of national advertising campaigns for brands like Coca-Cola, Subaru, and M&M’s, and even had a recurring role on the soap opera General Hospital.

In 1991, Welch joined the doo-wop supergroup The Royal All Stars, also known as The Doo Wop All Stars, continuing to perform into his later years. Personally, Welch married Pamela Beck in 1983, and together they had four children and six grandchildren. He remained dedicated to education, music, and family throughout his life.

Lenny Welch passed away on April 8, 2025, at his home in Kissimmee, Florida, after a long illness, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy of classic love songs and vocal elegance that influenced generations of artists.

Troy Harold Seals, born on November 16, 1938, in Bighill, Kentucky, was a prolific American singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose career spanned several decades and genres. Coming from a musically gifted family that included Jim Seals of Seals and Crofts, Dan Seals of England Dan & John Ford Coley, and Brady Seals of Little Texas, Troy began his musical journey in the 1950s,

performing with his rock band, The Earthquakes. In the 1960s, he recorded pop singles with his wife, Jo Ann Campbell, under the name Jo Ann & Troy. After a stint working construction in Indianapolis, Seals moved to Nashville in 1969, where he became a cornerstone of the country music songwriting community.

His compositions were recorded by a diverse array of artists, including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, and The Judds. Notable hits include “Seven Spanish Angels” (a duet by Willie Nelson and Ray Charles), “Lost in the Fifties Tonight” (Ronnie Milsap), and “If You Ever Have Forever in Mind” (Vince Gill),

all of which were nominated for the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year. Seals was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988 and received the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year award in 1986. He passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, at the age of 86, and is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, and their son, Troy Jr.

​Winston Conrad “Wink” Martindale, born on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, emerged as a beloved figure in American broadcasting, renowned for his genial demeanor and resonant voice that graced radio and television for over seven decades. Raised in a devout Christian household as one of five children, he developed an early fascination with radio, often reading Life magazine advertisements aloud at age six.

At 17, he began his broadcasting career as a disc jockey at WPLI in Jackson. Martindale’s early television work included hosting “Mars Patrol” and “Teenage Dance Party,” where he notably conducted one of the first televised interviews with Elvis Presley in 1956, marking the start of a lifelong friendship. In 1959, he achieved musical success with the spoken-word hit “Deck of Cards,” which sold over a million copies.

Transitioning to television, Martindale became a staple of American game shows, hosting popular programs such as “Gambit,” “Tic-Tac-Dough,” “High Rollers,” and “Debt,” and producing others like “Headline Chasers” and “Bumper Stumpers.” His engaging style and quick wit endeared him to audiences nationwide.

In 2006, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to entertainment. Beyond his professional achievements, Martindale was deeply involved in charitable work, supporting causes like cerebral palsy and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. He married Madelyn Leech in 1954, with whom he had four children before their divorce in 1971.

In 1975, he married Sandy Ferra, a former dancer and close friend of Elvis Presley, and they remained together for 49 years. Martindale passed away from lymphoma on Tuesday, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the age of 91, in Rancho Mirage, California, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Sandy, three daughters, and several grandchildren; his son, Wink Jr., predeceased him. Martindale’s enduring legacy as a charismatic host and pioneering broadcaster continues to resonate with fans and colleagues alike.​

Patricia Anne “Patty” Maloney, born on March 17, 1936, in Perkinsville, New York, was a versatile American actress whose career spanned over three decades, encompassing television, film, and voice work. Standing at 3 feet 11 inches tall, Maloney began her entertainment journey performing in carnivals and with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. After marrying Joseph Vitek in 1961 and working as a keypunch operator in Chicago, she returned to performing following his death from melanoma in 1968.

Maloney gained recognition for her role as Honk in the Sid and Marty Krofft series “Far Out Space Nuts” and as Lumpy, Chewbacca’s son, in the 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special.” Her television appearances included roles in “Little House on the Prairie,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Rhoda,” “The Love Boat,” and “Married… with Children.” In addition to live-action roles,

she lent her voice to animated series such as “The Smurfs” and “Dumbo’s Circus.” Maloney’s film credits encompassed “Under the Rainbow,” “Ernest Saves Christmas,” and “The Addams Family.” She was also known for her work as a puppeteer, notably operating the Crypt Keeper puppet on “Tales from the Crypt.”

In 2010, Maloney was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, which limited her ability to read scripts. She suffered several strokes in subsequent years and passed away on Monday, March 31, 2025, in Winter Park, Florida, at the age of 89.

Maloney is survived by her brother, David Myrabo, her nieces Jennifer and Laura, and her brother-in-law, Vic. Her enduring legacy as a pioneering performer, especially as a little person in Hollywood, continues to inspire audiences and actors alike.​