Doo Wop (24 Artists) – 19 of 23 Genres

Doo Wop began in the 1940s. It was developed in African-American communities along the East Coast, stretching from Philadelphia to New York City and heading west into Cincinnati and Detroit. As it grew and spread, it was picked up and influenced by other cultures, including Italian-Americans and Latin-Americans.

There are 24 links of Doo Wop singers in this blog:

Danny & The Juniors (1955-2019). Both David White and Joe Terranova passed in 2019. An example of their work: “At the Hop” Post 12 (https://youtu.be/SEPvoNA1OGw) (RQ 10).

The Dovells were an American doo-woo group, formed at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1957, under the name ‘The Brooktones’. The original members were Arnie Silver, Len Borisoff, Jerry Gross (alias Summers), Mike Freda, and Jim Mealey (alias Danny Brooks). Their first single “No, No, No” was a local hit for The Brooktones. Gross left the Brooktones in 1959 to form the group The Gems with Jerry Gross, Mark Stevens, Mike Freda, Warren Purdy, and Roland Scarinci. The remaining Brooktones signed to Parkway Records in 1960 and added Jerry Sirlen and William Shunkwiler to the group, while changing the band’s name to The Dovells. While rehearsing “Out in the Cold Again”, which turned out to be the B-side of “Bristol Stomp” (https://youtu.be/p962x7k61Kg) (RQ 9), Len called Jerry and asked for help with the harmonies. After two days of trying, Len asked Jerry to be part of the group and replace two of the other members. Sirlen and Shunkwiler were replaced by Gross and Freda. Mark went on to start his own group Tony & the Raindrops (“Our Love is Over”, a local hit), and later joined The Dovells in the 1960s. Warren Purdy went to work for the Boeing Corp., Roland Scarinci enlisted in The Marine Corps then went on to work for AT&T.

Dion (& The Belmonts). They were from The Bronx, NY. Dion finally left the group as he wanted to pursue rock ‘n roll. One of their best:“Wanderer” Post 12 (https://youtu.be/TNcdm3dkGEM) (RQ 10+).

Essex. Originally, Walter Vickers, Rodney Taylor, Billy Hill, Rudolph Johnson and lead singer Anita Humes were Marines stationed at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. One of their songs: “Easier Said Than Done.” Post 1 (https://youtu.be/TT3ivugR2eY) ( RQ 9).

Little Anthony & The Imperials. They were an American rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York City founded by Clarence Collins in the 1950s and named in part for its lead singer, Jerome Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine, who was noted for his high-pitched voice. A couple of their songs: “Goin Out of My Head” Post 56 (https://youtu.be/qah0t_maZRo) (RQ 10). “Tears on My Pillow” Post 36 (https://youtu.be/we2kmO24rgE) (RQ 10).

The Diamonds. They were a Canadian vocal quartet that rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with 16 Billboard hit records. The original members were Dave Somerville, Ted Kowalski, Phil Levitt, and Bill Reed. A great song: “Little Darlin” Post 36 (https://youtu.be/WKa0XNV6bn4) (RQ 10+).

Mann, Barry. Was an American songwriter and musician, and part of a successful songwriting partnership with his wife, Cynthia Weil. He has written or co-written 53 hits in the UK and 98 in the US. A sample song: “Who Put the Bomp.” Post 56 (https://youtu.be/aumW5e28xic) (RQ 10+).

The Del-Vikings. From Pittsburgh. A song: “Come Go with Me” Post 12 (https://youtu.be/hF8URFxNx40) (RQ 9).

The Drifters. They were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, formerly the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. The second group of Drifters formed in 1959 led by Ben E. King. Bill Pinkney, the last survivor of the original members of the The Drifters, died on (July 4, 2007). He was 81. Sample song: “Save the Last Dance for Me” Post 12 (https://youtu.be/n-XQ26KePUQ) (RQ 10).

The Elegants. They started in 1958 by Vito Picone, Arthur Venosa, Frank Tardogno, Carman Romano and James Moschello in South Beach, Staten Island, New York. One of their hits: “Little Star” Post 35 (https://youtu.be/HCPqcJmK8y8) (RQ 10).

The Fascinators. They came together as did many others by singing on street corners in New York City (for them, that was Brooklyn). Group members were Tony Passalacqua, Angelo LaGrecca, Nick Trivatto, Ed Wheeler, and George Cernacek. An example song: “Oh Rosemarie” Post 1 (https://youtu.be/QgM4Uh0XCrY) (yRQ 10).

The Monotones. They are considered a one-hit wonder, as their only hit single was “The Book of Love”, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1958. “Book of Love” Post 35 (https://youtu.be/tmtr3HNerdM) (RQ 9).

The Penguins. An American doo-wop group of the 1950s and early 1960s, best remembered for their only Top 40 hit, “Earth Angel”, which was one of the first rhythm and blues hits to cross over to the pop charts. “Earth Angel” Post 35 (https://youtu.be/-j6OAEOcNCE) (RQ 10).

The Reflections. American blue-eyed soul/doo-wop group from Detroit, Michigan, United States. They had one hit single in 1964 called ” Romeo and Juliet”, written by Bob Hamilton and Freddie Gorman. “Just Like Romeo and Juliet” Post 35 (https://youtu.be/OGaBZuTixII) (RQ 10).

The Silouettes. From Philadelphia. An American doo wop/R&B group, whose single “Get a Job” was a number 1 hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart and pop singles chart in 1958. “Get a Job” Post 35 (https://youtu.be/hBKzAknJ6XQ) (RQ 9).