The 1950s was a time of revolution in the world of music, films and fashion. This was when the Generation Gap really came into being and the music from the 50s played a huge part. The charts and the airwaves were filled with the middle of the road sounds of Guy Mitchell, Frankie Laine, Johnny Ray, Perry Como and Patti Page. The latter half of the decade caused parents to shake their heads in wonder as their teenage children danced to the new Rock 'n' Roll records.
Bill Haley and the Comets burst onto the scene with Rock Around the Clock and Shake, Rattle and Roll and music was never the same again. The music spawned new fashion trends, hairstyles and dance crazes. When Elvis Presley swiveled his hips for the first time on TV, there was an audible gasp from the older generation. Elvis recorded some classic music from the 50s, such as Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes. Buddy Holly was unusual for the time as he wrote or co-wrote many of his own songs. He wasn't flamboyant like Elvis and he looked like the boy next door with his trademark spectacles. His hits included That'll Be The Day, Everyday, Peggy Sue, Oh, Boy, Brown Eyed Handsome Man and True Love Ways. His tragic death in 1959 in an air crash at the age of 22 sent his fans into shock.
Holly was an enduring influence on the songwriting of the groups that followed in the 1960s, including the Beatles. Don McLean's great hit, American Pie, pays tribute to Holly. The music of the 50s laid the groundwork for all that was to follow. In bedrooms across the United States and Britain, young people practiced their chords and tried to memorise lyrics from the hits. One of the most significant events was in 1957, when John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time. They shared a passion for Elvis, Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran and other Rock 'n' Roll greats and the rest is history.
In 1954, one Leo Fender produced the Fender Stratocaster, guitar of choice for so many guitarists over the years. Buddy Holly was the first to champion it and the instrument had an enormous influence on guitar playing music from the 50s. Jerry Lee Lewis however, was king of the Rock 'n' Roll piano. He astonished fans with his dexterity on the keyboards and had massive hits with Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and Great Balls of Fire. Later, Jerry Lee devoted himself to country music. Johnny Cash's country music gained respect from musicians across all genres. His 1950s hits include Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk the Line and Little Drummer Boy.
Fats Domino was another piano player and a fine singer. His music from the 50s included classics such as Ain't That a Shame, Blueberry Hill and I'm Walking. Chuck Berry got everyone dancing in the aisles with Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven, Sweet Little 16 and the immortal Johnny B. Goode.
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