Johnny Keyes (far right) and The Magnificents

What do you know about DooWopp?

On May 29,1996, I was driving down Cicero Avenue in Chicago, on my way to get my vintage automobile evaluated because the convertible top was not working. (Naturally, I have "Doo Wopp" on my license plates.) Since I was in a bad neighborhood, I had all the windows closed, except for the vent window, which was wide open so I could get some air on this warm day.

Suddenly a van pulled up beside me, and the driver said to me, "Roll down your window!" Cautiously, I lowered my window about two inches. He said to me, "What do you know about Doo Wopp?"

Then I realized who he was and rolled down my window all the way. I said, "I know you. I met you last year at the Harmony Sweepstakes finals in Chicago. You are Johnny Keyes, the lead singer of The Magnificents! When are you playing next?"

Beaming like a proud father, he said, "July 1st at Taste of Chicago."

"I'll be there.", I said. And I was. On July 1, 1996, I went to Taste of Chicago and saw The Magnificents. What a performance! They did songs by The El Dorados, The Coasters, The Moonglows, and The Dells. They closed the show with their smash hit from 1956, "Up On a Mountain". I got my picture taken with Johnny Keyes, and we spoke of our encounter on Cicero Avenue.

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