Doo Wop

The Fascinators came together as did many others by singing on street corners in New York City (for them, that was Brooklyn). Group members were Tony Passalacqua, Angelo LaGrecca, Nick Trivatto, Ed Wheeler, and George Cernacek. In the late 1950s, Capitol Records was a label that, with a few exceptions, was not releasing much doo wop or rock and roll. (Among the exceptions were Gene Vincent and The Five Keys.) However, the manager for The Fascinators had some connections there — and the group was doing well locally. Capitol particularly wanted Passalacqua, but it was all of them or nothing. The group came out with “Chapel Bells” and “Who Do You Think You Are.”  Those are fine doo wop recordings, but they did not sell that well nationally, although they were popular locally. Promotion issues, perhaps. It’s hard to tell;  it’s a tough business.

“Oh Rose Marie” came out in 1959 and didn’t chart nationally much either. There are excellent vocals and (a sometimes-doo wop element) a  mid-song recitation of the singer’s inner thoughts and feelings. The song was written by Joseph Passalacqua, Nick Trivato, George Cernacek, Angelo LaGrecca, and Ed Wheeler. Passalacqua went on to a career on his own and with others, recording as Tony Richards, Tony Mitchell, and Tony Pass.

Here are the lyrics to “Oh Rose Marie” by The Fascinators:

“Oh Rosemarie
Please won’t you try
To give your love to me
Don’t pass me by

Oh Rosemarie
I’ve waited so long
And babe p-lease
Don’t say it’s wrong

Oh Rosemarie
I have a little vow
No other love could be
I’ll prove it now

Oh Rosemarie
I will never lie
To you eternally
My heart is tied

(Spoken)
Oh Rosemarie
For all my pleas
There’s been no answer
But heart says please

(Spoken)
On what you do
My life depends
And with your answer
Love starts or ends

Oh Rosemarie
Please won’t you try
To give your love to me
Don’t pass me by

Oh Rosemarie
I’ve waited so long
And babe p-lease
Don’t say it’s wrong

Oh Rosemarie
I have a little vow
No other love could be
I’ll prove it now

Oh oh oh …”

For More Golden Oldies Music                                

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

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