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









　


　

　

　
　


　 

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/mann-and-weil/bio/

Official Site: http://mann-weil.com/



Another husband-wife songwriting duo.

On Broadway by The Drifters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFYpVlIyqo

Kicks by Paul Revere and the Raiders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP8G4clUJBY

Running with the Night by Lionel Richie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PnhlXLHKAE

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by The Righteous Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEkB-VQviLI

Soul and Inspiration by The Righteous Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v83UX1AY8Gs

Mort Shuman: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/mort-shuman/



Shuman was a writer at the famous Brill Building in New York.

Some of his works:

A Teenager in Love by Dion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pwgswchPDo

Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucubLr3ZLbw

This Magic Moment by The Drifters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul041CSNJto



He died in 1991.

The Drifters: There Goes My Baby (1959)

Before Ben E. King had the smash "Stand By Me", he was a Drifter. "There Goes My Baby" introduced strings to R&B music and represented the next wave of R&B/Soul music that came with the 1960s. I had this song in my head all day yesterday for no apparent reason, so here it is....

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

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

The Drifters: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

Their career in links.

Official Site: http://www.thedrifters.co.uk/

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

The Drifters formed in 1953 and have existed in some form ever since.

Clyde McPhatter fronted the group at first before going solo. The act has had over 60 lead singers in its existence. Turmoil and turnover defined the group’s early days.

Money Honey (1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7FFBVXaOIo

Honey Love (1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCwWCAVXGe8

Ruby Baby (1956):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv9DfcD53ZE

There Goes My Baby (1959): Ben E. King on lead vocals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3HXy9mGPpI

This Magic Moment (1960):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73f2AzKBAY

Save the Last Dance for Me (1960):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-XQ26KePUQ

Some Kind of Wonderful (1961):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aATtWybSaow

Please Stay (1961):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htNqSGzXebY

Up on the Roof (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F_opWg9_qI

On Broadway (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFYpVlIyqo

Under the Boardwalk (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UgwrSc-BrU

Kissin’ in the Back Row of the Movies (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOm4DW5l5qQ

There Goes My First Love (1975):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqx2_GPI0vc

You’re More Than a Name in My Little Red Book (1976):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdKq4By5fuo

The group continues to perform to this day.

Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

The influential songwriter's career and lives in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/jerry-leiber-and-mike-stoller/bio/

Official Website:
http://www.leiberstoller.com/

They are among the most influential songwriters in history.

Here is a sample of their work:

There Goes My Baby (The Drifters):

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

Hound Dog (Big Mama Thornton):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_nNNIYTy9g

Kansas City (Wilbert Harrison):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5toLrXoJyQ

Yakety Yak (The Coasters):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTC3pGBjs4

Stand By Me (Ben E. King):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg7YoXiKn0

Jailhouse Rock (Elvis):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzV_0l5ILI

Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA6wySeeb6I

On Broadway (George Benson):

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

In 2011, American Idol had their contestants cover Leiber and Stoller works. Both men are alive as of July 2011.
　

Clyde McPhatter: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life and career in links:

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/clyde-mcphatter/bio/

In 1950, he won Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem and was drafted into Bill Ward and the Dominoes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHq1A8DwW18

He left the Dominoes and was recruited by Ahmet Ertegun to form a new group, which became the Drifters.

Money Honey (1953):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHgFs4Oxuc4

He stayed with the Drifters until late 1954, when he was drafted into the army. Afterward, McPhatter worked solo.

Love Has Joined Us Together w/Ruth Brown (1955):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKXHiwG1itA

Treasure of Love (1956):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lETG3uLUV9I

His biggest hit was “A Lover’s Question” from 1958:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzYZtuFpbLY

Lover Please (1962) was his last Top 10 hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPcNdOSw5ZA

After 1962, the music industry changed too much for McPhatter. He moved to England, but returned to the U.S. in 1970 on the revival circuit.

He died in 1972 from heart, liver, and kidney disease caused by alcohol abuse. Clyde McPhatter was bitter at the end. He claimed that he had “no fans.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rraVe77RDL4

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