Doo Wop - Vocal Harmonies rooted in Rhythm and Blues
Doo-Wop is a related R&B form based on vocals using phonetic syllables in order to introduce rhythm and harmonic movements. It was introduced in the 1950's in the streets of New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. It saw its beginning in the African American communities which also enjoyed rhythm and blues and became wildly popular in the mid 1950's to the early 1960's.
Doo-wop is associated with street corner music groups of 4 or 5 youngsters who had their musical background from local black churches and or their home. As such, each member of the group brought his/her own talent and specialty and allowed the group as a whole to express its vocal qualities mixed in with harmonies and rhythm. As young people, they had a carefree attitude to the doo-wop and music industry.
This particular attitude also meant that they could be manipulated and indeed taken advantages off by a variety of the music industry's business people such as agents, and record companies' contact people. It was even a common policy for label owners to list their own name (instead of the name of the musicians) as the actual composer of the music since he was already known in the music industry and would make the marketing of the record much easier, or so he told them.
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.
As if this was not sufficient, all rights to the original songs had to be given to the record companies and the musician managers was paid 50 pc of the musicians' own royalties. They were further rip-offs such as the musician having to do major shows for free, going as far as having to pay to feature on TV shows.
The tragedy in this is that in all likelihood, the groups would have been able to survive and might have gone on to produce more music had they not been so cheated by their own record companies. These companies for the most part were startups themselves, and hence would have been more likely to have benefited from relationships and practices that did not alienated the artists they were representing.
Famous doo wop music groups include
The Dubs who in 1957 released one of doo wop classics: "could this be magic". A sweet and endearing ballad, it featured lead vocalist Richard Blandon.
The Duprees who in 1962 hit it big with their delightful doo wop harmonization of "you belong to me" which had previously been recorded by Patty Page, Jo Stafford, Dean Martin and Joni James.
The Elegants, a New York doo wop music group that became famous for the most gorgeous "Little Star" released in 1958. This title topped both R&B and Pop charts. They were a White ensemble led by Vito Picone
The Five Satins, best known for "In the Still of the Night" who was a true classic and the only hit of this magnitude by the Five Satins. The group was led by Fred Parris in 1954 and he wrote their biggest hits "In the Still of the Night" in the basement of a local church. By the time the song scaled the charts, Parris had been drafted into the army.
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.
Doo-wop is associated with street corner music groups of 4 or 5 youngsters who had their musical background from local black churches and or their home. As such, each member of the group brought his/her own talent and specialty and allowed the group as a whole to express its vocal qualities mixed in with harmonies and rhythm. As young people, they had a carefree attitude to the doo-wop and music industry.
This particular attitude also meant that they could be manipulated and indeed taken advantages off by a variety of the music industry's business people such as agents, and record companies' contact people. It was even a common policy for label owners to list their own name (instead of the name of the musicians) as the actual composer of the music since he was already known in the music industry and would make the marketing of the record much easier, or so he told them.
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.
As if this was not sufficient, all rights to the original songs had to be given to the record companies and the musician managers was paid 50 pc of the musicians' own royalties. They were further rip-offs such as the musician having to do major shows for free, going as far as having to pay to feature on TV shows.
The tragedy in this is that in all likelihood, the groups would have been able to survive and might have gone on to produce more music had they not been so cheated by their own record companies. These companies for the most part were startups themselves, and hence would have been more likely to have benefited from relationships and practices that did not alienated the artists they were representing.
Famous doo wop music groups include
The Dubs who in 1957 released one of doo wop classics: "could this be magic". A sweet and endearing ballad, it featured lead vocalist Richard Blandon.
The Duprees who in 1962 hit it big with their delightful doo wop harmonization of "you belong to me" which had previously been recorded by Patty Page, Jo Stafford, Dean Martin and Joni James.
The Elegants, a New York doo wop music group that became famous for the most gorgeous "Little Star" released in 1958. This title topped both R&B and Pop charts. They were a White ensemble led by Vito Picone
The Five Satins, best known for "In the Still of the Night" who was a true classic and the only hit of this magnitude by the Five Satins. The group was led by Fred Parris in 1954 and he wrote their biggest hits "In the Still of the Night" in the basement of a local church. By the time the song scaled the charts, Parris had been drafted into the army.
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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posted by Marcondes Allen at 4:31 PM
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