Celebrating 60 years of Rock music. Update: 1963.

60 YEARS OF

ROCK

(1955-2015)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JULY 9, 1955

-“Rock Around The Clock” reaches #1 

1956

-Elvis becomes rock 'n roll's first major star.

 

1957 
-Buddy Holly & The Crickets: rock's prototype group.
 










1958
-Jerry Lee Lewis' career is damaged when he marries his teen cousin.

 

  







1959
- Ray Charles brings gospel to secular music & creates soul. 

 

1960
-Chubby Checker's cover of "The Twist" sparks a new dance craze. 
 









1961
 -Ray Charles continues blending other styles with R&B.









1962
  -The Folk music boom gathers momentum.

1963

   
 -The Beatles reach #2 with 2nd single "Please Please Me" in Britain.
-Patsy Cline dies in a plane crash.
-"From Me To You" becomes The Beatles 1st #1 in the UK.
-Andrew Loog Oldham becomes manager of The Rolling Stones.
-The inaugural Monterey Folk Festival.
-The Rolling Stones release debut single "Come On".
-The Hootenanny craze spreads throughout the USA.
-Songs about hot rods are the latest teen pop trend.
-"I Want To Hold Your Hand" sells 1m copies in 3 days in the UK!

Patsy Cline's gravestite

 
1963 was the year before everything changed forever in rock music. It was the final year where the American pioneers dominated the market. In truth, rock 'n roll was slowing in momentum, amidst numerous watered down versions of the genre hoping to make money from an ever expanding mainstream audience. There were, however, some notable exceptions. Bob Dylan became the leading voice in the folk movement. His songs became pop hits for him and others. Little Stevie Wonder reached #1 at the age of 13!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, The Beatles were making inroads on the UK charts and preparing to spread their music internationally. The British Invasion was brewing. The Beatles' single "I Want To Hold Your Hand" ended the year atop the British charts and had just been released for Christmas in America.