John Grady McElrath, ‘Swingin’ Medallions Singer Passes

Sadly, John Grady McElrath the founding member and lead singer of the popular 60s band the Swingin’ Medallions passed away in his home due to Parkinson’s disease a few days ago, but we think the man and the band deserve a little love.

The Swingin’ Medallions has one colossal hit called “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” that hit the charts in 1968. The band got their name from an R&B group called the Swingin’ Travelers, a South Carolina favorite from the early 1960s. Although a few of the members have had success as session musicians after the band broke up, their biggest moment in rock came with the help of Bruce Springsteen; in September of 2009 at a Brue Springsteen concert in Greenville CS, the members of the Swingin’ Medallions were asked on stage to sing their hit “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” with Bruce and the E Street crew. Evidentially, Bruce loves the song and wanted to honor the local band.