Doo-wop
was one of the most popular genres of rock & roll and R&B in the late '50s.
Doo-wop artists were vocal groups, with each singer in the group taking a different
part that interweaved with the other singers. Frequently, the backing vocalists
sang nonsense words as rhythm, and the genre's name derives from this trait.
Most doo-wop groups started as a cappella bands, performing without instrumental
accompaniment. The hit doo-wop singles inspired countless teenagers to form
their own a cappella groups, though many of them were never recorded. Despite
its a cappella origins, few doo-wop records were made without instrumental backing.
Doo-wop faded away in the early '60s, though its influence was felt throughout
popular music in the following decades.
Doo-Wop
