Sultry Saxophone

“Harlem Nocturne”

1939-1980s

The Viscounts’ 1959
sax-powered instrumental
gave old tune new life.

No.1 R&B Hit

“Love is Strange”

1956-2007

Mickey & Sylvia’s hit song
has 1987 pop encore
in “Dirty Dancing” film.

1950s R&B Rocker

“Fats Domino”

1950s-2000s

“Boogie-woogie” pianist
helps invent rock `n roll;
becomes nat’l sensation.

Rock `n Roll Rising

“Rock Around The Clock”

Bill Haley: 1951-1981

Bill Haley & Comets
become major force in
1950s rock `n roll.

Late ’50s Beginnings

“1960s Girl Groups”

1958-1966

The innocent & upbeat
“girl group” sound began
in the late `50s.

1950s Doo-Wop

“Dion DiMucci”

1950s-2012

Dion & Belmonts score
hits w/ “Wonder Why” and
“Teenager in Love.”

1950s TV Dance Show

“American Bandstand”

1956-2007

Dick Clark’s “American
Bandstand” brought 1950’s
music to millions via TV.

Danny & The Juniors

“At The Hop”

1957-1958

“At The Hop” got a
boost from Bandstand;
hit No.1, sold 2 million.

1950s Radio DJ

“Moondog Alan Freed”

1951-1956

He coined the term
“Rock ‘n Roll” & gave
exposure to R&B artists.

Finding His Audience

“Elvis on the Road”

1955-1956

Elvis Presley’s concert
tour, w/town-by-town
itinerary, southeast U.S.

Versatile Entertainer

“Dream Lover”

1962 & 1988

Bio of Bobby Darin,
who had six Top 40
pop hits in 1958-59.

Coal Mining Song

“Sixteen Tons”

1955-1956

Tennessee Ernie Ford’s
“sold-my-soul” song
tops the charts.

1958 Hit Song

“To Know, Know Him”

1958-2010

Phil Spector, before
the Wall of Sound,
as Teddy Bears singer.

Seattle Soft Rock

“Come Softly To Me”

1959-1963

In 1959, The Fleetwoods
scored big with two
No. 1 “soft pop” hits.

Newsreel/Commentary

“Drew Pearson on Elvis”

1956: Video

National newsman
reviews the rise of
Elvis Presley.

Music Controversy

“Elvis Riles Florida”

1955-1956

Elvis Presley’s music
& dancing on stage
brings judicial threat.

1950s Love Song

“Sea of Love”

1959

Phil Phillips wrote
this No.1 R&B hit
to woe his girlfriend.

1957’s Top Songs

“Bandstand Performers”

1957

American Bandstand
brought dozens of top
acts to national TV.

1950s Power Guitar

“Rumble Riles Censors”

1958-1959

Link Wray’s guitar song
prompts some radio
managers to ban its airing.

Enchanting Sound

“I Only Have Eyes
For You”

A 1959 remake of
an old standard has
resonance for the ages.

“See The U.S.A.”

“Dinah’s Chevy Tune”

1951-1963

Her 1950s PR anthem
for General Motors was
like a pop hit.

Popular Musicals

“The Sound of Money”

2009

Story covers music of
Rodgers & Hammerstein which
permeated 1950s & beyond.