The Do’s & The Don’ts
Classic 50s to 80s Rock ‘n’ Roll
The Do’s & The Don’tsClassic 50s to 80s Rock ‘n’ Roll |
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Home > The Escorts / Do’s & Don’ts History
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The Do’s & Don’ts History — The Escorts: 1959 to Today |
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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 Iowa City, Iowa, the band helped introduce live rock and roll throughout the region, recorded nationally on Red Bird Records in 1966, was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, was inducted into the Midwest All-Music Association (MAMA) Eastern Iowa Hall of Fame in 2026, and continues performing classic 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s music today across Eastern Iowa. A 1959 Beginning: Formation in Iowa City, First Job in WashingtonIn 1959, Dick Sherman, Dick Burns, and Roger Booth were students at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Dick Sherman founded The Escorts, one of Eastern Iowa’s earliest professional rock and roll bands. The band’s first public engagement was at the grand opening of the Montgomery Ward store in Washington, Iowa. The young musicians performed in the store’s front window. Contemporary and later newspaper accounts repeatedly identify the Montgomery Ward grand opening in Washington as the group’s first job. Why Four Iowa Cities Appear in Historical AccountsHistorical articles sometimes describe The Escorts as being from Iowa City, Washington, Cedar Rapids, or Ely. These descriptions refer to different stages of the band’s history rather than different bands.
These geographic descriptions can therefore all be reconciled: formed in Iowa City in 1959, first performed in Washington, connected to Cedar Rapids in the band’s early years, and based in Ely since 1963. |
The Escorts, later known as Do’s & Don’ts, 1962 to 1966, before and during their 1966 name change. Pictured (left to right): Dick Burns, Roger Booth, Dick Sherman, with Zelda Sherman in the back row. |
The Original EscortsThe original group consisted of Dick Sherman on bass guitar, Dick Burns on lead guitar, and Roger Booth on drums and lead vocals. Dick Sherman is the founder of The Escorts. Dick and Zelda Sherman married in 1960. Zelda traveled with the band from its early days and officially joined The Escorts as keyboard player in 1962, becoming one of Iowa’s first female rock keyboard players. Cedar Rapids and the 1959 Booking PhotographThe original 1959-era photograph of The Escorts is an especially important piece of surviving historical evidence. The photograph itself contains the band’s booking address: 2228 Bowling St. S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This documents the Sherman family’s early Cedar Rapids connection. The photograph is preserved on this website and should be read together with the family history: Dick and Zelda married in 1960, lived in Cedar Rapids, and moved to Ely in 1963. 1963: Dick and Zelda Sherman Move to ElyIn 1963, Dick and Zelda Sherman moved from Cedar Rapids to Ely, Iowa, approximately ten miles away. They have lived in Ely ever since. Ely therefore became the Sherman family’s long-term home and the band’s continuing home base. A Long Iowa Rock & Roll CareerThe Escorts quickly became one of Eastern Iowa’s leading touring and recording rock and roll attractions. The band performed throughout Iowa and appeared with nationally known acts including The Everly Brothers, The Four Seasons, Tommy James & The Shondells, Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs, Dickey Lee, and Gary Lewis & The Playboys. AwardsFor 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. Original Rock N Roll RecordsIn all, The Escorts, later known as The Do’s & The Don’ts, released twelve records during their career — more than any other Iowa rock and roll band during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. These original recordings are now available on CD or MP3 download at The Escorts/Do’s & Don’ts CD. |
The Escorts started in 1959, Zelda joined in 1962. Original photograph shows booking address: 2228 Bowling St. S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
1966: The Escorts Become The Do’s & Don’ts — Red Bird RecordsIn 1966, The Escorts signed with New York’s Red Bird Records. The label released the band’s recording I Wonder If She Loves Me, written by original member Roger Booth. With the release of the record, Red Bird Records urged the band to change its name from The Escorts to The Do’s & Don’ts. The recording was listed in the Spotlight Singles section of the July 2, 1966 issue of Billboard Magazine, page 52 — giving the band a nationally documented recording credit that remains part of Iowa music history. The single reached the local top ten on multiple Midwest radio stations:
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1997: Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame InductionIn 1997, The Do’s & Don’ts — originally known as The Escorts — were inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park, Iowa, among the first bands ever to receive that honor. The band appeared on the 1998 Iowa Rock N Roll Music Association Hall of Fame Concert & Tour, performing at the Dance Mor Ballroom in Swisher, the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines, and the Laramar Ballroom in Fort Dodge. 2026: MAMA Eastern Iowa Hall of Fame InductionThe Do’s & Don’ts are proud to announce our induction into the Midwest All-Music Association (MAMA) Eastern Iowa Hall of Fame, joining the 2026 inductee class of Phil Thomas, Country Tradition, Eddie Piccard, Carol Montag, Neal Schwarting, Joyce Rublack, and Maxine Mast. The induction ceremony and Show & Dance will take place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Elks Lodge #251, 801 33rd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This honor marks nearly three decades between Hall of Fame recognitions — 1997 Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and now 2026 MAMA Eastern Iowa Hall of Fame — confirming The Do’s & Don’ts as one of Eastern Iowa’s most enduring and recognized musical institutions. |
Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction, 1997. |
Current Members of the BandThe Do’s & The Don’ts continue to perform in Eastern Iowa, playing great 50s, 60s & 70s Rock N Roll. See their current schedule. The current lineup features:
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. Music We PlayThe Do’s & Don’ts perform classic rock and roll oldies from the golden era of American music. Their live set draws from the greatest artists of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s including:
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Pictured Left to Right: |
Recent Festivals, Celebrations and Ballroom Dances
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The Escorts were an Iowa rock and roll band formed in 1959 by Dick Sherman, Dick Burns, and Roger Booth while they were University of Iowa students in Iowa City. Their first public engagement was at the Montgomery Ward grand opening in Washington, Iowa. In 1966 they changed their name to The Do’s & Don’ts after signing with Red Bird Records in New York.
The original members were Dick Sherman (bass guitar, founder), Dick Burns (lead guitar), and Roger Booth (drums, lead vocals, and principal songwriter). Zelda Sherman officially joined as keyboard player in 1962, becoming one of Iowa’s first female rock keyboard players.
The original band formed in 1959 in Iowa City as The Escorts. Dick and Zelda Sherman lived in Cedar Rapids after their 1960 marriage and moved to Ely in 1963. The band became The Do’s & Don’ts in 1966 when they signed with Red Bird Records.
Red Bird Records in New York suggested the name change from The Escorts to The Do’s & Don’ts when releasing their 1966 single “I Wonder If She Loves Me,” written by Roger Booth.
Their best-known recording is “I Wonder If She Loves Me,” written by original member 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, page 52, and reached the local top ten on multiple Midwest radio stations: #4 on KIOA Des Moines, #6 on KCRG Cedar Rapids, #6 on WAKX Duluth, and #4 on WEBC Duluth. The Do’s & Don’ts released twelve records in total during their career — more than any other Iowa rock and roll band of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
The Do’s & Don’ts perform classic 50s to 80s rock and roll oldies. Their live set includes songs by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson, Carl Perkins, Del Shannon, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, early Beatles, and early Rolling Stones. They also perform their own 1966 Red Bird Records single “I Wonder If She Loves Me.”
The Do’s & Don’ts regularly perform at Baxa’s Sutliff Store and Tavern in Lisbon, the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post #460 in Solon, and Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford. They have also performed at the Green Castle Aero Club in Oxford, Shuey’s Restaurant & Lounge in Cedar Rapids, and hundreds of festivals, ballrooms, and community events throughout Eastern Iowa since 1959.
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 founder Dick Sherman and continues to perform keyboards, piano, and organ with the band today.
The current members are Dick Sherman (bass guitar, vocals, founder), Zelda Sherman (keyboards, piano, organ), Rick Sherman (drums, vocals — son of Dick and Zelda), John Shaw (electric guitar, vocals), and Diane Shaw (vocals — wife of John Shaw).
The Do’s & Don’ts, originally known as The Escorts, were inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park, Iowa. They were among the first bands ever honored with that distinction.
Yes. The Do’s & Don’ts were inducted into the Midwest All-Music Association (MAMA) Eastern Iowa Hall of Fame in 2026, joining Phil Thomas, Country Tradition, Eddie Piccard, Carol Montag, Neal Schwarting, Joyce Rublack, and Maxine Mast. The induction ceremony and Show & Dance took place on October 11, 2026, at Elks Lodge #251, 801 33rd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Yes. The Do’s & Don’ts continue to perform classic 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s rock and roll throughout Eastern Iowa. See their current schedule for upcoming show dates.
Contact Dick Sherman at (319) 848-4913. The band is available for festivals, county fairs, anniversary parties, corporate events, class reunions, American Legion dances, senior center events, sock hops, and private parties throughout Eastern Iowa.
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 Billboard-charted recording on Red Bird Records in 1966, their induction into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, their induction into the MAMA Eastern Iowa Hall of Fame in 2026, and their continuing live performances across Eastern Iowa have made them an enduring and important part of Iowa music history.
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Historical Sources: This page brings together the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Music Association’s 1997 Hall of Fame Yearbook, historical newspaper accounts, surviving band photographs and memorabilia, and firsthand family history provided by founder Dick Sherman and his family. Historical sources are identified as such; firsthand family history is identified separately. For more information on the history of Iowa music, visit the official Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Music Association Hall of Fame. (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. |
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The Do’s & Don’ts
For bookings contact Dick Sherman 650 Palisades Access Road — Ely, Iowa 52227 Phone: (319) 848-4913 E-mail: www.EscortsDosDonts.com Top of Page Copyright © 2000-2026 The Do’s And The Don’ts — All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Site Map |
