In the 1950s and early 1960s, the popular mainstream style of music was the pop-orientated rhythm-and-blues, Doo-wop. This genre features simple lyrics, nonsense syllables, a vocal group harmony, a wide range of vocal parts, a simple swing-like beat, and sometimes little or no instrumentation. The structure of doo-wop features a lead vocalist supported by a chant of rhythmic harmony. In fact, the word doo-wop represents the chanted syllables.
The first time I heard doo-wop was in the 1985 sci-fi adventure comedy classic, "Back to the Future", starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Teenager Marty McFly inadvertently travels to 1955 and with the help of a younger Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, Mcfly must find a way to return to 1985. Excellent film!
With no further adieu, I have a set of doo-wop recordings for your pleasure. Enjoy!
The Penguins- Earth Angel (1955)
The Platters - Only You (1955)
The Marcels - Blue Moon (1961)
The Jive Five - My True Story (1961)
The Del Vikings - Come Go With Me (1957)
The Skyliners This I Swear Is True (1959)
Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl (1962)
Lee Andrews & The Hearts - Long Lonely Nights (1957)
The Cleftones - Little Girl Of Mine (1956)
The Capris - There's A Moon Out Tonight (1960)
The Channels - That's My Desire (1957)
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