TRACING POPULAR MUSIC TASTES (UK PERSPECTIVE). 

Today: 1955-59. More: tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè traces the shifts in popular music through the decades…

-THE LEADERBOARD-

 

The Rock Era is said to have begun in 1955 when “Rock Around The Clock” became the first rock ‘n’ roll disc to reach #1 on Billboard’s Singles Chart. Later that year, the song climbed to the top in the UK. Rock ‘n’ roll was making its mark on both sides of the Atlantic. We’ve already traced the shifts in musical trends from the US perspective, now our focus is on the British Top 40 Chart.

British acts would soon thrive as rock music evolved, helping to elevate trends such as Merseybeat, Britpop, punk, house, disco and many other sub-genres. In the first years of The Rock Era, the charts were still dominated by acts such as Doris Day and Dickie Valentine. Then, Elvis Presley emerged and scored his first British #1 in 1957. By the end of 1959, the King was the most successful UK chart act of the Rock Era. Homegrown veteran Cliff Richard also enjoyed his first 2 #1s with his backing group The Drifters (later re-named The Shadows).

 

PART ONE

November 1955-1959

1.    ELVIS PRESLEY                                         4       18

2.    CONNIE FRANCIS                                     2       12

3.    CLIFF RICHARD                                        2       11

4.    JOHNNIE RAY                                            2       10

5.    RUSS CONWAY                                          2       6

     BOBBY DARIN                                           2       6

6.    LONNIE DONEGAN                                  2       7

7.    GUY MITCHELL                                       2       4

8.    PAUL ANKA                                                1       9

9.    PERRY COMO                                            1       8

10.TAB HUNTER                                              1       7

     HARRY BELAFONTE                                1       7