TRACING POPULAR MUSIC TASTES (UK PERSPECTIVE). 

Today: 1955-69. 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, skiffle, punk, house, disco and many other sub-genres.

Britain would never be the same after 1963. Beatlemania gripped the pop culture as Elvis Presley finally relinquished his throne to the Fab Four as the 1960s came to an end.

 

PART FOUR

November 1955-1969

1.    THE BEATLES                                           17      69

2.    ELVIS PRESLEY                                        15      62

3.    THE SHADOWS*                                        12      44

4.    CLIFF RICHARD                                        9       31

5.    THE ROLLING STONES                            8       18

6.    THE EVERLY BROTHERS                        4       19

7.    FRANK IFIELD                                            4       17

8.    LONNIE DONEGAN                                    3       11

     GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS                3       11

9.    SANDIE SHAW                                             3       9

10.ROY ORBISON                                             3       7

     MANFRED MANN                                       3       7