Music of the 50s is now considered classic. The 50s was an era that produced rock and roll that would evolve into the plethora of music genres we know today. Bill Haley taught fans how to “Rock Around the Clock,” but Elvis Presley taught the world just what that meant.
Dance and music became one, almost inseparable. As 50s music picked up the beat it caused dancers to pick up their feet. Since the flap of the 20s, there had not been such a dramatic change in the style and swing of music since the 50s.
From Elvis Presley and Chubby Checker in the 50s, the next generation of rockers would kick rock and roll music to an entire new level. The 60s brought the Beatles and Beatlemania and other long time rockers like The Rolling Stones.
Rock and role music of the 50s was positive, energetic and fun.
Hot Rock and Roll songs of the 50s
The #1 songs of the 50s included some unforgettable rock and roll classics including the following:
Rock around the Clock – Bobby Darin – 1959
Hound Dog -Elvis Presley – 1956
Don’t Be Cruel – Elvis Presley – 1956
Mack the Knife – Bill Haley and His Comets – 1955
50s Rock and Roll music bands
In addition to some of the memorable songs of the 50s, bands that rocked the 50s made a name for themselves and their generation.
We’ve mentioned Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and His Comets, and Bobby Darin, but there are so many more musicians who contributed to the classic rock and roll music of the 50s.
Do you recall some of these popular 50s musicians, bands, and their rocking hits?
Chuck Berry singing “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Maybellene.”
Little Richard with “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Tutti-Frutti.”
Jerry Lee Lewis banging the keyboard and rocking the crowd with “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On” and “Great Balls of Fire.”
Controversy of 50s rock and roll music
Rock and roll music of the 50s changed a genre and impacted a generation, but not without consequences. Many older Americans and establishments did not like the changes that were going on in the music industry. The new music and dance moves were heinous in the minds and hearts of those accustomed to a generations of jazz and love songs.
Established Churches and religions of the time considered the music inspired by the Devil himself. They frowned on the tempo, lyrics, and dancing that came with the changes in music.
Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips were an abomination in the eyes of established religion. That controversy passed in time because rock and roll continued to grow and change, combining with other musical genres and spawning new musical genres through the years.
The 1950s provided amazing changes and brought creative dynamics to the music industry. Rock and roll music would never be the same following the influence of the 50s. Literally the rock and roll genre has never ceased to change following the dynamic influence of the rock and roll of the 50s.
Sources:
100 Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Songs of the ’50s
Oldies Music, fifties web.com
Rock and Roll – The Birth of Rock Music
