Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era [Hardcover]

Bruce Morrow (Author), Rich Maloof (Author), T. J. Lubinsky (Introduction), Neil Sedaka (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2007

Much like Sterling’s New York Times bestseller Hippie, Doo Wop captures the spirit of an era in spectacular visuals, revealing the roots of the 60’s music explosion. With abundant background and enticing images, it covers way more than just the gorgeous harmonies of the unforgettable doo wop groups. The 50’s were rich in cultural events and iconic performances, and this landmark volume traces the development of the music, politics, art, architecture, and popular culture throughout this exciting and remarkable period. Each chapter delves into one or more years and focuses on the transformative events of the day. You’ll meet the pioneers who started it all, including bands like The Drifters; discover how the songs we love emerged from African rhythms and culture; see Marlon Brando roar in to transform squeaky-clean youth in The Wild One; look at the 50’s sex symbols, like Bardot and Monroe; and watch the music—and America—grow up. The pages teem with archival photography, posters, album covers, newspaper articles, magazine covers, lyrics, and more. Lavish illustrations with duotone and full-color imagery carry readers back in time so they’ll enjoy a deep understanding of our musical and cultural history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When it comes to doo wop, a pop music style Morrow describes as vocal harmony + rock 'n' roll, the legendary DJ leaves no stone unturned as he traces the music back to its roots in early African-American slave songs. From there, he follows doo wop from its birth and its heyday in the '50s to its decline in the late '60s. As Morrow outlines the specific era of doo wop, he also gives sidebars on the groups—from superstars like the Platters to one-hit wonders like the Chords—that made it big during those years. As would be expected from a man who made his living behind the mike, Morrow displays a comfortable, conversational writing style that works well in this picture-heavy format (e.g., he writes of the romantic appeal of drive-ins: Funny how their popularity coincided with the Baby Boom, huh?). While the music history is the driving force behind this coffee-table tome, it's the cultural asides on topics as diverse as the era's people (Marilyn Monroe, Edward R. Murrow), places (diners, the Automat), sports (Jackie Robinson), politics (the red scare, JFK), kitsch (T-Birds, TV dinners) and entertainment (I Love Lucy, The Wild Ones) that will take readers back to America's golden age. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Bruce Morrow, a.k.a. "Cousin Brucie" has worked in the New York radio industry since the late fifties and had the distinction of introducing the Beatles during their historic Shea Stadium concert. He also appeared in the motion picture Dirty Dancing and his autobiography, Cousin Brucie: My Life in Rock 'N' Roll Radio, was a best seller. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402742762
• ISBN-13: 978-1402742767
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #697,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book on 50s /60s Pop Culture - Just Mistitled, November 25, 2007

By 

Steven I. Ramm "Steve Ramm "Anything Phon... (Phila, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era (Hardcover)

With the words "DOO WOP" in huge letters on the front and throughout the book, the publisher leads you to believe that this is a book celebrating what is better known as "Vocal Group Harmony". But it's not! The Beach Boys may harmonize but their records were not "Do Wop". Brenda Lee - Doo wop? `Fraid not.

But what the book IS a celebration of the music and styles and pop culture of the ;ate 1950s to about 1963 when the British Invasion arrived and - as that it succeeds! Bruce Morrow was legendary on New York's WABC but he didn't just play Doo Wop. In fact the only 100% doo wop you would hear when he was on WCBS in the 1990s was on another show on the station: "Don K. Reed's Doo Wop Shop".

But teaming with "promoter" T. J. Lubinski - the guy who started the first PBS beg-a-thon oldies show, "Doo Wop 50" and has produced umpteen more in other pop music genres since then - as "co-author" Morrow has put together great piece of "eye candy", thanks to the color resolution of this book from Sterling. "Cousin Brucie" reminisces throughout, but your be drawn to the great photos and images and bring back your own memories. This is not a $100. coffee table book (but it's heavy enough to use for one!). It's moderately priced and a fun thing to look through. It's approaching Christmas time and I can't think of a neater gift to give to someone who graduated high school between 1958 and 1965. Think of it as one of those PBS oldies shows for your eyes - where the vocal groups - and boy and girl singers still had their hair!

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cousin Bruce Captures the Excitement of Doo Wop, October 30, 2007

By 

Robert W. Surles "BigdBobo" (new york, ny USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era (Hardcover)

In his new book, Cousin Brucie, who has escorted America through so much music history, gives an exciting overview of the American music industry during the Doo Wop period. He is such an important part of that history. Nobody has seen more of Doo Wop nor knows the topic better than he. In this book he helps me to relive the joy and fun of that period of time. It's like one of his "walks down memory lane" that he surely has broadcasted numerous times during all these years as the top Radio personality in the country. These wonderful memories are a gift from the Cousin that I will always cherish.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS A TREASURE TROVE !, October 31, 2007

By 

FGJ - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era (Hardcover)

"Cousin Brucie" Morrow's book "Doo Wop: The Music, The Times, The Era" is a treasure trove filled with photos and history that truly evoke an extraordinary time in our lives. He had his hand on the musical pulse of that period like no other and he shares it with the reader with extraordinary ease and depth. This is one of those books that can be read and reread, started at the beginning, or just picked up anywhere in the middle because there are fabulous photos, posters, magazine and comic book covers, etc. on every page. Even the graphics and choice of type are spot on! The book is so much more than I expected. I bought it knowing I loved the music and am thrilled that it offers so much more in terms of where it all came from and its place in our world. I love this book!