New England Doo Wop Society
The Dance Contests
One way to spotlight the songs, the dancers, and the dances on American Bandstand was to hold dance contests. Kids in the studio loved them, and the viewers did, too. The rules were simple. Contestants had to sign up to get a number, then once a week they pinned numbers on their backs, much like they did in the dance marathons in the thirties. During the contests, viewers cast ballots for their favorite dancers. Each contest lasted three or four weeks, after which winners were announced on the air. Several of the winners confessed that the voting was done more on popularity merit. Still, they took their prizes, which ranged from portable TVs to juke boxes.
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Remember...Before there was Hip Hop..there was Doo Wop!
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Join us for our 3rd Annual Rockin' New Year's Eve Party at the Days Inn, 450 Memorial Dr., Chciopee, MA. For info & tickets call Gary @ 413-478-0901 or Bob @ 413-786-1929.
What We Do: Our goal is to bring some of the finest local and national talent from the 50's and 60s back into this area with live concerts at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee, MA. Our Start: The New England Doo Wop Society was formed in the fall of 2003. Our initial show was at the Holiday Inn in Holyoke, MA with In Time, the Tribunes and the Cleftones. It was SRO and we knew we had to find a bigger place. We moved to the Huke Lau for one show and then to our present location, the Castle of Knights, where we have remained to this day.
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The 5th anniversary concert at the Castle of Knights was....well, SPECTACULAR! Starting with 10th grader Antionette Nieves belting out two songs to the large crowd, the evening was set. She was followed by John Baer and what a set of pipes on this guy. Discovered by Gary Jones doing karaoke at a local bar, this fella was quite a surprise. Then came the Skid Marks. Always a crowd favorite with their brand of Rockabilly, Rock & Roll, Doo Wop & humor, they mixed it all in to the crowd's delight. They were followed by the Tribunes from Long Island, NY. Have you ever listened to an a cappella group and after a time realized there wasn't a band behind them? Well, this is how good this group is. After being the VERY FIRST a cappella group we ever had, they are now better than ever! Tight harmonies, great lead voices and soul to match, their voices just blend together tremendously. When Mike did "Over The Rainbow," I saw tears in more than a couple of eyes! Superb! After intermission John Baer did a rousing version of "Unchained Melody." The stage was now set for the highly anticipated reunion of Jimmy Gallagher and the Passions. We were NOT disappointed! After a night out with the boys.....and a quick rehersal with the Society All Star band they were ready. Well.....they were a little apprehensive about some of their non hits.....but like professionals that they are, they nailed EVERY song, much to the delight of this huge crowd. From the opening song "Made For Lovers" to the final "Gloria," they were right on the money! They even did "Glioria" twice...once in a cappella form. Wow! This was the first time since Radio City Music Hall in 1985 (23 years) that this group has sung together .....and we had them in Chicopee, MA! The crowd was on their feet, applauding! After playing the Castle, the guys drove to Queens, NY on Sunday to do another concert at 3:00 pm. .....but we had them first! It truly was a night...to remember! If you missed it....well, it was a once in a lifetime event! Comments on the November 1st Concert Many, many thanks for an absolutely fantastic 5th Anniversary Doo Wop Show on November 1! This was our first time attending one of your shows and, I must say, we were very impressed. The Castle of the Knights location was perfect, the buffet was great and the three groups were FABULOUS!! It seems like you covered every detail perfectly, for a truly enjoyable evening. What a gift to be part of this special night--we can’t wait for the next show in March! “GREAT” job New England Doo Wop Society! Nancy & Curtis Blau (Newington, CT) ______________________________________________________________ Bobby and Gary, I just want to thank the two of you for bringing such great entertainment to Western Massachusetts. My wife and I were at the November 1st show and had a wonderful time. The young women who opened the show is an awesome talent as well as Johnny B. The Skid Marks set the tone for what proved to be a very enjoyable evening of music and laughter. The Tribunes were outstanding, what harmonies, wow! Jimmy Gallagher and the Passions were just superb. It is amazing what the two of you have done and continue to do. We hope to enjoy your shows for a long time to come. Thanks again. Ted & Barbara Hamel (Chicopee, MA) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are my impressions of last night: This was absolutely the best concert you guys have had ever. All three groups were wonderful. They all really enjoyed being there and performing which came across clearly. The Skidmarks set the tone with a great high energy set with some unique touches with props and costumes. Superlatives cannot describe the Tribunes. They harmonized so well it seemed like there was instrumentation. I could have listened to them for hours. Les Levine has to be the best bass singer around. No wonder many different groups want to use him. The Passions delivered big-time with great sounds and charisma. Jimmy Gallagher has not lost anything off his fast ball in 50 years. After the concert I talked with Jimmy remarking how I saw a You Tube of the Passions on Dick Clark's American bandstand from 1959. I told him he sounded even better now, which is true and that he looks just the same as he did then (not quite true,but the same goes for all of us). I only wish that more people,particularly younger people who dismiss doo-wop as something from their grandparents era to be dismissed, could have witnessed this music. Thanks to Bobby and Gary for keeping doo-wop alive. - David Jarnes (Springfield, MA) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The show was fantastic last night. It was great to meet Jimmy Gallagher and the Passions, plus see the Tribunes again. "Over The Rainbow" sung by Mike from the Tribunes was spectacular! Of course the Skid Marks are always great and entertaining. Can't wait to see the next show. I will take care of the pictures and get your camera back to you ASAP. Nancy Houde (Chicopee, MA) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob: Saturday's concert was, in a word , fantastic. I brought Gene Pitney's classmate at Rockville (CT) High to the show and he was impressed. I do believe, if Gene were still alive, you would have somehow managed to get him onto Saturday's billing. I know how much work events like this are to pull off and everything from food to audio went off without a hitch. I know that all who enjoyed the show appreciate your and Gary's efforts. Thanks. Bob Baribeau Southwick, MA
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To send Bob Belniak a message, write to him at echoes.past@yahoo.com |
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The Days Inn at 450 Memorial DR., in Chicopee, MA is now the official hotel of the New England Doo Wop Society. When you are booking rooms, be sure to mention the New England Doo Wop Society for special rates! (413-739-7311) |
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