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Lew DeWitt
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Lew DeWitt's solo album, On My Own
Lew DeWitt's solo album, On My Own
Lewis Calvin DeWitt (March 12, 1938 - August 15, 1990) was an American
country music singer and composer.
For most of his career DeWitt sang tenor for The Statler Brothers. Songs
he wrote for the group include "Flowers on the Wall," "Things," "Since
Then," "The Strand," "The Movies," and "Chet Atkins' Hand." He retired
from the group in 1982 due to health problems stemming from Crohn's
disease, from which he had suffered since adolescence. (Jimmy Fortune
subsequently assumed DeWitt's place in the group as tenor.)
Lew made a brief comeback as a solo artist, releasing two albums: On My
Own (1985) and Here to Stay (1986), and was working on a third album on
the Compleat label at the time of his death. Then his health problems
resurfaced; he died of heart and kidney failure at the age of 52.
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In memory of
LEWIS CALVIN "LEW" DeWITT
Born: March 12, 1938, Roanoke, Virginia
Best remembered as: Original tenor for country music group the Statler
Brothers, from their heyday in 1964 until 1982. He wrote their first
hit, "Flowers On The Wall."
Solo albums: On My Own (1985), Here To Stay (1986). Both are now out of
print and have never been reissued on CD.
Favorite drink: Country Time Lemonade
Died: August 15, 1990, Waynesboro, Virginia
Cause of death: Chron's Disease, an intestinal inflammatory condition
Gravesite: None; his ashes are kept at his home in Waynesboro
Survived by: Wife, Judy; children (from previous marriage), Denver,
Donna, Brian, Shannon
Quotes from songs he sang with the Statlers:
"Thank you, world, for lettin' me contribute to the cause." (Thank You
World, 1974)
"And should I live again, even then, it won't end, for I'll go to my
grave lovin' you." (I'll Go To My Grave Loving You, 1975)
"Someday when it's all over, and they come to carry me, and you're
walkin' slow and wearin' black with the rest of the family..." (Some I
Wrote, 1977)
"Life is like a mountain railroad with an engineer that's brave; we must
make the run successful from the cradle to the grave." (Life's Railway
To Heaven, 1982)
"When Elvis died, we all knew that we could too." (Child Of The 50s, 1982)
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Lewis Calvin DeWitt was born March 12, 1938 in Roanoke, Virginia. He met
Harold Reid in fourth grade after his family had moved to Staunton, Va.
Lew was one of the founding members of the Statler Brothers. He wrote
their breakthrough hit "Flowers On The Wall". In 1982, Lew was forced to
retire from the group due to Crohn's Disease. He achieved moderate
success as a single artist after leaving the Statlers. He recorded two
solo albums--On My Own and Here To Stay. Lew passed away on August 15,
1990 at his home in Waynesboro, Virginia.
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Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne
FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 8, 2003
DEAR JERRY: My question is about the Statler Brothers singing group. Is
it true that one of the brothers killed himself some years back?
Is the group still around? Hope you can answer me!
—Karen Stefanowicz, St. Petersburg, Fla.
DEAR KAREN: The Statlers' original tenor, Lew DeWitt, died about 13
years ago; however, the cause of death is listed as heart and kidney
failure — certainly not a suicide.
While still a teenager, doctors diagnosed Lew DeWitt with a very serious
inflammatory lower intestine disease known as Crohn's.
Beginning in late 1981, problems related to Crohn's Disease forced Lew
to step away from the group. His replacement, Jimmy Fortune remained
with the quartet to the end. He is now recording as a solo artist.
Off and on in the mid-'80s, Lew DeWitt returned to the studio and stage,
but health problems plagued him and eventually he gave up show business.
Lew died on August 15, 1990 of heart and kidney failure, both
complications sometimes associated with Crohn's Disease.
For those unfamiliar with the group's history, there never have been any
Statlers, brothers or otherwise, in the Statler Brothers.
The original lineup does, however, include two brothers: Harold Reid,
Don Reid, Phil Balsley, and Lew DeWitt. From 1961 through '63, they
performed using the name the Kingsmen. Then along came the monster hit
“Louie Louie,” by another group named the Kingsmen.
Aware they could no longer be Kingsmen, their search for a new name
ended when Harold Reid spotted a box of Statler brand tissues in a hotel
room. From that sighting came the name Statler Brothers.
The Statler Brothers retired last year. Their final concert took place
October 26, 2002 in Salem, Virginia.
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It was chron's disease that killed Lew.