The History of Doo Wop, Part 2: One Hit Wonders

In the 1950s and 60s, many doo wop groups signed with small, independent labels who did not promote them after their one big hit.

These groups became known as one-hit wonders.

In this course, we take a close-up look at some of them, with inside stories about how they formed, handled their success as well as loss of fame, and the stories behind their hit songs.

Some artists and songs we discuss include: The Five Satins’ “In the Still of the Night,” The Penguins’ “Earth Angel,” Rosie and the Originals’ “Angel Baby,” Shep and the Limelites’ “Daddy’s Home,” The Tokens’ “Lion Sleeps Tonight,” The Teddy Bears’ “To Know Him is to Love Him,” The Tune Weavers’ “Happy Happy Birthday, Baby,” and Kathy Young and the Innocents’ “A Thousand Stars.”