Vocal Group Books



Old School OLD SCHOOL
77 Years of Southern California R&B & Vocal Group Harmony Records 1934-2011

By Stephen Propes

A never before published chronological compendium of musicians and/or groups, titles, original record labels, local and select out-of-town radio and record store chart positions...
combined with the stories of the records, either from those involved or from original research...
and in notable cases, an idea of the value of these discs.

This book portrays over 1,400 record releases by over 850 groups or artists.

For more information about this book and to order it,
go to
http://www.amazon.com/SCHOOL-Southern-California-Harmony-Records/dp/1461076927



Encyclopedia Of Early American Vocal Groups ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EARLY AMERICAN VOCAL GROUPS
100 Years Of Harmony (1850 to 1950)

By Douglas E. Friedman & Anthony J. Gribin

How did we get from the minstrel shows of pre-Civil War days,
to the classic vocal groups of the turn of the 20th century, to rock and roll?
This book explains how that remarkable transformation occurred.

Almost 600 pages of information on 1500 vocal groups, including a listing of more than 15,000 recordings.

For more information about this book and to order it, go to http://www.harmonysongs.com



Group Harmony Book GROUP HARMONY: Echoes Of Rhythm And Blues Era (Second Edition)

Todd R. Baptista's second book features detailed biographies of R&B vocal groups of the 1950s: Cardinals, Spiders, Channels, Flairs, Jacks/Cadets, Mellows, Halos, Larks, Selah Jubilee Singers, and Silhouettes

Extensive interviews with the original artists, complete discographies, and over 50 photos.

The Second Edition is a revised and expanded version (288 pages) of the book first published in 2001.

It can be viewed & ordered online at http://www.oldies.com/product-view/BK2297.html

Todd can be contacted via e-mail at trbent@charter.net

NOTE: His first book "GROUP HARMONY: Behind The Rhythm And Blues" is also still available.



Take-Off TAKE-OFF (Book and CD)
American All-Girl Bands During World War II

While this book was written for young readers, I recommend it for anyone with an interest in this topic.

Ina Ray Hutton And Her Melodears, Ada Leonard's All-American Girl Orchestra, Prairie View State College Co-Eds, and International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, among others, are covered.

Includes a 16 track CD available exclusively with this book.

80 pages, large print, many great pictures.
Order at amazon.com



More Than Words Can Say MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY
The Ink Spots and Their Music

A fascinating story filled with excellently researched information and anecdotes.

Marv Goldberg tells the authentic story of the Ink Spots, showcasing their origins in the early 1930s through the tumultuous recording world of the 1940s and 1950s.

Complete discography and many rare photos.

$39.50
Order from Scarecrow Press, 4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706, Telephone: 1-800-462-6420
Or order on the internet at amazon.com



They All Sang On The Corner THEY ALL SANG ON THE CORNER

A second Look at New York City's Rhythm and Blues Vocal Groups

Phil Groia tells many unknown facts about the original street corner groups that will surprise you! Based on personal interviews with members of 1950's vocal goups.

Revised and expanded edition with many unpublished photos.

$20.00 (ppd) (paperback)
Send Order To: Phillie Dee Enterprises, 515-12 High Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777

E-Mail Inquiries: theyallsangonthecorner@hotmail.com



L.A. RB Vocal Groups 1945-1965 L.A. R&B VOCAL GROUPS 1945-1965
by Steve Propes & Galen Gart

Now there's a complete, detailed reference documenting the fascinating and complex history of the Southern California doo-wop scene. Based on hundreds of firsthand interviews and conversations with the performers and others involved.

8 1/2" x 11", 192 pages, 85 photos, softbound.

$25.00 plus $4.00 shipping (outside N.A. $6 surface, $14 air)
Send Order To: Big Nickel Publications, PO Box 3651, Florence Villa Station, Winter Haven, FL 33885-3651

E-Mail Inquiries: bignickel@earthlink.net



The Last Of The Good Rocking Men THE LAST OF THE GOOD ROCKING MEN

Todd R. Baptista's book features 56 pages chronicling the life and history of Ellison B. White, bass of the famed Wings Over Jordan Choir in the 1940's and The Four Jacks (on Federal) in the 1950's.

Extensive interviews with nearly a dozen rare and unpublished photos.

$12.95 (plus postage)
Contact Todd at TRB Enterprizes, P.O. Box 50962, New Bedford, MA 02790-1110 or via e-mail at trbent@charter.net



Who Sang Our Songs? WHO SANG OUR SONGS?

"The Official Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Songography"
By Doug Friedman & Tony Gribin

Over 30,000 entries. Titles listed alphabetically for easy reference. Each entry includes group name, year, and label information.

An indispensable book for the serious collector and casual enthusiast alike.

$14.95 (including shipping by media mail)

For more information about this book and to order it, go to http://www.harmonysongs.com



R&B In Cleveland-1955 Rhythm & Blues In Cleveland
1955 Edition

Experience the R&B world of Cleveland, Ohio - its nightclubs, theatres and bars - in a month-by-month "First Pressings" format for the entire year 1955.
Galen Gart has delved into primary source materials such as black-owned newspapers and magazines of the period, to provide a fascinating and seldom-seen glimpse into the cultural life of a "city within a city" during the heyday of 1950s R&B.

Softbound, 146 pages, illustrated with hundreds of vintage advertisements. $24.95* ppd

Send personal check or money order to: Big Nickel Publications, PO Box 3651, Florence Villa Station, Winter Haven, FL 33885-3651 or PayPal.com to bignickel@earthlink.net

*If you live in Florida, please add 6% sales tax.



Ultimate... Reference Guide The Ultimate Vocal Group Harmony Reference Guide
A Two Volume Set by Dennis Holran

Complete discographies on over 11,000 R&B, doo-wop, girl, early soul, and pop vocal groups, plus single artists with group backing.

The book contains information on over 36,000 songs primarily 45rpm records, but including 78rpm’s, demos, unreleased and album material primarily covering the 1940's through the mid-sixties. Information is also available on the contemporary groups that kept the sound alive from the seventies until today.

For additional information and details on buying this book, go to the book's Online Reference Guide.



The Comedian Harmonists THE COMEDIAN HARMONISTS

"The Last Great Jewish Performers In Nazi Germany"

By Doug Friedman

The remarkable and poignant story of the Comedian Harmonists, an early 1930s German singing group that was forced to disband because three of its members were Jewish. The banning of the group, which enjoyed a level of success in Europe similar to the Beatles in the 1960s, was part of the Nazis' attempt to erase all traces of Jewish life and culture from German society - an early aspect of the Holocaust....

Go to http://www.comedianharmonistsbook.com to order.

It is also available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.



Acappella Street Corner Vocal Groups ACAPPELLA STREET CORNER VOCAL GROUPS

By Abraham J. Santiago & Steven J. Dunham

This 168 page paperback book gives a historical account and complete discography of the 60's acappella singing groups.

It is the only book that has every commercial acappella recording made by street corner singers of the 60's.

It was awarded Best of 2006 Award from Soul-Patrol.com and Black Standard Music Award in 2011.

$9.95 + $4.95 shipping & handling

To read reviews, testimonials and to order, go to http://www.ricocreative.com/harmonyorder.htm



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Last Updated: 4/1/14

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