6397 Clough Pike
#3 Cincinnati, Ohio
45244
Cincinnati Oldies & DooWop Association
NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2012
I’M BACK…. Thank you all for your prayers and concerns for my well being. I am doing just fine since my heart attack and grateful for such wonderful family and friends. Linda
As we venture into 2012, I am proud to say with the support and determination of our members, we are celebrating our 10-year anniversary of “keeping the music alive”. This Club was formed in a little bar called The Taft Fieldhouse in Camp Washington in 2002 by a group of friends and music lovers that saw there was a need to create a union so that our music will be remembered. The “DooWop” era is one of the most proclaimed eras and is still being used today; for movie themes, commercials, parties, etc.
While we have members that started in 2002, we have three, which from the day the Club was established are still active in some capacity and supported us throughout. I would like to recognize, lovingly known as “The Mayor”; and our first paid member Danny Jackson. A former president and still a current board member; Mike McNutt. A former treasurer and a current board member Rudy Tassini.
Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for
our Club.
A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE…
1950 - Gals wore their steady beau’s letter
jacket or sweater, and ponytails, while the most popular
hair for guys in the 1950s (besides the crew cut) was the greased-back “Duck
tail” hairstyle (think James Dean, or John Travolta of “Grease”). It was the
perfect decade to be a kid.
1951 The introduction of potpies (by Swanson),
Tupperware and the first commercial computer is made.
I Love Lucy debuts on CBS.
1952 –Ozzie and Harriet debut on ABC, and Nat
King Cole’s “Unforgettable” hit the charts, and we’re still humming the tune.
1953 – Color television comes on the scene!
Inventions included: Saran Wrap and radial tires. The Academy Awards are
nationally televised, and the Oscar for Best Picture goes to From Here to Eternity.
1954 – The first issue of Sports Illustrated
is published. Elvis cuts his first record. Eisenhower inserts “under God” into
the Pledge of Allegiance.
1955 –Two American icons open for business: McDonald’s
and Disneyland. Rebel Without a Cause actor
James Dean died in a car accident. TV quiz show, The
$64,000 Question, captured America’s interest, but later shatter the nation’s
naiveté when Congressional hearings reveal shady practices and discovers
questions were rigged.
1956 –Elvis Presley makes his debut on
national television; four of his songs become hits in 1956. This is the big
year for the birth of rock ‘n roll. Hard disks for computers are now available.
1957 –New-on-the-market items include: Tang, and the Edsel. “Leave it to Beaver” debuts, another idealistic yet much-loved family sitcom. American Bandstand, with its new young host, Dick Clark a new television show was being broadcast out of Philadelphia, PA. It featured teenagers dancing to the new rock ‘n roll music.
1958 –A first class postage stamp costs 4 cents.. The Champs win a Grammy (at the first Grammy Awards) for the Best Rhythm and Blues Performance with “Tequila.”
1959 – Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and
50th states. (Sorry guys) This was the year that garter-free pantyhose was invented. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P.
Richardson die in a plane crash (February 3, now known as The Day the Music
Died).
Soon the
generation that remembers the 1950s will be gone. The days of innocence and
tight censorship on TV are past. Gone is the norm of the traditional family,
the Cleavers and uncomplicated heroes like the Lone Ranger. Gone are the chrome
and brightly colored vinyl barstools, the checkered floors of the diners. Even
the imitations, whether it is 1950s furniture or sitcoms based on
groundbreaking television shows from the era, cannot bring back the wonder and
nostalgia of the nation’s favorite decade.
Origin of "Doo-wop" The term "doo-wop" was taken from the ad-lib
syllables sung in harmony in doo-wop songs. Two songs in particular may lay
claim to being the "first" to contain the syllables "doo
wop" in the refrain: the 1955 hit, "When You Dance" by The Turbans, in which the chant "doo wop" can be plainly
heard; and the 1956 classic "In the Still of
the Night (I Remember)" by The
Five Satins, with the
plaintive "doo wop, doo wah" refrain in the
bridge. It has been erroneously reported that the phrase was coined by radio
disc jockey Gus Gossert in the late 1950's However, Gossert himself has said that
"doo-wop was already being used [before me] to categorize
the music in California It became the fashion in the 1990's to keep
expanding the definition backward to include Rhythm
& Blues groups from
the mid- 1950's and then even further back to include groups from the early
1950s and even the 1940's There is no consensus as to what constitutes a
doo-wop song and many aficionados of R&B music dislike the term intensely, preferring to use the
term "group vocal harmony" instead
DooWop! It is an all-encompassing expression that includes
all forms of vocal groups. The Rhythm & Blues Groups and
the Rock & Roll Groups.
call DooWop
Music. When this music was popular it was either Rhythm & Blues or Rock
& Roll. The name "Vocal Group Harmony" was used to combine both
genres. Today all of the “music of our youth”, like
everything else is categorized and will forever be "DooWop"& Rock
‘n’Roll Groups.
CODA BIRTHDAYS JANUARY
2- Barb Stanley 7- Carolyn Dittig 15- Bobby
Lewis 16- Mike McNutt, 23- Carole Cook 20- Val Roberts 26-
Carolyn Morgan
CODA BIRTHDAYS FEBRUARY
7- Evelyn Sexton 19- Tim Copenhaver 26- Beverly Adkins 28- Tommy Helton, James Price
DATES TO REMEMBER:
JANUARY 18 2012: CODA Social at Jim & Jack’s, from 1PM to 5PM. We are going back to the third Sunday of the month for all future Socials, unless otherwise notified for other events. CODA Band will be our entertainment and they continue to be a great asset to our Club. We will be accepting nominations for the election to be held in February. Positions open are, President, secretary, and 3 board members. Nominees must be members in good standing, willing and able to work. Before you make your nomination, take it seriously and make sure the person you nominate wants the position and will be an asset to the Club.
FEBRUARY 19 2012: ANNUAL ELECTION and CODA Social at Jim & Jack’s, from 1PM to 5PM with the CODA Band. New officers will be announced after the ballots are counted. All voting will commence at 4PM.
MARCH 18 2012: CODA Social at Jim & Jack’s with the CODA Band, from 1PM to 5PM.
NOTICE: The weather will be changing in the next few months so please tune into Channel 12 WKRC for any cancellations due to bad weather and road conditions before venturing out for the Socials. Or call Jim & Jack’s at 513-251-7977 as they will be notified as soon as possible.
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
Until Next Time, Take Care, Linda Smith – Secretary- Proudly Serving The CODA Club