Music

The decade of the Fifties gave birth to Rock and Roll. When Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock became popular in 1955, the nation learned to swing to a whole new sound. The song became the first Rock and Roll title to top the charts. 1955 spawned five titles considered by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to be among the 500 Most Influential. These songs were “Ain’t That a Shame” (Fats Domino), “Earth Angel” (The Penguins), “Mannish Boy” (Muddy Waters), “Maybellene” (Chuck Berry), and of course “Rock Around the Clock” (Bill Haley and the Comets). Elvis Presley was a regional artist, very popular in the South.  The feel-good innocence of much of the Fifties music reflects on the post World War II optimism in America. The youth of the time hadn’t struggled through the war years, and they were looking for something more exciting. They found that energy in Rock and Roll. But, Rock wasn’t the only music of the Fifties. There were other artists with other songs whom had people dancing and singing for much of the decade. Some were Pat Boon, Perry Como and Patti Page.

Chuck Berry

The Penguins

Muddy Waters

Fats Domino

Domenico Modugno

Elvis Presley

Bill Haley and the Comets