Music Trivia Of The Late 50's

Jerry Lee Lewis was born on September 29, 1935. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

"Cause that'll be the day that I die" the lyric continues. Buddy Holly and the Crickets' first hit and only #1 song.

Paul Anka was born on July 30, 1941 in Ottawa, Canada. "Diana" was dedicated to his former babysitter.

"Young Love" was an oddity of the 50's. It was a #1 hit for two different artists in 1957 - Sonny James for one week and Tab Hunter for six weeks. Just as curious is the fact that Andy Williams and Charlie Gracie duplicated the feat later in 1957 with the song "Butterfly". These are the only two incidences during the "rock era" when this has happened.

The line comes from one of Como's big hits, "Catch a Falling Star and Put It In Your Pocket". (The other men were, of course, giants of the era.)

This #1 song, "The Great Pretender", was the first of four #1 hits The Platters would have during the 1950's. This one peaked in February 1956.

All four ladies were active in the fifties, but this song belonged to Doris Day.

"Bless your little pea pickin' heart" was the catch phrase of Tennessee Ernie Ford who scored with "Sixteen Tons", a #1 hit from November 1956.

Buck Ram was the manager of this group and the lyricist for many of their songs, this one included. They sure don't write lyrics like this anymore!

All of the choices had hits during the 50's, but the song here was by the Del Vikings. (It was their biggest hit.)

This #1 hit from 1958, sung by David Seville of "The Chipmunks" fame, started a trend of novelty songs that topped the charts. Later that year "The Purple People Eater" and "The Chipmunk Song" also hit #1.

All of these four groups had hits during the fifties, but the two songs mentioned were by the Fleetwoods.

"The Three Bells" told the story of little Jimmy Brown from birth to death. The lead singer of the Browns was Jim Ed Brown. Pure coincidence!

"See the market place in old Algiers" is a line from the song. (The other three choices are mentioned by Rick Nelson in "Travelling Man".)

This #1 was the only hit for the Silhouettes in 1958.

This one is by Johnny Mathis.

"The Battle of New Orleans" was a huge hit in 1959.

This song was by Little Anthony and the Imperials.

The song, of course, was "Green Door". Jim Lowe was a New York City DJ when he recorded this smash hit in 1956. He had two other minor hits then must have returned to spinning discs.