As time goes on, we hear more and more "What is doo wop?"
Doo-wop is a style of rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll vocal music that
originated with urban youth. It had roots in the 1930s and 40s and gained
popularity in the 1950s and 60s.
The term doo-wop is derived from the sounds made by the group as they
provided harmonic background for the lead singer. Sometimes the background
were not really lyrics but just sounds (like a repeated "doo-wop, doo-wop").
Also, there is almost always a distinct bass part to introduce the song (like in
Blue Moon) or a bass voice punctuating the song between chords (like in "Let's go
to the Hop" …." Oh, baby"). A falsetto is most commonly at the end of the song,
as part of the lead voice's fade out (In the Still of the Night for example.)
What made performing doo-wop music popular among young singers, mostly
African and Italian Americans in urban areas, was the music could be performed
a cappella — no musical instruments were available; finger snaps and hand claps
providing the beat. There was always a location that provided echoes where their
harmonies could be best heard, such as high school bathrooms and under bridges.
Doo-wop's appeal was that it was uncomplicated yet artistic, and an ideal, low-
budget investment for a small record company to produce.
Small-group harmony became an art form and its influence can be heard in
rhythm-and-blues music well into the 70s. Motown's premier male group of the
1960s and 70s, the Temptations, based their sound on the doo-wop style. There
also were female doo-wop artists. Remember the Shirelles singing Will you Still
Love Me… Tomorrow? You can hear the background singers sing "shanaaaa,
naaaa, naaa." That's doo wop!
The Doo Wop and Disco Club has a wide range of music at our events. We hope
in 2021 we will get to enjoy them together again. Stay safe!
| OHCC LIVING | DECEMBER 2020 | 13
Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.
Doo Wop
