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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.

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 19 Jul 2023 01:00

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 23:00
  • Tue 26 Aug 2008 23:30
  • Sun 22 Jul 2012 20:00
  • Tue 23 Oct 2012 00:00
  • Tue 16 Jul 2013 00:00
  • Tue 22 Apr 2014 02:00
  • Tue 2 Jun 2015 02:00
  • Tue 3 May 2016 02:00
  • Tue 9 May 2017 02:00
  • Tue 8 May 2018 02:00
  • Tue 5 Mar 2019 02:00
  • Tue 11 Feb 2020 02:00
  • Wed 19 Jul 2023 01:00

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