Doo-wop Trivia

1. The Crests formed in the mid-fifties and had a hit in 1958 with "16 Candles". Lead singer Johnny Mastrangelo changed his name to Johnny Maestro when he fronted which group beginning in 1968?

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: The Brooklyn Bridge

Luther Vandross' aunt Priscilla was an original member of the Crests along with J.T. Carter, Johnny Mastrangelo, Talmadge Gough and Harold Torres. Mastrangelo abbreviated his name to Johnny Mastro when The Crests had hits including "16 Candles", "Trouble in Paradise" and "The Angels Listened In". Patricia Vandross left the group in 1958 and Mastro left three years later to start a solo career. He had Top Forty singles in 1961 with "Model Girl" and "What A Surprise" before changing his name to Johnny Maestro. He was backed in a New York night club by a group called The Rhythm Method which was changed to The Brooklyn Bridge. Their first release was a cover of "Worst That Could Happen" written by Jimmy Webb originally recorded by The 5th Dimension. The Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge version reached Number Three in the US. "Does Your Mama Know About Me" by Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers went to Number 29 in 1968. The Dells released the Top Twenty "Always Together" in 1968 and "Searching for My Love" by Bobby Moore and The Rhythm Aces was a 1966 release.

From Quiz Doo Wop Soul

Answer: Curtis Lee

Curtis Lee from Yuma, Arizona had this minor hit back in 1961, with some help from a few other folks, including Phil Spector and back-up vocalists, The Halos. His musical career was rather short-lived and by 1969 he had gone into construction work.

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: Come Go With Me

"Come Go With Me" was a big hit for the Dell-Vikings, but was actually recorded first by a group called the Federals, several months earlier. The Federals version is a little different, and is fairly rare.

From Quiz Lesser Known Doo-Wop Groups

Answer: Passions

The lead singer of the group was Jimmy Gallagher. In 1998, Jimmy Gallagher, Tony Passalacqua of the Fascinators, Frank Mancuso of the Imaginations, and Steve Horn of the Five Sharks began touring as the Legends of Doo Wop. Two other members of the Passions, Albie Galione and Lou Rotondo, joined former members of the Mystics and Classics to form The Brooklyn Reunion.

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: The Regents

Ernie Maresca began his musical career with a group called The Monterays. They changed their name to The Desires before becoming The Regents. Maresca wrote "Runaround" for the Regents as well as several hits for Dion including "No One Knows", "Donna the Prima Donna" and "The Wanderer". He partnered with Dion to compose Dion's Number One single "Runaround Sue". Maresca signed with Seville Records in 1961 and released the Number Six "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" the following year. He failed to have another Top Forty single but continued to have success as a songwriter. He released his own version of "The Wanderer" in 1968 as Artie Chicago (From The Bronx). The Capris had a hit in 1961 with "There's a Moon Out Tonight". In 1959 The Mystics released "Hushabye". The Spaniels released the hit single "Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite" in 1954.

From Quiz Doo Wop Soul

Answer: Earth Angel

"Earth angel, earth angel Will you be mine My darling dear Love you all the time I'm just a fool A fool in love with you." The lyrics to "Earth Angel" were a composite of lyrics to many other songs that were popular during that time, and much of the song owes its lines to other artists and recordings.

From Quiz Doo-Wop Genre Backing Groups

Answer: Kathy Young

The Innocents were recording under the name The Echoes when Herb Alpert arranged to have them signed with Andex Records. When they left Andex and began recording for Indigo Records they changed their name to The Innocents. Kathy Young had signed with Indigo and The Innocents were asked to provide backing vocals for her. They agreed providing they were billed as Kathy Young and the Innocents. They released "A Thousand Stars" as Kathy Young with The Innocents. The song became a Number Three hit in the US. Annette Kleinbard sang with Phil Spector and Marshall Leib as The Teddy Bears. Brenda Lee and Etta James used studio bands on recordings and toured with various backing groups.

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: In The Still Of The Night

"In The Still Of The Night" was a monster hit for the 5 Satins, released in the USA on the Ember record label - but was first released in small quantities on the Standord record label. If you have one on Standord, and are sure that it's an original (not a bootleg), you have a rare prize.

From Quiz Lesser Known Doo-Wop Groups

Answer: 1957

The group became part of the revival scene until lead singer Bob Scholl died in a 1975 boating accident. His younger brother Jerry restarted the Mello-Kings.

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: The Impressions

Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield first sang together in a Chicago church choir. Jerry Butler co-wrote the song "For Your Precious Love" with Arthur and Richard Brooks then joined Curtis Mayfield, Fred Cash and Sam Gooden to form The Impressions. They secured a recording deal with Vee-Jay Records and released "For Your Precious Love". The song became the group's first hit and earned a Gold Record. In the early sixties Butler embarked on a solo career. He wrote "I've Been Loving You Too Long" with Otis Redding and had hits with "He Will Break Your Heart", "Only the Strong Survive" and partnered with Betty Everett for a rendition of "Let It Be Me". The Impressions went on to enjoy hit singles with "Gypsy Woman" (1961), "It's All Right" (1963) and "Keep On Pushing" (1964). "Shop Around" was a 1961 hit from The Miracles. "Blue Moon" was released by The Marcels the same year and "Baby, I'm for Real" by The Originals came out in 1969.

From Quiz Doo Wop Soul

Answer: Fred Parris

Fred Parris sung lead for The Satins, who, for a brief time, were known as Fred Parris and the Scarlets; that name was short-lived and they reverted back to The Satins. The original group had organized in 1954 in New Haven, Connecticut. "In The Still Of The Night" has been suggested as one of the major sources of the phrase "doo-wop", since in the background and in the middle of the song, "doo wop, doo wah" can be heard repeatedly.

From Quiz Doo-Wop Genre Backing Groups

Answer: Huey "Piano" Smith

Huey "Piano" Smith was 15 years old when he started his career as a session player and club performer. Early in his career he backed Little Richard and other artists at the Specialty Records studios. Huey formed Huey "Piano" Smith and The Clowns in 1957 and landed a recording contract with Ace Records through connections he made while doing session work at Specialty Records. When "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" broke nationally they followed up with "Don't You Just Know It" in 1958. When Smith left Ace records to join Fats Domino at Imperial Records the hits dried up and Smith left the recording industry to join the Jehovah's Witnesses. Huey "Piano" Smith was influenced by New Orleans legends Professor Longhair and Jelly Roll Morton. Huey worked with Eddie Jones early in his career. Eddie would go on to take the stage name Guitar Slim.

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: Get A Job

"Get A Job" is by the Silhouettes, and was their only major USA hit song. If you can find it, they released another song called "Bing Bong" that is teriffic, and should have been a hit. Listen to it if you have a chance, it's a great song.

From Quiz Lesser Known Doo-Wop Groups

Answer: The Innocents

The song was a cover of an even more obscure group, The Rivileers.

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: Frankie Lymon

Herman Santiago, Joe Negroni, Jimmy Merchant, Frankie Lymon and Sherman Garnes were the members of The Teenagers in 1954. Frankie Lymon along with Herman Santiago and Jimmy Merchant received composer credits for their first hit, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love". When the band was invited to audition for a recording deal the following year Santiago was too sick to sing so Frankie sang lead for their first and biggest hit song. All the members were indeed teenagers when the song became a hit single. In 1957 they became billed as "Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers" which led to the record company eventually billing Frankie as a solo act. The remaining Teenagers remained a quartet but never realized the success they had enjoyed with Frankie singing lead. Little Anthony fronted The Imperials. Vito Balsamo fronted Vito and The Salutations. Dominick "Randy" Safuto sang lead for Randy and the Rainbows.

From Quiz Doo-Wop Genre Backing Groups

Answer: Don Covay and The Goodtimers

Don Covay was born Donald Randolph in Orangeburg, South Carolina. His father was a Baptist preacher. He sang in his family's group, The Cherry Keys, then went on to sing secular music with a group called the Rainbows that featured Billy Stewart and Marvin Gaye as members. By 1957 Don was part of Little Richard's ensemble. With Little Richard's guidance he was signed to various labels and also began composing songs including Chubby Checker's "Pony Time" and Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools". In 1964 he released "Mercy! Mercy!" on the Rosemont label with with The Goodtimers and a young Jimi Hendrix playing guitar on the recording. The Collegians biggest hit was "Zoom Zoom Zoom" (1958). The Cuff Links had a U.S. Number Nine hit with "Tracy" in 1969. Based in Massachusetts, the G Clefs had a 1961 hit with "I Understand (Just How You Feel)".

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: Why Do Fools Fall In Love

"Why Do Fools Fall In Love" is the most beloved hit by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Sadly, Frankie died of a drug overdose in the late 60s. He had been talked into going back to the recording studio at the time, and was scheduled to record the very next day to try to make a comeback, but we'll never know if he could have.

From Quiz Lesser Known Doo-Wop Groups

Answer: Coney

The Excellents nearly dissolved after problems arose before an "American Bandstand" episode. Original member John Kuse reformed The Excellents in 1988.

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: Thurston Harris

The Lamplighters changed their name to The Tenderfoots and The Sharps while Thurston Harris was singing lead vocals. In 1957 Harris signed with Aladdin Records as a solo artist and recorded his rendition of the Bobby Day single "Little Bitty Pretty One". His version reached Number Six on the US Billboard chart. The following year "Do What You Did" made the Top Twenty. He released his final single on Aladdin in 1959 then signed with a number of labels without Top Forty success. The Sharps changed their name to The Rivingtons and had a hit with "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" (1962). Harold Winley, King Raymond Green and Franklen Poole were founding members of The Clovers who had a 1959 hit single with "Love Potion No. 9".

From Quiz Doo Wop Soul

Answer: Detroit, Michigan

This song was clearly defined by its slow and easy beat. "You're so fine, you're so fine You're mine, you're mine I walk, and I talk, about you I love you, I love you I need you, I need you I walk, and I talk, about you There's nothing in the world as sweet as your kiss so fine, so fine Every time we meet, my heart skips a beat You're my first cup of coffee my last cup of tea You're so fine, you're so fine You're mine, you're mine I walk, and I talk, about you..." Joe Stubbs was the group's lead vocalist during this hit's run in 1959, but in 1960 he was replaced by Wilson Pickett.

From Quiz Doo-Wop Genre Backing Groups

Answer: I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight

"I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" was the only US Top Forty single for the California based group Barry and the Tamerlanes. Barry De Vorzon co-wrote "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" with Bodie Chandler. The group made one album for Valiant Records before disbanding in 1964. Barry De Vorzon went on to compose music for films. In 1968 Boyce and Hart composed and recorded a different song with the same title that reached the US Top Ten. "Baby Don't You Weep" was a 1963 Top Forty by Garnet Mimms and The Enchanters. The Tymes had a 1963 hit with "Wonderful! Wonderful!". "Young and in Love" by Dick and Deedee reached Number 17 in the US in 1963.

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay

"Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay" was the follow-up to "At The Hop," by Danny and the Juniors. "At The Hop" was originally written as "Do The Bop", and there exists a recording by Danny and the Juniors singing the original version, "Do The Bop", with totally different lyrics. It's pretty interesting to hear it.

From Quiz Lesser Known Doo-Wop Groups

Answer: Earls

The group tours with original leader singer Larry Chance.

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: The Tokens

Formed in 1955 as The Linc-Tones original members Eddie Rabkin, Neil Sedaka, Hank Medress and Cynthia Zolotin changed their name to the Tokens and released "While I Dream" in 1956. The following year Cynthia Zolotin and Neil Sedaka left The Tokens. Neil signed with RCA Victor Records and had three flops before "The Diary" charted. He followed with several hits including "Oh! Carol" (1959) and "Calendar Girl" (1961). In 1961 the Tokens released "Tonight I Fell In Love" followed by the Number One single "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". The Capris had a 1961 one-hit wonder with "There's a Moon Out Tonight". "Smoky Places" was a 1962 single from The Corsairs. The Echoes were an English group formed in 1960 by singer Chris Wayne.

From Quiz Doo-Wop Genre Backing Groups

Answer: Joey Vann

The Duprees was formed by a group of Jersey City high school students in the early sixties. Joey Canzano became the lead vocalist when they released "You Belong to Me" on Coed Records in 1963. The group followed up with "My Own True Love" and "Have You Heard?". When they released "Why Don't You Believe Me" Joey Canzano had changed his name to Joey Vann and was featured in the band's name on the single. Mike Kelly replaced Vann the following year. Joey Vann passed away in 1984. Michael Kelly left the group in 1977 and later sang with The Chaperones. Don Hogan sang lead for The Dreamlovers. Fred Parris fronted The Five Satins and Herb Rooney became the male member of The Exciters.

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: Blue Moon

"Blue Moon" was the first, and biggest, hit by the Marcels, who took the world by storm in 1961 - and were forgotten by 1963. The Marcels took their name from a popular hairstyle of the day. They appear on the "Bye Bye Birdie" soundtrack, and do some great doo-wop renditions of a few of the musical's songs, like "One Last Kiss."

From Quiz Lesser Known Doo-Wop Groups

Answer: 1956

"The Closer You Are" was written by current lead singer Earl Lewis.

From Quiz Singers Who started in Doo Wop Groups

Answer: The Teddy Bears

Phil Spector wrote "To Know Him Is to Love Him" while in high school and formed The Teddy Bears to record the song. With fellow members Harvey Goldstein, Marshall Leib and Annette Kleinbard they recorded the song for the Dore label. "To Know Him Is to Love Him" went to Number One for three weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Although the song was a major hit the group broke up the following year. Phil went on to become a legendary producer and Annette changed her name to Carol Connors and focused on songwriting. She wrote The Rip Chords' single "Hey Little Cobra" and was nominated for an Academy Award for the Rocky theme song "Gonna Fly Now," which she wrote with with Ayn Robbins. The Heartbeats released "A Thousand Miles Away" in 1957. The Sensations formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and had their first hit in 1956 with "Yes Sir That's My Baby". The Monotones released "The Book of Love" in 1958.

From Quiz Doo-Wop Genre Backing Groups

Answer: Randy and The Rainbows

The Safuto brothers were members of The Dialtones when they left to form Randy and the Rainbows. The Tokens introduced them to their producer and the group recorded and released "Denise" in 1963. The song made the US Top Ten but was their only US hit. They followed up with "Why Do Kids Grow Up" but the song barely dented the Top 100. Despite having one hit they toured with the The Four Seasons, The Spinners, Little Anthony and the Imperials and The Beach Boys. Randy and Frank Safuto later reformed the group as Randy Safuto's Randy and The Rainbows and continued to perform. Ronnie and the Hi-Lites formed in Jersey City and reached the US Top Twenty in 1962 with "I Wish That We Were Married". Ruben and the Jets released two albums in the early seventies.

From Quiz American Streetcorner Doo Wop Nonsense Lyrics

Answer: Book Of Love

"Book Of Love" was the only hit by the Monotones, who just couldn't repeat the success of their first release. In the USA, this is another one of those songs that was originally released by a small-time record label. If you have an authentic US 45 on a yellow Mascot record label, it's worth several hundred dollars if it's in nice shape.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:53 AM

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