The
Beginning
The definition of Doo-Wop: sounds made by a
singing group as they provide harmonic
background vocals for the lead singer.
This definition can be found in
distinguished vocal groups from the 1940’s.
The Ink Spots established the use of the
tenor and bass singers as the paramount
members in a vocal group. This use of the
tenor and bass can be found in records of
the Ravens who formed in 1945. Other great
groups who were influenced by the Ink Spots
style of vocals are as follows: the Orioles,
the Spaniels, and the Platters who remade
the Ink Spots song “My Prayer” in 1956, this
doo-wop style even influenced the Motown
singers in the 1960’s.
Major cities such as Chicago, New York,
Baltimore and Los Angeles all lay claim to
the origins of the Doo-Wop sound. These
urban communities contained the settings
that enabled these often-young groups, to
express their music without instruments. The
use of their voices in a cappella form could
be rehearsed in any location, on a street
corner, in a hallway, or wherever the groups
could gather together. These groups also had
their professional beginnings in local
community center talent shows, churches,
school talent shows, and their neighborhood
street corners.
In Chicago, the El Dorados, the Flamingos,
and in nearby, Gary, Indiana, Pookie Hudson
and the Spaniels of “Goodnite Sweetheart
Goodnite” fame began their respective
careers.
In New York City groups such as the
Cadillacs, the Crows in 1953 with “Gee”, and
the Heartbeats and later several other
legendary groups such as; the Ravens, the
Five Satins, Frankie Lymon and the
Teenagers, the Jesters, Dion and the
Belmonts, Jive Five began recording the
songs that changed the course of music
history.
The earliest of Doo-Wop roots can be found
in a Baltimore, Maryland group formed in
1946 by Sonny Til and named the Vibranaires.
This group later changed their name to the
Orioles and topped the charts with “It’s To
Soon To Know”. Many music historians
consider “It’s To Soon To Know” by the
Orioles to be the first Doo-Wop song to be
recorded.
Los Angeles lays claim to the Penguins of
“Earth Angel” fame, the Platters in 1953,
the Coasters, and several other great
groups.
Groups such as Lee Andrews & the Hearts
formed in 1953 in Southwest Philadelphia of
“Long Lonely Nights” fame also put
Philadelphia on the Doo-Wop map.
Several early Doo-Wop groups lacked business
knowledge to make the money they sincerely
earned. These groups often placed trust and
total responsibility in the record companies
when it came to contractual agreements.
Often times the label owners told the groups
that by listing the record owner as the
composer or co-author of the song, that the
DJ’s would play their song or songs more due
to label name recognition. The groups were
also told that being paid per recording
session was more profitable than being paid
per number of records sold, and that they
would profit from touring the country.
However, oftentimes the large checks they
received prior to the shows had to be
returned and smaller checks were received
after the shows completion or after they had
paid for a guest spot on the show. Some of
the groups’ contracts contained clauses,
which stated that all expenses were to be
paid from their royalties and major shows
were done for free.
By 1958, the Doo-Wop style of music ruled
the rock n’ roll airwaves. the Silhouettes,
Dion & the Belmonts, the Chantels with
“Maybe”, the Del Vikings with “Come Go With
Me”, the Platters, the Coasters and most of
the greatest groups to ever record were
capturing the hearts of America with their
forever-legendary songs.
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