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









　


　

　

　
　


　 

The Drifters: There Goes My Baby (1959)

Before Ben E. King had the smash "Stand By Me", he was a Drifter. "There Goes My Baby" introduced strings to R&B music and represented the next wave of R&B/Soul music that came with the 1960s. I had this song in my head all day yesterday for no apparent reason, so here it is....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noFS4_oEakI

Johnny Horton: The Battle of New Orleans (1959)

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsRK3DNoa_Q

Andy Jackson beat the Brits at New Orleans in 1815. Technically, the war had ended, but no one knew. So, Jackson defended New Orleans with a motley crew that included pirates, Native Americans, blacks, militia, and regular army. He defeated the Brits in one of the most smashing victories in U.S. history.

937. Charlie Brown by The Coasters (1959)

Although Charlie Brown first appeared in 1950, this has nothing to do with the Peanuts character. The song follows the antics of a school kid that is something of a Bart Simpson. He's disrepectful and goofy, but not malicious. After getting in trouble, he wonders "Why is everybody always pickin' on me?"  Lieber and Stoller wrote the #2 hit. They wrote some of music's greatest hits including "There Goes My Baby", "Hound Dog", and "Stand By Me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UnPzp2lmNk

959. Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin (1959)

Despite the smooth, cool cat stylings of Bobby Darin, "Mack the Knife" is edgier than anything from the Gangsta rap crowd. Listen to the lyrics about life oozing out as Darin tells the story about a murderer. Mack is a murderer, rapist, and arsonist. He'd probably cut up 50 cent before old 50 knew what hit him.

Despite being associated with Darin, the song is a cover of a 1956 song from Louis Armstrong. The original version stems from a 1928 play. The 1928 play has its origins in the Middle Ages. Simon Cowell calls "Mack the Knife" the greatest song ever written.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qrjtr_uFac