The Problem with Doo-Wop
Since the early 1960s doo-wop has remained a regional white ethnic genre within a subculture. Non-blacks have taken the rhythm and blues vocal group sound and have made it their own. Almost all oldies shows that features groups of the 1950s has a majority of white fans. Very few African-Americans are represented in the audience. Why then, the attraction of the rhythm and blues group sound from whites? What is it among non-blacks that draws them to this style of music?
Perhaps the most obvious, is that many people were raised with the group sound as they were growing up and developing. The vast majority who appreciate this style of music live in and around the corridor that stretches from Boston to Pittsburgh-Philadelphia area. On a national level, it still has not captured the heart and minds of most people. It has remained a basically self-contained musical expression, within a small body of vocal group aficionados. In other words it has remained a regional sub-cultural cottage industry.
In the early 1960s young African Americans for the most part, felt that the rhythm and blues 50’s style group sound was not relevant. Non –blacks picked up on their rejection of the group sound and made it their own. The white and ethnic community saw something that blacks did not see, they saw something worth preserving. Thus, the beginning of the commercial a cappella street corner sound of the 1960s, the development of radio oldies programming and the start of the reissuing of old vocal group recordings.
What does the future hold for the doo-wop style of music? It appears that it will basically remain a regional sound if it continues on the path that it is going. It will continue on this path, unless there is a paradigm shift within the vocal group community. If doo-wop is going survive, it must remove itself from the regional centric mentality. It must show the public that vocal group harmony style of music is meaningful, up lifting and worthy to go beyond its border.
Abraham J. Santiago is the co-author with Steven J. Dunham of the popular book: Acappella Street Corner Vocal Groups: A Brief History And Discography Of 1960s Singing Groups. Published By: Mellow Sound Press
© 2006
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