Doo Wop - Vocal Harmonies rooted in Rhythm and Blues
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Originated in the streets of American north-eastern cities, Doo-Wop was an African American Vocal style based in smooth harmonies. It was the closest rock genre to pop music in the 1950’s. Drawing its inspiration from the rhythm and blues cultures it became a music style of its own and was widely popular in the 50’s and 60’s.
Often times acknowledged with street corner vocalists who saw in Doo-wop the perfect media to express their individual talents. Formed into groups of 4 or 5 teenagers, each had a role and singing talent to bring in to the group and as such they brought a carefree approach to the genre.
Because of that, they were also inexperienced in their relationship with the business world and often times overly trusted their contacts to the record companies. It was not uncommon for label owners to convince them that in order to gain name recognition, it was his own name that should appear as the music composer as his name was already recognized by the deejays.
Record companies often times had these inexperienced youngster sign contracts allowing for the payment of studio and promotional costs to be met by the artists themselves! Furthermore, they also had to agree that they would be paid on a session basis rather than on the number of records sold.
To make matter worse, musicians often times had to perform for free on major shows and even had to pay in order to feature on TV shows. Also, all rights to the original songs had to be released to the record companies, and agents took 50% of their earnings.
As in most things related to greed, these companies who were for the most part smaller startups would have benefited from being honest with their artists as they themselves would not have felt so thoroughly cheated and might have gone on to produce even more wonderful music.
Popular groups from the doo wop era include
The Dubs, who with lead vocalist Richard Blandon released “could this be magic”. Although it was not a huge hit back in 1957 when it was first released, it nevertheless has endured as one of doo wop classics.
1962 saw the re-release of “you belong to me” by the Duprees, a most gifted Italian Doo Wop music group. “you belong to me” had previously been recorded by Patty Page, Jo Stafford, Dean Martin and Joni James.
Vito Picone and The Elegants achieved notoriety when in 1958, this white doo wop group released the chart topper “Little Star” They were a white group based in New York.
“In the Still of the Night” is another doo wop gem, released in 1954 by The Five Satins. Known as a true classic of this music genre, “In the Still of the Night” was created in the basement of a local church. Fred Harris was the leader of the group and actually had already been drafted by the army and was stationed in Japan when his song hit the charts.
Doo Wop music has held and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Known in some circles as the “Music of the Streets” its popularity diminished with the introduction of British early rock otherwise known as the British Invasion in the mid 1960’s.
Even today shows and events are organized in front an enthralled audience who together with a very international audience help maintain the vibrancy of doo wop, a truly incredible music phenomena. Attending a show is something that can only be whole heartedly recommended as it will uncover a unique blend of vocal music mixed in with fun and joy.
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