doo wop
what it is
Doo Wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music, which developed in African-American communities in the 1940s and which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. An African-American vocal style known as doo wop emerged from the streets of northeastern and industrial midwest cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. With its smooth, consonant vocal harmonies, doo wop was one of the most mainstream, pop oriented R&B styles of the 1950s and 1960s.
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questions
What is doo wop?
Doo Wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music, which developed in African-American communities in the 1940s and which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. An African-American vocal style known as doo wop emerged from the streets of northeastern and industrial midwest cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. With its smooth, consonant vocal harmonies, doo wop was one of the most mainstream, pop oriented R&B styles of the 1950s and 1960s.
What are good doo wop albums to start with?
Try Don't Play That Song by Ben E. King, Shut Down, Vol. 2 (Remastered) by The Beach Boys, Now & Then (Reissue) by Carpenters, and Original Doo Wop by The Clovers.
Who are some women making doo wop?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/doo-wop/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making doo wop, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20