From Peyton Manning commercials to "The Music Man," barbershop quartets have been a pop culture staple for decades. The whimsical pop culture references belie a serious tradition of pitch-perfect a cappella singing that dates back to the 19th century. When Manning portrayed a squeaky-voiced singer in a straw hat as a joke in a 2015 DirecTV commercial, it stirred up controversy within the barbershop community.
From Peyton Manning commercials to "The Music Man," barbershop quartets have been a pop culture staple for decades. The whimsical pop culture references belie a serious tradition of pitch-perfect a cappella singing that dates back to the 19th century. When Manning portrayed a squeaky-voiced singer in a straw hat as a joke in a 2015 DirecTV commercial, it stirred up controversy within the barbershop community.
From Directv
Jimmy Fallon (second from right) sings barbershop versions of rock, hip-hop and R&B hits with a quartet called the Ragtime Gals that's made multiple appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Wearing comically colorful jackets and matching hats, the Ragtime Gals have been joined by such guest vocalists as Justin Timberlake, Kevin Spacey, Sting and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Their repertoire includes Timberlake's "SexyBack," "Talk Dirty" by Jason Derulo, "Roxanne" by the Police and Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have my Money."
Jimmy Fallon (second from right) sings barbershop versions of rock, hip-hop and R&B hits with a quartet called the Ragtime Gals that's made multiple appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Wearing comically colorful jackets and matching hats, the Ragtime Gals have been joined by such guest vocalists as Justin Timberlake, Kevin Spacey, Sting and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Their repertoire includes Timberlake's "SexyBack," "Talk Dirty" by Jason Derulo, "Roxanne" by the Police and Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have my Money."
NBC/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Homer Simpson crooned a hit song, "Baby on Board" with a barbershop group called the Be Sharps in a 1993 episode of "The Simpsons." The episode follows the quartet, featuring Homer, Apu, Barney and Principal Skinner, as their tune climbs the pop charts and wins them Beatles-like celebrity. Fame is followed by discord after Barney begins making music with his girlfriend, a performance artist. The episode featured a Ringo Starr cameo and "Baby on Board" was performed by a real-life barbershop quartet, the Dapper Dans of Disneyland.
Homer Simpson crooned a hit song, "Baby on Board" with a barbershop group called the Be Sharps in a 1993 episode of "The Simpsons." The episode follows the quartet, featuring Homer, Apu, Barney and Principal Skinner, as their tune climbs the pop charts and wins them Beatles-like celebrity. Fame is followed by discord after Barney begins making music with his girlfriend, a performance artist. The episode featured a Ringo Starr cameo and "Baby on Board" was performed by a real-life barbershop quartet, the Dapper Dans of Disneyland.
From FX
A barbershop quartet creates a surreal scene in a 1990 episode of "Twin Peaks," humming softly in the background while FBI Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) discusses zen and the art of solving murder mysteries over breakfast with a colleague (Miguel Ferrer).
A barbershop quartet creates a surreal scene in a 1990 episode of "Twin Peaks," humming softly in the background while FBI Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) discusses zen and the art of solving murder mysteries over breakfast with a colleague (Miguel Ferrer).
From CBS
Will Ferrell (far left) and Jimmy Fallon far right) got decked out in straw hats and striped vests to sing an ironically chirpy song about workplace hostility in a 2001 "Saturday Night Live" sketch. The song centered on a mean-spirited boss nicknamed Passive Aggressive Pam.
Will Ferrell (far left) and Jimmy Fallon far right) got decked out in straw hats and striped vests to sing an ironically chirpy song about workplace hostility in a 2001 "Saturday Night Live" sketch. The song centered on a mean-spirited boss nicknamed Passive Aggressive Pam.
Norman Ng/NBC/Getty Images
The award-winning Main Street Quartet from Florida made a splash with a medley of not-so-old chestnuts by Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Pink during the 2015 International Barbershop Convention. The video of their performance went viral on YouTube, with more than 700,000 views. Questioning how the music of today will sound to listeners decades from now, the medley was built around a 1963 song by the Osmond Brothers, "These Will be the Good Old Days."
The award-winning Main Street Quartet from Florida made a splash with a medley of not-so-old chestnuts by Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Pink during the 2015 International Barbershop Convention. The video of their performance went viral on YouTube, with more than 700,000 views. Questioning how the music of today will sound to listeners decades from now, the medley was built around a 1963 song by the Osmond Brothers, "These Will be the Good Old Days."
Courtesy Main Street
The Dapper Dans of Disney World, self-described as the finest barbershop ensemble in a two block radius on Main Street, U.S.A., deliver pun-laden wordplay and tap dancing medleys to entertain guests. The group has been a Disney theme park staple dating back to 1959, when they began performing at Disneyland in California. They've been strutting down Main Street at Disney World since the park opened in 1971.
The Dapper Dans of Disney World, self-described as the finest barbershop ensemble in a two block radius on Main Street, U.S.A., deliver pun-laden wordplay and tap dancing medleys to entertain guests. The group has been a Disney theme park staple dating back to 1959, when they began performing at Disneyland in California. They've been strutting down Main Street at Disney World since the park opened in 1971.
PETER COSGROVE/AP
The Buffalo Bills, a quartet from Buffalo, New York, that won a gold medal at an international barbershop competition in 1950, was tapped to appear on Broadway in the original 1957 stage production of "The Music Man." They reprised their role in the 1962 movie version of the musical.
The Buffalo Bills, a quartet from Buffalo, New York, that won a gold medal at an international barbershop competition in 1950, was tapped to appear on Broadway in the original 1957 stage production of "The Music Man." They reprised their role in the 1962 movie version of the musical.
Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
The Chordettes, an all-female a cappella group founded by the daughter of a barbershop singer, topped the pop charts in 1954 with a dreamy tune, "Mr. Sandman," featuring dulcet four-part harmonies. The group scored a second smash hit with their 1958 take on the Ronald & Ruby song, "Lollipop."
The Chordettes, an all-female a cappella group founded by the daughter of a barbershop singer, topped the pop charts in 1954 with a dreamy tune, "Mr. Sandman," featuring dulcet four-part harmonies. The group scored a second smash hit with their 1958 take on the Ronald & Ruby song, "Lollipop."
Michael Ochs Archives/Michael Ochs Archives