Singer Fred Parris of the Five Satins Dead at Age 85

Singer Fred Parris, famous for singing "In the Still of the Night," with the 1950s harmony group The Five Satins, is introduced by his grandchildren Brandon Parris, 7, background left, and Savannah Parris, 9, during a visit to Hanover Elementary School in Meriden, Conn., on June 16, 2005. Chris Angileri/Record-Journal via AP

NEW YORK—Fred Parris, the lead singer of the 1950s doo-wop group the Five Satins and composer of the ballad “In the Still of the Night,” has died at age 85.

Parris died Jan. 13 after a brief illness, according to his music manager, Pat Marafiote. Parris and his wife Emma lived in Hamden, Connecticut, not far from his native New Haven.