Herbert Rhoad, 44; Persuasions’ Baritone

Herbert (Toubo) Rhoad, a baritone with The Persuasions quintet, an a cappella vocal group that backed such vocalists as Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Don McLean as well as recording and appearing on their own, died in Sacramento Thursday.

He was 44 and the cause of death has not yet been determined.

The Persuasions, who featured a mix of street-corner doo-wop, soul and pop, always performed without accompaniment. They were in Sacramento on tour when Rhoad died.