Doo Wop - Vocal with a Doowop of Rhythm and Blues
Author: Themusicmam Total views: 6 Word Count: 622
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.
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.
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.
Famous doo wop music groups include
The Dubs and their most endearing ballad records "Could this be magic" released in 1957. Even though it was not an overwhelming hit at the time, it is still counted as one of doo wop classics.
The Dupees, one of the finest Italian doo wop made delightful doo wop harmonies, none more than the very successful "you belong to me" who 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.
The Five Satins, formed by Fred Harris in 1954 release "In the Still of the Night" a true favorite amongst doo wop lovers. Created in the basement of a local church the single was release in the spring of 1956 and became a huge hit. Musician leader Harris was not in the US when this happened as by then he had already been drafted into the army.
Doo Wop was surpassed and its popularity at the time destroyed by the British Invasion, this very civilized and pacific take over of our popular culture of the time by British Rock and Roll groups. In spite of that, doo wop has endured into the hearts and souls many!
Doo Wop has an international and varied audience. Concerts and events are still being organized today and continue to enthrall an audience that combines both the older with their grand-kids they often times bring to see the show.
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The Music Mama has a unique collection of oldies, Doo wop music and more. We aim to offer the ultimate in customer satisfaction and our Doo wop CDs are covered by an unconditional guarantee.
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