The Kenny Vance Oldies Music Lyrics to "Looking For An Echo" was
written by Richard Reicheg. The song was released as an Atlantic records
single in 1975.
In 2000, this song was used as the basis for the movie "Looking For An Echo," about a Doo-Wop star years after his fame has faded.
Kenny Vance recorded a new version of the song with his group The Planotones, and recorded the soundtrack to the movie. The
song tells the nostalgic story of a Doo-Wop group who were always
looking for a good place to sing - somewhere with a good echo to enhance
their sound.
They are older, somewhat wiser and looking back at the hands life has dealt them.
The
lead character is a middle-aged widower looking back with tinges of
regret at his abandoned musical career, a former neighborhood idol and
lead singer in his moderately successful doo-wop band.
But instead of pursuing stardom, he married and got a job as a bartender in order to support his three kids.
Yes we were blessed to live during the time when everyone was listening for an echo. Life was in harmony with the groups and music around us.
If
you're a fan of 50s-60s style street corner singing and have never
heard Kenny Vance and the Planotones, you are in for a pleasant
surprise.
With Doo-wop verses like;
We practiced in a subway,
In a lobby or a hall
Crowded in a doorway
Singing "doo wops" to the wall
How could you not want to listen to this Doo-wop classic? Enjoy...
When I originally heard Kenny Vance and The Planotones sing "Echo" for the first time I was at a loss for words to express my feelings when I ran across an Amazon review of the album "Countdown To Love."
I was looking for a Kenny Vance vinyl album with the song "Looking for An Echo" when I noticed a well written review by James Ellis.
His wording was so much in line with what I was thinking and why I believe all the talented entertainers from the 50s-60s Doo-Wop area separate themselves from today's irritating mumble jumble.
"This is real talent here. No studio gimmicks. No hiding behind noise from screaming guitars, unnecessary drumming etc.
Kenny Vance & his vocalists bring back the real talent. He sings. His back up sings.
There
was a time when the ability to sing was mandatory. Kenny & his team
bring that to life everytime they step up to a microphone.
They
can put down their instruments and just sing such harmony, you can just
hear the blending beautiful harmony, and drift away.
I
just sit there in total awe listening. This is music at its very very
best. No profanity. No noise. Just human beings using their voices with
decency making real music. Thank you Kenny." James Ellis....
When
I was introduced to Kenny's music by a fan I began listening to this
wonderful group and "Echoed" the words of James Ellis....I too was in
awe of Kenny's immense talent and the beautiful harmony provided by The
Planotones.
At the end of this video The Planotones jump into a
short verse of "Darling Lorraine" to close out the show. You can view
my complete story and video of the "Darling Lorraine" original artists here.
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At Erasmus Hall High School
We used to harmonise
Me and Benny and Aaron
And two Italian guys
We were singing oldies
But they were newies then
And today when I play my old 45's
I remember when
We practiced in a subway,
In a lobby or a hall
Crowded in a doorway
Singing "doo wops" to the wall
And if we went to a party
And they wouldn't let us sing
We'd lock ourselves in the bathroom
And nobody could get in
'Cause we were looking for an echo
An answer to our sound
A place to be in harmony
A place we almost found
Ooooh
And the girls would gather 'round us
And our heads would really swell
We'd sing songs by the moonglows,
The Harptones and the Dells
And when we sang sincerely,
We really sang it high
And even though it was falsetto
We almost reached the sky
We've sung a lot of changes
Since 1955
And a lot of bad arrangements
We tried to harmonise
Now we've turned into oldies
But they were newies then
And today when I play my old 45's
I remember when
We were looking for an echo
An answer to our sound
A place to be in harmony
A place we almost.......
looking for an echo
An answer to our sound
A place to be in harmony
A place we almost......
Found.....
Ooohhhhhhhhhh
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A remarkable true story and memories of this seldom played classic from 1959. Read the Darling Lorraine story.