Showing posts with label music in the 50s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music in the 50s. Show all posts
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Billboard Top Ten of the 1950's
The Top 10 Songs of the 1950’s are a mixture of sweet melody and the origins of Rock N’ Roll. Poodle Skirts sway to the Top 10 songs on jukeboxes in every malt shop across the country as “Squares” and “Drapes” face off. Here's a list of the Billboard Top Ten Songs for every year of the 1950’s as well as offer a few music history tidbits from the gone but never forgotten era.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1950
1. Daddy's Little Girl - Mills Brothers
2. Mona Lisa - Nat King Cole
3. Music! Music! Music! - Teresa Brewer
4. The Tennesse Waltz - Patti Page
5. A Bushel and a Peck - Perry Como and Betty Hutton
6. Rag Mop - Ames Brothers
7. If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd Have Baked A Cake - Eileen Barton
8. Harbor Lights - Sammy Kaye
9. Goodnight, Irene - Gordon Jenkins and the Weavers
10. I Wanna Be Loved - the Andrews Sisters
“Guys and Dolls” opens on Broadway in 1950.
Patti Page becomes the first artist to have a Number One record on the Pop, R&B and Country charts concurrently.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1951
1. Mockingbird Hill - Patti Page
2. Cry - Johnny Ray
3. Too Young - Nat King Cole
4. Cold, Cold Heart - Tony Bennet
5. Come On-a My House - Rosemary Clooney
6. Because of You - Tony Bennet
7. Sentimental Journey - Les Brown & the Ames Brothers
8. That's My Boy - Stan Freburg
9. Be My Love - Mario Lanza
10. Sixty Minute Man - Billy Ward and His Dominoes
Walt Disney's "Alice In Wonderland", released in 1951, brought us such children’s hits as "All in a Golden Afternoon", "I'm Late," and "The Unbirthday Song".
Singer Dinah Shore begins her first tv show, The Dinah Shore Show, in November.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1952
1. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
2. Blues In the Night - Rosemary Clooney
3. High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) - Frankie Lane
4. You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford
5. It's In The Book - Johnny Standley
6. A Guy Is A Guy - Doris Day
7. Please, Mister Sun - Johnny Ray
8. Wheel of Fortune - Kay Starr
9. Heart and Soul - Four Aces
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Guy Mitchell
On March 21st, 1952 the first ever reported Rock and Roll riot breaks out at Alan “Mondog” Freed's “Moondog Coronation Ball” in Cleveland, Ohio.
On October 7, 1952 “Bob H orn's Bandstand” has its first broadcast on a local Philadelphia, Pennsylvania station. It is later renamed “American Bandstand”.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1953
1. That's Amore - Dean Martin
2. The Doggie In The Window - Patti Page
3. Vaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford
4. Your Cheatin' Heart - Hank Williams
5. Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett
6. I've Got The World On A String - Frank Sinatra
7. You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford
8. I Believe - Frankie Laine
9. South Of The Border - Frank Sinatra
10. Stranger In Paradise - Tony Bennett
Elvis first visit to a recording studio was in the summer of 1953 where he recorded "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin”.
Frank Sinatra began recording at Capital Records in 1953.
On a sad note, country legend Hank Williams passed away this year on January, 1st.
Billboards Top Ten Songs of 1954
1. Shake Rattle and Roll - Bill Haley and The Comets
2. Young At Heart - Frank Sinatra
3. Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) - The Crew-Cuts
4. Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney
5. Mr Sandman - The Chordettes
6. Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - Spaniels
7. Stranger In Paradise - Tony Martin
8. Three Coins In The Fountain - Al Alberts & Four Aces
9. Oh! My Papa - Eddie Fisher
10. Naughty Lady of Shady Lane - Ames Brothers
In 1954 Bill Haley and His Comets recorded the song “Rock Around the Clock”, which was later used as the theme song for the movie “The Blackboard Jungle.
Two major events in Elvis Presley’s life happened in 1954. On July 5 he had his first commercial recording session at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and on October 16 he made his first appearance on a radio program in Shreveport, Louisiana called the Louisiana Hayride.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1955
1. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
2. Sincerely - the McGuire Sisters
3. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
4. Sixteen Tons - Ernie 'Tennessee' Ford
5. Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing - Four Aces
6. The Yellow Rose of Texas - Mitch Miller
7. Ballad of Davey Crockett - Bill Hayes
8. Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams
9. Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber
10. Dance With Me Henry (Wallflower) - Georgia Gibbs
On January 14, 1955, Alan “Moondog” Freed, produces the first Rock N’ Roll concert in New York.
On October 15th, 1955 future star Buddy Holly open for Elvis in a concert as part of a local duo called “Buddy and Bob”. Other future legends that started their career this year were: Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard and John Coltrane.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1956
1. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
2. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
3. Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell
4. The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
5. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
6. Rock and Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
7. The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter
8. Memories Are Made Of this - Dean Martin
9. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
10. My Prayer - the Platters
Buddy Holly's first recording session for Decca Records take place in Nashville, Tennessee on January 26th, 1956.
On January 28, 1956.Elvis Presley debuts on national television on “The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show” and then he signs a three picture deal with Paramount Pictures on April 6th.
On July 9 1956 “American Bandstand” with Dick Clark as host airs.
The start of other musical careers that are contributed are attributed to 1956 are: Aretha Franklin, Gene Vincent, The Coasters, Charlie Rich, Bobby Darin and Willie Nelson.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1957
1. All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
2. Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone
3. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
4. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
5. April Love - Pat Boone
6. Young Love - Tab Hunter
7. Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
8. Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers
9. Wake Up Little Susie - the Everly Brothers
10. You Send Me - Sam Cooke
“Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Será, Será)” sung by Doris Day in the Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Man Who Knew Too Much”wins the Academy Award for Best Song in 1957.
On January 6, 1957 Elvis Presley made his last appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, under the name “Tom and Jerry” begin their recording career with Sid Prosen of Big Records.
On March 19, 1957 Elvis Presley purchases “Graceland” in Memphis, Tennessee.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1958
1. At The Hop - Danny and the Juniors
2. It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards
3. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
4. All I Have To Do Is Dream - the Everly Brothers
5. Tequila - the Champs
6. Don't - Elvis Presley
7. Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) - Domentico Modugno
8. Sugartime - the Mcguire Sisters
9. He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands) - Laurie London
10. The Chipmonk Song - The Chipmonks
On March 24 1958 Elvis Presley enters the U.S. Army.
The Bee Gees and Marvin Gaye began performing in 1958.
On February 14, 1958 the Iranian government bans Rock N’ Roll claiming that the music is against the concepts of Islam and is also a health hazard.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1959
1. Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
2. The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
3. Venus - Frankie Avalon
4. Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
5. The Three Bells - The Browns
6. Lonely Boy - Paul Anka
7. Come Softly To Me - the Fleetwoods
8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - the Platters
9. Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell
10. Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny
11. Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison
12. A Big Hunk O' Love - Elvis Presley
13. Mr. Blue - the Fleetwoods
14. Why - Frankie Avalon
15. The Happy Organ - Dave 'Baby' Cortez
As we come to the end of an era, three major players in shaping the decade, as well as the Top 10 Songs of the 1950’s, also perish. On February 3rd, 1959 Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson “The Big Bopper”, die in a plane crash in Iowa. The world was mourning as they faced the societal changing years ahead, the 1960’s.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1950
1. Daddy's Little Girl - Mills Brothers
2. Mona Lisa - Nat King Cole
3. Music! Music! Music! - Teresa Brewer
4. The Tennesse Waltz - Patti Page
5. A Bushel and a Peck - Perry Como and Betty Hutton
6. Rag Mop - Ames Brothers
7. If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd Have Baked A Cake - Eileen Barton
8. Harbor Lights - Sammy Kaye
9. Goodnight, Irene - Gordon Jenkins and the Weavers
10. I Wanna Be Loved - the Andrews Sisters
“Guys and Dolls” opens on Broadway in 1950.
Patti Page becomes the first artist to have a Number One record on the Pop, R&B and Country charts concurrently.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1951
1. Mockingbird Hill - Patti Page
2. Cry - Johnny Ray
3. Too Young - Nat King Cole
4. Cold, Cold Heart - Tony Bennet
5. Come On-a My House - Rosemary Clooney
6. Because of You - Tony Bennet
7. Sentimental Journey - Les Brown & the Ames Brothers
8. That's My Boy - Stan Freburg
9. Be My Love - Mario Lanza
10. Sixty Minute Man - Billy Ward and His Dominoes
Walt Disney's "Alice In Wonderland", released in 1951, brought us such children’s hits as "All in a Golden Afternoon", "I'm Late," and "The Unbirthday Song".
Singer Dinah Shore begins her first tv show, The Dinah Shore Show, in November.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1952
1. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
2. Blues In the Night - Rosemary Clooney
3. High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) - Frankie Lane
4. You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford
5. It's In The Book - Johnny Standley
6. A Guy Is A Guy - Doris Day
7. Please, Mister Sun - Johnny Ray
8. Wheel of Fortune - Kay Starr
9. Heart and Soul - Four Aces
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Guy Mitchell
On March 21st, 1952 the first ever reported Rock and Roll riot breaks out at Alan “Mondog” Freed's “Moondog Coronation Ball” in Cleveland, Ohio.
On October 7, 1952 “Bob H orn's Bandstand” has its first broadcast on a local Philadelphia, Pennsylvania station. It is later renamed “American Bandstand”.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1953
1. That's Amore - Dean Martin
2. The Doggie In The Window - Patti Page
3. Vaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford
4. Your Cheatin' Heart - Hank Williams
5. Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett
6. I've Got The World On A String - Frank Sinatra
7. You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford
8. I Believe - Frankie Laine
9. South Of The Border - Frank Sinatra
10. Stranger In Paradise - Tony Bennett
Elvis first visit to a recording studio was in the summer of 1953 where he recorded "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin”.
Frank Sinatra began recording at Capital Records in 1953.
On a sad note, country legend Hank Williams passed away this year on January, 1st.
Billboards Top Ten Songs of 1954
1. Shake Rattle and Roll - Bill Haley and The Comets
2. Young At Heart - Frank Sinatra
3. Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) - The Crew-Cuts
4. Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney
5. Mr Sandman - The Chordettes
6. Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - Spaniels
7. Stranger In Paradise - Tony Martin
8. Three Coins In The Fountain - Al Alberts & Four Aces
9. Oh! My Papa - Eddie Fisher
10. Naughty Lady of Shady Lane - Ames Brothers
In 1954 Bill Haley and His Comets recorded the song “Rock Around the Clock”, which was later used as the theme song for the movie “The Blackboard Jungle.
Two major events in Elvis Presley’s life happened in 1954. On July 5 he had his first commercial recording session at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and on October 16 he made his first appearance on a radio program in Shreveport, Louisiana called the Louisiana Hayride.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1955
1. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado
2. Sincerely - the McGuire Sisters
3. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
4. Sixteen Tons - Ernie 'Tennessee' Ford
5. Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing - Four Aces
6. The Yellow Rose of Texas - Mitch Miller
7. Ballad of Davey Crockett - Bill Hayes
8. Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams
9. Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber
10. Dance With Me Henry (Wallflower) - Georgia Gibbs
On January 14, 1955, Alan “Moondog” Freed, produces the first Rock N’ Roll concert in New York.
On October 15th, 1955 future star Buddy Holly open for Elvis in a concert as part of a local duo called “Buddy and Bob”. Other future legends that started their career this year were: Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard and John Coltrane.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1956
1. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
2. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
3. Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell
4. The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
5. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
6. Rock and Roll Waltz - Kay Starr
7. The Poor People of Paris - Les Baxter
8. Memories Are Made Of this - Dean Martin
9. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
10. My Prayer - the Platters
Buddy Holly's first recording session for Decca Records take place in Nashville, Tennessee on January 26th, 1956.
On January 28, 1956.Elvis Presley debuts on national television on “The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show” and then he signs a three picture deal with Paramount Pictures on April 6th.
On July 9 1956 “American Bandstand” with Dick Clark as host airs.
The start of other musical careers that are contributed are attributed to 1956 are: Aretha Franklin, Gene Vincent, The Coasters, Charlie Rich, Bobby Darin and Willie Nelson.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1957
1. All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
2. Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone
3. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
4. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
5. April Love - Pat Boone
6. Young Love - Tab Hunter
7. Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
8. Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers
9. Wake Up Little Susie - the Everly Brothers
10. You Send Me - Sam Cooke
“Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Será, Será)” sung by Doris Day in the Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Man Who Knew Too Much”wins the Academy Award for Best Song in 1957.
On January 6, 1957 Elvis Presley made his last appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, under the name “Tom and Jerry” begin their recording career with Sid Prosen of Big Records.
On March 19, 1957 Elvis Presley purchases “Graceland” in Memphis, Tennessee.
Billboard Top Ten Songs of 1958
1. At The Hop - Danny and the Juniors
2. It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards
3. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
4. All I Have To Do Is Dream - the Everly Brothers
5. Tequila - the Champs
6. Don't - Elvis Presley
7. Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) - Domentico Modugno
8. Sugartime - the Mcguire Sisters
9. He's Got The Whole World (In His Hands) - Laurie London
10. The Chipmonk Song - The Chipmonks
On March 24 1958 Elvis Presley enters the U.S. Army.
The Bee Gees and Marvin Gaye began performing in 1958.
On February 14, 1958 the Iranian government bans Rock N’ Roll claiming that the music is against the concepts of Islam and is also a health hazard.
Billboard Top 10 Songs of 1959
1. Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
2. The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
3. Venus - Frankie Avalon
4. Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
5. The Three Bells - The Browns
6. Lonely Boy - Paul Anka
7. Come Softly To Me - the Fleetwoods
8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - the Platters
9. Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell
10. Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny
11. Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison
12. A Big Hunk O' Love - Elvis Presley
13. Mr. Blue - the Fleetwoods
14. Why - Frankie Avalon
15. The Happy Organ - Dave 'Baby' Cortez
As we come to the end of an era, three major players in shaping the decade, as well as the Top 10 Songs of the 1950’s, also perish. On February 3rd, 1959 Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson “The Big Bopper”, die in a plane crash in Iowa. The world was mourning as they faced the societal changing years ahead, the 1960’s.
Music While At Bartow High School - 1950s
I graduated in June 1959. The music I enjoyed during 1953-1959 was rock and roll that you could dance to and slow ballads so you could dance close to someone. In the beginning the big deal was going to the Bartow Civic Center every Friday and Saturday night to meet your friends to dance to the jukebox. We had a great woman chaperon who fed the juke box all night until 11:00 pm. It cost all of .50 cents to a dollar and you got your hand stamped. If you left, you could not come back in. No drinking, smoking or drugs. They also had billiards, but music and dancing was a big thing. We all loved it.
Mother and Daddy would drop me off and pick me up. Sixth through nineth grades were the most popular with dancing. The boys loved it too. The jukebox was great. 45's were popular and the songs were great. Bill Haley and The Comets were also a popular group. I can't remember all the names but I know them when they are played. Maybe Eddie can help me out with the names that were so popular in the '50s.
The kids in high school loved the rock and roll and the love songs. Slowly, in high school, drinking started showing up at the dances and smoking. Slowly the dances started using local bands to play, and it became more expensive to come. Slowly, over time students lost interest and did things more private and probably more against the law. By then, I was going steady with Eddie. We went steady for 5 years, and then he went into the military some months later. We got married and moved away for 5 years. We were into music in a big way. I really liked dancing.
Elvis and many other rock and rollers were becoming popular with the kids. Not so much with the parents. Elvis was just so sexy and he got the kids moving, sometimes in ways parents weren't happy with, but I loved it. I actually saw Elvis on the stage at the Lakeland, FL theater downtown. He was in his early years, just starting. He wore his fancy outfit and everyone just loved him. I must have been in Jr High. I can still remember him up there singing. We were lucky and didn't know it. The Beatles were really more popular in the 60s. I was already out of school and married by then.
Mother and Daddy would drop me off and pick me up. Sixth through nineth grades were the most popular with dancing. The boys loved it too. The jukebox was great. 45's were popular and the songs were great. Bill Haley and The Comets were also a popular group. I can't remember all the names but I know them when they are played. Maybe Eddie can help me out with the names that were so popular in the '50s.
The kids in high school loved the rock and roll and the love songs. Slowly, in high school, drinking started showing up at the dances and smoking. Slowly the dances started using local bands to play, and it became more expensive to come. Slowly, over time students lost interest and did things more private and probably more against the law. By then, I was going steady with Eddie. We went steady for 5 years, and then he went into the military some months later. We got married and moved away for 5 years. We were into music in a big way. I really liked dancing.
Elvis and many other rock and rollers were becoming popular with the kids. Not so much with the parents. Elvis was just so sexy and he got the kids moving, sometimes in ways parents weren't happy with, but I loved it. I actually saw Elvis on the stage at the Lakeland, FL theater downtown. He was in his early years, just starting. He wore his fancy outfit and everyone just loved him. I must have been in Jr High. I can still remember him up there singing. We were lucky and didn't know it. The Beatles were really more popular in the 60s. I was already out of school and married by then.
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