PHILADELPHIA, PA. (Top40 Charts/ Delaware River Waterfront) The 6th annual Philadelphia Doo Wop Festival returns to Penn's Landing on Saturday,
September 17, 2011 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. To celebrate the music, Speedo and The Cadillacs will headline a spectacular line-up of local and nationally-known Doo Wop artists on the RiverStage, located at the Great Plaza, on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street. Don't miss this opportunity to hear some of the greatest names in Doo Wop for FREE during this fabulous event produced by the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service Education Center.
In the mid 1950s, the Doo Wop music genre emerged from the streets of northeastern American cities. Hundreds of groups were formed on street corners and front stoops and all one needed was a voice to create beautiful music. With its harmonies and themes love and life, this music holds a special place in history.
While entrance into the Philadelphia Doo Wop Festival is FREE, donations will be accepted for the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service Education Center. This non-profit organization aims to provide employment, training, and related educational services to all facets of the community, especially Veterans, regardless of their station in life. In addition, they offer social and human services, counseling, and referrals to less fortunate clients experiencing barriers in finding their way back into the mainstream of society.
The Philadelphia Doo Wop Festival featured talent:
SPEEDO AND THE CADILLACS
CORNERSTONE featuring the Golden Voice of Harry Schmitt
THE LARKINGS
QUIET STORM
VIC DONNA GROUP
NOW & THEN
MEN of JUBILEE
the legendary NEIGHBORS COMPLAINT
FRANK LAFARO
SPEEDO AND THE CADILLACS
The Cadillacs were one of the premier African American rhythm and blues vocal groups of the 1950s. They were one of the first vocal groups to use elaborate choreography in their stage shows. The Cadillacs got their start in 1953 in the Harlem section of New York. The group includes lead tenor Earl "Speedo" Carroll, bass Bobby Phillips, and baritone Gary K. Lewis.
The group has performed all across the United States and Europe and has won many awards including the 1996 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award. Speedo and the Cadillacs put on a great show with the energy, flash, and finesse.
CORNERSTONE (FEATURING GOLDEN VOICE HARRY SCHMIDT)
Cornerstone is a group of five gentlemen with deep roots in the original Philly Doo Wop scene. Lead singer Harry Schmidt is a local Philadelphia legend nicknamed "The Golden Voice" .Some of their hits include, "When I Woke Up This Morning," "Gloria My Love," and "Have You No Heart."
THE LARKINGS
The LarKings were formed in 1961 in Williamsburg and Ridgewood Brooklyn, NY. Since making their debut at the United Group Association, they are one of the most popular vocal groups specializing in recreating the distinctive sounds of the Moonglows and Nutmegs. Their smooth voices have twice won them the Lead East Vocal Group Acappella Competition. The LarKings were also part of 1994 The United Group Harmony Association Hall of Fame Group which backed up Harold Jaynes, and now the Nutmegs.
QUIET STORM
Based in Philadelphia, Quiet Storm is a vocal harmony group specializing in classic and contemporary Rhythm and Blues and Soul. Founded in 2007, the group's aim is to bring back music that speaks of love from the heart. Quiet Storm is Kamau "Smitty" Akibu, "Marti" Bentley, "Ramon" Bentley, Richard "Rich" Hildegard, and Vincent "Vinnie" Tucker. Quiet Storm has performed in and around the Philadelphia area in festivals and on the radio.
For more information on the festival and performers visit www.phillydoowopfestival.org.
Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without the continued support of corporate partners such as PECO, Verizon, Wells Fargo, Pennsylvania Lottery, Coca-Cola Refreshments- Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.
The 2011 Summer Program of Free Events at Penn's Landing is funded and produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC). All events produced by DRWC are FREE to the public on the new RiverStage at the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premier Delaware River waterfront entertainment destination. The DRWC is a nonprofit corporation created in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop, and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia. DRWC is transforming the waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia.
For more information and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit: www.delawareriverevents.com. This website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors plan to easily park, play, and stay all day at Penn's Landing.
