“I Only Have Eyes
for You” by the Flamingoos (1959)
“Why Do Fools Fall
in Love” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (1956)
Doo-Wop: The
influence from the street corners
An original corner-stone of pop music that we cannot ignore
is what we call ‘Doo-Wop’. It was an urban ghetto post-WWII phenomenon. My
English teacher would have said that “Doo Wop” is an onomatopoeia I think –
words that imitate sounds basically. Yes that was the magic of this genre – bom
bom, doobie doobie, shaboom, oowahoo, shangalang.
They were essentially trying to emulate
the gospel/R&B sounds of groups such as the Ink Spots. In fact Bill Kenny
of the Ink Spots is sometimes regarded as the ‘Father of Doo-Wop’.
Predominantly African- American vocal group harmony (paralleled
somewhat by ‘barber shop quartet’ with its understandable lyrics) could happen
anywhere and it did. Why you may ask?
Not everyone could afford to buy or even play
instruments. You had your voice – it might be the only instrument you need. Get
a bunch of voices together and voila – instant band – a cappella style. You also
had hands and fingers, so why not clap and snap the fingers too. Hey it worked.
