My Doo-Wop Story

My story of becoming a doo-wop fan happened roughly in 2016. When I was 13, I became a fan of The Four Seasons, which I first heard about from a cover of their song "Working My Way Back To You" by The Spinners. I was captivated by the sound and lyrics and learned that it was a top 10 hit for The Four Seasons with Frontman Frankie Valli roughly 14 years previously. From there, I began to listen to The Four Seasons, whose early hits included "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", and "Walk Like A Man".

As I continued listening to the group, I noticed that they covered a lot of 50's "rock" songs, which upon listening, did not sound as loud and guitar-orientated as the music we learned about, such as Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. This music had a range of vocals, similar chord progressions, and often songs about love, whether if it was about breakups or being in love. Some of the songs that The Four Seasons covered from the 50's included "Silhouettes" (originally by The Rays). "Since I Don't Have You" (originally by The Skyliners), and "Tonight, Tonight" (originally done by The Mello Kings).

I began to listen to the original versions of these songs and was hooked on the harmonies that these groups had. Something about them just stood out and it was like nothing I ever heard before. The sweet voices of four or five young men (sometimes a young woman would be included) haunted me as their lyrics felt like something I could connect to as a teenager. The songs were also easy to play on guitar.

Throughout high school, I was always incorporating music into my mandatory essays. In freshman year, I wrote about the history of rock and roll and in junior year, I wrote on doo-wop's influence on sixties music. During this time, I was also getting into record-collecting, and through pure luck of finding them and my grandmother's 45 collection, I began a small doo-wop collection.

During my undergrad experience at the University of New Hampshire, my love for doo-wop expanded when I hosted my doo-wop show, Your Stop For Doo-Wop. During my show, I would play hit doo-wop songs ("Speedo", "Duke of Earl", and "Denise," to name a few) as well as fail to chart songs. Through my research on rare doo-wop numbers, I found out that a good number of doo-wop came from my home state of Connecticut. However, many did not make national charts and were often forgotten about and part of me wondered why this had to be the case.

Follow by a short time later during one of my graduate classes, I got the opportunity to do a multi-media project. With my current school (Quinnipiac University) close distance to New Haven, I knew that I had to do something with the city's doo-wop scene. Hence, why this website was created. Even though this is technically a school project done by a 21-year-old, I hope that it will help bring people together through the sweet sounds and memories of New Haven music!

Now since the release of the of this website, I DJ on DooWop Radio every Thursday from 8 am to 10 am.

Photo descriptions:

1. Some of the doo-wop records I listened to during my days at UNH.

2. One of my favorite 78 RPMs I have. This one is unique because it is a Canadian pressing.

3. My time at WUNH was filled with playing with doo-wop. This was taken during vinyl week of Spring 2024.

How one New Haven Resident Keeps that Nite Back in 1956 Alive

He was there when history was made in the basement of St. Bernadette, playing drums on the doo-wop classic "In The Still Of The Nite." Now, roughly seventy years after the song was recorded, Bobby Mapp sat down and explained his time with The Five Satins, the culture behind doo-wop, and how the song is still relevant to New Haven's culture.

Bobby Mapp had graciously agreed to allow me to make a podcast with him. Listen here!

Please note: the 24 songs (see left/below) were all not recorded in a day. The album that Mapp refers to is The Five Satins' greatest hits, which span from 1956 to 1960.

Interactive Google Map of New Haven Doo-Wop's Locations!

Google Maps of New Haven Doo-Wop Sites

Click the link to the left/above for an interactive experience to see the locations in New Haven and New York City that helped New Haven Doo-Wop become the genre it is today, from St. Bernadette Church to Hillhouse High School!

With my record collection having over 500 long-play albums and hundreds of 45s and as a doo-wop fan, I have collected some albums featuring New Haven doo-wop!

The Premiers and The Academics: Still Alive and Well (198?)

This album, released by Remax Inc, a Milford, CT record label, showcases two of New Haven's vocal groups: The Academics and The Premiers. The back's biography is written by Disc Jockey Don Richeson of WCDQ (a radio station based in Hamden, Connecticut) who had an oldies show in the 1970s and 1980s. The album includes singles released by both groups with the A-side being The Premiers and The B-side being The Academics.

The Five Satins: The Best of The Five Satins (1971)

When the oldies phenomenon began in the early 1970s, Celebrity Showcase Label with Disc Jockey Jerry Blavat released a compilation of Five Satins songs from their days with Fred Parris and Bill Baker as lead singers. This album not only captures their greatest hits, but B-sides as well such as "The Jones Girl" (B-side to "In The Still of The Nite").

My New Haven Doo-Wop Album Collection!

The Nutmegs: The Nutmeg's Greatest Hits (1994)

Unlike the original Nutmeg record being released on Herald Records, this greatest hits album is released on the popular Collectables Labels. The back side's biography is written by WXPN Disc Jockey Charlie Horner, who had a Rhythm and Blues show in Philadelphia. The vinyl version of this album contains fewer songs than the compact disc version, but doesn't forget to include songs like "My Sweet Dreams" and "Whispering Sorrows".

Various Artists: The Golden Groups Volume 22: Klik Records (Year Unknown)

This massive, packed compilation holds songs by Klik's greatest stars such as The Nobles, The Shades, and The Memories. The back showcases a biography of Klik founder Marty Kugell by Donn Fileti of Relic Records. Although this album is produced on Relic Records, a label that reissues oldies such as doo-wop, it does a great job of keeping the past Klik label alive.