Gaynel Hodge

Gaynel Hodge passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83 on June 3, 2020 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, after a 15 month battle with cancer. Gaynel was born on January 4, 1937 in Los Angeles, California. He began singing and playing the piano as a child which led to him singing in harmony groups on the street corners of LA. Gaynel went on to co-write the platinum hit song “Earth Angel” first released by “The Penguins”when he was just 16. In the same year, Gaynel put together the world-famous group “The Platters” with his brother Alex Hodge, both of whom were in the group for its first two years. Gaynel was also musical director and singer in “The Turks” and “The Hollywood Flames.” He continued writing many more songs throughout his career.

Gaynel recorded in Los Angeles studios with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Stevie Wonder, and Dr. John, just to name a few. In the early 1970s Gaynel met his wife, Ilona, while touring through Arizona. The two settled in central Phoenix in 1975 and lived there until 1999, when they decided to ‘grow old’ in Ilona’s home country The Netherlands.

Gaynel toured Europe with occasional performances in the United States, throughout the 2000s and into his 80s. Gaynel will be greatly missed by his musical family around the world. He will always be known as the “Earth Angel” by his wife Ilona Hodge & son Anthony Hodge in Amsterdam, daughter Acia Hodge Magwood, grandson Rico Jr. Magwood & grand-daughter Amber Magwood, (Atlanta, GA), and sons Alex & Armon Hodge (Los Angeles, CA), and grand-daughter Amanda Holt & great-grandson Harvey Holt III (Pasadena, CA).