Ahhhhhh yes, another dance created by MY generation, The Post WW2 Baby Boomers ! I am so grateful for being young in those days. Love this song ! -------------MJL, 77 y/o
I think Len Barry - frequent lead singer of The Dovells - has recently left us and is now enjoying royalty in Rock and Roll Heaven. My heart is broken. I always adored that man. I think his voice was the pure essence of rock and roll. Thank you, Mr. Barry, for all the great times!! Much love and condolences to your family.
A gift for user "Absolute Perfect 500 late fifties" INME, trillions of playlists of all music ever recorded. These 500 songs will keep everyone dancing, romancing and memories galore. Simply look at the playlists of INME and enjoy eternal. Time only exists for those that think it does. INME is eternal.
No clown make-up, no gimmicky names, no overripe jokes and costumes. I’m 72. As a kid I could go to dinner shows in Lake Tahoe (most memorable, Phil Harris and on another occasion, ROGER MILLER). Real voices, real talent, lots of humor. I was 12 and so spoiled. I will never forget them😇😇R.I.P. Gentlemen🌈🥂
I had 2 older sisters who turned me on to 50's music and dance. Rock & roll on tv and radio all the time. I was 7 yrs old in 1958 and couldn't get enough of it. Buddy, Dion, Chuck and on and on.
iam a baby boomer of 1946 and I totally agree with you been to may dances love taking my dates to Steel Pier in New Jersey we did all the dances the best dancer came from Philly never got to do Bandstand but soft shoe at the Pier was just as good im certain
Len Barry, born Leonard Borisoff, the lead singer of doo-wop group The Dovells, passed away on November 5th, 2020 in Philadelphia, PA. He was 78 years old... Between 1961 and 1963 The Dovells had eight records on Billboard's Top 100 chart, two made the Top with "Bristol Stomp" being their biggest hit, it peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} in October of 1961, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Runaround Sue" by Dion... Besides "Bristol Stomp", their other Top 10 record was "You Can't Sit Down", it reached #3 {for 1 week} in June of 1963... As a solo artist, Len Barry had six Top 100 records, with one making the Top 10, "1-2-3", it peaked at #2 {for 1 week} in November of 1965, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "I Hear A Symphony" by The Supremes... May he R.I.P.
If this song doesn't get your hands clapping and your toes tapping, you're dead. Gone. Toast. You bought the farm. Even throughout the greatest three decades of dance music, pop, folk, rock (and all its babies) and soul, no other song quite matches the innocence of pre- rock-n-roll quite like this one does. A true classic.
ilovemusic..the, same with me I, was 15 when this masterpiece came out on the charts.. Now, 70 and I've played it 6 times today it still has the same effect on me, surely wish that I, could remember the the dance it was so cool..Peace ~~
I've been doing the Bristol Stomp for the past 54 years! And, yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly: Has it REALLY been 54 years? It can't be. I still feel like a teenager! I guess it's true: We Baby Boomers never grew up....and never will!!!
In Southern Indiana, in a gym the size of a convenience store....Bristol Stomp, age 14...in my black corduroy gym shoes and plaid jumper...oh my oh my.
And it was their best by far, like chubby checker trying to cash in on 1 big hit with subsequent similar themed songs. But unlike Checker, he managed to carve a Lengthly career out of singing songs about dances. He should have stopped after let's twist again and not carried on
People have short memories. This tune was written by a 17 year old black kid called Phil Upchurch in 1957 when he was in high school and it was an instrumental version that kicked ass. He became a well known jazz guitar player. Later his tune was adapted for singing by the Dovells in 1963. I love both versions. Good tunes survive many iterations and are timeless. This one is 70 yrs old.
... and I'm a young 69, a radio dj in li'l ol' New Zealand on a station where the announcers all choose the music - from 1930s onwards and for me especially lost 1960s gems like this ... let the music play ...
I feel it incumbent upon my generation and those to come to keep this music alive for all time. Learn the lyrics, study the history, honor the elderly, maybe even re -invent the fashion. Music - this is one of those things we live for.
Yeah, that's gonna go over real big. "The kids in Bristol are sharp as a whistle when they do the Bristol Stomp." Yeah you kids get some culture. They really knew how to write em.
One of the best walk-off endings you'll ever see! Love this '61 classic! Hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, in Sep. 1961, selling over a million copies and earning a gold disc. Bristol refers to Bristol, Pennsylvania a suburb of Philadelphia.
This performance is from the 1962 film, "Don't Knock the Twist". It also featured Gene Chandler performing "Duke of Earl" with a cape, monocle & cain, one of the highlights of this film. That is Len Barry singing lead. He went solo a few years later, hitting big with "1-2-3" and a few other hits.
I’m 31 and I was dancing to this song twice in the last week. They were playing it at a bar in Los Angeles (a trendier place frequented by 20 and early 30 something millennials!!) I had to show my peers how to stomp!
This song is so great. Every time it comes on in my air pods in class I have to turn up the volume. I’m obsessed with Len Barry’s voice in this song ❤❤❤🔥🔥
@dgmutch: No, I don't know the source, but the person who posted it probably knows. I only know some of his songs, and that he was with this band before going solo.
LEN BARRY I want to tell you something wherever you are. You made a record for history when you sung lead on this song. I have heard your 123 song, but this one here, BRISTOL STOMP is the one that has permanently stamped you and the group in my memory for the rest of my life. You were so handsome in that suit! I loved the moves you made singing lead here and your backing vocals were INCREDIBLE! Thank you for this great memory of my early days!!!!
When I saw your reply...I just want to tell you...Your exact statement is how I felt. I remember buying a mix of hits all together on an album in the mid 60's with the Orlons etc. and remember playing Bristol Stomp over and over.. loved his slight yodeling in the pauses. And yes I bought the Decca 45 of 1-2-3. WHAT a Voice. Read he died of bone cancer at 78. Great singer. Peace
I'm from Philly and everyone from here knows this song by heart. I've known this song as long as I remember. My grandparents loved this song and introduced me to this music when I was little. And I hope to pass it on to my future children someday.
Chorus: the kids here at Bristol are sharp as a pistol when they do the Bristol stomp really something when the joint is jumping when they do the Bristol stomp Lyrics: 1 verse: the town is spinnin every friday night they dance the greatest and they do it right but here's the latest it's the greatest sight to see Lyrics 2 verse: it started at Bristol at a dee jay hop they holler and whistle never wanting to stop we pony and twisting as we rock with Daddy G. song was in honor of Bristol ave in Philly. I'm from there originally
Great Song.....It brings back great memories when I was growing up.....GREAT TIMES... I wish I could go back to those time.....This song was a big hit in 1961.....It was number 2 on the billboard top 100.
it was June 1963, I drove my first car a1963 Chevy Impala Super Sport Silver converable out of the showroom inRutherford N.J. top down.and the Bristal Stomp blasting on the radio Long live Rock and Roll.
What an amazing clip. Heard this song on a Sirius 60's channel and can't get enough. Back in the day when singers in suits were so cool. You had to have real singing talent to make it. No electronics, just your voice. How amazing it would have been to hear them practice back in Philly!
Pie. I had two older sisters and during the 50s, when I was in elementary school, i learned a lot about the 50s rock and roll and the popular dances of those days. I have passed a lot of this on to my son and he and I are pretty good at guessing the names of old songs and who sang them. It is a lot of fun and was a blessing to have experienced this great music.
The Bristol Stomp was before my time but I enjoy the music of that era. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful song. What I found even more amazing the people sharing wonderful comments of this song. I once shared a good comment on TH-cam about another song and I was bullied. Someone who found more pleasure in bullying people than enjoying the music. It was not fun to be bullied for sharing a comment. I stopped sharing my comments on TH-cam all together. I did not think I would ever share another comment on TH-cam again. After reading so many of the comments shared by people who enjoyed the Bristol Stomp. It made me see sharing comments in a different light. I also realized that not everyone is going to bully. I want to thank everyone for sharing such beautiful comments. Especially for helping me to see that there are still nice people who share comments on TH-cam. Thank you for restoring my faith about sharing comments on TH-cam again. God bless every one of you .
+Jessica Jayne Komatsuzaki - Greetings JJ! God bless you too! Please don't let one, or even a few, adverse comments sour you on comments, commenters and commenting. No matter where you go, there are usually a few bad eggs - uncaring, or even nasty, individuals. As the old German saying proclaims - just let them slide off your back. I enjoy reading comments, making comments, and commenting on comments and commenters. Sure, I too have been maligned, but take it in stride and remember everyone is entitled to their opinion - be it good, bad or ugly. Cheers, Gary.
❤️ Love, Love ,Love This Fabulous Song and Dance Brings Back Wonderful Memories Of Those Happy Days Gone By !!! In My Neighborhood It Would Always Play At Yard Parties I Went To ! The Dovells Were Another FABULOUS GROUP That I Enjoyed Dancing To Their MUSIC 🎵🎶🎼😊
I arrived at Fort Lewis, Washington, in July 1972. I remember KJR and KTAC. I totally forgot about those two radio stations. Thanks for jarring my memory.
I haven't heard this since I was 11 in the early 60's, when I danced swing to it with my best friend up in the bedroom I shared with my little sister. It is as good as I remembered. And I'm still swing dancing!
This is the original group with five members. Not long after, they became a quartet and remained that way. One of the classics and a national hit, it's one of the best doowop dance records.
Thanks for this video. Its always great to see the original groups in suits looking and singing so classy. Great looking white guys singing a classic! Thank you so much for sharing this with people like me who remember these times and this song!
I absolutely LOVED how rock and roll Doo wop glittered, glowed and sparkled. The neon lights, well tailored styles, poodle skirts and pompadours were so very timeless. I cannot wait for the 1950s-60s to make a comeback.
Ahh that would be amazing.... I've always thought if there was a place in time where I'd want to go would be the 50s-60s. Just such an amazing cool fun time. Everything was just happy and the cars were bad ass everything was bad ass... Man I'm jealous of those who got to live in those times.....
@@Cookiemusta775 To be much more specific than the entire 1950-69 decades, go to 1955-Nov. 21, 1963. That excludes the deadly Korean-Vietnam Wars foisted on the people by the war-hawk loonies. And before the VP-Pentagon-Intelligence insiders also murdered the president because he shifted toward peaceful co-existence instead of their lust for nuclear war to mass murder tens of millions in the USSR and another 25+ million in the U.S. from retaliation. That is how insane those war-crazies seriously considered nuclear war to keep their monopoly over the world! Nothing different 59 years later from their next generation of war lunatics!
I lived that time. A dream, just a dream. 180 million less people in USA back then. Cost of living was dirt cheap. 25¢ a gallon gas ⛽. A loaf of real Wonder bread 🍞 in the plastic white bag with red blue yellow dots all over it for a measley 25¢. 5¢ candy bars, 10¢ Coke's and Pepsi's with the returnable glass bottle worth 5¢ each. 10¢ Hostess cupcakes and pies. 5¢ a scoop ice cream on a cone or cup at Thrifty's. And yes, beautiful 100% American cars on the road, in driveways and streets all over USA. Nope, never to return. Just the music, cars, relics of that time is all that's left. Not perfect but surely a much better time to live instead of 2022 and beyond. Never to return. If you lived it, you know what I mean.
@@truelies3690 Those low prices were a deliberate result of using HONEST MONEY, silver coinage, and the 'dollar' was merely a name for a specific and legal weight of gold (started in the 1792 Coinage Act), redeemable at the Treasury for 1/35th ounce. Saying it the other way, it took only 35 gold-based dollars to get one ounce of gold. After 1964. the silver was illegally removed by the 1965 Coinage Act, except for a reduction to 40% silver, from 90% in 1964, for the 1965 Kennedy Half Dollars. through 1970, when it too became only copper-clad crap. After the illegal dictator-order ending the 'dollar' as redeemable for a weight of gold on Aug. 15, 1971, the new "paper-weight dollar" was good to redeem for only more paper. The Central Bank (Federal Reserve bank cartel monopoly) was now "free" to counterfeit (create out of nothing) as many paper "dollars" as it wants, whenever it wanted! The fiat dollar was now doomed to eventual hyperinflation, contrary to the Constitution's demand that only gold and silver coin can be a [legal] tender for all debts.
@@freeguy77 Bingo! Bullseye! Correct. I lived through that whole time too. What a disgrace. No wonder everything went to the moon after 1971. Slowly but surely it got to this point in time from decade to decade to decade etc...all this time to now. 2022 forward it will get even more expensive to live in USA TITANIC! It's now sinking slowly but surely and will sink faster soon next year. Good luck all. A true disaster.
Great sound, great group. Excellent video and one of my fav R&R tunes. I do chuckle when they show a view of the audience and the older folks "enjoying" the music.
What a great performance! Those guys had some serious rhythm! Love Mr. Len Barry.especially with that cute dimple of his. I was ready to jump up and dance whlie watching this at 1:30 in the morning ! Watching this in 2019.
This guy ..this guy....Shit! This band kicked ass. What a great song. I guess the ...millennium generation doesn't care for this genre of music. Well being a nostalgic guy.. and loving old dancing music, I love this.
My late brother,who recently died at 80,used to sing this song all the time when I was a kid. I was a "'Beatles" baby and only remember this song because of that. Just a wee bit before my time but a good musical performance.
This song was way before my time, but it was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Most of the music of my era didn't move me the way music from the '50s and '60s did.
Same here. I was 16 years old in 1980 enjoying songs like this on "oldies" shows on the radio and despising the synthesizer banging computerized so called "music"(?) that my peers were programmed to like.
One of the guys in the band was later working as an accountant at one of the Philly law firms I worked at. Unfortunately, I can't figure out which one he was from this video; after all, it was nearly 25 years later!
When I was a little kid, late-80s to real; early 90s, I still heard this song on oldies stations. No stations play this anymore and kids will never hear it.I came from the last good decade for music discovery.
Unless I'm mistaken , that's Chubby Checker doing the intro and "YES" we actually did dress up to take our dates out then back in the "dark ages" (?) :)
The song was written by songwriter/producer Dave Appell after hearing about teens in Bristol, PA. who were dancing a new step they called 'The Stomp' to song titled "Everyday of the Week" by a Cincinnati doo-wop group named The Students (check it out on TH-cam). Appell then came up with "Bristol Stomp" as a result. In the 60's, Bristol had a strong Italian influence and it's thought the initial dance steps and moves may have derived from an Italian folk dance called the Pizzica.
It was 1966. Fort Eustis, Virginia (U.S. Army Transportation Corp). The manager of the Dovells was our recreation director and in they came for a stage performance singing this song.
These guys were neighborhood kids from West Philly. The short one used to jerk sodas in my Dads luncheonette. Some other neighborhood kids were Danny and the Juniors, who were famous for Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, At the Hop, etc.
This song is about teens from Bristol, PA, a Philly suburb, so the song was huge here in Philly! Stomped at dances every weekend with my girlfriends!
Thanx for that bcuz I ASSumed it was a Brit band from Bristol, UK!
Born in Bristol Pennsylvania. My father was there the night that song was made. Daddy you were awesome dancing with mommy. Class......
Ahhhhhh yes, another dance created by MY generation, The Post WW2 Baby Boomers ! I am so grateful for being young in those days. Love this song ! -------------MJL, 77 y/o
I'm 11 years old and I love this song!!! I don't see how people today hate this stuff. I would say today's music is crappy.
I think Len Barry - frequent lead singer of The Dovells - has recently left us and is now enjoying royalty in Rock and Roll Heaven. My heart is broken. I always adored that man. I think his voice was the pure essence of rock and roll. Thank you, Mr. Barry, for all the great times!! Much love and condolences to your family.
YES HE DID
He was the warm-up act for Sonny &Cher when I saw them at the Philly Convention Center c. 1965
@@ShowandTellknitting You lucky bastard. lol
I think the announcer is Chubby Checker.
Died November 2020
I'm 20 years old and LOVE this music!!! I grew up in the wrong generation! I'm an old soul for sure!!
IM 72 YEARS OLD AND PROUD OF IT ENJOYED All the great music.
повезло вам. от души.
72 huh... I'm 80 and feel the same way!
This is when people had real talent. No electronics, no mixing, just pure talent.
A gift for user "Absolute Perfect 500 late fifties" INME, trillions of playlists of all music ever recorded. These 500 songs will keep everyone dancing, romancing and memories galore. Simply look at the playlists of INME and enjoy eternal. Time only exists for those that think it does. INME is eternal.
No clown make-up, no gimmicky names, no overripe jokes and costumes.
I’m 72. As a kid I could go to dinner shows in Lake Tahoe (most memorable, Phil Harris and on another occasion, ROGER MILLER).
Real voices, real talent, lots of humor.
I was 12 and so spoiled. I will never forget them😇😇R.I.P. Gentlemen🌈🥂
I love when Len Barry does the twist. He looked so cool. Loved his unique voice as well. He was such a handsome guy. RIP Len Barry.
Its awesome cool cat
@Old PopPop head injuries galore back then. Wonder we survived our childhood....bikes, skateboards and all
I So Agree!
Had a mad crush on him.
I had 2 older sisters who turned me on to 50's music and dance. Rock & roll on tv and radio all the time. I was 7 yrs old in 1958 and couldn't get enough of it. Buddy, Dion, Chuck and on and on.
Brian: How does he even know this?
Glen: He heard it once in the car.
I came here from that
I also came here from that
@@johannschmidt3389 Bill Cipher Don't say it like that :P
Lizard King, But that's exactly what we mean 😏
family guy got me here 💪💪
Doing, the Bristol Stomp at 15, now 70 this song brings back so many great memories, a feel good song and dance.
I love it, I was still in school in 1962.. THANKS for the memories.
I AM A BABYBOOMER 1947 there will never be songs like this ever the sound music they can try but will not cut it
iam a baby boomer of 1946 and I totally agree with you been to may dances love taking my dates to Steel Pier in New Jersey we did all the dances the best dancer came from Philly never got to do Bandstand but soft shoe at the Pier was just as good im certain
The British invasion ended an era and changed US music, not always for the good. I miss the pre-Brit days.
Was born in 57. It's tough alright. One of the best!
Me too love doing the Bristol Stamp we had so many fun dances ❤❤❤❤❤
Len Barry, born Leonard Borisoff, the lead singer of doo-wop group The Dovells, passed away on November 5th, 2020 in Philadelphia, PA. He was 78 years old...
Between 1961 and 1963 The Dovells had eight records on Billboard's Top 100 chart, two made the Top with "Bristol Stomp" being their biggest hit, it peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} in October of 1961, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Runaround Sue" by Dion...
Besides "Bristol Stomp", their other Top 10 record was "You Can't Sit Down", it reached #3 {for 1 week} in June of 1963...
As a solo artist, Len Barry had six Top 100 records, with one making the Top 10, "1-2-3", it peaked at #2 {for 1 week} in November of 1965, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "I Hear A Symphony" by The Supremes...
May he R.I.P.
2022
Hometown--PHILLY! Loved doing the Bristol Stomp when I was a kid!
Didn't know he passed away. So sad and thanks for the info.
If this song doesn't get your hands clapping and your toes tapping, you're dead.
Gone.
Toast.
You bought the farm.
Even throughout the greatest three decades of dance music, pop, folk, rock (and all its babies) and soul, no other song quite matches the innocence of pre- rock-n-roll quite like this one does.
A true classic.
Dats rite!!
My hubby was from So.Philly and loved doowap. This was his favorite. I miss him but this song makes me smile with bittersweet memories. 😊
You have a real way with words. I hope you don't mind that I'm sharing your comments with other doo wop lovers. Giving you full credit every time. 🙃
Something about this song...I can't get enough of it!!
ilovemusic..the, same with me I, was 15 when this masterpiece came out on the charts.. Now, 70 and I've played it 6 times today it still has the same effect on me, surely wish that I, could remember the the dance it was so cool..Peace ~~
Same here. It just never gets old for me. It's my most treasured 45.
My favorite song when I was only about 17. No, I'm not old, 72 years young.
I would have loved to be 17 in your time. Everything must have been so much simpler.
+Integrate or Exterminate same
+Integrate or Exterminate kinda sorta but not so much If you was there you would know
+Jack A I am 71. Love the song. Grew up in Levittown!
+Connie Tucker I loved this song That summer in White Meadow Lake, Rockaway , NJ
HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 54 YEARS, I WAS DOING THE BRISTOL STOMP AT HOUSE PARTIES, WITH FRIENDS. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, MUCH LOVE
I've been doing the Bristol Stomp for the past 54 years! And, yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly: Has it REALLY been 54 years? It can't be. I still feel like a teenager! I guess it's true: We Baby Boomers never grew up....and never will!!!
Charles C I'll drink to that!!!
Rose Jackson it has been a long time, where did the time go Rose God Bless you
In Southern Indiana, in a gym the size of a convenience store....Bristol Stomp, age 14...in my black corduroy gym shoes and plaid jumper...oh my oh my.
Bonnie,
LOL. . .somehow I can see the black corduroy gym shoes & plaid jumper--it makes me smile. Love to you.
I love the Bristol stomp
The old chap in the audience was digging on it so much, I was waiting for him to fire up a doobie.
@sleepypie How did you realize that
I'm 41 but loved this song since I was a teenager. A classic.
"Bristol Stomp" reacehd #2 in the USA in the fall of 1961 for The Dovells. It was their first of eight 1961-3 dance hits.
I am 72 and where did the time go?? Any answers?/
Dale Kaiserhsot
And it was their best by far, like chubby checker trying to cash in on 1 big hit with subsequent similar themed songs.
But unlike Checker, he managed to carve a Lengthly career out of singing songs about dances.
He should have stopped after let's twist again and not carried on
I was 13 going on 14, pre beatles
People have short memories. This tune was written by a 17 year old black kid called Phil Upchurch in 1957 when he was in high school and it was an instrumental version that kicked ass. He became a well known jazz guitar player. Later his tune was adapted for singing by the Dovells in 1963.
I love both versions. Good tunes survive many iterations and are timeless. This one is 70 yrs old.
That's a different Dovells song; You Can't Sit Down. This one was written by them.
Brings back memories of the dances at the edgley firehouse at 5 points in Bristol, Pa. back in the day.
... and I'm a young 69, a radio dj in li'l ol' New Zealand on a station where the announcers all choose the music - from 1930s onwards and for me especially lost 1960s gems like this ... let the music play ...
I feel it incumbent upon my generation and those to come to keep this music alive for all time. Learn the lyrics, study the history, honor the elderly, maybe even re -invent the fashion. Music - this is one of those things we live for.
Tim and All, This Music, 'Rock N' Roll', will NEVER die.
@@mikedangelo6602 I agree, but try telling that to today's youth, that only listen to Rap, Hip Hop, and computerized DJ garbage.
Love the post. Doo wop lives in my heart and soul!
@@mikedangelo6602 I Agree totally. Long live Rock N' Roll. It will never die. Rock n' Roll will live forever.
Yeah, that's gonna go over real big. "The kids in Bristol are sharp as a whistle when they do the Bristol Stomp." Yeah you kids get some culture. They really knew how to write em.
One of the best walk-off endings you'll ever see! Love this '61 classic! Hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, in Sep. 1961, selling over a million copies and earning a gold disc. Bristol refers to Bristol, Pennsylvania a suburb of Philadelphia.
That's my understanding. Harvey Miller was the DJ who organized the dances, I believe at the Hugh Carcella Hall.
Len Barry was the most under rated lead singer of his time. Great range and vibrato. He captures what Doo wop singing is
I agree. He was the absolute essence of rock and roll. 💔
Seems like yesterday! Love the oldies
So sharp and classy the Dovells were, and Len Barry the perfect lead singer
It’s 8/25/24 from Austin,Tx 🤘🏼…great song and era! I’m 75 and still rockin to the oldies🥳🎶
Len Barry is one of the best Doo wop lead singers of all time; very underrated, great technique. Listen to that vibrato!
This performance is from the 1962 film, "Don't Knock the Twist". It also featured Gene Chandler performing "Duke of Earl" with a cape, monocle & cain, one of the highlights of this film. That is Len Barry singing lead. He went solo a few years later, hitting big with "1-2-3" and a few other hits.
I’m 31 and I was dancing to this song twice in the last week. They were playing it at a bar in Los Angeles (a trendier place frequented by 20 and early 30 something millennials!!) I had to show my peers how to stomp!
U mean clog?
Just moved to Philly from Cleveland. I didn't realize that Bristol was in PA, and now I am living about 10 miles from there! Fabulous doo wop classic.
I used to be a substitute teacher in Bristol, we lived in New Town
And I thought they were singing about Connecticut!
I thought they were referring to Bristol, VA or Bristol, TN
I always thought it was about Bristol in England. related to the British music invasion of the 1960s
Song was about thefriday night hop at bristol firehouse hosted by Joe Niagra the rocking bird from WIBG 99am in philly.
This song is so great. Every time it comes on in my air pods in class I have to turn up the volume. I’m obsessed with Len Barry’s voice in this song ❤❤❤🔥🔥
Still one of the best oldies! I’m 74 and have the 45. Heard it on WCAO AM back in the day 👍🏽
The lead singer here, Len Barry, later had a solo hit with "1-2-3" in 1965.
+lindsey lefrois thanks for sharing about Len Barry. I liked 1-2-3 as well.
He was sued by Berry Gordy I think for one of the Supreme's songs.....maybe...Ask Any Girl
You are correct. Len Berry went on to have a great solo career.
Thank you for the information on Len Barry. Love both songs!
@dgmutch: No, I don't know the source, but the person who posted it probably knows. I only know some of his songs, and that he was with this band before going solo.
I'm from Bristol Pennsylvania and to this day everyone does the Bristol stomp. Philly started rock and roll with Bill Haley and the comets.
Len's walk-off is absolutely the coolest!
LEN BARRY I want to tell you something wherever you are. You made a record for history when you sung lead on this song. I have heard your 123 song, but this one here, BRISTOL STOMP is the one that has permanently stamped you and the group in my memory for the rest of my life. You were so handsome in that suit! I loved the moves you made singing lead here and your backing vocals were INCREDIBLE! Thank you for this great memory of my early days!!!!
Len died on 11-5-20.
I guess he couldn't take Biden stealing the election.
When I saw your reply...I just want to tell you...Your exact statement is how I felt. I remember buying a mix of hits all together on an album in the mid 60's with the Orlons etc. and remember playing Bristol Stomp over and over.. loved his slight yodeling in the pauses. And yes I bought the Decca 45 of 1-2-3. WHAT a Voice. Read he died of bone cancer at 78. Great singer. Peace
You can't sit down!
RIP lead singer Len Barry
And of course he had his own hit record in 1965 with "1-2-3."
I'm from Philly and everyone from here knows this song by heart. I've known this song as long as I remember. My grandparents loved this song and introduced me to this music when I was little. And I hope to pass it on to my future children someday.
I can't make out half the lyrics. You wouldn't know all of them, would you?
Chorus: the kids here at Bristol are sharp as a pistol when they do the Bristol stomp really something when the joint is jumping when they do the Bristol stomp
Lyrics: 1 verse: the town is spinnin every friday night they dance the greatest and they do it right but here's the latest it's the greatest sight to see
Lyrics 2 verse: it started at Bristol at a dee jay hop they holler and whistle never wanting to stop we pony and twisting as we rock with Daddy G.
song was in honor of Bristol ave in Philly. I'm from there originally
Awesome! I could never make out the lyrics before. This was a great tune.
Hey GarwinEugene Wayne, it's 'not sharp as a pistol' it's 'sharp as a THISTLE'.
I beg to differ. If you Google the lyrics, every website says it's "pistol" and not "thistle". I agree that "thistle" would make more sense though.
Great Song.....It brings back great memories when I was growing up.....GREAT TIMES... I wish I could go back to those time.....This song was a big hit in 1961.....It was number 2 on the billboard top 100.
it was June 1963, I drove my first car a1963 Chevy Impala Super Sport Silver converable out of the showroom inRutherford N.J. top down.and the Bristal Stomp blasting on the radio Long live Rock and Roll.
What an amazing clip. Heard this song on a Sirius 60's channel and can't get enough. Back in the day when singers in suits were so cool. You had to have real singing talent to make it. No electronics, just your voice. How amazing it would have been to hear them practice back in Philly!
Great old school 🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶 🎶🎶🎶🎶 still listening
Pie. I had two older sisters and during the 50s, when I was in elementary school, i learned a lot about the 50s rock and roll and the popular dances of those days. I have passed a lot of this on to my son and he and I are pretty good at guessing the names of old songs and who sang them. It is a lot of fun and was a blessing to have experienced this great music.
The Bristol Stomp was before my time but I enjoy the music of that era. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful song. What I found even more amazing the people sharing wonderful comments of this song. I once shared a good comment on TH-cam about another song and I was bullied. Someone who found more pleasure in bullying people than enjoying the music. It was not fun to be bullied for sharing a comment. I stopped sharing my comments on TH-cam all together. I did not think I would ever share another comment on TH-cam again. After reading so many of the comments shared by people who enjoyed the Bristol Stomp. It made me see sharing comments in a different light. I also realized that not everyone is going to bully. I want to thank everyone for sharing such beautiful comments. Especially for helping me to see that there are still nice people who share comments on TH-cam. Thank you for restoring my faith about sharing comments on TH-cam again. God bless every one of you .
+Jessica Jayne Komatsuzaki - Greetings JJ! God bless you too! Please don't let one, or even a few, adverse comments sour you on comments, commenters and commenting. No matter where you go, there are usually a few bad eggs - uncaring, or even nasty, individuals. As the old German saying proclaims - just let them slide off your back. I enjoy reading comments, making comments, and commenting on comments and commenters. Sure, I too have been maligned, but take it in stride and remember everyone is entitled to their opinion - be it good, bad or ugly. Cheers, Gary.
Got to listen to this masterpiece while driving your 1961 Impala.
❤️ Love, Love ,Love This Fabulous Song and Dance Brings Back Wonderful Memories Of Those Happy Days Gone By !!! In My Neighborhood It Would Always Play At Yard Parties I Went To ! The Dovells Were Another FABULOUS GROUP That I Enjoyed Dancing To Their MUSIC 🎵🎶🎼😊
AH MEMORIES. WHAT AN AMAZING VOICE AND TIMING. DIDNT KNOW THEY HAD SUCH AN EXCITING STAGE PRESENCE
This song made it to number 1 on KJR radio in Seattle, Wash. when it was popular.
I arrived at Fort Lewis, Washington, in July 1972. I remember KJR and KTAC. I totally forgot about those two radio stations. Thanks for jarring my memory.
I'm now 73 I loved this song as a kid, haven't heard this in many, many years. Still sounds good!
I'm also 73, loved this in junior high school, brings back memories
@@richardwiediger7298 …
I haven't heard this since I was 11 in the early 60's, when I danced swing to it with my best friend up in the bedroom I shared with my little sister. It is as good as I remembered. And I'm still swing dancing!
Wow, great song, great voice! I never knew it was sang by Len Barry. Talent!
I always like the Dovelles. This a great song.
I could watch that 1000 times a day, what a classic and what a voice Len had not to mention the moves he had , wow glad that was my erea
This is the original group with five members. Not long after, they became a quartet and remained that way. One of the classics and a national hit, it's one of the best doowop dance records.
This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve been watching this video pretty regularly for the last 10 years. The twist
Thanks for this video. Its always great to see the original groups in suits looking and singing so classy. Great looking white guys singing a classic! Thank you so much for sharing this with people like me who remember these times and this song!
I absolutely LOVED how rock and roll Doo wop glittered, glowed and sparkled. The neon lights, well tailored styles, poodle skirts and pompadours were so very timeless. I cannot wait for the 1950s-60s to make a comeback.
Ahh that would be amazing.... I've always thought if there was a place in time where I'd want to go would be the 50s-60s. Just such an amazing cool fun time. Everything was just happy and the cars were bad ass everything was bad ass... Man I'm jealous of those who got to live in those times.....
@@Cookiemusta775 To be much more specific than the entire 1950-69 decades, go to 1955-Nov. 21, 1963. That excludes the deadly Korean-Vietnam Wars foisted on the people by the war-hawk loonies. And before the VP-Pentagon-Intelligence insiders also murdered the president because he shifted toward peaceful co-existence instead of their lust for nuclear war to mass murder tens of millions in the USSR and another 25+ million in the U.S. from retaliation. That is how insane those war-crazies seriously considered nuclear war to keep their monopoly over the world! Nothing different 59 years later from their next generation of war lunatics!
I lived that time. A dream, just a dream. 180 million less people in USA back then. Cost of living was dirt cheap. 25¢ a gallon gas ⛽. A loaf of real Wonder bread 🍞 in the plastic white bag with red blue yellow dots all over it for a measley 25¢. 5¢ candy bars, 10¢ Coke's and Pepsi's with the returnable glass bottle worth 5¢ each. 10¢ Hostess cupcakes and pies. 5¢ a scoop ice cream on a cone or cup at Thrifty's. And yes, beautiful 100% American cars on the road, in driveways and streets all over USA. Nope, never to return. Just the music, cars, relics of that time is all that's left. Not perfect but surely a much better time to live instead of 2022 and beyond. Never to return. If you lived it, you know what I mean.
@@truelies3690 Those low prices were a deliberate result of using HONEST MONEY, silver coinage, and the 'dollar' was merely a name for a specific and legal weight of gold (started in the 1792 Coinage Act), redeemable at the Treasury for 1/35th ounce. Saying it the other way, it took only 35 gold-based dollars to get one ounce of gold. After 1964. the silver was illegally removed by the 1965 Coinage Act, except for a reduction to 40% silver, from 90% in 1964, for the 1965 Kennedy Half Dollars. through 1970, when it too became only copper-clad crap. After the illegal dictator-order ending the 'dollar' as redeemable for a weight of gold on Aug. 15, 1971, the new "paper-weight dollar" was good to redeem for only more paper. The Central Bank (Federal Reserve bank cartel monopoly) was now "free" to counterfeit (create out of nothing) as many paper "dollars" as it wants, whenever it wanted! The fiat dollar was now doomed to eventual hyperinflation, contrary to the Constitution's demand that only gold and silver coin can be a [legal] tender for all debts.
@@freeguy77 Bingo! Bullseye! Correct. I lived through that whole time too. What a disgrace. No wonder everything went to the moon after 1971. Slowly but surely it got to this point in time from decade to decade to decade etc...all this time to now. 2022 forward it will get even more expensive to live in USA TITANIC! It's now sinking slowly but surely and will sink faster soon next year. Good luck all. A true disaster.
Wonderful fun recording. The lead singer - Len Barry is the total package!!! He excudes joy!
Dear Dovells. I can still do the Bristol Stomp! Your tune was superb in '61...the entire tune, a time capsule.
Great sound, great group. Excellent video and one of my fav R&R tunes.
I do chuckle when they show a view of the audience and the older folks "enjoying" the music.
Yes. The audience seems so out of touch with the music. 🤣🤣🤣
Yep I’m from south eastern PA , Philly subs and we knew this song. I’m 61 and no one any where else has heard of this great song
I'm from Bristol!
I recall the night this group sang this song for the first time on national TV...it was really cool to us jr. high schoolers....still is cool
Great lead vocal. Really brings this song to life. Always enjoyed the energy of the singer.
Len was the best. Terrific doo-wop voice.
I was 13 when this song came out...used to play it on the radio and we danced to it at Junior High school dances...yeah I'm that OLD!
What a great performance! Those guys had some serious rhythm! Love Mr. Len Barry.especially with that cute dimple of his. I was ready to jump up and dance whlie watching this at 1:30 in the morning ! Watching this in 2019.
I love this clip, it's so warmhearted and inclusive: The kids are alright, and so is Gramps diggin' it all. Hail, hail Rock 'n' Roll! And Len Barry!
This guy ..this guy....Shit! This band kicked ass.
What a great song.
I guess the ...millennium generation doesn't care for this genre of music.
Well being a nostalgic guy.. and loving old dancing music, I love this.
Very good comment, 9/10!
Danny Ruiz from z generation luv it
Danny Ruiz what do you mean, I enjoy it
It took family guy to find it, but its good
Danny Ruiz being a late 90's kid, I am ashamed of my generation. I love older mudic
Can't believe how many musicians are on stage with this band. Great Song :-)
My late brother,who recently died at 80,used to sing this song all the time when I was a kid. I was a "'Beatles" baby and only remember this song because of that. Just a wee bit before my time but a good musical performance.
Once upon a time there was talent in the pop music world.
Len Borisoff wasn't just a "looker;" when I worked with him Dick Clark told me he could also handle himself in a fight.
that came in handy when greasers came in to break up the sock hop.
THANKS FOR SHARING. THIS ONE WAS A FOOT MOVER BACK IN MY DAY. STILL A GREAT SONG.
What a great tune..I remember this as a young girl...loved it then and still love it.
I love the oldies but goodies..
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THIS SONG. GREAT DOO WOP! MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY, HAPPY! OH, HOW I MISS THOSE DAYS. TAKE ME BACK, PLEASE!!!
all those groups like them really had it together the rhythm the harmony,the band,all of it.
This reminds me of riding in my grandpa's car when I was child grooving to this tune. My grandpa is sadly in hospital but his Spirit and fun lives on.
That drummer behind Len Barry just can’t stop smiling LOL!
That's cause he knows he's not playing at all. Those drums have a silencer on them. 🤣🤣🤣
Love, love, LOVE this song! I was just a kid when it came out with older cousins who taught me the dance that went with the song.
Excellent show gentlemen! Wish I could do the Bristol stomp with you guys. What happened to good music like this? I love it!
At 74 years young I Remember this Song I was 19
I was 10 and I remember it. So awesome!!!!
Thank you for posting this song. I grew up with this music. Still love it 💞
This song was way before my time, but it was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Most of the music of my era didn't move me the way music from the '50s and '60s did.
Same here. I was 16 years old in 1980 enjoying songs like this on "oldies" shows on the radio and despising the synthesizer banging computerized so called "music"(?) that my peers were programmed to like.
One of the guys in the band was later working as an accountant at one of the Philly law firms I worked at. Unfortunately, I can't figure out which one he was from this video; after all, it was nearly 25 years later!
The band in heaven plays my favorite song. Play it over and over. Play it one more time.
💔🙏
When I was a little kid, late-80s to real; early 90s, I still heard this song on oldies stations. No stations play this anymore and kids will never hear it.I came from the last good decade for music discovery.
Yes one of our many great dances so much fun great times 😅❤
It's great to watch the whole group perform live. I remember when this was new.
Allen Murray This isn't live.
@@bruiser he ment like in there prime
The old days may be gone but not forgotten 💯👍
Unless I'm mistaken , that's Chubby Checker doing the intro and "YES" we actually did dress up to take our dates out then back in the "dark ages" (?) :)
The song was written by songwriter/producer Dave Appell after hearing about teens in Bristol, PA. who were dancing a new step they called 'The Stomp' to song titled "Everyday of the Week" by a Cincinnati doo-wop group named The Students (check it out on TH-cam). Appell then came up with "Bristol Stomp" as a result. In the 60's, Bristol had a strong Italian influence and it's thought the initial dance steps and moves may have derived from an Italian folk dance called the Pizzica.
It was 1966. Fort Eustis, Virginia (U.S. Army Transportation Corp). The manager of the Dovells was our recreation director and in they came for a stage performance singing this song.
Somebody help me! I can't stop watching these videos and I have a lot to do today!
These guys were neighborhood kids from West Philly. The short one used to jerk sodas in my Dads luncheonette. Some other neighborhood kids were Danny and the Juniors, who were famous for Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, At the Hop, etc.
That's AWESOME!!! :D
+DENNIS GREENSTEIN that is a great memory. and there are two short ones
Were they from West Phila. or Overbrook?
HAHA!
spaceage007 A "Soda Jerk" was simply someone who poured your drink straight from the soda fountain in the diner.
BROUGHTUP ON THIS CLASSIC!
Get me started on these 'oldies' & I can't leave!!