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GET IN LOSER, WE'RE GOING DOO WOP Vol. 1 is a natural progression from JOKONKY’s patented; GET IN LOSER, WE'RE GOING ROCKABILLY series.

Thanks to the popularity of AMERICAN GRAFFITI and HAPPY DAYS, the ’70s were steeped in doo wop music—despite it being only 10-15 years since the style's heyday.  

As with any musical trend, there were bandwagon-jumpers who adopted elements of doo wop hoping to make it onto Americasn Bandstand, or onto the charts.  Those elements ranged from falsetto singing backed by tight vocal harmonies (with lots of echo), to sax solos, and the “dip-dip-dips” of doo wop.

Some bands added nothing to the style like the “jukebox made of humans” SHA NA NA, and revivalists like Rocky Sharpe & The Replays.  

There were also established artists who stirred elements into their original songs as a tribute to their rock & roll heroes.  Examples of those artists on Vol. 1 include Suicide, Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Dave Edmunds, Joan Jett, Chilliwack, Billy Joel, The Queers, & Ween.  Overachievers The Stray Cats, and Huey Lewis & The News get extra credit by going full-on a cappella!

Cyndi Lauper first recorded as part of the excellent retro-band Blue Angel.  Folk rock giants Simon & Garfunkel had begun their recording career back when doo wop was king in the Everly Brother’s styled duo TOM & JERRY--which will be popping up on the ongoing IN THE MIX series available on this blog.  https://jonderblog.blogspot.com/search/label/In%20The%20Mix.

Some revivalists like The Rubettes focused on writing in the old style.  Some bands performed a mix of original songs & covers which describes the Frank Zappa-produced Ruben & The Jets.  Not one to take time out of being fabulous to write songs, Cher covers The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss).  

The majority of Girl Group songs were doo wop at their heart.  Look no further than THE SHIRELLES, THE CHIFFONS, & THE COOKIES' recorded output for proof.  On this installment, Laura Nyro & LaBelle take up their mantle with I Met Him On A Sunday.  

According to legend, Amboy Dukes members recording as Godfrey Daniel put-out a one-off album of rock songs done in the 50’s style (and pointed BIG DADDY toward their career).  I've selected their demented version of Purple Haze.  There are also tracks (that I found in an online chat) by latter day artists: Tijuana Panthers, The Arctic Monkeys, & Fulton Lee.

In my effort to become “The Johnny Appleseed” of compilations (by driving every concept into the ground) you can watch this space for GET IN LOSER, WE'RE GOING DISCO!