“Doo Wop at the South Philly Stringband Club”
Honors Its Founders and Staff
The founders
and staff of the “Doo Wop at the South Philly Stringband Club” were honored
this Veterans Day (September 11, 2009) when the members of the audience gave
them a surprise testimonial. Expecting the usual Wednesday night acappella-fest,
Bobby Buerklin, Eddie Natale and all the others who work tirelessly to keep
our music alive in Philadelphia, were stunned to see no less than seven
acappella groups arrive to sing for the packed club. After the first
acappella group sang, Billy Kane and Dennis B. (the Doo Wop Cop) called Bobby
Buerklin, Eddie Natale, Joe Mehl, Camille, Maryanne and King Arthur & the
Queen to the front where they were honored with gifts and praise. Missing was
Jimmy DePre who didn’t arrive until later.
We’ve tried
to capture the excitement of that night with the photos below. Most of all,
we at Classic Urban Harmony want to express our gratitude to Bobby, Eddie,
Joe, Camille, Maryanne, King Arthur, Janet and Jimmy and all who have helped
them make “Doo Wop at the South Philly Stringband Club” such a success. What
started as Bobby Buerklin’s and Eddie Natale’s dream has turned into one of
the most important venues for doo wop acappella singing in the area.
Street Corner Five, the featured
group of the evening, started off the evening with some fine acappella.
Led by Rich Giresi and Jim Bakay, the group scored with the Paradons'
"Diamonds And Pearls," Chris Kenner's "I Like It Like That," and the Dubs'
ballads, "Don't Laugh At Me" and "Down Down Down I Go."
Street Corner Five
Pam & Street Corner Five's
Jim Bakay
Billy Kane then took the microphone and asked Bobby Buerklin
and Eddie Natale to come forward. Before the tribute was completed,
Bobby, Eddie, Joe Mehl, Camille, Maryanne, King Arthur & Janet (The Queen)
were all honored.
Left to right: Billy Kane,
Dennis B. (the Doo Wop Cop),
Eddie Natale, Camille, Bobby Buerklin
Bobby Buerklin
Eddie Natale
Left to right: Maryanne,
Billy Kane, Dennis The Doo Wop Cop, Eddie Natale,
Camille, Bobby Buerklin, King Arthur, Janet (the Queen).
U.S. Congressman Robert A,
"Bob" Brady (far right)
presenting awards
After the testimonial part of the evening, the acappella group
Quiet Storm came on and sang three fabulous numbers, including "Never Let Me
Go" and the Autumns song, "Thank You Pretty Lady."
Quiet Storm
Up next were the Destinations. They
were originally scheduled to be the night's featured group, but had to step
down due to the illness of one of their members. With the help of two
stand-ins, the Destinations were still able to perform a couple tunes,
including "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "When we Get Married." The
Destinations will be the featured group at the next (December 9) Doo Wop at
the South Philly Stringband Club show.
The Destinations
Original Destination' Jerry
Udder and Charlie
The Norristones, who recently released their first CD,
performed next. With John Jones leading, the Norristones did "Lovey
Dovey." Ron Selix led on "Lost Love."
Charlie & Norristones' John
Jones
Nostalgia Five did a nice job
on songs like "Man Oh Man" and "In The Morning."
Nostalgia Five
Jimmy (DePre) and the Four Seniors (Bobby Buerklin, Joe Mehl,
John Paloney and Dave Moore) sounded good on "Pennies From Heaven" and "Could
This Be Magic."
Jimmy & the Four Seniors
Street Corner Five came back on for a second set, with Smitty
from Quiet Storm doing the bass. The final group of the night was One
More Time, featuring Jack Strong who played guitar as well as sang.
One More Time
Dennis the Doo Wop Cop,
Dave Moore, Bill Keith
Congressman Bob Brady with
Pam & Charlie
Parktowns' Rob Frantz,
Charlie, Val Shively
Charlie & Bill Keith
King Arthur, Janet (the
Queen), Congressman Bob Brady
Val Shively, Quiet Storm'
Smitty, Pam, Charlie, Dennis the Doo Wop Cop
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2009. All
Rights Reserved.
![[New!]](images/smallnew.gif){kind=small}