1947 in music

The music industry continued on in 1947 much in the way it did in 1946. Jazz was changing in Charlie Parker’s wake.  George Jones began his career and Patti Page signed a record deal.  Overall, 1947 was a rather drab year in music.

Near You by Francis Craig

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

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah by James Baskett

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bWyhj7siEY

Ballerina by Vaughn Monroe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKALVe6P7oE

Always by Frank Sinatra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLh-m1Z_feY

April Showers by Al Jolson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMCU7OF3sVM
 

1946 in Music

Big Band music helped Americans through World War II.  The jazz scene dramatically changed the following year. Charlie Parker released “Ko-Ko” ushering in a revolution in jazz. The genre became less viable commercially and more artist driven. As a result, people gravitated toward pop and away from jazz. It was a defining moment that helped lead to rock n roll because pop was boring and Jazz unlistenable. On a side note,  B.B. King, Bill Haley, and Chet Atkins all began their careers in 1946.

Ko-Ko by Charlie Parker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY

Prisoner of Love by Perry Como:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNPg_Rp0ws

Five Minutes More by Frank Sinatra:

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

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! By Vaughn Monroe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbb3skLR0Bo

To Each His Own by the Ink Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRarUQD3L8

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole:

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

1945 in Music

World War II ended in 1945. Hitler shot himself and partisans executed Mussolini. The Allied side witnessed changes as well. Churchill lost re-election and Roosevelt died leaving Stalin the only member of the Big Three to last the war. The war left most of the world in shambles and Americans wanted simply to return to normalcy.
In music, Bing Crosby was named male singer of the year for the ninth straight year. Charlie Parker records his first album as a lead. The recording also features Miles Davis.
The top hits of 1945:
Sentimental Journey by Les Brown and Doris Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7umIJj8UBo
Rum and Coca Cola by the Andrews Sisters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGxL2uNr7bk
Till the End of Time by Perry Como:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJ-oT2ZBa0
Billie's Bounce by Charlie Parker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72UeP0o68JA

Charlie Parker: Ko-Ko (1945)

Charlie Parker originated bebop music while playing "Cherokee." He hated the piece and reworked it until "Ko-Ko" emerged. Following the recording, other musicians abandoned more traditional jazz inadvertantly turning the genre elitist and killing off Big Band. Bebop proved unlistenable to the masses leading them to boring pop standards to fill the void.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY