New England Doo Wop Society
Preservation of 50s & 60s Music
Always Remember.................. "Before there was Hip Hop....There was
Doo Wop! ...............Also, "Old School IS Cool!"
The Dance Contests
One way to spotlight the songs, the dancers, and the dances on American Bandstand was to hold dance contests. Kids in the studio loved them, and the viewers did, too. The rules were simple. Contestants had to sign up to get a number, then once a week they pinned numbers on their backs, much like they did in the dance marathons in the thirties. During the contests, viewers cast ballots for their favorite dancers. Each contest lasted three or four weeks, after which winners were announced on the air. Several of the winners confessed that the voting was done more on popularity merit. Still, they took their prizes, which ranged from portable TVs to juke boxes.
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Remember...Before there was Hip Hop..there was Doo Wop! . |
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A very special show coming on Saturday, November 1st to the Castle of Knights in Chicopee, MA. We are flying Jimmy Gallagher of the Passions to reunite with his group for a Reunion in Chicopee, MA. Don't miss it! Along with local favorites, the Skid Marks and a return of the very first a cappella group we presented almost 5 years ago, the Tribunes are back! You can now order tickets with any credit card of your choice! Call 413-786-1929 or 413-478-0901 for details!! * * The Benefit for the Rays of Hope held on July 26th at the K of C was a success and there are pictures on our picture page. Kudos to all that attended and special thanks to Michelle Gracci & Carol Baribeau. * The New England Doo Wop Society was formed in the fall of 2003 by Bob Belniak (WTCC-FM dj for 33 years & Publisher of the oldies magazine, "Echoes Of The Past") and Gary Jones, a local dj for 30 years and a professional drummer with many bands in the area. Bob & Gary formed this Society to bring in some of the finest Rock 'N' Roll, R & B and Doo Wop talent still playing in the U.S today. The first show was held at the Holiday Inn to a S-R-O crowd with three groups; In Time, the Tribunes & the Cleftones. The second show was moved to the Huke Lau in Chicopee, MA to a near-sold out crowd with Millennium, Remembrance & Lenny Cocco & the Chimes. We moved to a bigger location (our present location), the Castle of Knights (1599 Memorial Dr) in Chicopee, MA and have been there ever since. The names of all the groups is to long to mention here, but appears elsewhere on the site. To everybody who has attended one or all of our shows..... Thank You for your support
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The June 6th concert at the Castle of Knights was a tremendous success! Held before a near-sellout crowd at the Castle of Knights, the show opened with the quartet from Brooklyn/NJ, YesterDaze. Making their second appearance, they mesmerized the audience with their fine musicianship and excellent vocals. Whether doing their Four Seasons medley or doo wop from Dion & the Belmonts or the hair-raising finale of Eddie Holman's "Hey There Lonely Boy," this group deserved the standing ovations they received. They were followed by the a cappella giants the Encounters from NY, also making their second appearance. Singing with one man absent, they stilled wowed the crowd with their diverse repertoire, tight harmonies and super stage presence. All of their songs were done with style, polish and grace. You wouldn't expect anything else from this talented group! Then came the Man - Kenny Vance and his multi-taled group, the Planotones. He held the audience in the palm of his hand for the entire 90- minute set. Doing the now famous "Planotone Walk" to tunes like "Cara Mia" (which brought the house down!), to "Looking For An Echo" to "Lorraine," is was one set NEVER before seen ANYWHERE in Massachusetts! Like Kenny, the Encounters & YestarDaze hung out with the crowd later, signing pictures, CDs, DVDs and everything else in sight. Like the Dells once proclaimed...."Oh, What A Night." If you missed it.........shame on you.
* * * Comments about the June 6th concert at the Castle of Knights * * * Last Friday, June 6th you brought us ANOTHER GREAT SHOW! We enjoyed it so much, and were talking about it all wekend long.And...the surprise a cappella group can stand up to the best. We often wonder how you can "top this", but you seem to everytime.Thanks for all you do to bring these wonderful singing groups to us and help keep the "best music" alive. Jeannette & Mike Keene, NH (Letter to Kenny Vance's agent) Barbara, Thank you. I was able to purchase the America Hot Wax DVD at the show along with another DVD and several CD’s.This is the eighth show I have attended and I come up from Jacksonville, Florida. The head of the New England Doo Wop Society is a friend of mine so, I tend to hear a little more insight the day after the show. The response Bob got on Sunday was incredible. Everyone just loved the performance. It was by far the best show I have seen. Kenny had the audience in his total command. There were times you could hear a pin drop. I don’t think I have ever been to a show where there isn’t someone talking or laughing during the show. Not this one; Kenny was superb! He was also gracious and accommodating taking the time to sign autographs and take pictures with fans after the show. Please tell him how much I—and over 600 other fans—enjoyed the show. Glen Fisher Senior Sales Executive Jacksonville Jaguars Just wanted to let you know that Kenny Vance was great in Chicopee. The New England Doo Wop Society put on a good show. I'd seen The Planotones before, but always on a show with lots of other groups. This time there were only two other acts, so Vance had time to sing many songs. Thanks for the tickets. Don Berlin, CT Hi Gary, I wanted to get back to you about the show last Saturday and also wanted to tell you that life around the house has been quite different since we discovered the Doo Wop Society last fall. As I have mentioned to you before, my wife had been working on piano with Pat and Brendan for some time but after the Del Vikings show Pat was more excited about music and has spent more time at the keyboard with his Doo Wop Songbook. Brendan, too, has been a bit more serious since he went to the Kenny Vance show. Leading up to the show last Saturday we had been trying to harmonize a bit and Pat was quite nervous about getting up on stage for the karaoke, but of course afterwards was glad he did. The other night Pat and Brendan were in a spelling bee at the West Brookfield library and beforehand while we were sitting on the benches out front, the guys broke out into song and the passersby were treated to Book of Love, Who Put the Bomp, and Silence is Golden.The point is I don't know if anyone is a musical prodigy, but they are enjoying the music and are gaining some confidence from performing and this may help them in the performance of life! Thanks again for putting on all of the shows, but the one last week was really kid friendly and they will have great memories from these always. Steve O'Brien
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To send Bob Belniak a message, write to him at echoes.past@yahoo.com |
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The Days Inn at 450 Memorial DR., in Chicopee, MA is now the official hotel of the New England Doo Wop Society. When you are booking rooms, be sure to mention the New England Doo Wop Society for special rates! (413-7397311) |
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