Doo Wop: The Music, the Times, the Era

With the words "DOO WOP" in huge letters on the front and throughout the book, the publisher leads you to believe that this is a book celebrating what is better known as "Vocal Group Harmony". But it's not! The Beach Boys may harmonize but their records were not "Do Wop". Brenda Lee - Doo wop? `Fraid not. But what the book IS a celebration of the music and styles and pop culture of the ;ate 1950s to about 1963 when the British Invasion arrived and - as that it succeeds! Bruce Morrow was legendary on New York's WABC but he didn't just play Doo Wop. In fact the only 100% doo wop you would hear when he was on WCBS in the 1990s was on another show on the station: "Don K. Reed's Doo Wop Shop". But teaming with "promoter" T. J. Lubinski - the guy who started the first PBS beg-a-thon oldies show, "Doo Wop 50" and has produced umpteen more in other pop music genres since then - as "co-author" Morrow has put together great piece of "eye candy", thanks to the color resolution of this book from Sterling. "Cousin Brucie" reminisces throughout, but your be drawn to the great photos and images and bring back your own memories. This is not a $100. coffee table book (but it's heavy enough to use for one!). It's moderately priced and a fun thing to look through. It's approaching Christmas time and I can't think of a neater gift to give to someone who graduated high school between 1958 and 1965. Think of it as one of those PBS oldies shows for your eyes - where the vocal groups - and boy and girl singers still had their hair! Steve Ramm "Anything Phonographic"

Are there days when you just need to extricate yourself from this crazy digital world of 24/7 non-stop information frenzy? Take some time off and give yourself a gift. Just try holding "Doo Wop, The Music..The Times..The Era"in your hands and feel the stress evaporate and be transported to a wonderful time. Cousin Brucie captures so passionately and intelligently the evolution of popular music to a sound that we, as teenagers could identify as ours. This book is more than just a chronology of the early harmony groups that grew out of the streets of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and elsewhere. It's a gorgeous snapshot of who we were in the post World War II period of the late 40's, 50's and early 60's. This is a very colorful "coffee table" book that I couldn't stop reading as soon as I brought it home. And, what a terrific way to bridge the generation gap. Your kids will be wide-eyed as they look at the photos of the political and cultural events of those years. If you grew up listening to Cousin Bruce, you can almost hear that super-energized voice as you flip through the pages. By the way, I just realized this book would be a perfect gift for some friends and business associates.

"Cousin Brucie" Morrow's book "Doo Wop: The Music, The Times, The Era" is a treasure trove filled with photos and history that truly evoke an extraordinary time in our lives. He had his hand on the musical pulse of that period like no other and he shares it with the reader with extraordinary ease and depth. This is one of those books that can be read and reread, started at the beginning, or just picked up anywhere in the middle because there are fabulous photos, posters, magazine and comic book covers, etc. on every page. Even the graphics and choice of type are spot on! The book is so much more than I expected. I bought it knowing I loved the music and am thrilled that it offers so much more in terms of where it all came from and its place in our world. I love this book!

In his new book, Cousin Brucie, who has escorted America through so much music history, gives an exciting overview of the American music industry during the Doo Wop period. He is such an important part of that history. Nobody has seen more of Doo Wop nor knows the topic better than he. In this book he helps me to relive the joy and fun of that period of time. It's like one of his "walks down memory lane" that he surely has broadcasted numerous times during all these years as the top Radio personality in the country. These wonderful memories are a gift from the Cousin that I will always cherish.

Thank you, Cousin Brucie, for creating a book of memories that I can open whenever I want to travel back to the music I love. Not only is it fun reading, it evokes memories of people and experiences that tend to get lost with time. It has the same sense of energy that you have exuded throughout your many years of broadcasting. I found myself singing while reading your book. How many books can create that kind of reaction??????? Thanks for the memories!!! Elaine Gilbert