The Do's & The Don'ts Classic 50s & 60s Rock 'n' Roll Menu
Among the Earliest Rock 'n' Roll Bands in Iowa's Music Scene — Our Story
This history of The Do's & Don'ts is reprinted with permission from the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame 1997 Yearbook.
The Do's & Don'ts, originally known as The Escorts, are one of Iowa's longest-performing rock and roll bands. Formed in 1959 in Eastern Iowa, the band helped introduce live rock and roll throughout the region, recorded nationally on Red Bird Records, was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, and continues performing classic 1950s and 1960s music today.
Timeline
1959 — The Escorts formed in Eastern Iowa by Dick Sherman, Roger Booth, and Dick Burns.
1962 — Zelda Sherman officially joined as keyboard player, becoming one of Iowa's first female rock keyboard players.
1966 — Signed by Red Bird Records (New York) and released “I Wonder If She Loves Me,” written by Roger Booth.
1966 — Changed the band's name to The Do's & Don'ts at the urging of Red Bird Records.
1997 — Inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Today — The band continues performing throughout Eastern Iowa with Dick Sherman, Zelda Sherman, Rick Sherman, John Shaw, and Diane Shaw.
The Escorts/The Do's & The Don'ts were inducted into the Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame in 1997. When the original group, which included Dick Sherman (bass guitar), Roger Booth (drums and lead vocals), and Dick Burns (lead guitar), started in 1959 nobody knew that they would make Iowa rock music history.
They were one of the first professional bands in Iowa to play Rock N Roll music. They were also the first one in the state to feature a female keyboard player in what was mostly an all-male music business. Dick Sherman and Zelda Sherman are husband and wife. Zelda officially joined in 1962 on keyboard, but traveled everywhere with the band from the beginning.
The Escorts' first official date was playing in the store window for the grand opening of the Montgomery Wards' store in Washington, Iowa. They didn't stay long in the Wards' window, as The Escorts quickly became Eastern Iowa's #1 touring and recording rock music attraction.
The Escorts from 1962 to 1966; name changed to The Do's & Don'ts in 1966
Hit Single Recording
In 1966 they were signed to New York's Red Bird Records label and quickly came out with I Wonder If She Loves Me, written by Roger Booth. It was listed in the Spotlight Singles of the July 2, 1966, issue of Billboard Magazine. The Red Bird Records label was sold in 1966 and they stopped pressing copies of “I Wonder If She Loves Me.” Since there were no records available to sell it didn't chart as high as it might have if there had been more records pressed. It was with the release of this record that The Escorts changed their name to The Do's & The Don'ts at the urging of the record label.
Awards
For ten years straight they won an award from the National Ballroom Operators Association for having a band of neat appearance, providing a wholesome form of entertainment and top quality of danceable music. In 1965 and 1966 they won awards for being Iowa's Best Dressed Band. They appeared with such groups as Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, The Four Seasons, Tommy James & The Shondells, The Everly Brothers, Dickey Lee, and Gary Lewis & The Playboys.
Original Rock N Roll Records
In all, The Escorts later known as The Do's & The Don'ts released twelve records during their career, the most by any Iowa rock and roll band during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. These original recordings are now available on CD or MP3 download at The Escorts/Do's & Don'ts CD.
Current Members of the Band
Pictured Left to Right:
John Shaw – Electric Guitar, Vocals
Diane Shaw – Vocals
Rick Sherman – Drums, Vocals
Zelda Sherman – Keyboards, Piano, Organ
Dick Sherman – Bass Guitar, Vocals
The Do's & The Don'ts continue to perform in Eastern Iowa, playing great 50s & 60s Rock N Roll. See their current schedule. The current lineup features original member Dick Sherman (bass guitar and vocals) and his wife, Zelda Sherman (keyboards). Joining them are Rick Sherman, their son, who has played drums and provided vocals for over 50 years, and John Shaw on lead guitar and vocals, along with his wife, Diane Shaw on vocals. Listen to a live recording made in 2004 at Do's & Don'ts 45 Years Live CD.
Sad note: Roger Booth, the original drummer, lead singer, and songwriter, passed away in 2010. Dick Burns, the original lead guitar player, passed away in 1984. Larry Smith, who played trumpet and keyboard with the band for many years, passed away in 2001. Frank Glaser who played lead guitar for over 30 years retired in January of 2015. Thank you — we will always remember you for the music you shared with us.
Recent Festivals, Celebrations and Ballroom Dances
Clutier's Bohemian Plum Festival, Clutier, Iowa
Reliving Those Good Ol' Days at the Hi-Way Gardens, Standwood, Iowa
HyVee Music Night, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Solon American Legion for Solon Beef Days Inside, Solon, Iowa
New Year's Eve Extravaganza 2004, Zazza's Clarion Hotel, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Lincoln Highways Days, Clarence, Iowa
Old Settler's Days, Salem, Iowa
Sauerkraut Days, Blairstown, Iowa
Festival of Trails Celebration, La Porte City, Iowa
St. Jude's Sweet Corn Festival, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
St. Joe's Fun Days, Marion, Iowa
1998 Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame Concert & Tour
Dance Mor Ballroom, Swisher, Iowa
Val Air Ballroom, Des Moines, Iowa
Laramar Ballroom, Fort Dodge, Iowa
Summer Dance Party, Electric Park Ballroom, Waterloo, Iowa (helped raise $5,000 for the Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association)
1997 Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, The Roof Garden, Arnolds Park, Iowa
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were The Escorts?
The Escorts were an Iowa rock and roll band formed in 1959 in Eastern Iowa. In 1966 they changed their name to The Do's & Don'ts after signing with Red Bird Records in New York.
When were The Do's & Don'ts formed?
The original band formed in 1959 in Eastern Iowa as The Escorts. They became The Do's & Don'ts in 1966.
Why did the band change its name from The Escorts to The Do's & Don'ts?
Red Bird Records in New York suggested the name change when releasing their 1966 single “I Wonder If She Loves Me,” written by Roger Booth.
Are The Do's & Don'ts still performing?
Yes. The Do's & Don'ts continue to perform classic 1950s and 1960s rock and roll throughout Eastern Iowa. Current members include Dick Sherman (bass guitar and vocals), his wife, Zelda Sherman (keyboards), their son, Rick Sherman (drums and vocals), John Shaw (electric guitar and vocals), and John's wife Diane Shaw (vocals).
What is The Do's & Don'ts best-known recording?
Their best-known recording is “I Wonder If She Loves Me,” written by Roger Booth and released on Red Bird Records in 1966. It was listed in the Spotlight Singles section of the July 2, 1966 issue of Billboard Magazine.
When were The Do's & Don'ts inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
The Do's & Don'ts, originally known as The Escorts, were inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Who is Zelda Sherman?
Zelda Sherman is the keyboard player for The Do's & Don'ts. She officially joined the band in 1962 and is recognized as one of Iowa's first female rock keyboard players. She is married to original member Dick Sherman and continues to perform with the band today.
The Legacy of The Do's & Don'ts
More than six decades after forming as The Escorts in 1959, The Do's & Don'ts remain one of Iowa's longest-running rock and roll bands. Their induction into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their nationally released recordings on Red Bird Records, and their continuing live performances have made them an important part of Iowa music history.
Historical Source: This biographical article was originally published in the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame 1997 Yearbook following the band's induction. It is reprinted here with full permission.
(Source: Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association's Hall of Fame 1997 Yearbook) An earlier article about The Escorts/Do's & Don'ts was first published on the Internet in 1996 at www.channel21.com/music/escorts.