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

Hank Williams Sr: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/hank-williams/bio/

1937: Hank began playing his guitar outside a radio station. He occasionally performed on air leading to a flood of requests for the “singing kids.”

1939: Dropped out of school to concentrate on music.

In 1947, he scored his first hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lza3NVH6Ig

I’m a Long Gone Daddy (1948):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtpe6_2nCts

Lovesick Blues (1949) made him a superstar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xu71i89xvs

June 11, 1949: Makes his debut at the Grand Ole Opry.

Long Gone Lonesome Blues (1949):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JczEyQHBLEw

Why Don’t You Love Me? (1950):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S_LSHg053c

Cold Cold Heart (1951):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2e4Dhod7M

Hey Good Lookin’ (1951):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95aP0OWx4jY

Honkey Tonk Blues (1952):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9faWxHeDWkY

Jambalaya (1952):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnKOVPXhlnE

Hank Williams Sr. died on January 1, 1953. He was 29.

I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive (1952):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19vApPwWqh8

He continued to score hits after his death. Williams' storytelling influenced Chuck Berry.

1953:

Kaw-Liga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FY7RWJAtJQ

Take These Chains from My Heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yyt6b-1T1Q

Your Cheatin’ Heart (the b-side to Kaw-Liga):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hubUNqQLjN8