Doo-Wop: The Forgotten Third of Rock 'N Roll

by Anthony J Gribin, M.D. Schiff, Matthew M.

An extensive history of doo-wop from 1950 through the early 1970s, along with the groups that performed it including Dion & the Belmonts, the Chiffons, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Shirelles, and many more. Includes 150 photos, 64 sheet-music covers, and prices for the 1,000 top doo-wop records ever.

Genres: Music

616 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intro. I see you walk with another. C to G. Sixteen candles, or maybe fifteen. I ask the stars up above. I count the stars. The stars which are tears. I cheated, she lied. I visualise your face as I pass across my threshhold. She left him for another. How was she to know. He was such a fool. Such duplicitousness, and in one so young. I look for you in every face I see. It's never different. But it's never the same. I wish it could be me. You know what's going to happen. I was born too late. Could there be magic? There will be magic. Is this magic? This is magic. They say we're too young. Your lips. But how can they know. We're not too young. We may be now, but we weren't then. D follows the G. Every day I ask the stars up above. The saxophone break. Every night. You see me walk with another. I will walk you home. There could never be another. We will be married when we are married. The saxophone solo. The hearts of stone. The pledge of a fool. The bells in the rain. I ran all the way home. I was spellbound by the moon. I was captured by your charms. Then back to C. The stars are always out tonight. There were two silhouettes on the shade. How I'd like to look. Inside that little book. O how happy we should be. How blind can she be? If we could keep the ten commandments of love. The chorus, the hook line. The one that has a lock and key. If we keep the ten commandments. He I she looks out from his her our lonely window. On mine. I will always feel this way. The piano, oh darling, the snare. I look out from my lonely window. She will never forgive him. I will never love another. Tonight won't be like any other night. Tonight will be the night. The G chord. By your charms. The big finish. The stars up above. The high note. Then silence.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about 3/4ths reference with a listing of EVERY doo-wop recording known to man, or at least known to the authors in 1992 - some 25,000 tracks. The remainder of the book, the first 150 pages or so, contains a wealth of detail and analysis of doo-wop music and the performers. The book has a rather scholarly tone, yet manages to bring many of the key participants to life. The authors, one a psychologist, the other a psychiatrist, bring their professional talents to bear on this topic which is clearly a love of theirs. The book is out of print but can be found used on eBay and elsewhere for less than $20. I got this from our public library, but I may have to pick up one of those used eBay copies for my personal library, as I also have an interest in this style of music.

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a dry history and overview of the style, but incredibly thorough. It contains an extensive discography of Doo-Wop songs and recordings from both well-known and incredibly obscure acts. If you're looking for a breezy read to give you the feel of the musical times, it's best to look elsewhere. If you're interested in delving into Doo-Wop, the styles it drew on, and its lasting influence, this is good bet.