Frankie Ford, who sang 'Sea Cruise,' dies at age 76
 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Frankie Ford, a rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues singer whose 1959 hit "Sea Cruise" brought him international fame when he was 19, is dead at the age of 76.

Ford died Monday of natural causes, according to the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner's office.

"He was a great guy. He had the best voice in rock and roll," said Mike Shepherd, a friend of Ford's and head of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, which inducted Ford in 2010.

In addition to "Sea Cruise," Billboard magazine's No. 14 overall and No. 11 in rhythm and blues in 1959, Ford's hits included "Roberta," ''Time after Time" and "You Talk Too Much." His version of "You Talk Too Much" aired while Joe Jones' recordings of the song were tied up in court. Jones' recording eventually reached No. 3, while none of Ford's after "Sea Cruise" made it higher than 72, the mark set by "Seventeen" in 1961.

Shepherd said Ford had been ill for some time, and had been unable to walk since he was hit by a car in Memphis several years ago.

Re: Frankie Ford, who sang 'Sea Cruise,' dies at age 76
 

Always liked when that song came on ... RIP.

Re: Frankie Ford, who sang 'Sea Cruise,' dies at age 76
 

May peace be with you.