James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesEarl "Speedo" Carroll of the doo-wop group The Cadillacs **** Sunday, reports the New York Daily News.  He was 75 and had suffered from diabetes, a stroke and other illnesses over the past year, according to the paper.

With The Cadillacs, Carroll scored hits such as "Gloria," "You Are," "Wishing Well" and a version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," but the group's best-known song was "Speedo," inspired by Carroll's nickname.  "They often call me Speedo/But my real name is Mr. Earl," went the lyrics.

According to the Daily News, The Cadillacs were one of the first groups to wear matching stage outfits and incorporate choreography into their live shows.

Carroll left The Cadillacs in 1959 and joined a new version of The Coasters in 1961.  He remained with them for 20 years, but reformed The Cadillacs in 1979 for a commercial.  After the ad was a success, the re-formed group went on the road, but Carroll also took job as a custodian at a New York City school.  Due to Carroll's day job, The Cadillacs mostly performed on weekends.

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