Once again great weather prevailed for
the fifth annual Philly Doo Wop Festival held outdoors at Penn’s Landing
in Philadelphia. In the history of the festival, it has never rained.
This year’s festival was especially poignant because it occurred on 9/11.
Each year the Doo Wop Festival benefits our veterans through the
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Educational Center.
The show began with the National
Anthem. The opening act was the acappella group Junior and The Four
Seniors. Jimmy Depre lead “Could This Be Magic” backed by experienced
group of Philadelphia singers. Former Ecstasies’ lead Dave Moore led
“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”.
Junior & the Four
Seniors
Junior & the Four
Seniors
Junior & the Four
Seniors
Bobby Tippin, singing solo performed
the patriotic “Goodnight Saigon” to a track. A young jazz soloist,
Rabiyah, had her own band backing her. She sang a couple of numbers
including her current tune “Drives”.
Bobby Tippin performing
A surprise guest to the festival was
Jimmy Merchant, original member of Frankie Lymon's Teenagers. He treated
the crowd to “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” (a song he co-wrote) backed by
the Philly acappella group Quiet Storm.
Jimmy Merchant (right)
backed by Quiet Storm
Teenagers' Jimmy
Merchant
Jimmy Merchant & Quiet
Storm
Jimmy Merchant & Pam
Horner
Popular vocal group 45 RPM who has been on the Philly music
scene for many years performed several numbers including “Hey There Lonely
Boy” and “Zing Went The Strings”. They ended their performance with “God
Bless The USA”.
45 RPM
45 RPM
Michael Williams from the motion picture, “Standing
Ovation” performed a couple of hip hop numbers.
Michael Williams (left)
Of course the Philly Doo Wop Festival always draws quite a
crowd. There were many friends and celebrities in the audience and
we couldn't capture them all on film. We did catch up to a few of
them.
Part of the crowd at
Penn's landing
John Paloney (currently
of Junior & the 4 Seniors) (left)
and Frank Lafaro of Frankie & the Fashions
Christine Vitale of
WFDU-FM and E-Z from the acappella group, Choice
Joe Grimaldi of the
Ecstasies & Charlie Horner
Gold Radio's George
Frunzi & Pam Horner
Pat & Stu Pushkin of
the Doo Wop Group Harmony Singers Club
Next up was a vocal group from
Pittsburg who sang acappella named The Streetlights. They were nicely
attired in matching shirts of different hues. They sang traditional doo
wop songs such as “Sixty Minute Man”, “Diamonds And Pearls” and “In The
Still of the Night”.
The Streetlights
Penn's Landing
waterfront during the Doo Wop Festival
The Battleship New
Jersey, across the Delaware River from Penn's Landing
Attired in debonair black tuxes with
red bow ties was one of Philly’s most popular vocal groups today, Quiet
Storm. This great acappella group was well received by the crowd. Some
of their songs were “Oh What A Night”, “Sincerely”, and Everyone’s Got A
Home But Me”. They closed with the song that everyone was waiting for,
The Blue Note’s song “She Is Mine”, which ended with a piercing high tenor
note.
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm
King Arthur, one of the
event's MC's.
Bill Diamond, one of
the event organizers and also a member of Cornerstone
(Photo courtesy of Johnny B)
Tre Ja Vous is a female trio that specializes in some of
the girl group songs of the 50’s and 60’s. They sang Linda Jones’
"Hypnotized” along with “Be My Baby” and “ You Can’t Hurry Love”.
Tra Ja Vous
Tra Ja Vous
One of our favorite groups was up next
Cornerstone featuring Golden Voice Harry. They were brightly attired in
red jackets and black slacks. While previously known for their doo wop
songs, this group made the transition into soul harmony. Not only do they
sound great, their choreography is sharp. Some of the songs they sang
were “Who’s That Knocking”, “Down by The Ocean”, “Hold Back The Night” (Trammps),
and “United” (Intruders) They also sang an original song, “When Two People
Fall In Love,” from their new CD, Sharkskin, Silk & Soul.
Cornerstone
Cornerstone
choreography
Cornerstone
Cornerstone.
Golden Voice Harry on right.
Ferry on the waterfront
Left to right: E-Z
(Choice), Gil Torres (Larkings), Charlie Horner
Two original Ecstasies:
Joe Leone and Joe Grimaldi.
Joe Leone (left) was the first tenor on "Lucky Old Sun" (Amy label).
Another favorite group of ours is the
outrageous Little Isidore & The Inquisitors. They began with “Doot Dootsi
Wah,” an original song. They also sang “Dry Your Eyes,” “Oceans Apart,”
"Harlem Hit Parade” and many more of their well know tunes. As usual they
were dressed in very striking outfits in a red and black theme.
Little Isidore & the
Inquisitors
Little Isidore & the
Inquisitors
Little Isidore & the
Inquisitors
Left to right: Johnny Staccato, Little Isidore, Molten Milten, Kitten
Kaboodle
The featured group of the
day was the Chantels. As usual they were outstanding, featuring Ami Ortiz
on most of the leads. They sang their well-known hits such as "Look
In My Eyes," He's Gone," "I Love You So" and "Maybe."
The Chantels
(Photo courtesy of Johnny B.)
The Chantels' Amy Ortiz
(Photo courtesy of Johnny B)
The Chantels
(Photo courtesy of Johnny B)
![[New!]](images/smallnew.gif){kind=small}
