Doo-wop (Music)

Rock historian Ed Ward considers the impact the Orioles, one of the first black doo wop groups to achieve mainstream popularity.

Singer Dion, from Dion and the Belmonts, is making a comeback singing Christian songs. He joins Fresh Air's Terry Gross to talk about his early career, growing older, and getting sober.

Rock historian Ed Ward will look back at the Chantels, a 50s group of five New York teenagers whose exquisite harmonies drew comparisons with classical youth choirs.

Singer Dion. In the 60s, he was the leader of Dion and Belmonts. They performed such hits as "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer." In recent years, he's turned to Christian music. (Rebroadcast. Original broadcast August 24, 1987.)

Rock historian Ed Ward will review the rise and fall of the Chantels, the girl group from the 50s that paved the way for groups like the Shirelles and the Ronettes. (Rebroadcast of September 8, 1987.)

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles The Belmonts, the singers who backed up Dion. They went on to record hit songs of their own.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the brief regional revival of a cappella singing in the mid-60s. Some of the groups included The Five Fashions from Stanford, Conn., The Q-Tones from Philadelphia, and the Zircons from the Bronx.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles "The Flamingos," a Chicago Doo-Wop group that performed from the early 50s through the mid-70s. Their biggest hit was their cover of "I Only Have Eyes for You."

The hit songwriter sang bass with the doo-wop group The Crowns; he switched to lead vocals when they became The Drifters. King got his start at Harlem's Apollo Theater before finding national fame. As a solo performer, he had hits with original songs like "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem."

The hit songwriter sang bass with the doo-wop group The Crowns; he switched to lead vocals when they became The Drifters. King got his start at Harlem's Apollo Theater before finding national fame. As a solo performer, he had hits with original songs like "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem."