Rock o'clock - 50's and 60's music collection

Bill Haley and His Comets

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:14:00 +0000

When we search for a starting point for rock and roll, we find Bill Haley and The Comets as the first who made this music. The composition of the band was near to a jazz band, with a big variety of instruments. The look of Bill Haley was far of a rock star, with his funny hair style. Also he wasn't very young. But they made first step with Rock around the clock, released in 1954 but populirized time after when appeared in a film. The band had some hits, and joined in some films too. They maybe complete a gradual process that finally led to a new music and dance called rock and roll.

Rock around the clock (1954)

Chuck Berry

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:09:00 +0000

Nobody interpreted rhythm and blues like Chuck Berry. rock and roll wouldn't be the same without the influence of this fantastic musician. Specially remarkable is his paper as compositor, creating themes like Roll over Beethoven and Johnny B. Goode (song writed in 1955 but released in 1958). Many groups perform Berry's songs even in the sixties; some of them were The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Great guitarist, he used to do unforgetable movements while singing and playing.

Johnny B. Goode (1958)

Elvis Presley

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:06:00 +0000

He was the 'King of rock'. His successful career began in 1956, and collected great hits for more than a decade. Nevertheless his militar service time, alongside with the 'British invasion' marked the start of his gradual decline. Great interpret of rock and roll as well as balades, Elvis made many films. He looks a little rogue and at same time good boy. He moved in a particular way, and as some said, he had a black-like voice. Many of his songs was composed by Leiber and Stoller; and after being in Germany, he collected great success with european's origin songs, like the famous ballad I can't help falling in love with you. Sadly druggs caused his death in 1977.

Don't be cruel (1956)

Jailhouse rock (1957)

Buddy Holly and The Crickets

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:03:00 +0000

This young boy from Texas was able to change music path in just two years. With The Crickets sometimes form a group with two guitars, a bass and drums; this would be the standard composition years later. The way he interpreted music was unique. And his solo riffs are unforgetables. Sadly he died in a airplane crash in 1959, being just 21 years old. In that same crash died other great musicians like Ritchie Valens, the creator of La Bamba, and the Big Booper. His songs had a great influence in the 60's pop bands.

That'll be the day (1957)

Oh, boy! (1957)

The Beatles

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:00:00 +0000

The most knowed music group of history must be The Beatles. They changed many things in the sixties, and not only music. After some years with little success in Hamburg and Liverpool, the band got their first number 1 in 1962 with Love me do. Soon after they conquered USA with I want to hold your hand. They made some films, and made many tours all around the world. Those tours amrked the start of the end of the band, and finally broke up in 1970. They had a good vocal set as well as wonderful sense of music, making rock and roll, pop and balads. In their firsts albums they used to include others compositions, but later they only performed their own compositions.

Love me do (1962)

Twist and shout (1963)

Help! (1965)

Jackie DeShannon

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:58:00 +0000

As well as rock and roll was mainly a men thing, pop music started to open for women. Jackie DeShannon is the 'Queen of pop', specially in first middle sixties. She made a great number of songs, most composed with Eddie Cochran's girlfriend, Sharon Sheeley, after Cochran's death. Jackie use to present a happy look, feeling every song. One of her best songs, When you walk in the room, was also performed by The Searchers.

What the world needs now is love (1965)

Carl Perkins

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:57:00 +0000

Between the first rock and roll compositions we find some of Carl Perkins, who perform a good number of songs. His famous hit Blue suede shoes was a success, not only when he performed the song, but also when Elvis sang it.

Blue suede shoes (1956)

The Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:59:00 +0000

Surely many thinks The Shadows are the best instrumental band ever. They presented a standard composition: 2 guitars, 1 bass and drums. Their first hit was Apache, a master piece released in 1960. In early sixties they collected many hits, whether alone or with Cill Richard. They later had some changes of musicians; anyway they conserved great quality and made good songs for a long time. Their lead guitar with Buddy Holly's style glasses, Hank Marvin, is surely one of the best guitarists of the century. But all the guys were fantastic musicians with a perfect sincronization and sense of rhythm.

Apache (1960)

FBI (1961)

Little Richard

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:58:00 +0000

One of the pioneers of rock and roll, Little Richard use to perform fast and electrical songs, always showing his quality as pianist. He was able to play the piano standing up. Though he was a music star, he decided to stop his musical career to become religious minister.

Tutti frutti (1955)

Long tall sally (1956)

The Beach Boys

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:56:00 +0000

During 1960's The Beach Boys was the best group in USA. They started with a surf music style, like did californian duo Jan & Dean. In early sixties they even made a good number of well interpreted instrumental pieces. But their best quality was their vocal set. As sixties advance The Beach Boys had the ability to change their kind of music, while keeping their own style and fans, and collect great hits during all the 1960's. Brian Wilson was a remarkable compositor and led the band formed when they began by the three Wilson brothers, a cousin and a friend.

Surfin' USA (1963)

I get around (1964)

Eddie Cochran

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:55:00 +0000

Cochran's compositions used to be fresh, young, funny. He was so talented to perform live, and found easy connection with public. But in 1959 he losed his good friend, Buddy Holly, leaving him depressed. A year after he died tragically in a car crash. He left a unique style playing guitar, singing and composing.

Summertime blues (1958)

C'mon everybody (1959)

Creedence Clearwater Revival

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:53:00 +0000

Though they had a short live, many considered Creedence one of the best rock groups ever. They got success in late sixties and early seventies, with master albums full of wonderful songs, usually own composed. They made a personal style of rock, sometimes near to rock and roll, sometimes to country, but always with a unique sound. Their lead vocal, John Fogerty, continued his career after groups break.

Proud Mary (1969)

Down on the corner (1969)

Jerry Lee Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:52:00 +0000

One of the most electrical rock and roll artist, Jerry Lee Lewis is remebered not only for his great songs, but also for his live performances. He used to stand up while playing the piano and sing, and usually finished with his hair in a mess. He even reached the point to burn his piano in a concert. He also made good country songs, and always show a great quality as pianist.

Great balls of fire (1957)

Breathless (1958)

The Searchers

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:41:00 +0000

In 1963 The Beatles had taken the lead in British musical scene, but The Searchers were real competitors for The Four Fabs. They show big talent as singers and musicians, and even got some number ones, sharing in what was called 'British invasion'. Though they sometimes performed own compositions, their biggest hits were composed by others; but they always found a personal style for every song. After 1965 their career went down, before than was expected. For many they are one of the best groups of the 1960's.

Needles and pins (1964)

Sweets for my sweet (1963)

Ricky Nelson

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:39:00 +0000

He maybe led the teenager hearts charts in late fifties and early sixties, making good competition with Elvis Presley. His sweet voice and good boy look were accompanied by a variety of styles, making a good number of balades. He perform many songs and some films.

Hello Mary Lou (1961)

Lonesome town (1958)

Fats Domino

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:38:00 +0000

If we thing about rock and roll pioneers, Fats Domino is one of them. This grave voice pianist made great hits, always with a personal style and showing his musical quiality on every song. He was able to perform marvellous songs with a slow and paused rhytmh, like Ain't that a shame or Blueberry Hill.

Ain't that a shame (1955)

The Troggs

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:36:00 +0000

A new sound appeared in 1966 with The Troggs. They started making a savage sound, really authentical, even different to other styles like The Kinks' or The Who's. Their "trogg" sound though started soon to moderate, and they even made some goods balades, like Love is all around.

With a girl like you (1966)

Cliff Richard and The Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Some call Cliff Richard 'the British Elvis'. His undoubtable quality found the exact moment to explote, just after rock and roll was nearly dead and just before British groups start to lead musical scene. With Cliff also played The Shadows, a group that was in the top in early 60's. They made toghether many songs on that years. Later Richard continued his career by his own with some success, and the same did The Shadows.

The young ones (1961)

We say yeah (1961)

Everly Brothers

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:28:00 +0000

This two young brothers with polite appearence were able to perform wonderful balads, like All I have to do is dream, as well as rhythmical and funny songs, like Bye bye love or Wake up little Suzie. They soon catch the approval of public in the 50's, and maintained some success during early 60's.

Bye bye love (1957)

All I have to do is dream (1958)

Gene Vincent

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:21:00 +0000

Between the great stars of rock and roll must be Gene Vincent, who made a good number of songs. Though use to perform rock and roll some of his songs were near to blues, like Baby Blue. Many times perform with The Blue Caps. His biggest hit was Be-Bop-A-Lula, a classic of rock and roll history.

Be-bop-a-lula (1956)

Rip it up (1958)

Booker T and The MG's

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:18:00 +0000

One of the best instrumental groups ever, Booker T and The MG's made their own kind of music, full of rhythm. Songs like Green onions or Time is tight are really master pieces of music. The four musicians were exceptionals. They also were different to others because their racial mix, something unusual in that time.

Green onions (1962)

Del Shannon

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:16:00 +0000

This great singer made his own style, making easy to identify his songs. Runaway was one of his most succesful songs in early sixties. Although many other singers, his career resist some time after British invasion.

Runaway (1961)

Chubby Checker

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:13:00 +0000

In 1960 everybody started to dance the twist, and Chubby Checker is surely the chief responsible. This easy dance, and the songs with this rhythm, was popular in nearly all the world. His master works were The Twist and Let's twist again. Checker make some other dancable songs, like The Fly.

The twist (1960)

Let's twist again (1961)

The Hollies

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:10:00 +0000

The Hollies began their career in Mersey beat time. They used to perform rock and roll songs, with good results. With time their own compositions show good qualiaty. Though they only obtained one number 1 in the 60's with I'm Alive, they made great songs. The group had a long life, being able to addapt their style to each time.

I'm alive (1965)

Bus stop(1966)

Dusty Springfield

noreply@blogger.com (svalbard) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:08:00 +0000

If rock and roll was mainly a men's thing, pop music and balads let singer girls to appear on scene. Dusty Springfiel had a great voice and get a good number of hits in the mid's 60's, being one of the best British female singer ever.

I only want to be with you (1963)

I just don't know what to do with myself (1964)