The Monotones

The Monotones

The Monotones are a Newark, New Jersey doo-wop group active from 1955 to 1962. The lineup includes Warren Davis, George Malone, Charles Patrick, James Patrick, John Ryanes, Warren Ryanes and Frank Smith.

The group forms in 1955, when seven singers from the same housing project in Newark begin performing cover versions of popular doo-wop songs. Charles Patrick sings lead, Warren Davis is first tenor, George Malone second tenor, John Smith bass, John Ryanes second bass, and Warren Ryanes baritone; James Patrick, Charles Patrick’s brother, joins at the start but leaves soon after formation.

The Monotones are best known for (Who Wrote) The Book of Love, their only song to achieve major popularity. They record it in 1957, and it reaches number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958. The group becomes known as a one-hit act, and later releases do not match that success.

The Monotones disband in 1962. After the split, surviving members meet several times to perform or revive Book of Love.

Don McLean refers to The Book of Love in his 1971 song American Pie as a symbol of the innocence of 1950s rock and roll culture.