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









　


　

　

　
　


　 

Art Rupe: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/art-rupe/



Rupe got involved in music toward the end of World War II. He analyzed records to determine what would sell and what would be a hit. Rupe started Juke Box Records in 1944. Then, he left Juke Box to start Specialty Records. Rupe pioneered R&B, blues, Gospel, and rock. He discovered Lloyd Price and recorded a young Ray Charles.

Brenda Lee: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2002

Official Site: http://www.brendalee.com/

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/brenda-lee/bio/

Brenda Lee had 37 hits in the 1960s. Only Elvis, the Beatles, Ray Charles, and Connie Francis had more. She began recording at age 12. Her popularity waned when she grew older and her voice changed. So, she moved to the country world.

One Step at a Time (1957): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBlBc6C4Ozc

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (1958): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xNuUEnh2g

Sweet Nothin’s (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfJ-q0VFe_g

That’s All You Gotta Do (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgImoFl2_N0

I’m Sorry (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-TkjEdB1kE

I Want to Be Wanted (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3goKQDeo4g

Emotions (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iVgcHo6xe0

You Can Depend on Me (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDpLnSZvKak

Dum Dum (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ3bhgQWeJA

Fool No. 1 (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIVZzGU-sww

All Alone I Am (1962): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnApJcGBDFY

Losing You (1963): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPdA3YzgTMs

Is It True (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVFeSdqHIk

Too Many Rivers (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnxL7PFFXdg

Coming on Strong (1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEtbin9pwSc

Johnny One Time (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye_Bh6QimJE

Nobody Wins (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvLoS0_8jK0

He’s My Rock (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZGdioYu5FA

Tell Me What It’s Like (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWCCuHa2Sao

Broken Trust w/The Oak Ridge Boys (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMRjNnwbLY

A Little Unfair (1991):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2CiWQZnKbE

In 2000, she was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

Chet Atkins: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2002

Official Site: http://www.misterguitar.us/

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/chet-atkins/bio/

Atkins created the Nashville Sound, influenced a number of guitarists, and produced records for a number of renowned country and rock artists including Elvis Presley, Jerry Reed, and Dolly Parton.

He dropped out of high school and worked at a radio station. He made his first Grand Ole Opry appearance in 1946. Atkins signed with RCA and worked with June Carter and the Carter Sisters. 

Some of his singles…

Mr. Sandman (1954): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-c66SJPuUI

Silver Bell (1954): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7oc25a6azM

Atkins took over producing at RCA in 1957 and worked continuously. However, his own recording fell off.

Boo Boo Stick Beat (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKxHRbV6jdU

One Mint Julep (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzKRLO1EF7g

Teensville (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88fWMDDkrRg

His biggest hit: Yakety Axe (1965): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK7T4LHjln4

Prissy (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXMstoQDrfc

Fiddlin’ Around (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28nWVkS7xY

Frog Kissin’ (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HQoJo_4_-A

Blind Willie (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hcuCQC93jo

 

We Didn’t See A Thing w/Ray Charles and George Jones (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYfVciXwZk4

Poor Boy Blues w/Mark Knopfler (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaBTHu9JSB0

The Claw w/Jerry Reed (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNvwxJsGN5Q

He died in 2001.

Doc Pomus: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/doc-pomus/bio/

He became a fan after hearing Big Joe Turner. Polio left his wheelchair bound.
Doc Pomus wrote some of popular music’s most popular songs.

This Magic Moment by the Drifters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVJ5Oyyimpw

Young Blood by the Coasters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgX3a6ApQbs

A Teenager in Love by Dion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNYdcwunG7g

Lonely Avenue by Ray Charles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH7rl0ifDwM

Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw5a5Bp_Pw

There Must be a Better World Somewhere by B.B. King:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRUf3AE0i6I

Doc Pomus died in 1991.

Nesuhi Ertegun: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1991

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/nesuhi-ertegun/bio/

He produced artists at Atlantic Records after his brother, Ahmet, founded the company.

Acts he produced:

John Coltrane:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WwuxqXPOg

Ray Charles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I

The Drifters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UgwrSc-BrU

Bobby Darin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OlDPqYBLw

Roberta Flack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1eOsMc2Fgg

He died in 1989

Ahmet Ertegun: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

Ahmet Ertegun: His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/ahmet-ertegun/bio/

Ertegun was responsible for these artists:

LaVern Baker:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn1Adf4cfyE

Ray Charles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I

Ruth Brown:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I

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

He convinced Crosby, Stills, and Nash to add Neil Young:

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jxs0ybnsEQ

He also discovered Led Zeppelin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2M6yV6mueg

Following his death, several artists held a tribute show.

Led Zeppelin reunited:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v81ZPRuH3tw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZxukPZ0pjA

Ray Charles: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

Ray Charles life and career in links:

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/ray-charles/bio/

Official Site: http://raycharles.com/

First time on the charts 1949:

Confession Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBeWcoN5D9s

He changed the words of Gospel songs and added R&B to became a star:

I Got A Woman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsC4cH-v3ns

Charles wrote this in the middle of a concert:

What’d I Say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAjeSS3kktA

First #1:

Georgia On My Mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thls_tMuFkc

Other #1‘s:

Hit the Road Jack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I

I Can’t Stop Loving You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSvKWA7v6TM

Released in 1963, he was convicted of heroin possession in 1966:

Busted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLWoiC-3b60

In the Heat of the Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOOrtKIYyS0

1970s:

Booty Butt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUwlCVd3YTI

America the Beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRUjr8EVgBg

1980s:

The Blues Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN5V-6yCbpg

He died in 2004. The biopic Ray starring Jamie Foxx is released the same year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2a1nzAciMc