1953 in Music

Elvis Presley begins recording in 1953. At the same time, Frank Sinatra moves to Capitol Records. Bill Haley scores the first rock hit on the Billboard charts and The Platters form. Hank Williams Sr. recorded the most important and timeless song of the year.  Most of the other major events occurred in Opera.

Your Cheatin’ Heart by Hank Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS4LCoh0VGQ

#1 song of the year: Dean Martin “That’s Amore”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69O4PXzAQ5Y

Other hits:

Vaya Con Dios by Les Paul and Mary Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqZ0Sdz_V40

Don’t Let Stars Get in Your Eyes by Perry Como: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmkg_E2evbg

I’m Walking Behind You by Eddie Fisher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vTTjjCQz-w

Rags to Riches by Tony Bennett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y22tIJ6toPY

Hey Joe by Frankie Laine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0z6BbTpsaY

Three Coins in a Fountain by Frank Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VYWvEkDBtw

And the first rock hit:

Crazy Man, Crazy by Bill Haley and the Comets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWF2m6K7sQ

1952 in Music

1952 is an important year for rock n roll. Sun Records opened shop under Sam Phillips stewardship and teenagers rioted in Cleveland at Alan Freed’s Moondog Coronation Ball. The genre would break out four years later. Bill Haley led the charge in 1956. In 1952, he changed his band name from Bill Haley and His Saddlemen to Bill Haley and His Comets. Despite the important rock moments, traditional pop music continued to dominate, which might explain the teenage frenzy at a show focused on them and not elevator music.

Percy Faith had the year’s #1 record “Delicado”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qDlsnSTIbY

Other hits:

You Belong To Me by Jo Stafford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQfF84ackMM

Wheel of Fortune by Kay Starr: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpWDKlEqLtA

High Noon (Don’t Forsake Me) by Frankie Laine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sLwPziSznU

Here is My Heart by Al Martino:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCgmhrJtMFI

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by Jimmy Boyd:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZeZ4spQQo

1951 in Music

Frankie Layne signs a mega-record deal and Dinah Shore begins her show.   Not much else exciting happens….kinda boring…

#1 for the year:

Cry by Johnny Ray:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iob-_shdLQ0

Although the most timeless song of 1951 was:

Unforgettable by Nat King Cole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkVuQGgx7d8

And the other hits:

Too Young  by Nat King Cole:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaFtsqU2V6U

How High the Moon by Les Paul and Mary Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzB7I2y7Ic

Be My Love by Mario Lanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o8SZng55T0

If by Perry Como: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc3brhdDESU

Jezebel by Frankie Laine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHvn1VH7q0E

Rose, Rose, I Love You by Frankie Laine:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpEGTSed1lI

Because of You by Tony Bennett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-4zvArJDGg

And for Christmas:

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas by Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmc9gfowJmk

 

1949 in Music

Eddie Fisher is discovered. Ravi Shankar becomes musical director on Indian radio. Bob Hope suggests Anthony Benedetto change his name to Tony Bennett. Frankie Laine releases “Mule Train”, which some consider the first rock song.

I disagree, but decide for yourself…

Mule Train by Frankie Laine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrludWIux8M

And some of the other songs of 1949:

Christmas songs seem to last forever.

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth by Spike Jones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sgpSDTuLys

The greatest song of the year! An all-time classic!

(Ghost Riders) In the Sky by Vaughn Monroe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHo6ug6yAmw

Big year for country music and Laine.

The Lucky Old Sun by Frankie Laine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELm86kwJUMc

Somewhat outdated by 1949.

I Can Dream Can’t I? by the Andrews Sisters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pto68TqHxKg