During the immediate post-WWII period, following disputes over music publishing, small record labels proliferated, offering a rich selection of country, jazz and blues. In the…
Browsing: Music – 1950s
The man who brought the electric guitar to the forefront of the blues, Aaron Thibeaux Walker was born in Texas on 28 May 1910, to…
As a bandleader, Ted Heath was responsible for introducing the British public to many top singers of the 50s, including Dickie Valentine, Lita Rosa and…
In summer 1958, Phillip Harvey Spector (who had moved from New York to LA a few years earlier) and three of his Fairfax High School pals -…
Six years before Johnny Cash recorded his hugely influential live album within the walls of San Quentin prison, western balladeer Ford gave angelic voice to killers, robbers…
Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1931, Teresa Brewer began singing professionally at the age of two and had her first million-selling record, Music, Music, Music, before…
South Londoner Terry Dene (born Terence Williams) was one of many early UK rockers to benefit from the opportunity to sing at London’s 2i’s Coffee…
This Brooklyn doo-wop group was originally known as The Linc-Tones when they formed in 1955 at Lincoln High School. Original members Hank Medress, Neil Sedaka, Eddie Rabkin and…
Tommy Adrian Sands was born in Chicago in 1937. Growing up he enjoyed music, particularly country music. In 1944 his mother (who had been a…
Tommy Steele was born Thomas Hicks in Bermondsey, London on 17 December 1936. After leaving school, he joined the Merchant Navy, and after four years,…
Born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Long Island City, Queens, to a family of Italian immigrants, Bennett was just ten years old when his father died,…
Original lead guitarist Bob Bogle, alongside fellow masonry worker Don Wilson, founded The Ventures in Washington State in 1958, performing at local clubs and bars…
The Vernons Girls were assembled in Liverpool by the Vernons football pools company in the 1950s when Vernons – employers to 8,000 female coupon checkers…
Vince Taylor was born Brian Maurice Holden on 14 July 1939 in Isleworth, Middlesex, England. With few post-war prospects on offer, the family moved to…
The Vipers Skiffle Group, featuring a young singer called Wally Whyton, became the first group to earn a residency at the famous 2i’s coffee bar in London’s…
Three members of Morton Fraser’s Harmonica Gang – Gordon Mills, Don Paul (born Donald Paul Fountain) and Ronnie Wells (born Ronald Cresswell) – decided to…
Wanda Jackson started her career as a dare. Her church friends dared her to audition for a local radio station’s talent spot when she was…
Another doo-wop group which was quite popular on the US East Coast but otherwise obscure, The Wanderers began as The Barons in 1952. Lead singer…
It’s astonishing the sheer amount of talent that was beating a path to Sam Phillips’ door in 1956 wanting a contract with Sun Records. Jerry Lee…
Following the break-up of The Crickets, Jennings played bass for Buddy Holly. During a particularly harsh winter in February 1958 while touring with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big…