Doo Wop takes the stage and raises money

Doo Wop made a triumphant return to the Rockaways over the weekend at Beach Channel High School.
The school auditorium served as the backdrop on Saturday, January 26 for the 15th annual Harry G. Doo Wop Spectacular to benefit the Susan G. Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Kenny Vance & The Planotones (“Looking For An Echo”), Lenny Cocco & The Chimes (“Once In Awhile”), and others took the stage and played to an enthusiastic audience. The near-capacity crowd was ecstatic as they cheered, sang, and danced in the aisles to their favorite Doo Wop songs of the 50’s and 60’s. Fans gave rousing applause and numerous standing ovations to demonstrate their appreciation for the great performances.
For many, the concert was a flashback to a time when Doo Wop was a part of life and dominated the radio airwaves.
The yearly concert has a devoted following and benefits The Susan G. Memorial Scholarship Fund, a scholarship set up by the show’s founder and host, Harry Gross, affectionately known as Harry G., “NY’s Duke of Doo Wop.”
The scholarship is named for Harry’s sister Susan who passed away at the age of seven. Gross established the fund in Susan’s name at Beach Channel, where he was a journalism and communication arts teacher for 30 years before retiring in 2003. Partial proceeds from the show go to the scholarship that is given to a college-bound student in financial need who is pursuing art or music.
At last count, the show raised several thousand dollars this year.
Joey Karp of Joey & The Paradons reflected on how great it was to be performing and relive many of the memories from years past.
“Doo wop will never die. You know, I’ve been around since singing with the same group. When Doo Wop started it was street corner harmony where guys got together in the corners of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx,” Karp said. “Four guys got together and started singing. That was Doo Wop. We never had a band, it was called acapella. Guys came out. They just started singing. Before you know it, one block was singing, the next block was singing, everybody was singing.”
For fans like Joe from Massapequa who attended last year’s show, they simply can’t get enough.
“It’s beautiful. It’s nice to see the old groups. They’re all great,” Joe said. “I already wrote in for tickets for next year.”
The lineup differs from year to year and Harry has about 30 bands that he rotates, along with one or two regulars. The concert is one of many Doo Wop shows that he produces throughout New York State with the production company he co-owns with his partner Mike Cohen.
Gross, a lifelong fan before he started producing shows, discussed Doo Wop and the impact it has on its followers.
“Doo Wop is the street corner sounds when guys in school used to go the bathroom, the halls, and the subways and just harmonize without any music. A lot of people come to the shows because a certain song brings them back to a specific time, person or place. It’s something that they miss and like, so they come.” Gross said.
The show draws fans from all over the country. Gross has had people come from as far away as Florida, London and Australia.
Kate & Jack Bernstein traveled all the way from Los Angeles just to see Kenny Vance and arrived at the school just minutes before Vance took the stage.
The artists appreciate the continued support of the fans. Lenny Cocco took a moment to thank the audience for “keeping Doo Wop alive.”
Cleveland Still of Cleveland Still & The Dubs, who has been singing for over 50 years, enjoys performing for the fans and hearing the reception he gets. “It’s a lot of fun. Knowing that there is somebody out there enjoying it makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
Gross sees a future for Doo Wop.
“We are trying to promote it for young people — there a few young talents out there,” Gross said.
Saturday’s show also featured The Demensions (“Over The Rainbow”), Cleveland Still & The Dubs (“Could This Be Magic”), Vito Balsamo’s reunion with the Salutations (“Gloria”), Joey & The Paradons, Killer Joe & The Lido Soul Revue, Twin Gold, and Shades of Soul.
Gross said that he will personally ensure that for the next 30 years the Susan G. Memorial scholarship will stay funded. The 16th Annual Harry G. Doo Wop Spectacular Concert is scheduled for January 31, 2009.