LAKE CHARLES — One of rock 'n' rolls earliest stars has died.
Philip Baptiste, known professionally as "Phil Phillips," died at his home last Sunday--his 94th birthday.
Baptiste was born in Crowley. In 1959, while working as a busboy in Lake Charles, he recorded "Sea of Love." The song went on to sell more than one million copies, going gold, and hitting number-one on the Billboard R&B chart and number-two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song later was covered by numerous artists, including Del Shannon in 1981 and Robert Plant supergroup The Honeydrippers in 1984.
Baptiste later worked as a disc jockey at a Jennings radio station.
No funeral arrangements are posted.
