Barry Young's net worth is best estimated in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars at the time of his death in 1966, not the seven-figure numbers some automated biography sites list without sourcing. Young was a pop singer signed to Dot Records whose recording of "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)" reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1966 -- his only major hit before he died later that same year at age 35.
His exact finances were never made public, and no probate or estate figures are on record. The realistic range comes from a single Top 40 single, a charting album, a short run of follow-up singles that did not sell, and nightclub work -- not from decades of catalog royalties or business ventures that inflate the net worth of longer-lived recording artists.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Clarence LaVonne Fitzgerald |
| Born | June 27, 1931, Oklahoma |
| Died | December 2, 1966, Los Angeles, California (age 35) |
| Known For | "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)" (Dot Records, 1965-66; No. 13 Billboard Hot 100) |
| Label(s) | Dot Records, then Columbia Records |
| Estimated Net Worth | Low hundreds of thousands of dollars (at death) |
"One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)"
Before his breakout single, Young worked nightclubs as a Dean Martin impersonator. His recording of "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)" -- a song originally written by Eddie Dean, Lorene Dean, and Hal Blair, and a No. 1 country hit for Jimmy Wakely back in 1948 -- gave Young his only significant chart success, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 24 in Canada in early 1966. The single got extra exposure through a Scopitone film jukebox short and an appearance on the TV show "Hollywood A Go Go." The tie-in album, also titled "One Has My Name," peaked at No. 67 on the Billboard 200, and a second single, "He'll Have to Go," reached No. 68 in Canada.
After the Hit
Young's follow-up work did not repeat that success. He released three singles on Columbia Records later in 1966, none of which charted, and his final recordings moved toward straight country material without any chart entries. He remains classified as a one-hit wonder: a single Top 40 pop hit, sourced from a much older country standard, was the commercial peak of his recording career.
Death at 35
Young died of a brain abscess on December 2, 1966, less than a year after his hit single charted. He was 35. His wife, Donalie, later remarried and published a 2009 memoir, "If You Fall Down, Pick Yourself Up Like a Lady," about her life in and around the entertainment industry. His signature song outlived him commercially: Jerry Lee Lewis released his own version of "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)" in 1969, and that country cover reached No. 3 on the Billboard country chart, well outperforming Young's original on that chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Barry Young's net worth?
Best estimated in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars at the time of his 1966 death, based on one charting single, a charting album, and a short recording and nightclub career -- not the unsourced million-dollar-plus figures some sites repeat.
What is Barry Young's real name?
Clarence LaVonne Fitzgerald.
What was Barry Young's biggest hit?
"One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)," which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1966.
How did Barry Young die?
He died of a brain abscess on December 2, 1966, at age 35.
Was Barry Young married?
Yes. He was survived by his wife, Donalie, who later wrote a memoir referencing her life as his widow.