1959 in Music

People believed rock n roll died in 1959. Indeed, the year marked the end of the first generation of rockers. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. Holly's death dealt a significant blow to the genre. By this point, Jerry Lee Lewis fell due to personal scandal, Little Richard quit performing in favor of the ministry, and Elvis Presley was drafted. Despite this, rock's so-called last gasp produced iconic works such as "La Bamba", "What I'd Say", and "There Goes My Baby." Rock n Roll gives way to the Dance Craze, teen idols, and Folk revival. Meanwhile, The Supremes form and Jimi Hendrix buys his first guitar. The year's biggest star was Bobby Darin.

#1 song of 1959:
Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qrjtr_uFac

Iconic songs of 1959:

Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEIDep_UMmk

El Paso by Marty Robbins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UVVS5-9HvA

I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nlhoda2MY

La Bamba by Ritchie Valens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coy8Hoa1DNw

Sea of Love by Phil Phillips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EroRtEUmZcU

A Teenager in Love by Dion and the Belmonts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pwgswchPDo

There Goes by Baby by The Drifters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noFS4_oEakI

What I'd Say by Ray Charles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIqWwiC1BFI



Other hits:

The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL7XS_8qgXM

Stagger Lee by Lloyd Price: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCPutYaGFlE

Lonesome Town by Ricky Nelson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN7mjvok6MI

Love Potion Number Nine by The Clovers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt7htnE1s4o

Dream Lover by Bobby Darin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkECdHu1dQ

Poison Ivy by The Coasters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRfRITVdz4k

Personality by Lloyd Price: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thwJBqzNB7g

The future appeared in 1959 with...


Teen Idol Frankie Avalon:
Venus by Frankie Avalon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fakpqLDEQAo



Kicking off the folk revival:

M.T.A. by The Kingston Trio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Jw_v3F_Q0



Chubby Checker's remake kicks off the Dance Craze:

The Twist by Hank Ballard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUZqK65OAHE



and later becomes a key component of a Clint Eastwood film:

Misty by Johnny Mathis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JwhJMFDybQ