Street Corner Soul Episode 1
Ronnie Spector presents the story of doo-wop, beginning with the emergence of vocal harmony groups such as the Ink Spots and the Dixie Hummingbirds.
Ronnie Spector explores the rise, fall and enduring influence of doo-wop.
Like rap in the 1980s, doo-wop was once the DIY music of young America. For people who couldn't afford instruments, all that was needed was a talent for singing in harmony.
With the help of the musicians, the producers and the hustlers who made it happen; this series charts the rise, fall, and rise again, of the music. It also considers whether doo-wop, as the first black street music to go mainstream, was a precursor to hip hop and rap.
The first programme, Opening Notes, looks at how the success of gospel groups in the late 1940s inspired a new style of close harmony rhythm and blues. And before long, vocal groups like The Swallows, The Ravens and The Orioles were flying high in the charts.
Contributors include: Leonard Puzey of The Ravens, Heman Denby of The Swallows, Ira Tucker of The Dixie Hummingbirds, Deborah Chessler, composer of It's Too Soon To Know by The Orioles, writers Todd Baptista and Marv Goldberg.
The documentary was first broadcast on Radio 2 in 2007.
Last on
Music Played
-
The Crows
GEE
- THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICAN ROCK N ROLL VOL 8.
- ACE.
- CHD-750.
-
The Swallows
Will You Be Mine?
- single.
- King.
- 45-8804.
-
The Swallows
Beside You
- Dearest.
- See For Miles Records.
- 6023.
-
The Dominoes
SIXTY MINUTE MAN
- THE BIRTH OF ROCK AND ROLL.
- Jasmine.
- JASMCD-3576.
-
Tiny Grimes
ANNIE LAURIE
- Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974, Vol. 1 (1947-1952).
- atlantic.
- 81293.
-
The Clovers
Don't You know I Love You
- Atlantic Rhythm & Blues: 1947 - 1954.
- Atlantic.
- 8122-75762.
-
The Five Keys
YES SIR THAT'S MY BABY
-
The Five Keys
The Glory Of Love
- Rocking & Crying.
- Jasmine.
- JASCD-555.
-
The Clovers
One Mint Julep
- Atlantic Rhythm And Blues 1947-1974: Volume 1 1947-1952.
- AP MUSIC.
- NA.
-
The Five Keys
SHE'S THE MOST
- THE CAPITOL COLLECTORS SERIES.
- CAPITOL.
- CDP-792709 2.
-
The Orioles
CRYING IN THE CHAPEL
- THE ULTIMATE DOO WOP COLLECTION.
- SEQUEL RECORDS.
- NEMCD-618.
-
The Dominoes
Do Something For Me
- Clyde McPhatter with Billy Ward & His Dominoes.
- King.
- KCD-559.
-
The Dominoes
HAVE MERCY MERCY BABY
- ROOTS OF ROCK 'N' ROLL.
- DISCY.
- BX-902503.
Broadcasts
- Thu 11 Oct 2007 23:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Tue 26 Aug 2008 23:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Sun 22 Jul 2012 20:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Tue 23 Oct 2012 00:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 16 Jul 2013 00:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 22 Apr 2014 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 2 Jun 2015 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 3 May 2016 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 9 May 2017 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 8 May 2018 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 5 Mar 2019 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Tue 11 Feb 2020 02:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
- Wed 19 Jul 2023 01:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
Featured in...
Music Stories
A selection of fascinating tales from the archives.