The Best Songs of the 50s

What are the best songs from the 50s?

The fifties were a time of poodle skirts, letter sweaters, saddle shoes, long sideburns and greased back hair. Blackjack gum and pez dispensers were popular along with 3-D movies, hula hoops and frisbees. Burma Shave signs lined the highways

The 50s were known as "Golden Age" of movies because this era saw the release of many classics with both talented stars and directors. Films like Sunset Boulevard with William Holden and Gloria Swanson, All About Eve with Bette Davis, and Ben-Hur with Charlton Heston, would become instant classics. Films also had an impact on the music, as many of the most popular songs of the 1950s came from musicals of the same name such as "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby and "Love me Tender by Elvis Presley.

Traditional pop music such as the bebop era of jazz hit its peak and climaxed as early rock and roll music led by Elvis Presley was embraced by teenagers and the emerging youth culture as the first wave of the Baby Boom reached its teen years. Rock music was generally dismissed or condemned by older generations. Other prominent rock and roll musicians included Paul Anka, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard.

Other significant events in music include:

1950: On January 3, 1950 Sam Phillips opened the doors at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee of what was to become the most famous music recording studio in the world, Sun Records.

1951: "Rocket 88" recorded by Ike Turner is released, which is considered by many as the first rock song. Others consider Johnnie Ray's his first hit record with "Cry" as the first rock and roll record. Also in 1951, disc jockey Alan Freed uses the term rock and roll to describe R&B, in an effort to introduce the music to a broader white audience.

1952: The official UK singles chart is launched. Recording Industry Association of America (or RIAA) established.

1953: Elvis Presley makes his first (private) recordings of "That's Alright Mama" at Sun Records. First Fender Stratocaster produced.

1954: Rock Around The Clock becomes first worldwide #1 Rock and Roll record. First documented use of the abbreviated term "Rock 'n' Roll" to promote Alan Freed's Rock 'n' Roll Jubillee, held at St. Nicholas Arena in New York, New York. Previously the genre term was just called "Rock and Roll." Ray Charles forms his own band.

1955: The movie Blackboard Jungle is released featuring Bill Haley & The Comets' "Rock Around The Clock." First Elvis cover RCA signs Elvis Presley. The first Eurovision Song Contest is held on May 24th. The Everly Bros. make their first studio recordings.

1956: Elvis' first film, Love Me Tender is released. The first regularly scheduled nationally broadcast rock & roll show, Rock 'n Roll Dance Party, with Alan Freed as host, premieres on the CBS Radio Network. An impromptu recording session at Sun Studios for Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, the million dollar quartet.

1957: Chuck Berry releases the hits "School Day" and "Rock And Roll Music." American Bandstand begins its 30 year syndicated run on US network television.

1958: Elvis is drafted into the U.S. Army. The Iranian government bans rock & roll because they claim that the form of music is against the concepts of Islam and also a health hazard. Iranian doctors warned of the risk of injuries to the hips from the "extreme gyrations" of rock & roll dances.RCA introduces its first stereo LPs and Billboard magazine debuts its "Hot 100" singles chart.

1959: Motown Records is created. It's first hit is Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)." Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson aka "The Big Bopper" are killed in a plane crash. This date becomes known as "The Day The Music Died". Future country star Waylon Jennings was scheduled to be on the plane, but instead gave his seat up to the Big Bopper. The BBC bans the Coasters song "Charlie Brown" because of the word "spitball." The BBC later reverses its earlier decision and adds the Coasters song "Charlie Brown" to their playlist.