History of Doo Wop (Two Parts)

A modern style of music called doo-wop developed from vocal groups in the 1940s like The Mills Bros. and The Ink Spots, from rhythm & blues, as well as from Gospel music. The use of nonsense syllables sung by background singers (such as shoo-bee-doo-wop-bah-dah), the use of a falsetto voice above the melody and a pronounced bass voice became the basis of this genre. This two-part lecture traces the development of doo-wop throughout the 1950s and 1960s with The Ravens and The Spaniels, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, The Cadillacs, Dion and the Belmonts, The Penguins and The Skyliners. We will also look at influential disc jockeys and record promoters who made the sounds mainstream — sounds which now bring back memories of a time when life was not so complex, and the emphasis was on good times, simplicity and romance.

Marv Rosenberg is one of the original members of the group The Safaris. He’s the writer of their million selling top hit record from 1960 called “Image of a Girl” and has 50 years of performing doo-wop oldies with various doo-wop groups all over the country, including locally at the Fred Kavil Theatre in Thousand Oaks, the Greek Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Registration required.

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Register by Friday before each lecture at 3pm