The Platters were one of those rare groups of the Fifties that were liked by the kids and were also liked by the parents. Rock and roll was, after all, a rebellion of sorts. It was a whole new style … Continue reading →
We continue with more “firsts.” “Rock and Roll Waltz” was the first number one song in the rock era by a female. It was the first number one to have the phrase “rock and roll” in it’s title and it … Continue reading →
We have made it to 1956. “Memories Are Made of This” was the first number one of 1956. By then, Dean Martin was a household word in America. He was born Dino Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio in 1917. He started … Continue reading →
How well I remember “Tennessee” Ernie Ford. He was an actor that could sing and a singer that could act. He had his own television show and he had one of the biggest hits of 1955. His famous line was … Continue reading →
“Autumn Leaves” is the first number one instrumental of the rock era. The melody was originally written in France by Joseph Kosma and was called “Les Feuiles Mortes” which means “Dead Leaves.” I guess that describes autumn leaves pretty well. … Continue reading →
“Love is a Many Splendored Thing” was the first song in the rock era written exclusively for a movie that reached number one. It was, of course, written for the movie by the same name Love is a Many Splendored … Continue reading →
In 1955, performers could see the writing on the wall. All of the so-called “Rhythm and Blues” artists such as Fats Domino and Chuck Berry were starting to cross over into the pop world. Fats Domino wrote the song “Ain’t … Continue reading →
Believe it or not, “The Yellow Rose of Texas” was written during the Civil War in 1853. No one knows who actually wrote the song. All we know is that his initials were “J. K.” It was a favorite of … Continue reading →
The influences of the Big Band Era were still strong in 1955. Rock and roll hadn’t caught on yet and the crooners of the Forties were still very popular. It would be another six or eight months before Elvis Presley … Continue reading →
Bill Haley was born William John Clifton Haley Jr in Highland Park, Michigan on July 6th, 1925. When he was seven, he and his family moved to Delaware where he taught himself how to play the guitar using one made … Continue reading →