Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – March 23, 2025
In 2002, the documentary “Life Could Be A Dream – The Doo-Wop Sound” was released. It delves into the history of vocal group harmony, examining how it emerged and became a cultural phenomenon, ultimately shaping the landscape of popular music. This documentary is available on YouTube and is a treasure trove of information.
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One of the key narrators in the documentary is the legendary Deejay, Bobby Jay, a former group harmony singer with the Laddins in the mid-50’s. For 40+ years, beginning in the late 70s, Jay filled in from time to time as the bass vocalist for the Teenagers.
Per Jay, “When Sonny Til & The Orioles came on the scene out of Baltimore, they changed the face of rhythm & blues and vocal group harmony forever.”
Sonny Til was good looking and became a matinee idol. Who can forget his group’s monster 1951 hit, “Crying In The Chapel,” a song that Elvis would take to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 fourteen years later in 1965.
However, according to Bobby Jay, there was a song that came out a year prior to “Crying In The Chapel,” by the Ravens that ushered in what we now referred to as the doo-wop era. Jay proclaims that “there are elements in this song that lasted another twenty years, including a pronounced bass line.”
Formed in Harlem in 1946, the Ravens were strongly influenced by the Ink Spots, the Delta Rhythm Boys, and the Mills Brothers. However, their material was more varied and included elements of pop, jazz, R&B, and gospel styles.
They were the first to make continuous use of a bass vocalist (Jimmy Ricks) and a falsetto tenor (Maith Marshall) on lead. They were also the first to incorporate dance steps into their R&B act.
In 1950, these pioneers of doo-wop gave us this bass-led game changer, “Count Ever Star,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of the song: Click here
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
