DOO WOP IN THE DESERT  


Herman Santiago is one of the founders and only original member of “Frankie Lyman and The Teenagers”. Lyman passed away years ago, but The Teenagers still tour and perform their oldies but goodies hits across the country. They were among several acts performing at Doo Wop in the Desert Concert, which was held at Las Vegas’ Alexis Park Hotel on Saturday July 19, 2008.

Herman Santiago

When I asked Santiago what advice you can give newcomers in the music business, he answered, “The best advice I can give them is try and bring more melody in their music. There are hardly any melodies in the music of today.”

The concert featured plenty of great melodies by some of best performers doing Doo Wop music today. The audience included fans from all over who grew up with, loved and continually love the music genre of the early 60’s. Those performing were Kenny Vance and the Planotones, The Chiffons, The Storytellers, Las Vegas own Goodfellas, The Royals of San Diego and of course The Teenagers. Sammy Sax (the first saxophonist on Saturday Night Live) and the MD’s featuring Leslie Anderson and vocalist Denise Sergi.

(L) Denise Sergi & (R) Leslie Anderson

Judy Craig is the only the only original member remaining of The Chiffons. When I asked her about being a female in early rock and roll, she said, “We had a good time”. The Chiffons now include Craig, her daughter and niece. They seem to have a great time on stage. The audience loved them as well as the rest of the performers.

Judy Craig (center) and The Chiffons

Current members of The Teenagers besides Santiago include New York’s legendary disc jockey, Bobby Jay. The group also includes Timothy Wilson, also known as the original “Tiny Tim” and Dickie Harmon, former lead singer of The Del Vikings and now lead vocalist of The Teenagers.

The Teenagers

Las Vegas has several Doo Wop groups. One of the cities favorite’s the Goodfellas wowed the audience with their own driving, yet mellow brand of music. Tony Sacca, Las Vegas singer, radio host and Las Vegas’ Entertainment Ambassador joined The Goodfellas on stage for a song.

The Goodfellas with Tony Sacca (Grey Suit)

The audience also embraced performances by Kenny Vance and The Teenagers, the Royals of San Diego an a cappella Doo Wop group, and The Storytellers a West Coast group that have been performing for 50 years. The only negative part of the concert was the malfunctioning sound system which annoyed both performers and audience with distracting screeches, feedback noises, and a mike that wasn’t working properly.

Doo Wop in the Desert is an organization formed to keep this music genre alive by providing concert performances of Doo Wop music and also establish a Doo Wop in the Desert Hall of Fame. The first inductees being honored were Rich Rosen who is the owner of Wax Trax Records and also radio host of two Doo Wop music shows in Las Vegas; Frankie Lyman’s Teenagers, The Storytellers and The Chiffons.

For more information about Doowop in the Desert go to http://www.doowopinthedesert.com