I’m recalling historical debates. I suspect there are similar debates today among, say, melodic heavy metal fans. Still, despite their popularity, white Doo Wop groups paled in comparison with the black groups, and Danny and many other mediocrities would have been nowhere without Dick Clark.
Frankly, I’m surprised at the ranking, but then, as my dad said, if it’s popular, there must be something wrong with it. Popular taste is popular taste. And Dion and the Belmonts were much, much better.
Follow the Rock--The Bay Bops (1958)
For the record, I never liked Pat Boone much. Sounded too much like the regular pop singers who sang the standards I hated at that time. Ditto for all the milquetoast “rockers” who took over in the early sixties after the initial rock and rollers died or flamed out. I liked the little rougher, bluesier type rock and rollers for the most part. Early Elvis over late Elvis. But I still like some of garage-sounding bands as simple as they were.