What is Doo Wop?

        Now, this is an age old question that has been debated  for decades. It's hard to answer because the name itself was actually made up and put in to use after the genres hey day. There are several theories that exist and can be read about in several publications. Like Anthony J. Gribin and Matthew M. Schiff's book The complete Book of Doo Wop for example. You can also check out veteran collector's and writers Like Louie Silvani and Steve Propes on-line to see their thoughts on the matter. But what IS Doo Wop? Where does it start? When does it stop being Vocal Groups and start being Doo Wop? It depends on who you ask....Veterans like Val Shively and Gerry Diez probably still call it Vocal Groups. But there is an answer for this. When these guys started collecting or acquiring or what ever you want to call it, no term like doo wop existed! So here's my theory: and this is only my opinion....How far back do you want to go? To me the "Vocal Group" era was from about 1947-48 to somewhere in 1954. These Vocal Groups or R&B Vocal Groups as they're sometimes called include everyone from the Ink Spots to The Orioles, Marshall Brothers, The Ravens etc. and had what I consider to be more of a classy, smooth sound more aimed at adults. Then somewhere in '54 when records like Gee by The Crows and Earth Angel by The Penguins came out they were in my opinion, whether it was planned or not, capturing the attention of the "youth." But undoubtedly when 1955 came around and Rock & Roll was an actual thing and had been distilled into a phrase and a rhythm then........to me, you had DOO WOP! By that I mean that THAT is when we can start calling it Doo Wop. Because to me that is what Doo Wop is. It is Vocal Group Rock & Roll. Not Vocal Group R&B. And Rock & Roll was definitely about teenagers. So, most assuredly you can call it Doo Wop by the time Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers came out 'cause....it's in the name, TEENAGERS! And let's face it. We're just splitting hairs here. No matter what, it's all great music and all came from the same place. But when all these genres cross-pollinate that's where these debates start. But to me those hybrid musics are the best because that stuff only can happen at that place, at that point in time and that's why it's the best!
         
Now when Slim Rose was doing the Times Square thing and the first doo wop resurgence was happening in the early 60's the Kiddie sound was being favored which I love! Here's a few examples. I can blame Vicky Tafoya, and I use blame VERY loosely, for showing me a good majority of these....they are heavy hitters! A few fine examples of the kiddie sound....

Now, I don't care what anyone says, when I hear The Charts out of Harlem New York I can't think of callin' it anything else other than DOO WOP! They are my favorite!

The one thing that I absolutely LOVE about this music is that it included EVERYONE! There were guy groups, girl groups, interracial groups. Everyone was on the same team and just completely gone with the sounds of Rock & Roll. Everyone had to be in a group if they could. On top of The Chantels and The Hearts there were so many girl doo woppers! My friend Bob Volturno turned me on to this one and it's a wopper! Pick it up, but don't burn yourself!

I can't even tell you what I feel when I here this song.....Unbelievable!

And of course by the early 1960's folks who went on to be Rock & Roll Hall of Famers were doing their versions of songs that were already considered classics to them. Even though the song had only been released a few years earlier. Trailblazers like this woman right here....

We were lucky enough to meet and perform with the one and only Ronnie Spector just last week, but I'll save that for another entry....

Well there you have it. Some more rantings from your friendly neighborhood doo wopper. The birth of "Doo Wop." When did it start? Debatable. But I know were all real glad it did!


P.S. I just love to gab about this stuff folks so if you want to weigh in on the conversation, leave comments, links whatever I encourage it. Bye for now!