u/DennisG21

This is quite different but it has strange lyrics and a lot of falsetto and that means Doowop to me. It is by the Versatiles, who may also have been The Majors who had a few hits.

https://youtu.be/C899sL3STgM?si=U-uDR6qjTIgpIXUm

Anyone who has seen the movie, A Bronx Tale, which was written by Chazz Palmintieri and based on his life and was directed by Robert DeNiro in his first try, should remember the bar fight with the bikers. In his only movie role the bartender who was sprayed with the beer, Tony Toupee, was played by Bobby D'Andrea, who, much earlier in his life was the lead singer of the Knockouts. This was their only hit (for the really curious, there is a video of Bobby performing the song live when he was 90 years old here: https://youtu.be/B_iTXPdY9vU?si=RM27gwzw1WlvKea7

The original: https://youtu.be/6vTaQaP9qsc?si=Vjhyrb7clsDOtO6s

There are two types of Doowop fans, those who prefer "In the Still of the Nite" and those who prefer Earth Angel. Here's a link to each to refresh your memory (or to introduce younger fans to the classics.) If you get the urge drop a note to speak up for your favorite.

https://youtu.be/VJcGi4-n_Yw?si=ZGM3WHax81ZoGDJp

https://youtu.be/ak6tttHk_R8?si=XRrO4PFEF1rgSaZx

Of all the groups whose lead singer is named Pirkle this is my favorite, The Eldorados. This is a great example of their espertise:

https://youtu.be/Z2oao1gIZN4?si=3IS1wEqH5kmVUV6_

From what I would say is the end of the Doowop era is this obscure gem by Bruce Hall and the Q's.

https://youtu.be/gJcHK5aWDpc?si=Jgm9Q34mFy-vet-9

Up tempo favorite of just about everybody. The original "Little Darlin'" by the Gladiolas before being covered note for note by The Diamonds. It's hard to tell the difference but the original was written and sung by Maurice Williams, who struck gold a second time with "Stay."

https://youtu.be/W5TNqxMfIkg?si=e_9RKH9g3TYOkEBV

A truly great example of the genre, though not so well known is this release on Fox Records by The Larados. No they are not from Texas or they might have been able to spell Laredo. They were from Detroit and this seems to be their one success:

https://youtu.be/UT-50oiSPjY?si=ZLZX33IRa4R4mYdR

A song written by "The King of the Stroll," Chuck Willis who was also a prominent R & B performer when he died of peritonitis at the age of 32, covered in this instance by the great Five Keys.

https://youtu.be/SxljgPq4cE0?si=YQJfz0CtfX4_FvxJ

Probably the group that achieved the most success with the largest number of hits was The Flamingos (I've always considered The Platters to be pop.) Here is my favorite, though everything they did was pretty great:

https://youtu.be/WYYxfmw4TSA?si=n7KxFBp39LPIo3yG

One of four recordings by The Students and their lead singer Leroy King. I would certainly be curious why such a talented group would ever break up. Here is my favorite of the four songs:

https://youtu.be/NnW8PCWo6Bo?si=kP0UKezEIWAc3IxN

The greatest female doo wop singer of all-time has passed. Arlene Smith who was only 15 years old when she became the lead singer of the Chantels passed away a few days ago at the age of 83. Here is her masterpiece: https://youtu.be/ukMQ6GIRFIg?si=gRWpCVyNVwxyKvqN