1957 in music

Elvis Presley had another monster year. He scored three #1 hits, bought Graceland, and made his last Ed Sullivan appearance. At the same time, Jerry Lee Lewis released two songs that made him immortal. At the same time, Ricky Nelson, Bo Diddley, and the Everly Brothers record iconic tracks. Meanwhile, John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet for the first time and Simon and Garfunkel unite as Tom and Jerry.


#1 song of 1957:
Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0Rz-uP4Mk



Other Elvis #1s:
All Shook Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rQEbQJx5Bo


Teddy Bear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89MihWd6zKk




Other important songs of 1957:
Bo Diddley by Bo Diddley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMZjAOoX6nw


Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IjgZGhHrYY


Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On by Jerry Lee Lewis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yRdDnrB5kM


That’ll Be the Day by Buddy Holly and the Crickets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq9FCBatl3A


Wake Up Little Susie by the Everly Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X7b2E_Jq-k


You Send Me by Sam Cooke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX6QlnlMqjE



Other hits:
Young Love by Tab Hunter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQNu4Vc7Yl8


Tammy by Debbie Reynolds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3mtNZFrMY


Diana by Paul Anka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDDgYDQjtEs


At the Hop: Danny and the Juniors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIXMKA7d4to


Chances Are by Johnny Mathis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEH3uqbpsm8


Not Fade Away by Buddy Holly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyTtFNGzFsE


Oh Boy by Buddy Holly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkJT1cgQeGI


Rock and Roll Music by Chuck Berry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XSaKQlBZuE


Stardust by Nat King Cole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VezW1PtDq5E

Simon and Garfunkel: The Boxer (1969)

"The Boxer" took Simon and Garfunkel over 100 hours to record. They brought in Fred Carter Jr. to play guitar on the track. Paul Simon struggled with the chorus and used "lie-la-lie" as a space filler until he could develop one. He couldn't and the refrain remained. Some thought the song was a veiled shot at Bob Dylan, but in reality, it was autobiographical. At the time, Simon felt people were beating him mercilessly. He even included the Biblical phrases "workman's wages" and "seeking out the poorer quarters" to accentuate his isolation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LFML_pxlY


Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy1hXDOenOY


　


　

Paul Simon: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/paul-simon/bio/

Official Site: http://www.paulsimon.com/us/home

Paul Simon spent the 1960s collaborating with Art Garfunkel. The pair split in 1970. Simon experienced great solo success.

This video guest stars Mickey Mantle and Spud Webb....

Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6VrKro8djw

Kodachrome (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLsDxvAErTU

Loves Me Like a Rock (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3BJl5Zy7HQ

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTiyLuZOs1A

Still Crazy After All These Years (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46bkXgxb66E

Slip Slidin’ Away (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuPJzzcV6jA

Concert in Central Park with Art Garfunkel (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCNwgzM2rQ

We Are the World (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BNoNFKCBI

In 1986, Simon released the seminal album, Graceland.

You Can Call Me Al (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq-gYOrU8bA.

Graceland (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtT7Og2LBbE

The Obvious Child (1990): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y11yMCnhxZE

Father and Daughter (2003): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTLcA_WUNoM

The Afterlife (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQzSMvNMvBY

Simon continues to perform and occasionally reunites with Art Garfunkel.

Hal Blaine: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/hal-blaine/bio/

Hal Blaine is a session drummer that worked with everyone from Elvis to John Denver.

Some of the works he appeared on include:

Be My Baby by the Ronettes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCCTn4eviFg

Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbnNr4FzPXg

Help Me Rhonda by The Beach Boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BjS3k_FZ8

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbyAZQ45uww

Up, Up, and Away by The Fifth Dimension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5akEgsZSfhg

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PNun-Pfb4

Song Sung Blue by Neil Diamond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ighSddnnaPE

Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURIAZwJkPc

Simon and Garfunkel: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1990

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/simon-and-garfunkel/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.simonandgarfunkel.com/us/home

Paul Simon:

http://www.paulsimon.com/us/home

Art Garfunkel:

http://www.artgarfunkel.com/

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel formed the group Tom and Jerry in 1957.

Hey Schoolgirl as Tom and Jerry (1957):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ftd49btv2s

They hit it big as Simon and Garfunkel in 1965.

The Sound of Silence (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hUy9ePyo6Q

Homeward Bound (1966):

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

I am a Rock (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My9I8q-iJCI

A Hazy Shade of Winter (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSd4QJBEMvk

At the Monterey Pop Music Festival (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6K8wfyzAJQ

Scarborough Fair (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYQaD2CAi9A

They helped develop the soundtrack to The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman.

The Graduate (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-3PP7hfIm4

Mrs. Robinson (1968):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_jmDscGi7E

Joe DiMaggio considered suing over “Mrs. Robinson” until he realized what Paul Simon meant with the line “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?”

Joe DiMaggio around the time of “Mrs. Robinson”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUB6LBsveH0

Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_a46WJ1viA

Cecilia (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5_QV97eYqM

El Condor Pasa (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pey29CLID3I

The duo split in 1970. The pair reunited several times over the years.

Saturday Night Live (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hqdZ4AWSaI

The Concert in Central Park (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PNun-Pfb4

Wake Up Little Susie (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq7Ja6-J26E

Grammy Awards (2003):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=debgoWX1tLU

The pair reunited for a tour in 2004-05.

They planned a tour for 2010, but Garfunkel suffered from vocal chord paresis. The tour is on hold.

The Everly Brothers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

The Everly Brothers' career through links:

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-everly-brothers/bio/

Their first single was rejected by 30 acts:

Bye Bye Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBylPQvzyas&feature=fvst

First #1:

Wake Up Little Susie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kooAgqCHGvU

Also in the fifties:

All I Have To Do Is Dream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul6X5Mg4xuk&feature=related

Bird Dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SkvaALFQOs

The Sixties:

Cathy’s Clown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVHP7jR8_8o

When Will I Be Loved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h--3ugScE1Q

The Everly Brothers were left behind when the music scene changed in the early to mid-1960s.

Acts influenced by the Everly Brothers:

The Beatles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGC_uaUav7w

The Beach Boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WP2exZurfc

Simon and Garfunkel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKjEHfHINQ

819. Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel (1966)

In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel decided to depress us with a song evoking the imagery of the onset of winter. While many people enjoy winter, it brings on a certain level of sadness in most. S&G tap into that sadness. There is also a feeling of failure in the main character's rant, "see what's become of me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSd4QJBEMvk

The Bangels covered the song in 1987.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRx4PkXeVM

827. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel (1970)

America entered the seventies much as it left the sixties...in turmoil. Simon and Garfunkel address the underlying tension and stresses of 1970 America in "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Interestingly, the song exposed turmoil within the duo. The pair split after the album, but they went out on top as the song proved a major hit.

There have been many covers of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" most notably Elvis in 1970 and Johnny Cash in 2002.

Simon and Garfunkel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PNun-Pfb4

Elvis:

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

Johnny Cash (w/Fiona Apple):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6gyUotqwPM

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #31-50

31. Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin- Stairway begins in the middle ages and contains words inspired by a book about Celtic Britain and then transforms into a stadium rock epic as it continually builds to its crescendo 8 minutes later.

32. Sympathy for the Devil: The Rolling Stones- Anastasia did scream in vain…Mick was right!

33. River Deep-Mountain High: Ike and Tina Turner- Overrated if you ask me…

34. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling: The Righteous Brothers- You can tell this is a Phil Spector produced song about 1 note into it…

35. Light My Fire: The Doors- This made the Doors stars, but they had to cut the 7 minute song down to 3.

36. One: U2- U2 drops their 80s self righteousness for irony. Written as the band was falling apart…it helped bring them back together.

37. No Woman, No Cry: Bob Marley- Probably the greatest Reggae song of all time.

38. Gimme Shelter: The Rolling Stones- Rape, Murder…it’s just a shot away. Allegedly inspired by rioting in the U.S.

39. That’ll Be the Day: Buddy Holly- Inspired by a John Wayne phrase in The Searchers,

40. Dancing in the Street: Martha and the Vandellas- Wonder what Martha is doing now?

41. The Weight: The Band- Robbie Robertson wrote about the impossibility of sainthood.

42. Waterloo Sunset: The Kinks- Not about Napoleon; it’s about a guy that does not feel he needs friends.

43. Tutti-Frutti: Little Richard- Always thought this was about a sandwich or ice cream or something.

44. Georgia on my Mind: Ray Charles- A cab driver convinced Charles to record this.

45. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley- a song about suicide?

46. Heroes: David Bowie- Bowie opened the 911 tribute concert with this.

47. All Along the Watch Tower: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- and Hendrix made it howl…

48. Bridge Over Troubled Water: Simon and Garfunkel- Friendship done at an epic level.

49. Hotel California: The Eagles- The Eagles take on Los Angeles hedonism.

50. The Tracks of My Tears: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles- Pete Townsend was inspired to write “Substitute” after hearing this song.

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #101-115

101. You Can’t Always Get What You Want: Rolling Stones- But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.

102. Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Where have you gone Joel Zumaya?

103. Be Bop A Lu-La: Gene Vincent- The record company was looking for another Elvis and came up with Vincent. He lost his leg in a motorcycle accident and came up with this echo-y hit.

104. Hot Stuff: Donna Summer- When disco met rock.

105. Living for the City: Stevie Wonder- A depressing 7 minute manifesto on urban life.

106. The Boxer: Simon and Garfunkel- The character in the song can’t find a job, a home, or love. So, he hangs with the whores.

107. Mr. Tambourine Man: Bob Dylan- Later covered by the Byrds and William Shatner.

108. Not Fade Away: Buddy Holly- Huge influence on the British Invasion.

109. Little Red Corvette: Prince- What is he singing about here? Hmmmm…

110. Brown Eyed Girl: Van Morrison- One of the great fillers ever…Sha-la-la…

111. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (Too Stop): Otis Redding- Redding’s first hit.

112. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry: Hank Williams- Anyone sound sadder than Hank Sr.?

113. That’s All Right: Elvis Presley- Some consider this the first rock song.

114. Up On The Roof: The Drifters- Later covered by former lead singer Ben E. King.

115. You Send Me: Sam Cooke- This might be the best pop song ever.

Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 500 Songs #151-175

151. Eight Miles High: The Byrds- Can birds go eight miles high? Actually, this is a drug song

152. Earth Angel: The Penguins- Actually recorded in a garage; For me, defines the 50s.

153. Foxey Lady: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- I think of Wayne’s World whenever I hear this

154. A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles- The title came from a Ringoism. A Ringoism is a malapropism.

155. Rave On: Buddy Holly- Under 2 minutes long, later covered by Mellencamp

156. Proud Mary: CCR- Rollin! Rollin! Rollin down the river…

157. The Sound of Silence: Simon and Garfunkel- Getting harder to rank some of these…

158. I Only Have Eyes for You: The Flamingos- Another defining song from the 50s.

159. Rock Around the Clock: Bill Haley and the Comets- Probably should be higher. First Rock song people rioted to.

160. Moment of Surrender: U2- Some of Bono’s greatest vocals

161. I’m Waiting for the Man: The Velvet Underground- Waiting for the drug dealer. Quite edgy even today.

162. Bring the Noise: Public Enemy- This is better with Anthrax

163. Folsom Prison Blues: Johnny Cash- Greatest line ever: I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.

164. I Can’t Stop Loving You: Ray Charles- Completely forgot about this song.

165. Nothing Compares 2 U: Sinead O’Connor- When she pitched this to record execs, they cried. She thought she was doomed, but they loved the song.

166. Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen- Oh mama mia let me go! Another one that reminds me of Wayne's World.

167. Fast Car: Tracy Chapman- Old school folk song hits it big in 1988.

168. Let’s Get it On: Marvin Gaye- I detect a theme with some of Gaye’s stuff…

169. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone: The Temptations- The Temps go to funky town.

170. Losing My Religion: R.E.M.- A mandolin as a lead instrument? When folk goes pop. Right song at the right time.

171. Both Sides Now: Joni Mitchell- I have absolutely no feelings toward this song…that probably says all there is to say.

172. 99 Problems: Jay Z- Is anyone more overrated than this guy?

173. Dream On: Aerosmith- ESPN did a video showing clips of the 20th century to this song. It brought several grown men to tears.

174. Dancing Queen: Abba- Knew this would be here somewhere.

175. God Save the Queen: The Sex Pistols- Nihilism at its best. Banned in Britain for “bad taste.”