Where shall I start ... Mmmmm ... Let me see ... How about this...?
Hi there. My name is Jorge, pronounced 'hor-hey' (Spanish for George). I was born
many years ago in Mexico City. At the age of three, my parents and I left Mexico, to
meet my Grandfather, who was working in New York at the "League of Nations", known
today as the "United Nations." In looking for a place to live, we finally settled in what is
known today as the "Lincoln Center" area, located in the mid-sixies of Manhattan. Now if
you're familiar with this place, you might say 'Pretty Ritzy Area'... NOT! Back in those
days, it was nothing but run-down tenements, almost ready to be condemned by the
City. If you ever saw the movie "West Side Story", you would know what I mean ... Those
were the actual buildings of my old neighborhood! The City eventually condemned the
buildings, (in order to build Lincoln Center) so the City had to relocate us into City
Housing Buildings (better known as the Projects) which were located at 102nd Street
and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. That area was, and is known today as "Spanish Harlem."
"Those were the days " ... Poni-tails and Duck-tails!
Now, don't get me wrong ... It wasn't as bad as I'm making it sound. Actually, it was quite
nice. Those were the days when girls wore their hair mostly in poni-tails, had these
'poodle skirts', wore their sweaters backwards, with the buttons towards the back. and
wore either sneakers (Keds or Penny-Loafers.) The boys had 'duck-tail' haircuts or
crew-cuts, wore pants known as 'chinos'. These chinos were mainly black in color and
had a little buckle in the back. They were great! Most of the guys in my neighbor, (better
known as 'turf') wore white tee-shirts (with the sleeves rolled up all the way) or regular
shirts (with turned up collars). The sneakers that were 'in style' then were Champion
(best known) or they wore army combat boots! All the guys wore 'garrison belts'. These
belts were wide, with a big brass buckle, which was sharpened on the front edge.
"Why?" you may asked ... well, because it was used as a weapon during a "Gang War"
or "Rumble" as we used to call the gang fights. You see, nobody that did not live or
belong on your "turf" was allowed. That's the way it was. Let's say, If a teenage girl met a
teenage boy at school, and he decided to walk her home AND he was spotted by the
boys in the neighborhood ... Watch out!
Gang Wars ...
Obviously, if we didn't like him or he didn't belong, he got beat up! Which in turn, he
would come back with 'his boys' and then you would have the beginning of your
tipical-run-of-the-mill "Gang War" with "Zip Guns" and all. You have to realized that in
those days, the Blacks, Spanish, Irish and Italians (at least where I lived) had their own
"turf", and really didn't care too much for each other. I mean, you could be friends at
school, but don't bring them to your neighborhood ... especially to a 'set' or a 'hop' ...
What is a set or a hop, you ask? It was a music party or social gathering of teens at
someone's house or apartment (most likely to occur when the parents were not home!)
for no other reason but to either: Dance ... (the Lindy or something called the Grind)
Drink ... (cheap, sweet 'Thunderbird' wine was in style then) OR Listen to music ... DID I
SAY MUSIC? I MEANT DOOWOP MUSIC! Sweet, Beautiful Sounding Music! Music
that was everywhere. Music that came out of 'transistor radios' or out of car radios as
they drove by, or out of your radios at home, listening to "Jocko" Henderson or Alan
Freed. You could hear that music at your favorite Candy Store down the block. And if
you really liked a certain tune, you could go and buy it at 'Times Square Records" on
42nd Street, downstairs in the subway station. You could hear it at night, as you walked
by a street lamp-post, with a group of teens harmonizing, or in the boy's bathroom at
High School, in between periods, or even in the hallways of your own Project building.
Wherever there was an 'Echo Chamber', you were sure to find it there. It came from the
throats of young teenagers, boys and girls alike, trying to imitate their idols on the radio
or 45 records. Some of them were very good as I recall. I myself had the 'privilege' of
standing on the stage of the "Apollo Theater", on 125th Street in Harlem. It was a
Wednesday night, (Amateur-Nite) and I was shaking in my shoes. Actually all 5 pairs of
shoes were shaking! (Tito, Lead), (Johnny, 2nd Tenor), (Edwin, Baritone), (Loco, Bass)
and myself, 1st Tenor) going by the name of the Teen-Tones). Oh yes, we lost. (A group
known as the Explorers won, and went on to record a record). I don't know what kind of
magic spell "DooWop" Music has over me. As far as I'm concern, there is no other
music that touches my heart the way this music dones.I guess it just stays with you for as
long as you live. Yeap! Good Memories and Good Music ... You never forget them. I may
never be a DooWop singing star, but I DooPlay the Music! Please join me at my
DooWop Music Site and let me share it with you. Long Live DooWop Music. Yours
Truly, Jorge (PureDooWop)
