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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Introduction to The El Dorados The El Dorados are an R&B and doo-wop vocal group from Chicago, Illinois, active during the 50s music era. Formed in 1952, they were initially labeled as “Pirkle Lee and the Five Stars,” formed by Pirkle Lee Moses Jr. Other members of the original lineup consisted of … Read more
Introduction to The Jive Five The Jive Five is an American doo-wop/R&B/soul combo that has gone through lineup changes. They were first formed in New York in the late 50s. During the early 60s music era their first single, “My True Story” gave them their first hit. The group took another shape … Read more
Introduction The Hollywood Flames were an American doo-wop/R&B vocal group formed in Los Angeles, California in 1949. The original lineup consisted of Bobby Byrd, David Ford, Curlee Dinkins, and Willie Ray Rockwell, but the lineup would frequently fluctuate. As often as their roster changes, the Hollywood Flames had also used several monickers … Read more
Introduction to The Four Knights The Four Knights had a prolific two-decade career as one of the in-demand doo-wop vocal groups especially during the 50s music era. They had performed throughout much of their career with the lineup consisting of Gene Alford (lead tenor), Oscar Broadway (bass), Clarence Dixon (baritone) and John … Read more
Introduction to the Casinos Even when the doo-wop era had long already faded during the 60s music scene, the nine-strong vocal group The Casinos managed to achieve a Top 10 hit “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.” They came from Cincinnati, Ohio; however, the Casinos’ sound evoked of Southeastern style. The Casinos … Read more
Introduction to The Aquatones The Aquatones were a 50’s music era doo-wop group out of Valley Stream, New York. They are best known for their 1957 Fargo Records hit song (#21 Billboard Hot 100) “You,” which they wrote. The group consisted of three guys, Dave Goddard, Gene McCarthy, Larry Vannata and one … Read more
Introduction to Little Willie John William Edward John (famous as “Little Willie” because he was small and childlike, even in adulthood) was an African-American R&B singer, whose career was active in 50s music throughout the 60s music scene. He was known for hits such as “Need Your Love So Bad” and … Read more
Introduction to Little Joe and the Thrillers Little Joe and the Thrillers (sometimes called Little Joe Cook and the Thrillers) were an R&B/doo-woop vocal group formed by Joe Cook, who previously sang for gospel groups the Joe Cook Quartet and the Evening Star Quartet. He assembled Little Joe and the Thrillers along … Read more
Introduction to Little Joey and the Flips Little Joey and the Flips were an interracial vocal group hailing from Philadelphia, fleetingly active during the early 60s music scene. They comprised of Joseph Hall in lead vocals, Fred Garace on first tenor, James Mehagher on second tenor, baritone John Smith and Jeff Leonard … Read more
The 1960s is probably the most phenomenal decade when it comes to music — there’s the British Invasion, folk and protest songs movement, the psychedelia and the large-scale festivals that promoted peace and love. But before 1964, American music was still reminiscent of the styles and sounds of the previous decade … Read more
Introduction to Hank Ballad and the Midnighters Hank Ballard and The Midnighters began in the early 1950’s as a doo wop group named The Royals. The group consisted and had several future stars, such as Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Freddie Pride and Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, perform in the … Read more
Introduction to The Fireflies The Fireflies were a 50s music-era American doo-wop/R&B vocal group whose career lasted ten years (about 1957-1967). As to where they were formed is still a matter of uncertainty. Some sources say that they started in Long Island, New York; others cite that they hailed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. … Read more
Introduction To The Bar-Kays The Bar-Kays are a 1967 formed soul, R&B and funk group that went through a major tragedy on their way to stardom in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. The band was formed in Memphis, Tennessee as a studio session musician group for Stax Records. From that they were … Read more
A short introduction to the Fiestas The Fiestas hailed from Newark, New Jersey and formed in 1958. New York-based Old Town Records signed The Fiestas, then afterwards the band recorded and released “So Fine.” It became a Top 20 pop hit as well as a Top 10 R&B hit in 1959. The … Read more
Introduction Ben E. King was one of the singers of the R&B/doo-wop vocal combo The Drifters before launching his solo career in 1960. While with the Drifters, King achieved R&B chart-toppers such as “Money Honey,” “Honey Love,” “There Goes My Baby,” and “Save The Last Dance For Me” (also a US Billboard … Read more
Introduction The Isley Brothers was formed in 1954, originally as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O’Kelly Jr., Rudolph and Ronald Isley – another brother Vernon joined them shortly before his tragic death from a hit-and-run incident. First signed to RCA in the late 1950s, their trio first charting single was “Shout”, … Read more
Introduction to the group The Impressions are an R&B/doo-wop/soul band formed in Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1958, the band’s original lineup consisted of Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, Arthur Brooks, Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield; their first name was The Roosters. They churned their first charting single on both the R&B and pop … Read more
Introduction to the Contours The Contours were an R&B group, one of the first acts the Berry Gordy’s fledgling label Motown had signed. They were formed by Joe Billingslea and Billy Gordon in 1959. The group, who were considered different from Motown’s other smooth, slick top artists, were rough and wild. The … Read more