Doo Wop Groups That Still Sound Good

Name some Doo Wop Groups that you think still good fifty years later.

I was listening to Dino and some of the other singers who still sound amazing.

Here are some of my groups. Please add to my list. Correct any mistakes I made too. Sometimes, I think I'm listening to the original group but I have it wrong. Thnx.


Dion
https://youtu.be/WV966OlH_QQ

Gene Chandler

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0bw55sR4ec8

Little Anthony & The Imperials
https://youtu.be/HCjptf_8Y2I

Johnny Maestro
https://youtu.be/jzZY3CQuPVI

I got chills listening to him sing this song. Wow! Amazing. (Cover song of Righteous Bros Unchained Melody)
https://youtu.be/BeVLAjm24ew

The Jive Five
https://youtu.be/eGiA5QJKfec

The Fascinators
https://youtu.be/S2UEdtzKAdM


Earl Lewis & The Channels
https://youtu.be/KJ7kWm-eXqk

https://youtu.be/RFYhCVeDMh0

There are a slew of great ones by the Channels on YouTube. They're great!

Pookie Hudson & The Spaniels
https://youtu.be/hWJgYwjverI


Moonglows
https://youtu.be/pdizWF6_WwI

https://youtu.be/wMu3JKAt50g

Don & Juan
https://youtu.be/e77uXuGVs1E

The Passions
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BhuwHUD2OZM

The Earls
https://youtu.be/FH26Wp8u1f4

The Five Keys
https://youtu.be/OvkK2sTKP0w

Norman Fox & The Rob Roys
https://youtu.be/n6GSlozJ1T0

The Chimes
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RsJ3BX0RLc4

I am giving Vito & The Salutations an E for Effort. But ... I know they can do better
https://youtu.be/wS3L164GjUs


And of course Frankie Valli, can't forget him
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ej9KIGvHKc4

I can't find any live videos of The Schoolboys who sing Please Say You Want Me
Does anyone know of a live version of this song?

If you mean "50 years later" than the dates of their original recordings, then the Dubs and Willie Winfield and the Harptones were still appearing around 2004 - 2006. Two original members of the Teenagers still appear periodically. Don't know if they're still performing today.

Great list, BTW!

One Summer Night by the Danleers.

Yes, Turnbull that's exactly what I mean. They still sound amazing after forty and even fifty years from the original recordings. Thank you for adding the groups I missed. And thank you Olivant for adding to the list too.

How could I forget The Cadillacs!!! They can do it ALL!! Sing and dance. Amazing!
Zoom https://youtu.be/uBrrUXCZJS0

Fred Parris & The Satins - In The Still of the Night
https://youtu.be/WMlDSsJsiIk

Edit: The Cleftones
Little Girl of Mine

https://youtu.be/ZXNZpJSvp2s

Can't We Be Sweethearts

https://youtu.be/RXdA1uyjYGs



Not all original but still good
Del Vikings Whispering Bells
https://youtu.be/GEXSz2a1luQ

You know what's funny is that I made up a doo wop playlist about three years ago. My uncle helped me with it a little bit. It has 141 songs and it has more than 3 million views on YouTube So, I thought I'd make another playlist of the groups who still sound good singing their songs in this day and age. So if it's okay with you, I'd like to add the groups you mentioned.

As a former Pittsburgh guy, I remind you of the Skyliners and the Marcels.

I remember nearly ODing on Little Anthony. That's when I was dating Mary Lou (no, she never stole my diamond ring) and she had one of the great Doo Wop Group record collections of all time. Oh Happy Days!

Thanks Oli, I'll add the Skyliners and Marcels. Little Anthony is AMAZING. Great story about Mary Lou. When I was dating one of my first loves, he had roses on the front seat of his car and put in a cassette tape of Elvis Presley singing I Cant't Help Falling In Love With You. He sang that song to me, my heart melted. So fun being young.

Can you do me a favor and listen to these songs? I think they are a little off-key. Tell me if you think so too. If they are NOT, then I plan to add them to my list. Thank you.


The Mystics
https://youtu.be/ent9tHjdv2E

The Capris
https://youtu.be/nL_0OfENEqg


I can add The Diamond to the list. They sound pretty good singing Little Darlin'
https://youtu.be/_L8Xe6ivrm4

I saw nearly all the groups listed in this thread at the Alan Freed R&R shows at the Brooklyn (NY) Paramount in the Fifties. Freed was generous with fans: he always had them do encores, and told the groups to come out at the stage entrance after his shows to shake hands and greet the fans. I met a lot of the members of those groups after the shows when they came out at the stage entrance. I also saw--and met after the shows--Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Alf, they all sounded good to me.

You know, I was telling my sister that it's a shame that we just didn't realize what we had back then. That was such a fantastic era that we got to live through and enjoy. Those groups were out of this world.

Not a group any more but Dion still kicks ass.

Did you see the clip of The Wanderuh I put up? He's singing with his Del Satins.

https://youtu.be/WV966OlH_QQ

I like the part when he puts up his two fists of IRON !!!

Isn't that so WONDERFUL!!!! I saw that in one of the videos I posted of a concert down in Long Branch, they dedicated the show to Alan Freed. I cannot even imagine being able to see all those singers. You are so lucky. You always have amazing stories to tell. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks, Oli. I'll add them both to my playlist. You are so right about living in that era. It was a time when MEN were MEN, and DAMES were DAMES.

(And as my old boss would say, the sheep were nervous )

I found a good live one by The Dubs. Best song of theirs.

Chapel of Dreams

https://youtu.be/o4RmoflR1G8

If it didn't skip in the beginning it would be PERFECT

It was not a group his name was Fabian from Philadelphia. He used to work a couple of blocks from me in a fruit store during the summer it was owned by a relative of his. The story of his discovery was pictured by Ray Sharkey in "the idolmaker." A good movie check it out.

I know who Fabian is. I will definitely watch this movie. Thanks, Foots.

Weird how you brought up Fabian because one of my Alfano cousins looked a lot like him. He was killed in action in the Vietnam war on my parents' wedding day RIP Donnie. Since its Memorial Day Weekend I thought I'd mention him. But, what a strange coincidence.

Alfano..I apologize for any unsuitable words 4 which were rightfully deleted which i dont remember b-cause i had 2 much wine and irresponsible w/ my words..I aTm a happily married man & do not wish 2 mess that up..It's just my nature from when i was a kid 2 luv women & b flirtatious..a lot in my life now is uncomfortable..my 88 yr old aunt whom ive been a caretaker of & p.o.a. 4 quite a while now has moved in w/ us ,we had no choice , shes basically a vegetable now & sometimes i run the wrong way 4 solitude (then run my Irish mouth)..when I was growing up,UGH meant like u were a fat,ugly slimy kid & i guess i took it personal,I hope u accept my apology as I know u r more than likely a cool chick & wonderful person.....I AM SORRY 4 MY MISDEEDS & wish 2 b cordial w/ u on the board..again,sincerely,sorry..HOOD.

This is the story of my life. You're not the first and won't be the last to say those things to me. I took you off my Ignore list to reply to you. But, I can't be sure I'll take you off for good. I'll accept your apology because I think a man who owns up to his mistakes deserves a second chance. Just know that, being under the influence of alcohol is no excuse for posting that filth I had to read. Being exhausted from taking care of a loved one is just another excuse. Your post was extremely inappropriate and disrespectful. Those thoughts were in your head and the alcohol and being exhausted just gave you more courage to tell me. You're not in your twenties right? Your over 35, so you should know how to behave like a gentleman.

I'm a very good girl and have an excellent reputation on the boards and in real life.

And I'm very sorry about your aunt.

You were an Italian guy from Philly when you first signed up on here and approached me. Now, you're Irish?

Ugh meant oh great now I'm really in for it. Binnie C just gave him more info on me.

Fabian [Forte], Frankie Avalon [Avallone] and Bobby Rydell [Ridarelli] were three Italian guys from Philly whose careers were made by Dick Clark and American Bandstand. I saw all of them at the Freed shows. Avalon brought a trumpet onstage and sometimes played it; Rydell sat at a drum kit and banged away at it.

You were so lucky to get a chance like that to see them perform. I wish I knew Rydell was playing in the desert a couple years ago as I would have gone to see him. He still sounds good. Did you happen to see the fun fact I posted about Al Martino helping Frankie Avalon get his start into the business? I put it on the You know you're Italian thread.

I just saw a movie with rydell in it on Turner. Bye bye birdy dumb but entertaining. Ann Margaret hot even today in my eyes at least. Forte worked in a relatives fruit store here in Harlem. He was well know a few records came out. See you have a hit record you still work in a fruit store Ray sharky was nominated for an academy award for that movie. He was a junkie who got aids from using a needle other people used.

Anyone ever seen Singers on clay coles colebinn here in NYC. I went one time with friends. One was my cousin Rosie. I told this story before I will tell it again. We saw Ray Daveys and the kinks on that show. My cousin was a very hot girl at that time. Daveys liked what he saw and grabbed her ass. I happened to see him do it so I punched him in the mouth. People went crazy it was a live show in those days. They let me go because they did not want a riot just before the show went on.

I saw Dion at the Beacon Theather about 2 years ago. He can still bring it. Has not been back he performs at Westbury in Long Island. Always have a good time at Doowop concerts.

Have a friend a doowop singer Larry from the quotations if you remember him. Lives in Jersey now.

Forte working is just like a football player working when the season has ended. Is Forte's family from Naples? I thought Ray Sharkey did well in that role especially when he was dancing Just kidding. YouTube had the movie so I watched it. Pretty decent movie, good cast. I liked Sharkey as Sonny in the tv series Wiseguy. Too bad he was a user.

I am an Italian?..I dont recall ever stating that,although as a sous chef 4 a living,i am a great wizard of italian (& sicilian)cuisine,,I am i in fact a full blooded Irishman (parents from the west of said country)..u can see some of my work by google via Panorama restaurant/pennsview hotel.com phila...I hope u have a nice memorial wknd.,I will b spending time w/my grandchildren & doing a variation of lamb shanks 4 the grown-ups!

Great story, Alf. Thanks for posting it.

@Hoodlum Oooh I thought you were Italian because I remember you writing something out in Italian that most Italian Americans wouldn't know. My mistake. Looks like all the drama has come to an end right here. Enjoy the weekend!

Time to get back on track with what turned out to be a pretty damn good Doo Wop thread if I could say so myself .

It gets even better. Guess who helped out Al Martino when he needed a big break? You may already know the answer, but here is the interview with Martino just in case you don't know. It is so wonderful that all of those men were from the neighborhood and they all helped one another out.

https://youtu.be/Cm7401H-oBc

Martino's daughter Allison runs a Facebook page called "Vintage Los Angeles". Pretty interesting if you care about popular LA spots in the mid 20th century. Lots of pics with her dad hanging out with friends back in the day.

https://www.facebook.com/VintageLosAngeles/

Not sure if Frankie Valli is considered Doo Wop (although I would argue his early stuff is), I've seen him a couple times in concert over the last few years and he still sounds great.

Valli sang with a doo wop group, the Four Lovers, before the Four Seasons. They had a hit in '56--"You're the Apple of my Eye."

I love Doo Wop. I'm not quite as knowledgeable as to who sings what as I am with 60s artists BUT so many great songs. I go running everyday and use Pandora where I set a "Doo-Wop" section as one of my preferences.

Among my favorite groups/songs from that era are: Since I Don't Have You- The Skyliners

Great Pretender/Only You - The Platters (Is Tony Williams the lead singer? Anyway, he had a great voice.)

Tears On My Pillow - Little Anthony/Imperials )

Oh, and two of my absolute favorites are

In The Still Of The Night - The Five Satins

Little Darlin' - The Diamonds (Soooo Doo-wop)

Plus nearly anything by Dion.

Great era. Great music!!


TIS

TIS, most you cited are in my top ten of all time. Of course, the Skyliners being from Pittsburgh are certainly there. Tears on My Pillow reminds me of my days (and nights) with MaryLou who, as I posted before, may have had the best Doo Wop collection of all time. In the Still of the Night is arguably the best ever.

Also as I posted elsewhere, I just discovered that Joe Pesci played guitar with Joey D and the Starliters.

Hi Oli,

Had no idea Pesci was with the Starliters. Interesting.
Btw, when you saw her did you say "Hello Mary Lou"?

Btw, I may be wrong but I think maybe it was SC who said when he was young Dion/Belmonts sang on street corners? That would have been so cool. Then again Dion is from Philly not NY right? LOL Maybe I'm confused.


TIS

Yeah, Dion & the Belmonts started their singing careers as street corner singers just as many other groups did. Two minor corrections, though - they lived in the Belmont section of the Bronx (a mostly Italian section back in the '40s and '50s - the same neighborhood as portrayed in "A Bronx Tale") AND they were already established stars when I heard of them. My sister, ten years older than I, absolutely loved them starting in the late '50s.

FWIW - My brother, eight years older than I, was in a street singing group, too. He and four friends including Rico Petrocelli who later go on to a decent major league baseball career with the Boston Red Sox, used to sing on the boardwalk in Coney Island in the late '50s. They were fairly good and on one night, in particular, they gave a really good performance of a few songs. They attracted a good crowd. Only problem was they were immediately followed by The Tokens, another Brooklyn group who outclassed them. The Tokens would soon release a hit record ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight"). Oh well.

Thanks SC

This is why I thought he was from Philly.
Were you at the BB meet in Philly? We were at the famous "Philly Sandwich" place (forgot the name) and there was a big old building that had on it's side wall (old/faded) pics of Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and I THOUGHT the third one was Dion. I assumed they were all from Pilly. Obviously, I had it wrong. Now I'm trying to think of who the third one was.



TIS

Probably Frankie Avalon or Fabian. And no, I wasn't at that sitdown.

Ok, I think it was Fabian

Thanks


TIS

The original of "Little Darlin"--was done by The Gladiolas, a black group whose lead singer, Maurice Williams, later headed the Zodiacs. They had a big hit in '61: "Stay." Great make-out record.

The Diamonds were a white Canadian group that "covered" original records made by black groups. Among their hit covers were "The Stroll" (Chuck Willis) and "Silhouettes" (The Rays).

Oh yea, I love Maurice Williams "Stay." I remember "The Stroll" (was a dance too no?) and "Silhouettes", both great songs.
I actually like the later 60s version of Silhouettes by "Hermans Hermits"

TIS

TIS, you liked the Herman's Hermit's version? Sacrilege

Yes, the Stroll was a dance also.

Since we are posting about oldies, do ya'll recall the novelty songs such as the Purple People eaters and The Flying Saucer song? That was a cool song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1CauTt-kA4

Oli, I like both versions. I suppose the original is always the best, but I DO like HH version.

TB, Ha ha ha!! Yes, I remember that.

You guys remember another silly song "Sitting In The Back Seat With Fred?" (I think that's the title) "Keep your mind on the driving and your hands on the wheel"...

TIS

Btw, I have no idea why that particular song popped in my mind. Haven't heard it in decades.

... keep your snoopy eyes on the road ahead."

John Camera, camera downtown.

That was sort of a take off from John Cameron Swazee who did the Timex commercials no? ("Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'") Only us oldsters will remember that.



TIS

Saw the guy from hermans hermits sing Mr. brown in a free concert at the WTC a couple of weeks before the twin towers was hit.

Hi TIS, how are you doing? I think it's funny that you can't hear Dion's THICK New York accent. He says The Wanderuh and re-er-lized for realized. Sa sa for Zsa Zsa Gabor. I just listened to him on YouTube and he still sounds amazing!!

This is a wonderful song by The Solitaires and one of my favorites. Even though he doesn't hit the high note, Herman makes up for it when he sings Well, I do, do, do, do Well, I do... he sounds amazing.

Please Remember My Heart

https://youtu.be/7JAUyiK7GfY

And The Chantels singing Maybe (too bad it skips)
https://youtu.be/vG-dv88RAMY

I saw the Chantels many times at the Alan Freed shows in the Fifties. Arlene Smith, the lead singer, was, uh, a very well-developed teenager, and always performed in a tight white outfit, driving all the horny teenaged boys (like me) crazy. Her uncle, a very churchy-looking, upright man, played piano accompaniment for the group. He glared viciously at the boys in the audience.

The movie "Mean Streets" has a great doo-wop soundtrack. A pearly moment: Charlie (Harvey Keitel) is trying on a new, monogrammed shirt his mother bought for him, looking adoringly at himself in a mirror, and the Chantels are singing, "I Love You So." Brilliant!

Scorsese had good sound tracks in his movies. He was an assistant in the Woodstock movie. Listen to the way deniro talked in the mean streets Movie. It was a fake Italian street accent. He got better at it through the years. He sounded exactly like Steven Segal when he did the movie when he was supposed to be a guy from Brooklyn. That is why I call deniro a fake Italian. You know what Irene Cara used to call him. Robert the Nigro because he likes black women. He got Joe Pesci to ask Cara's girl friend to sing at De Niro birthday party. I guess her girl friend liked him and thought they could get together, but nothing happened except he got free entertainment at his birthday.

Scorsese always selects the best music for his movies. He even used Jimmy Roselli's Malafemmena in Mean Streets.

Yeah I know what you mean about DeNiro with his bankers and brokers wannabe tough guy speech in that movie. I agree, he and Harvey K didn't pull off the Brooklyn accents too well. But, I liked De Niro better years ago than I do now. David Proval, plays a good wise guy. I know you know the movie Family Enforcer with Pesci and I think the guy who plays Anthony, actor's name is Lou Criscuolo does a damn good job as a wise guy. He reminds me of my Pops too. Same talk and mannerisms. You know when he starts yelling a little bit telling Jerry (Joe Cortese) he didn't do the right thing etc and has to apologize. That's my second favorite scene next to the dice game scene.

Here's Anthony played by Lou C but I'll still try to find the scene I'm talking about

https://youtu.be/timIJv1Imp4


I wish Pizzaboy was on here so I can show him the sunglasses I like. We had a whole discussion about it and the shades Anthony is wearing are the ones I'm talking about.

So funny TB. Great story. Arlene Smith still sounds amazing.

The soundtrack has Deserie on it by The Charts which I never re-er-lized (inside joke) until I was watching the movie LAST YEAR. There are so many great songs in the film. Good scene. You don't miss a beat, TB.

I was either reading or watching something on Doo Wop music and it said that when new groups competed in singing contests, the most popular song chosen to sing was "This Is My Love" by The Passions. Good song.


https://youtu.be/hTIHz1YfTV8

The best Doo Wop lyric: "My prayer is to linger with you ..." The Platters.

I saw it in the movies when the death collector first came out. That was the original name of the movie. I thought Joey Cortese would be a star. Never happen he would have made a great sonny in The Godfather. I met him at the Mayflower hotel when I lived there. I had a piece of art I tried to sell it to him. He was afraid to buy stolen property . Pesci told me while they were filming that movie Cortese and him had a fist fight. He said he was beating the crap Cortese before the crew broke it up. I mention this on a site that Cortese was on he said it never happen. Then someone on the crew of that movie said it did happen.

Scorsese often used Italian songs when violence was about to happen--just as Coppola often used religious music or pageantry when violence was impending.

Astute observation TB. I especially like the use of religious stuff in the Trilogy.

There were so many great songs used at just the right moments in "Mean Streets." For instance: Charlie, Johnny Boy, Tony and Jimmy Mook are driving to Joey Catucci's pool room, and the song playing is "Florence" by the Paragons--one of the greatest. Then, at the party for the returning soldier, Charlie is drunk and the song playing is "Rubber Biscuit" by the Chips ("Desiree" by the Charts played later in that scene, as did two other greats: "Ship of Love" by the Nutmegs and "Pledging my Love" by Johnny Ace). The movie closes with Italian street singing, the last song is the same one Johnny Fontaine sang at Connie's wedding in "Godfather."

"Goodfellas" continued Scorsese's tradition. Near the beginning, when young Henry is running errands for the Mob, we hear "Can't We Be Sweethearts" by the Cleftones (one of Freed's favorite groups)--perfect match! As Henry and Tommy are about to steal a truck at a diner near Kennedy Airport, he's playing "Stardust" by Billy Ward and the Dominos (the great Eugene Mumford was the lead singer on that one). "Life is But a Dream" by the Harptones (my favorite group) plays, appropriately, at Henry and Karen's wedding. Scorsese also uses "He's Still the Boy I love" by the Crystals and "Frosty the Snowman" by the Ronettes at perfect spots.

David Proval, who was so gentle as Tony in "Mean Streets," turned into a vicious bastard in "Sopranos."

What a wonderful song with such beautiful lyrics!!! I agree.

When I was younger my Grandma told me that a woman needs to take care of her man, no matter how tired or sick she is. She MUST NEVER let him eat alone at the dinner table or sit in the parlor by himself. This is the song she played for me. It's not a Doo Wop song, though. But, it really demonstrates what a woman's role is in the relationship and what a man needs from his woman. Simple, yet a powerful song.

A Fellow Needs a Girl

https://youtu.be/5r3s7HHFB2A

TB, I like the Paragons' music too. I was looking for a live performance by them thinking they may have been part of a NY doo wop show, but only found them singing in what appeared to be a coffee shop, so I didn't post the link. Now, I'm thinking I should put on Mean Streets again so I can listen to all this great music. That scene where Charlie is drunk makes me dizzy. Scorsese has them singing the Neapolitan song at the end called O' Marenariello. I Have But One Heart as you stated which is in The Godfather film.

Scorsese NEVER disappoints with his selection of music in his films, ESPECIALLY in Goodfellas.

David Proval played one mean SOB in Soprano's.

I found a few of The Harptones for you, TB. Beautiful songs. Beautiful voices. I can close my eyes and hear their songs playing at one of our family's weddings or parties. Cry Like I Cried and That's The Way It Goes, those songs I remember the most. I fell asleep listening to them as a kid many times on the couch while my parents played cards til the wee hours of the morning

Life Is But a Dream
https://youtu.be/a3Nbj4EOg-w

Sunday Kind of Love
https://youtu.be/fiPopG0qJLI


Remember this song? Shout Shout Knock Yourself Out

https://youtu.be/p6k3BEU1aQM

" ... put another dime in the record machine."

Both dimes buying anything and record machines are long gone. Madonne!

Aw, c'mon oli. You remember, "put another nickel in, in the nickelodion".

Teresa "Squeaky" Brewer!

All great! My favorite Harptones is "On Sunday Afternoon."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sukGOVBf10M

Unfortunately, I do.

Have you guys since this site? It doesn't have music on it but has lots of articles and bios about old doo wop groups from the 50's. I'm a big fan of doo wop and old blues/R&B so I thought it was a cool site.

http://www.uncamarvy.com/marvart.html

Never heard of it, Raven. I'll check it out. Thanks for sharing.

I never would have guessed that would be your favorite Harptones song!! It's a little depressing and you're always so upbeat!

Lol at your answer to the Shout song

Jimmy Gallagher. Lead singer of the Passions for fifty years. Video is about three years old but bear in mind that he's pushing eighty.


https://youtu.be/P8a8IDQrDlk

The Ray Sharkey character was based on Bob Marcucci. He died about five years ago. Cesare was based on Fabian and Tommy Dee was based on Frankie Avalon. They moved the story to from Philly to the Bronx for aesthetics and availability. It was shot around the spring and summer of 1980 smack in the middle of my old neighborhood. I bussed tables at Mario's as a kid. They shot some of the restaurant interiors there. Good movie. Then again, I'm a little biased.

That's a really good song. They still sound good so I'll add them to my list.

And if you're quoting Foots about Sharkey on that page then that means ... caught you . You and Turnbull don't miss a beat and neither does Alfano

Don't remember the name of the group but in the film "Goodfellas" they sang "life is but a dream" at the wedding as the happy couple danced.

Harptones

Not a group and not Doo Wop, but anyone remember Sheb Wooley and One Eyed, One Horn, Flying Purple People Eaters?

I've heard of them before, Oli.

Here are The Charts with Deserie

https://youtu.be/-SNz0YjQVLM

After they get warmed up they sound pretty good.
TB or anyone- Is it supposed to be spelled Deserie or Desiree?

"...playing rock 'n roll music through a horn in her head...tequila."

Here's a good one by The Danleers. I don't think I have them on this thread.

One Summer Night

https://youtu.be/AhVFaqnhGxY

Jerry Butler and the Impressions

For Your Precious Love

https://youtu.be/GLe5MYcuKoo



Love Me
https://youtu.be/h8fLwBw9IRI

Come Back to Me
https://youtu.be/99qz6EyOnYk

(Curtis Mayfield)
Never Let Me Go
https://youtu.be/oQ-HYaZsYXI

Edit: added more vids

Here is the quintessential New York Doo Wop song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbgDcsUYH0A

You know, I do know Frankie Lymon but can't say I remember that song. Must have been WAY before my time.

Lots of saxophone in 50s music hu?? Thanks TB. Good song


TIS

Great song TB. I have it on my doo wop playlist.

I remember that "I want you to be my girl" lyric, but I can't recall the song.

His voice was something else.

I saw Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers at several Alan Freed shows at the Brooklyn Paramount in the Fifties, and met them outside at the stage door. Frankie was beloved by his fans: he was a cute little adolescent who was just like us--he went to junior high in New York City; his English teacher supposedly let him write a song ("Why Do Fools Fall in Love") instead of an essay; his voice hadn't changed yet....Too bad: he was the first famous R&R star to die of a drug overdose.

Yes indeed, TIS--sax men were the unsung heroes of Doo Wop. Nearly all the pbeat Doo Wops featured a terrific sax break. The sax players were never credited on the records, but some of them were giants, including Sam the Man Taylor, Big Al Sears and Junior Walker.

TIS, I'll look for some songs from TB's list of the great sax players and post. Definitely worth listening to.

Great stories TB. So true. Guitarists get too much recognition. Playing the sax is more difficult if you ask me.

My daughter has been playing the alto sax for about five years now. She's pretty good too. I tried it and I'm much better at playing the piano or guitar than the sax. Actually, I'm pretty lousy at all three, still learning Takes a lot of practice.

I found some songs.

There's no doubt in my mind you'll recognize this one
Junior Walker

https://youtu.be/5xKckHzzzfg


"Sam the Man" Taylor played sax on Joe Turner's Shake, Rattle & Roll song and also for The Chords
Sh-Boom
https://youtu.be/H6LaAUGAu4U

I think he played sax as a cover version of Speak Softly Love, the love theme in The Godfather. Does anyone know if this is true?


Big Al Sears
Cover of Roy O's song Crying
https://youtu.be/RqsAVzsoLsQ

Rock n Roll Boogie (Al Sears)
https://youtu.be/Ucc49KlrcQc

Dion still sounds AMAZING. I have to put up another one of his songs.

Love Came To Me
https://youtu.be/ZV3gp6gO1So

I wish the Mello Kings sounded better. They sound pretty bad.
Tonite Tonite
https://youtu.be/1ZRywBZ1Rc4

But way back when they sounded great
https://youtu.be/oHqWWaQFkwA


I like Dion's version of their song.
https://youtu.be/L13qZKD-Xdw

Amazing player and singer. My favorite of his: "What Does It Take"



Big Joe had a lot of star musicians in his band. Mickey "Guitar" Baker, of Mickey and Sylvia ("Love is Strange") fame, played on his (original) version of "Chains of Love." The Chords had the original "Sh-Boom," but it was covered by a white group, the Crew Cuts, in 1954. Oddly, a lot of musical historians believe 'Sh-Boom" was the first R&R song. I go with Jackie Branston's "Rocket 88."






That was the second single made by Alan Freed's Rock 'n Roll Band. Their first (Freed's theme song, which the band always played when his stage shows opened at the Brooklyn Paramount, was "Right Now, Right Now"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekrZtt46T4

Speaking of unsung (no pun intended) sax players:
The Neons, a one-hit-wonder white group, had a minor hit with "Angel Face." Lead singer is pretty monotonous, but it's a lively recording. The sax break, by Sam Kimble, makes this record:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-KwIft3Vz4

The flip side of the single, "Kiss Me Quickly," has my vote for the worst flip side of the Fifties.

Dion DiMucci probably was the best white lead singer of the Doo Wop era. I saw him with and without the Belmonts at the Freed shows. Lou Reed worshiped Dion--he inducted Dion into the R&R Hall of Fame. You can hear Dion wailing away at the end of Reed's "Dirty Boulevard":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmJUSI2qRlM
(Dion is singing on the vinyl version, not the black man shown in the video.)

The Channels, one of the top NY Doo Wop groups, did their own version of Frankie Laine's classic "That's My Desire":

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

Dion and the Belmonts copied the Channels' version literally note for note:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErSbuPUvkA

What Does It Take is a spectacular song!!! He makes it look so easy to sing and then play the sax. Such a talented man.

I do remember listening to the crew cuts. And I think you may be right about Rocket 88. It has that delta blues rock and roll sound more so than Sh-Boom. Have you seen a site called white doo wop collector? He puts up info on the groups with their music. There are many I've never heard of before.

Oops, I didn't realize I put up the second single of Freed's band. Thanks for correcting me. Both are great tunes!! I'm learning so much from you. Thanks.

I didn't bother listening to Kiss Me Quickly. I'll take your word for it. The other song was pretty good. Thanks for sharing it.

(I'm on my phone. Sorry if it's difficult to make sense of my post.)

Dion and Johnny Maestro are my faves. Yes, I can hear Dion at the end. Wow! I never would have guessed that was him in a million years. Great stuff, TB.

I need to put up the song That's My Desire. There are a few live versions up on YouTube that are magnificent. Great band, great song.

I don't know about you but listening to doo wop puts me in a great mood. So, I listen to it every single day.

I'll have more questions for you when I get back. Gotta run. Beauty parlor day for me
Have a wonderful day!!

Dion was absolutely one of the very best. But I have to go with Maestro as the best.

Maestro had a better voice but Dion was more electrifying.

I agree Oli and SC!!

Listen to this kid doing a cover of the song Why Do Fools Fall In Love by Frankie & The Teenagers

Benn Joe "Zeppa" Zeppanini is his name.
https://youtu.be/bSP6XQZusLg

Ever heard of him?

When Pizza comes on here I have to ask him if he's ever heard of this group because I think they're from the Bronx. They're called The Five Sharks. One of the singers is an actor now. He was in Donnie Brasco and a few other movies.


This is the other group. I think are from the Bronx. They're playing down in Wildwood though on this video. My Dad used to go see bands that added the Italian songs to their line-up. I guess that was popular back then. Was it? But, I've never heard of him mentioning this group called The Cousins.

Here is the song. Half in English half Italian.

https://youtu.be/0FSRQc0hapc

I must put this song up by The Channels. That's My Desire. Great song.

https://youtu.be/GJd9hDi7PNo

At the end when saying thank you, Earl Lewis reminds me of Eddie Murphy. Sounds just like him

Also, I never heard Dion sing Wonderful Girl by The Five Satins. So DREAMY!

You probably know this, but...
...before they were the Four Seasons, they were the Four Lovers. Here's their first hit. Note Frankie Valli in the lead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgteu0I9fSY

Among New Yorkers of a Certain Age, this Channels hit is perhaps the most iconic Doo Wop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTktRmMHyp0

Into the Sixties, when I worked on Wall Street, I used to see Italian guys in NY Stock Exchange gray smocks, get together in office building vestibules (for the echo effect) to sing this song.

But, I prefer their second hit. I used to stay up all night, after Alan Freed went off the air, to hear Jocko Henderson play this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsOtxaS9W1Y
(I had this record on 78 rpm.)

Near the end of his life, Buddy Holly moved to New York City, married a Puerto Rican woman, and began diversifying his repertoire. Here he makes like the Tony Martin of Lubbock TX. Say what you want about this record, he was a real artist. Note the lavish arrangement:

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

Sounds a lot like Frankie Lymon.

I'm so impressed!! That was so lovely. Thanks for sharing.

RIP Buddy Holly

I thought so too.

Yes, I do know about the Four Lovers. That's actually a pretty good song by them. Some aren't too good lol. Frankie Valli was always played in my household WAY TOO MUCH!!! But my father hung around those guys. They were acquainted through mutual friends.

I definitely posted The Closer You Are in my first list of songs because it's one I heard many times. And they still sound AMAZING singing it!!

I never knew you were on Wall St. That's a fantastic story. Did you see the subway doo wop battles too? That must have been so much fun.

Did the young people protest when Alan Freed had to go off the air? He seemed to be such an important figure of that time period.

The Gleam In Your Eye is one of my fave doo wop songs. I bought it on iTunes a couple years ago So, I completely understand how you would wait up until all hours of the night to listen to it. I can listen to it on repeat for hours.

I have a question for you and/or anyone else who wants to answer. Why do you think that doo wop songs have to always have the lyrics "I love you" in them? During that era did you have to tell a girl you loved her right away? Would the girls you date talk about getting married after a month of dating lol? It seems like it.



When I was younger there were places where we could go dancing or roller skating. There would of course be a DJ there. So, I would bring my records to the place because I had all the good stuff. If there was a party, I'd bring my records. Then, I started to help the cheerleaders and song leaders in junior high and high school with their dance choreography. I cannot think of a time when I was NOT dancing or listening to music. As I got older I would always get picked to go up on stage to dance. I was an assistant cheer coach for Pop Warner. I had a blast teaching kids how to cheer and had to choreograph dances for them to compete. The City of Anaheim wanted me to teach a cheer and dance class but I was much too busy at that time running my tutoring and house cleaning businesses plus going to college. So, I couldn't do it. My friends had a DJ business from the late 80's to mid 90's that I would help with. Music is my life. Right now I have my headphones on listening to my playlist as I'm typing this post.

Alf, Doo Wop music was kind of virgin music back when romance was still a huge part of song. So I love you was almost mandatory as a lyric.


By the way, Frankie Lyman or Little Anthony?

Makes a lot of sense, Oli. Frankie L or Little Anthony? How dare you ask me that question!! That's like asking me which of my kids I love more lol . I like them both equally. Who do you choose?

Mi dispiace!

I go with Little Anthony. As I posted before, Mary Lou had one heck of a record collection and it included alot of LA. But Frankie is a close 2nd.

I was just busting you. Although it is true I really wouldn't be able to choose who I like better Their records were ALWAYS on. I overloaded on Tears on My Pillow and Why Do Fools Fall in Love so much that I don't have them on my doo wop Youtube playlist. And they are great songs. I can't listen to them anymore if that makes any sense. Same with most of Frankie Valli's stuff. Major overload.

Even in the early 80's those two groups were still popular. Down the Jersey shore on the boardwalk there would be a weekend show . One summer I saw almost all the performances. But, the one that stuck out in mind was of this girl who was 9 singing both the Lil Anthony & Frankie L songs. She was so very talented.

Here is a video you may like of Little Anthony and the Imperials. I thought it was pretty interesting. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/NyquD-YSQsw

No. Here's the story:
Just before the House of Representatives adjourned for the T'giving/Xmas/New Year's break late in '59, the same subcommittee that investigated the quiz shows said it would investigate "payola" when the House reconvened in January, 1960. The New York DA, anxious to get in his dibs before Congress did, immediately brought charges of "commercial bribery" (payola) against Freed and several other NY-area DJs. But, by that time, doo wop was in a steep decline that had begun more than year ago as groups dissolved, kids got older and tastes changed. Murray "the K" Kaufman became the new NYC top DJ. Young people were satisfied with him. He did stage shows, too.



It was standard for the era, Alf--all the songs, including the bland "pop" songs and ballads of the time, had lyrics with moon/spoon, love/stars above, etc., because they couldn't be more explicit. No radio station would have played some of the songs we hear today

Speaking of ballads, here's one that Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers did. Really high-class stuff for that era:

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

Great post! I'm learning so much!!

I plan to respond in a more lengthy post when I have more time. Things are pretty crazy here today and will be for the next couple of days. To be continued.