Singing Great & Philanthropist Kenny Jeremiah Taken By COVID-19

KENNY JEREMIAH
IN MEMORIAM

Kenny Jeremiah, a very dear friend was taken this morning by COVID-19. He fought so courageously and valiantly over the past three weeks.

He fervently wanted to live, because he still had so much to give and he has been taken from all of us way too soon.

Kenny was a decent, honorable, philanthropic, loyal and trusted friend ... who was forever young.

Professionally, Kenny has to be one of the only musical performers in Atlantic County New Jersey history to have a Billboard Top 100, # 1 hit ... “Expressway To Your Heart.”

Here is an excellent description of Kenny’s professional career as taken directly from his Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia biography.

Kenny Jeremiah has gained international fame over 4 decades ago as a member of the award winning Blue Eye Soul group from the City of Brotherly Love, The Soul Survivors. Their multi-million selling hits "Expressway To Your Heart" and "Explosion" are still in heavy rotation on oldies stations around the world!

A Kenny Fact: "Expressway To Your Heart" was written by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff........and was their first gold record!!

Kenny also toured with the popular Shirley & Company back in the 80's during the time when their hit "Shame Shame Shame" was number one on the charts!! Today, Kenny still performs to fans old & new, mostly on the Jersey Shore circuit, with 2 multi-talented cover reviews, Impulse and Jeremiah-Hunter!! So...if you haven't experienced at least one of Kennys performances through the years, then take the Expressway like an Explosion or Shame Shame Shame on you...... !

Hot entertaining dance, showmanship and vocal excellence describes the incomparable club, casino and recording artist, "Kenny Jeremiah." His performances capture the energy of a production show with the atmosphere of a sold out rock concert. His style and versatility ranges from low-key standards to outrageous dance music, always with the personality, humor and wit which leaves the audience begging for more. The wide repertoire of Ken Jeremiah is selected from audience favorites, all which feature his own special charisma. When dealing with Ken Jeremiah, you will encounter a First-Class professional entertainer who does his utmost to please his audience.

From 1964 to 1969, Kenny was a lead singer of recording artist, The Soul Survivors, receiving a Gold Record for their hit "Expressway to Your Heart." Followed by a second hit, "Explosion in My Soul." With the Soul Survivors, he performed along with Big Brother and the Holding company, Janice Joplin, Eric Clapton, Cream, Canned Hear, Richie Havens and Strawberry Alarm Clock. He toured with the Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, Flip Wilson, the Contours and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. He co-starred with Creedence Clearwater Revival and was on the Joey Bishop Show, Johnny Carson, the Hollywood Palladium, Hullabaloo and American Bandstand.

In the seventies, he became a lead singer for "Shirley & Company," and received a Gold Record for their hit, "Shame, Shame, Shame." He toured extensively in Europe and represented the United States at the 1975 International Song Festival in Venice, Italy. Then he became a lead singer of "Full House," one of the most well-known and popular bands in the Tri-State area. He was the house band for the Variety Club Telethon for five years on Channel 6, WPVI.

Kenny performed, (free of charge, course) every year at our “Hurley in the Morning” Charity events.

Many times, Kenny would pass on a paid gig to work our charity events for free.

Kenny’s last award was outlined just a few weeks ago in the November issue of the Philadelphia RowHome Magazine.

Kenny Jeremiah was nominated By Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff back in 2019, when he received PRHM's Blue Sapphire Award 2020 for Lifetime Musical Achievement.

Sadly, The award's dinner & official presentation scheduled for this past November 4th 2020 was postponed until 2021 because of COVID-19. The 2020 & 2021 recipients will celebrate at the award's red carpet event together next year.

Unimaginably, Kenny will now receive this high honor posthumously, which I still can’t process.

I want to send my deepest condolences to Kenny’s Brother Al Jeremiah. They were so close in life and Al did everything humanly possible for Kenny over the past 3 weeks.

The same holds true for Kenny’s life partner of many decades, Patricia DelSordo.

My twin Brother Don is shattered by the passing of Kenny. I am going to seek a comment from Don and add it to this article ASAP.

Please stay close to the ones you love. Hold on to them as tight as you can. Life has never been more fragile then it is right now.

Three weeks ago, Kenny Jeremiah was healthy and had the energy of a teenager.

This morning, he touched the face of God.

I’m going to miss Kenny more than words can say.

Here are a few more photos, which properly capture the essence of Kenny Jeremiah.

KENNY JEREMIAH & BOBBY RYDELL

KENNY & AL JEREMIAH

KENNY JEREMIAH & HARRY HURLEY