Doo Wop

Thursday, December 2, 1990

These stills were taken from a video tape aircheck of the live 4 hour Doo Wop event on WHYY-TV (Philadelphia) on December 2, 1999 from 7:30 pm until 11:30.

Ed Cunningham opening the half-hour preview show. Ed was standing on the stairs halfway up with a view of the new Civic Space (with volunteers) on the left and the actual studio on the right. In the distance is the TV Master Control. Jerry Blavat was supposed to do this opening shot but with less than 60 seconds to air, Cunningham was pressed into service.

The Geator finally shows up and joins Ed in the Civic Space.

Ed speaks with Weldon McDougal of the Larks. Eddie Holman, best known for his national hit, "Hey There, Lonely Girl" recorded with the Larks while still in high school. Holman and Gerry Wilkinson both were graduated from Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia in January of 1965. Weldon later went on to be a promotion man for Motown and later Philadelphia International Records. He also co-produced Barbara Mason's hit, "Yes, I'm Ready."

Jerry Blavat with TJ Lubinsky. TJ is the pledge producer for WQED in Pittsburgh. He also was the producer of the nationally aired PBS show, "Doo Wop 50." TJ's grandfather owned the old Savoy record label. As the stage manager counts down, Blavat and TJ continue to talk. When the count got to 2, Ed just waved "Goodbye."

To end the broadcast, WHYY's Gerry Wilkinson, came up with the idea of a group sing. The song he selected was the old Jesse Belvin tune, "Goodnight, My Love." There was magic in the air. (Singing lead was Eddie Holman, Little Isidore and Jerry Blavat).

(from left to right) Billy Jackson (of the Revels), Little Leopold and Frenchie (of Little Isidore and the Inquisitors), TJ Lubinsky, Johnny Gale (of the Inquisitors), Jerry Blavat, Sam Hart and Henry Colough (of the Revels), Eddie Holman, Little Isidore, John Jones (of the Revels) and Weldon McDougal of the Larks.

This is the WRTI Old Gang Web Site