DOO-WOP

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

The adds are great Jill on all of the music threads. Very much appreciated.

[Jill H.]

Thanks, Bentley.

[Jill H.]

This song is always listed in the top 100 of doowop songs but I never felt it quite fit the category. Nevertheless, it is a nice song.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby by The Tune Weavers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfy18y...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks Jill for all of your adds on the music threads

[Jill H.]

You are most welcome. Andre pops in now and again which is always fun!!!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Yes he is - Andre - you are fun (smile)

[Jill H.]

Who Sang Our Songs?

(no image)Who Sang Our Songs?: The Official Rhythm & Blues And Doo Wop Songography by Douglas E. Friedman (no photo)

Synopsis:

There is no GR blurb for this book but it appears to list the songs and artists who sang RB/Doo Wop. Might be a good reference for the doo wop fan.

[Jill H.]

We usually think of doo wop groups as being comprised of African-American members as most of the original songs were performed by African-Americans. But this version of That's My Desire by Dion and the Belmonts is true doo wop by an all white group and is a beautiful sound.

That's My Desire - Dion and the Belmonts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV3QK...

[Jill H.]

There are organizations all over the US dedicated to the preservation of doo wop music. The largest is the Doo Wop Society of New England. Their home page can be found at the link below:

http://www.newenglanddoowopsociety.org/

[C.]

The Complete Book of Doo-Wop Rhythm and Blues

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-D...

I love Doo-Wop!

[Jill H.]

I am so glad that others share my love of doo wop. Thanks for the book recommendation, C.

BTW, your book citation should look like this:

by Anthony J. Gribin (no photo)

[C.]

Jill wrote: "I am so glad that others share my love of doo wop. Thanks for the book recommendation, C.

BTW, your book citation should look like this:

[bookcover:Doo-Wop the Forgotten Third of Rock 'n Roll|221..."


Thanks!

[Jill H.]

As the book indicates, doo wop is almost a forgotten style of music, even though music continues to be influenced by it. It is really too bad since the harmonies were so beautifully done, although as with most songs of the period, the words were pretty forgettable!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks everyone for all of the posts. Keep them coming.

[Jill H.]

Follow the link below to view the essential top 100 doo wop songs of all time.......it is pretty much on target.

http://areuonsomething.com/doowop_top...

[Jill H.]

Don't be misled by the title....this book is dedicated to do0 wop

They All Sang on the Corner: A Second Look at New York City's Rhythm and Blues Vocal

by Philip Groia (no photo)

Synopsis:

The greatest book ever written on African-American Rhythm and Blues (doowop) vocal groups of the 1950's. In its nine chapters, there are interviews with singers, musicians and choreographers, discographies and forty rare photographs. It chronicles the development of the early pioneers of Rhythm and Blues vocal groups: the Ravens, Orioles, Dominoes, Harptones, Cadillacs, Five Keys, Flamingos, Moonglows, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers and Solitaires. It contains over 700 references to groups and individuals who made R&B big-time. Record collectors call it the "bible."

[Jill H.]

The link below to NPR is a short but informative history of doo wop. Worth a look if you are not familiar with this genre of music.....or if you are!

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/06/1606708...

[Jill H.]

Jerry Blavat, the "geater with the heater" was one of the most popular and controversial disc jockeys in radio during the 1960s and was a great fan of doo wop.

You Only Rock Once: My Life in Music

by Jerry Blavat (no photo)

Synopsis:

The long-awaited autobiography of entertainment icon Jerry Blavat, You Only Rock Once is the wildly entertaining and unfiltered story of the man whose career began at the age of 13 on the TV dance show Bandstand and became a music legend. Lifelong friendships with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra, a controversial relationship with Philadelphia Mafia boss Angelo Bruno that resulted in a decade-long FBI investigation, and much more colors this amazing journey from the early 60s through today.Now, some 50 years after his first radio gig, Blavat puts it all in perspective in this uniquely American tale of a "little cockroach kid” borne out of the immigrant experience who lived the American Dream.

[Jill H.]

The Kodaks were an oddity in the doo wop scene of the 1950s. First, they had a female lead vocalist in a genre dominated by boys. Interestingly Pearl McKinnion's voice sounds like a high male tenor.(She was only 14 when the record was made.) She was often compared to Frankie Lymon in particular. What I really like about "Oh Gee, Oh Gosh", however, is its happiness.

Oh Gee, Oh Gosh by The Kodaks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3oz_...

[Brian]

Jill - Have had that in my collection for years. Never knew lead was a female singer. Thanks.

[Jill H.]

Surprising, isn't it. She does sound like Frankie Lymon.

[Jill H.]

The 5 Royales were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but not that many folks are familiar with them. They probably belong on this thread but wherever they belong, they are worth listening to. This is their original big hit which has been re-made several times by other groups.

Dedicated to the One I Love by The 5 Royales

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC_-v...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

That is a real oldie.

[Jill H.]

Even before my time!!!! :0)

[Jill H.]

Obscure to many except the most devoted doo wop fan.

Doo-Wop! and the G-Glefs

by Michael Devlin(no photo)

Synopsis:

In 1956 the G-Clefs recorded their first hit ‘Ka Ding Dong. It ranked #24 on the Billboard charts that year. Their biggest hit came later in 1961 with ‘I Understand’ reaching # 9 also on Billboard’s top 100. In 1997 PBS featured singing groups like the G-Clefs to appear on their televised production that made Doo-Wop popular again throughout the entire country. This is the story of the G-Clefs during that time same period. There’s numerous unpublished Photographs and stories documenting their return to the spotlight with all the fame and disappointment’s that only a Doo-Wop singing group like theirs could possibly experience. For the first time ever this is a comprehensive history of the very still popular music of Doo- Wop and ‘The saga of America’s last original Doo-Wop group from the 1950’s still performing’. A must read for all the Doo-Wopper’s out there!

[Jill H.]

This is one of the lesser known songs made by The Spaniels, fronted by Pookie Hudson, but it has some great intricate harmonies.

You Gave Me Peace of Mind by The Spaniels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AGXD...

[Jill H.]

Only the die-hard doo wop fan will know this group but they made some great songs in the beginning of the doo wop era. The lead singer and fantastic tenor, George Grant, passed away this week.

My Girl Awaits Me by The Castelles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt_me...

[Jill H.]

Written by the man who knows all there is to know about the doo-wop genre. Worth looking for.

Making Your Memories with Rock and Roll and Doo-Wop

(no image)Making Your Memories with Rock & Roll and Doo-Wop: The Music and Artists of the 1950s and Early 1960s by J C De Ladurantey(no photo)

Synopsis:

Making Your Memories with Rock & Roll and Doo-Wop: The Music and Artists of the 1950s and Early 1960s digs back through the catalogue of popular music and brings to life the solo artists, duos, and groups whose music once filled the airwaves and turntables with rock & roll and doo-wop. The Doctor of Doo-Wop, J.C. De Ladurantey, brings his expertise, honed by hosting a weekly radio show, "Making Your Memories," to his revelation of the backstories of these trendsetting artists.

Until the British Invasion in mid 1963 changed the direction of American music, the sounds created by the artists profiled in Making Your Memories with Rock & Roll and Doo-Wop shaped the entertainment soundtrack of a generation. This music history shares the little-known details of the lives of these artists, the history of the period, the distinctiveness of the music, and the power and influence of the songs' lyrics.

Making Your Memories with Rock & Roll and Doo-Wop: The Music and Artists of the 1950s and Early 1960s will leave echoes of the time's memorable songs in your mind's ear and their lyrics on the tip of your tongue. You'll discover a fresh desire to find the recordings and give them another "spin" on your "record player," even if your digital music lives in the cloud.

[Jill H.]

Almost any song could be rearranged into a doo wop style. One of the best examples is "Blue Moon" written in 1934 by Lorenz Hart and sung by some of the great vocalists of the time. Then in 1961, The Marcels turned it into a doo wop classic.

Blue Moon by The Marcels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoi3T...

[Jill H.]

Some of the songs that made it big on the doo-wop scene were really rather primitive, to say the least. Probably one of the worst was Angel Baby by Rosie and the Originals. Read this little blurb, listen to the song and see if you don't agree. But everybody loved it!!!

""Angel Baby" was their first and only Top 40 hit. Lead singer/songwriter Rosie Hamlin was only 15 when this song was recorded in an abandoned aircraft hanger in San Diego. Features one of the most incredibly off-key sax solo of any song of this era. Thousands of kids identified with the the juvenile sounding vocalist Rosie Hamlin and "Angel Baby" went on to become a minor classic.

It all happened in an old airplane hanger that had been converted into a recording studio in San Diego suburb of San Marcos in 1960. There Rosie wrote the words to the group's first single in her notebook, then crafted a melody based on chord changes to "Heart and Soul." Saxophone player Alfred had to stay at home to cut the grass, so someone else was given a quick lesson on the sax .With a skimpy voice Rosie sang "Angel Baby" with the Originals providing a sparse and primitive back up. With the drummer seemingly forgetting what track he is playing on, flawed with flubs, and poor sound quality "Angel Baby" is undoubtedly one of rock and roll's greatest moments."(Source: HistoryofRock)

Angel Baby by Rosie and the Originals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xm3q...

[Brian]

Thanks Jill - loved listening to it once again. She definitely had a "nasaly" voice.

[Jill H.]

I am currently reading a book about the origin of the blues. In it, the author says that the first rock and roll record was the one listed below. I have to say that is a ridiculous statement, as this is an early (1948) doo-wop song by one of the great groups that has become a classic of the genre.....and it 'aint rock and roll.

Too Soon To Know by The Orioles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1q7x...

[Brian]

Reminiscent of some of the Ink Spot's songs.

[Jill H.]

It does indeed, Brian and their lead singer, Sonny Til, had a wonderful voice. A very melodious song. The Orioles went on to make several doo wop hits and I can't figure why someone would call it the first rock and roll record.

Although there will continue to be controversy about what was the first rock and roll records the general consensus is that it was "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Roy Brown....also released by Wynonie Harris.

Good Rockin' Tonight by Roy Brown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgdzS...

[Jill H.]

The definition of doo wop is usually fairly short and doesn't include all the facets of the genre. The link below will take you to the best and most complete description I have found. Very interesting.

http://www.shsu.edu/lis_fwh/book/root...

(Source: shsu.edu)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Doo-Wop Pop
Cool Children's Book

by Roni Schotter

Synopsis:

Elijah Earl is used to keeping to himself. But he's not the only quiet one--Alishah hides behind her head scarf, Jacob twitches out of sight, Luis hides behind a book, and Pam Pam is the shyest of them all. It is not until the school janitor they call Doo-Wop Pop steps in that things begin to change for these shy students. Doo-Wop Pop, who was once an a cappella star, helps them form an unlikely doo-wop group, teaching them to be-boppa bold, be-boppa brave, and come-a, come-a, come-a outta the cave. By making music together, Elijah and the others form lasting friendships and discover talents they didn't even know they had!

This uplifting tale with vibrant artwork from Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Bryan Collier can't be-boppa beat!