Doo-Wop music wasn’t much of thing here on the West Coast as it was in NYC, places in New Jersey and Philadelphia. Closest thing out here were the Beach Boys tight harmonies. Doo-Wop music, in particular acapella is a spin-off of Gospel music, coming up from the southern migration to the north.
So back when I was about 9 or 10, living on the 3rd floor apartment on the corner of Mermaid Avenue and W24th St. in Coney Island, a group of guys would sing acapella doo-wop songs at night, under a street light just below my bedroom window. It was Teddy Grable, Joe Joseph Ettl, Howard Tyll, Tony Clausi and Bill. The music they sang really affected me, shook me up, made it’s way into my DNA, been with me and a part of me ever since. Got me singing back in 6th grade at PS205 with Jean-Paul Rivera and Louie Diaz.
My noontime guest on KSQD 90.7 FM Community Radio’s Brooklynbilly Music Mashup show is that guy, from way back when – Teddy Grable. Check it out, it was a good interview.
Teddy now resides in Florida and called in to Andy Fuhrman’s Tuesday January 9th, 2024 Brooklynbilly Music Mashup show.
