The Vibrations were active from the mid-1950s to 1976. Most notable among the group's hit singles were "My Girl Sloopy" (1964) and "Love in Them There Hills" (1968). The quintet's members included Don Bradley, Carl Fisher, Dave Govan, James Johnson and Ricky Owens.

The group initially began recording as The Jayhawks, and had a hit in 1956 with "Stranded in the Jungle". After a few lineup changes, the group hit again in 1961 with the song "The Watusi" and concurrently, they had another hit under the name The Marathons with "Peanut Butter".

The group recorded a couple of Northern Soul classics since their initial hit on Atlantic Records in 1963. A cover version of "My Girl Sloopy", re-titled "Hang On, Sloopy", was a hit for the McCoys in 1965. Their 1968 track "Cause You're Mine" is listed as Number 48 in The Northern Soul Top 500.

A later single "Surprise Party For Baby" attributed to The Vibrating Vibrations (Neptune Records N-28) is listed as Number 188 in The Northern Soul Top 500, and was practically a new single when exploding onto the Northern Soul scene at Blackpool Mecca in 1971 - "The intro and subsequent 'Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey' harmony works a treat into dragging you onto the dance floor. A further hook, 'Hope She's Going To Show Up' is typical Gamble and Huff, being highly reminiscent of The Intruders cuts a couple of years later".

The Coasters have had one incredible ride in the music industry. Less of a group and more of a institution, The Crown Princes of Rock & Roll established themselves six (6) decades ago, and in a time when many musical fads would come and go. But one thing has always remained - the power of a truly timeless song especially when experienced  through the prism of the expertly sung  4-part harmonies that are The Coasters' stock in trade.

The Coasters scored their first hit single "Down in Mexico" in the spring of 1956, which they followed in 1957 with "Young Blood" and in 1958 with "Searchin". Later in 1958,  they again hit the charts with two blockbuster songs that would become as iconic as the band itself, "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown". From then on The Coasters were a hit-making machine scoring with such songs as "Poison Ivy", "Along Came Jones", "Love Potion #9, "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" and so many more. 

The Coasters line-up in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Will Jones and Cornel Gunter) have all since passed, but their legacy lives on. At the gala, we will have videotaped acceptance speeches by some very special guests. So join us in paying tribute to this phenomenal band.

This week, we're proud to showcase another legendary group who will be inducted at this year's gala - The Lettermen featuring founding member Tony Butala. The Lettermen's signature style is close-harmony with soft arrangements. The group started in 1959 and over their long and storied career, they had two (2) Top 10 singles, sixteen (16) Top 10 singles on the Adult Contemporary charts and one #1. In addition, thirty-two (32) consecutive Billboard Magazine chart albums, eleven (11) gold records and five (5) Grammy nominations.

Their first single for Capitol Records, "The Way You Look Tonight", entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961 and climbed to #13. Their next single, "When I Fall in Love", reached the Top 10 in 1962 and hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. They had several other Adult Contemporary hits such as 1965's "Theme From A Summer Place".

The hits continued with the 1967 medley, "Going Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You". In 1968 they had another hit with "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" and in 1969, "Hurts So Bad" was released and reached #12 and lasted twenty-one (21) weeks on the Hot 100. 

The Lettermen continue to release music and tour, bringing joy to all of their many fans worldwide. Join us in congratulating this phenomenal group for their contributions to music and their induction into the Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame.

Every week we will introduce our 2016 Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame Inductees. This week, we're showcasing the incomparable Angels.  In 1961, sisters Barbara "Bibs" Allbut Brown and Jiggs Allbut Brown founded the group and recorded two hit songs "Til" and "Cry Baby. In 1963, The Angels added Peggy Santiglia and recorded the iconic song "My Boyfriend's Back (and you're gonna be in trouble)". The song catapulted The Angels into super-stardom; it rose to #1 and sold over a million copies. 

With a smash hit on their hands, The Angels sold out concerts and found themselves in demand for the hit TV shows of the day such as American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Tonight Show. 

In addition to touring the US and Europe, The Angels also did session work for memorable recording artists such as Jackie Wilson, Quincy Jones, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. They were portrayed in both the smash Broadway musical "The Jersey Boys" and the movie of the same name released in 2014.

As a part of the incredible music scene of the early 60's, The Angels are still touring and bringing their magnificent music to their fans nationally and internationally, and introducing a new generation to what made The Angels great. Join us in congratulating them on their 2016 induction into the Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame.