Harmonies that hearken us back

Monday, Nov. 12, 2007 | 7:08 a.m.

What: Cool Bobby B Doo Wop Convention

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, reception and sock hop Friday

Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, amateur doo-wop contest and car show

7 p.m. Saturday, concert featuring 19 groups.

Where: Alexis Park Resort, 375 E. Harmon Ave.

Tickets: All events pass $129 in advance and $149 at the door; $60 for the sock hop only; $75 for the final concert only

More info: 796-3300 or (513) 307-4429

Jimmy Castor - "I Promise to Remember"

Harvey Fuqua and the Moonglows - "Sincerely," "Ten Commandments of Love"

The Fleetwoods starring Gretchen Christopher - "Come Softly to Me," "Mr. Blue"

Lewis Lymon - "I'm So Happy," "Honey Honey"

Chaperones - "Cruise to The Moon"

Jimmy Pipkin of the Gallahads - "I'm Without a Girl Friend," "Lonely Guy"

The Capris - "There's a Moon Out Tonight," "Morse Code Of Love"

The Elegants - "Little Star," "Little Boy Blue"

The Olympics - "Big Boy Pete," "Western Movie"

The Pentagons - "To Be Loved," "She's Mine"

Little Caesar and the Romans - "Those Oldies but Goodies"

The Edsels featuring the Reynolds Brothers - "Rama Lama Ding Dong"

The Murmaids - "Popsicles and Icicles"

Philly Cuzz - "One Summer Night"

Doo-wop lives.

Born on the street corners of Philadelphia and New York City in the late '40s and early '50s, the music with the pleasing harmonies still has fans.

About 1,000 of them are expected to attend the second Cool Bobby B Doo Wop Convention Friday and Saturday at the Alexis Park Resort.

That's about triple the number who attended the first convention at Sunset Station last year.

"All other kinds of music have gatherings - country, rap, pop. All have various conventions where people get together who like that kind of music," says organizer Bob Backman, also known as Cool Bobby B. "But doo-wop never had anything where people from all over the world get together to share their love of the music."

Backman, 58, is host of the nationally syndicated show "Doo Wop Stop," which can be heard locally on XM satellite radio.

"In 1960 there was a doo-wop revival on radio and I got hooked on it," Backman says by phone from Philadelphia. "I never progressed past 1963 as far as music goes. I stuck with it."

Backman, 58, moved around the country managing TV and radio stations for 32 years.

But doo-wop was always a passion. Recently retired, he now devotes most of his time to the music.

"My goal is to keep the spirit alive," he says.

Which is why he created the convention, which includes a major concert featuring 19 groups Saturday night, an amateur contest during the day Saturday, a sock hop featuring at least six groups Friday night, autograph signings, mixing with the performers and other events.

"It's more than just a concert, though a huge concert is involved," Backman said. "People will be coming from all over the world to meet the artists and talk about the music."

Among highlights of the evening will be a performance by Harvey Fuqua, a founding member of the Moonglows, who were the premiere vocal group at Chicago's legendary Chess Records in the '50s.

"Harvey Fuqua is legendary, and hardly ever does performances," Backman says.