VA - It Happened at The Hop, Edison International Doo Woppers and Sock Hoppers [2022]

SOCK-HOP

VA - It Happened at The Hop, Edison International Doo Woppers and Sock Hoppers [2022]

It Happened at the Hop is a compact yet vibrant snapshot of mid-century American teen culture, issued by Edison International, a short-lived but spirited label active in the early 1960s. This compilation gathers a clutch of rare and regional doo-wop and teen dance tracks, many of which were originally pressed in limited runs or distributed only locally, making them prized finds for collectors.

The Edison International imprint was known for its eclectic catalog, often licensing material from small studios or vanity labels. This set reflects that ethos, featuring lesser-known acts like Five Jades, Valiants, and Rhythm Kings, whose sides blend street-corner harmonies with sock-hop swagger. Tracks range from earnest ballads to uptempo boppers, often recorded with minimal production but maximum charm.

What makes this compilation notable is its preservation of pre-British Invasion American youth sound, just before surf and garage began to dominate. The fidelity varies, but the emotional immediacy is intact, these are snapshots of a vanished era, when vocal groups ruled the airwaves and every school gym could become a dancehall.

For archivists, it’s a valuable document: Edison’s catalog is thinly documented, and this set helps anchor its place in the broader doo-wop lineage. (B)

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Track list

01 Austin Sisters - It Happened at the Hop 1:57

02 Billy Bobbs and the Chips - Tiddle De Bum Bum 1:54

03 Devilles - Treat You Right 2:18

04 Linda Strangis - You, Only You 2:38

05 Five Trojans - Lola Lee 2:38

06 Four Flares - Jump Back Honey 2:30

07 Stardusters - Love Story 2:09

08 Devilles - I'll Conquer The World 2:23

09 Austin Sisters - Love Can Do Most Anything 1:44

10 Billy Bobbs and the Chips - Shim Sham 2:33

11 Nicky St. Claire - I Hear Those Bells 1:57

12 Five Trojans - Little Doll 1:50

13 Linda Strangis - Too Young 2:03

14 Four Flares - Riders in the Sky 1:50

15 Linda Strangis - Dipsy Doodle 2:36

16 Nicky St. Claire - Creator of Love 2:23

17 Stardusters - Battle of Bull Run 1:54

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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