Neo-Doo Wop

End of a long day and I settle into the recliner to wind down with one of the esoteric channels that are worth the cost of electricity. And there it is, the Doo Wop Preservation League.

Ah, my kind of sound, with all it evokes. But wait, it’s not about that. Even better, it’s about a place that engendered all that was good and fun about the era. Wildwood, New Jersey. Or, “The Wood,” as we referred to it in my callow youth.

For a summary, listen to Bobby Rydell’s “Wildwood Days.” Bob Ridarelli, as he was known around the neighborhood where he played with a number of street corner groups. He would know about The Wood.

I previously blogged about The Wood and it’s nice to know that it holds a special place for many. Special enough for them to bring it back from the brink. I was there three years ago and the old magic was beginning to lose out to weekend condos.

But, the art deco/50s architecture is back with renovated and new motels. Not that we ever stayed in them. We were more the ten teenagers in a $10 boardinghouse room types. But, who stayed in the room?

Days were for the beach and nights were for parties. “Under the Boardwalk” (The Drifters) was a celebration of the weekend down the shore, far from the bonds of adult supervision. The spirit was somewhat recaptured by “Eddie and the Cruisers” and the rendition of “Wild Summer Nights.”

I don’t know if the movement (http://www.doowopusa.org/) will register enough with more recent generations to sustain the effort. But, I’ll be making the pilgramage to this beachside mecca and a contribution to their economy.

This time, in a motel.