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









　


　

　

　
　


　 

Ritchie Valens: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/ritchie-valens/bio/

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

Valens’ career lasted eight months before his death. He was a self-taught musician that pioneered both rock n roll and Chicano rock.

Come on, Let’s Go (1958): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ziSLGVQOSg

Donna (1958): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMcHbh6HBDk

La Bamba (1958): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCXlp3D5NQA

In 1958, he quit High School to concentrate on his music career.

That’s My Little Suzie (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjcBo46xr1s

He died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper in 1959.

The Paddiwack Song (1960): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1W64OFYt6g

In 1987, Lou Diamond Phillips starred as Valens in La Bamba. The film spawned a #1 for Los Lobos when they covered the song of the same name.

Los Lobos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLAWPrCUQQ0

Dion: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1989

His career in links.

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/dion/bio/

Official Site:

http://diondimucci.com/

Dion was one of the most popular performers before the British Invasion.

With the Belmonts (1957-1960):

I Wonder Why (1958):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZBSGaWrEn4

Dion and the Belmonts played on the Winter Dance Party tour in 1959. Dion could not afford the $36 needed to fly and stuck with the bus. The plane, carrying Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, crashed killing the three.

A Teenager in Love (1959):

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

Where or When (1960):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmi3yYJmkRc

In 1960, Dion checked into rehab for a heroin addiction. The band split later in the year over financial disagreements.

Solo:

Lonely Teenager (1960):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8b8fd6K5PI

Runaround Sue (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49klxPex-k

The Wanderer (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m6lymJy57E

Lovers Who Wander (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIfg2M_-kuE

Little Diane (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKu8sha9ATQ

Ruby Baby (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRjviO8negQ

Donna the Prima Donna (1963)

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

Drip Drop (1963):

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

The British Invasion hit and Dion’s fortunes changed. In 1968, he cleaned up again and changed his style and life.

Abraham, Martin, and John (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPdYViBu0is

Your Own Back Yard (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKYb6XVWsIs

In 1979, he became born again. He did not return to rock for a decade.

Written on the Subway Wall w/ Paul Simon and Lou Reed (1989):

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

Today, he works in the prison ministry and tries to help those with addiction.

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 25^th Anniversary Concert (2009):

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

Buddy Holly: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

Buddy Holly's career in links:

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/buddy-holly/

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

Another Site: http://www.buddyhollyonline.com/main.html

Influenced by The Searchers staring John Wayne:
That’ll Be The Day:

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

The skiffle sound was very influential.:

Peggy Sue:

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

Oh Boy:

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

Holly was not only a great songwriter and performer, but also a pioneer in the studio.


Maybe Baby:

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

It’s So Easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2rU3W45wks

Radio News Flash: February 3, 1959: Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens die in a plane crash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UWoDl0PBP8

Influence:

Buddy Holly's sound dramatically impacted the British Invasion especially the Liverpool acts.
Rolling Stones “Not Fade Away”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt_zum97kjE

The Beatles “Words of Love”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx9ExvtLZ7M

John Mellencamp: “Rave On”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYvoS7LNgaM

The Buddy Holly Story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBCTJPNC2kk

Weezer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemivUKb4f4