History of Rhythm and Blues

a saxophonist and a guitarist performing on the stage

Rhythm and blues, also called rhythm & blues or R&B, is a type of music genre predominantly performed in the African communities during the 1940s. Rhythm and blues was also responsible for developing subsequent genres, notably rock and roll, doo-wop, disco, and hip hop or rap music, among many others. Where did … Read more

The Hollywood Argyles

Hollywood Argyles

Introduction The Hollywood Argyles were a short-lived studio group assembled by producer/musician/songwriters Kim Fowley and Gary Paxton. They achieved popularity with their 60s music era hit single and now oldies music classic “Alley Oop,” and the group went on to become a one hit wonder. A bit more on The Hollywood Argyles … Read more

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

Introduction Frankie Lymon was an American singer who fronted the Harlem, New York City group The Teenagers, one of the first few racially integrated acts, and also the first all-teenaged group.  Lymon befriended Herman Santiago, lead singer of Coupe De Villes, and joined the latter’s group that became The Premieres.  When the … Read more

The Doo-Wop Music of Billy and Lillie

Billy and Lillie

Introduction to Billy & Lillie Billy and Lillie were a New York doo-wop/pop vocal duo who consisted of Billy Ford and Lillie Bryant. In their short career they made a handful of pop hits during the late 50s music era, including their biggest hit “Lah Dee Dah,” a top 10 placer in … Read more

The Five Satins, R&B Legends

The Five Satins RB Legends

Introduction The Five Satins are an R&B vocal group famous for their R&B hit in 1956 “In the Still Of The Nite”. The band’s origins were in New Haven in Connecticut and formed in 1954. The original members consisted of Fred Parris (the leader), Lou Peebles, Stanley Dortch, Ed Martin, Nat Mosley … Read more

The Brief Career of One-Hit Wonders The Gadabouts

The Brief Career of One-Hit Wonders The Gadabouts

Introduction: The Gadabouts were a 1950s white doo-wop group who faded as quickly as they came. They came from Chicago, Illinois. Now one of the several one-hit wonder acts, they are now know for their only charting single, a cover of the Jayhawks’ “Stranded In The Jungle” (released on Mercury) in 1956. … Read more

Lee Andrews and the Hearts

Lee Andrews and the Hearts

Introduction to Lee Andrews (and the Hearts) Lee Andrews was born Arthur Lee Andrew Thompson in Goldsboro, NC, the son of Beechie Thompson of the Dixie Hummingbirds gospel group. Lee’s family moved to Philadelphia, PA when he was two.  Lee grew up at a time when the Philly Soul and Doo-Wop sound … Read more

The Cadillacs: One of the Pioneering Doo-Wop Groups

The Cadillacs

Introduction to The Cadillacs The Cadillacs were an American doo-wop/R&B/rock and roll group formed in Harlem, New York in 1953. They are considered as one of the pioneering doo-wop acts at that time, being the first black doo-wop a group to cross over the pop charts. They also imposed other “firsts” – … Read more

The Story and Music of The Earls

The Earls

Introduction to The Earls The Earls are an American white doo-wop vocal group formed in The Bronx, New York in the early 60s music era. The nucleus of the group was (and still is) the group’s founder Larry Chance, and the original members consisted of Bob Del Din, Eddie Harder, Larry Palombo … Read more

The Short Music Career of The Echoes

The Echoes

Introduction to The Echoes The Echoes were a one-hit wonder American white doo-wop who had a sole hit in the early 1960s, “Baby Blue.” The members were Harry Boyle, Thomas Duffy and Tom Morrissey, originally calling themselves The Laurels. The Echoes’ single “Baby Blue,” was released on a small label SRG Records … Read more

The Capris with “There’s a Moon Out Tonight”

The Capris

Introduction to The Capris The Capris were an Italian-Amerian doo-wop vocal group, formed in 1957 in Ozone Park, Queens in New York. The original members were Nick “Santo” Santamaria, Mike Minicieli, Vinnie Naccarato, John Cassesse, Rosario Morice (who left early) and John Apostol. They named themselves as the Capris, obviously unaware that … Read more

The Story and Music of The Exciters

The Exciters

Introduction to The Exciters The Exciters were a 60s music era R&B/soul group consisting of three female members – Brenda Reid, Carolyn Johnson and Lillian Walker – and one male member, Herb Rooney (who would also become Reid’s husband). Originally an all-girl act, Reid, Johnson and Walker were still teenagers when they … Read more