Music of the 50s

Country Rock and Roll JazzBlues Music’s Effect Work Citied

Williams Song Why Don’t You Love Me was one of the many songs to make him famous in the 50s Hank Williams also couldn’t read or write music but he sure could sing it. Williams died at the age of 29 from a drug and alcohol over dose, but before dying he sang some of the best country music to be sang.

Johnny Cash was known for his singing but also he was an author and actor In the 50s Johnny Cash wrote Hey Porter and also Cry, Cry, Cry, which were only two of his well known songs. His cover sold over 100,000 copies in southern states alone. CLICK on Cash for his official website.

Elvis Aaron Presley was an American icon also known as the King. Elvis was discovered in a recording studio when he was recording songs to give to his mother. Some well known songs from the 50s that Elvis sang were his “Hound Dog”, and “A Big Hunk O Love” CLICK on the Elvis picture to see him sing

Lewis was an American rock and roll singer as well as a painter if you can believe it. Lewis finally made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 Some well known song that Lewis sang were Great “Balls of Fire”, and “Live and Let Live”. CLICK Jerry Lee to link to his official website

Miles Davis was one of the most influential musicians in American history. Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 Some well known songs by Miles Davis are “Miles Ahead”, and “Dr. Jackle”. CLICK on Miles for a video

Crosby was a best selling recording artist with over a half billion albums in circulation. Bing Crosby was made famous because of his record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses. Bing Crosby is also credited for inspiring the era that would follow in his footsteps.

Riley B. King was a blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #3 on a list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Some well known songs by B.B. King are “You Upset Me Baby” and “Please Love Me”. The two songs above were both #1 hits.

Many different music styles were made and combined together in the 1940’s and 1950’s The birth of rock and roll happened in the 1950’s with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. One of the main things that influenced music in the 50’s was the invention of the electric guitar. In the 1950’s the radio had a huge effect on music. The radio let people listen to music more often. World War II social upheaval had a huge effect on the music of the 1950’s.