Do Wah Diddy: The Exciting Original from the Exciters! (1963)

In 1962, Brenda Reid, Carolyn Johnson, Lillian Walker, and Herb Rooney - "The Exciters" - bursted onto the rock 'n' roll scene with a hot, electrifying tune called "Tell Him."  Bursting with soul, shaking with dynamic energy, and blowing audiences away with strong harmonies, the quartet topped the charts with a sassy, raucous sound echoing the energy of Elvis Presley and the soul of Little Richard.  "Tell Him," still a classic today, became famous for the melody's energetic delivery (provided by lead singer Brenda Reid), high-hitting harmonies, and a strong instrumental accompaniment.



The following year, legendary songwriters Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry introduced a new song to the quartet.  Intended as a follow-up to their recent massively-successful hit for the Crystals, "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Do Wah Diddy" was structured similarly, with a nonsensical title, catchy melody, and strong harmonies.  With Brenda Reid on lead again, the song, like "Tell Him," begins and ends with frenetic energy and a pulsating rhythm section.  Combined with Reid's soaring, soulful lead, the group's joyous background harmonies, and the pounding, syncopated rhythm of the drums, "Do Wah Diddy" promised to be another chart-smasher for the group.

However, history had other plans...


Released in late 1963, the song's rise to the top of the charts was halted by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.  The devastation and grief that swept the nation killed any material unfortunate enough to be released at that time - including the now-classic A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records.  Topping off at #78, the performance of "Do Wah Diddy" was a major disappointment for the group and the song's songwriters.

However, once the song dropped off the charts and the nation's grief subsided, the song would find success again - but for another group.

Undoubtedly the most recognizable performance of the song is the record by Manfred Mann.  Originally a blues group from England, this white, male group stormed the charts with a reduction of the Exciters' original - background harmonies reduced to a unison, rhythms subdued, and melodies more contained.  Since then, the song has been covered by countless artists, but the influence in these covers solely belongs to Manfred Mann.  Only in Reparata and the Delrons' cover can the Exciters' influence be heard.


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I've known of Manfred Mann's version for many years, but have only come across the Exciters' original within the last year.  I always thought Manfred Mann's version was OK, but once I heard the Exciters' version, I was completely blown out of the water.  No longer can I listen to Manfred Mann's rendition without comparing it to the glory that is the Exciters' soulful performance.  Listen for yourself.  Pay particular attention to the switch in rhythm, which calls upon the jubilant syncopation of the black gospel tradition, in the song's final chorus.