The 50s saw the birth of rock and roll.
All that followed was profoundly influenced by the sounds of the 50s.
The Beatles had many cover songs from the 50s in their first few albums including Buddy Holly’s -That’ll be the day (as the Quarrymen), Little Richard’s - Lucille, Carl Perkin’s - Glad All Over, Chuck Berry’s - Roll Over Beethoven
Some of my friend’s parents had 50s cassette tapes which I enjoyed. Personally I had a few 50s tapes I bought in the 70s, not that I remember the names of.
My local radio station, 7QT played a lot of 50s music.
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On - Jerry Lee Lewis 1957 (Big Maybelle cover)
Definitely a very talented artist Jerry Lee Lewis. I wasn’t around then but I’ve always had a passion and high admiration for artists of 50s/60s/70s and 80s too, but my preferences stop there. Of course we have many great modern musicians but they are less numerous and don’t possess that “something special” that their past colleagues did.
Great decade for music the 50s, including R&B, blues, gospel, rockabilly, country, and so on. Elvis definitely influenced other types of music which followed. So many 50s covers have been produced over the years, and have become so popular that most younger generations probably don’t even know or don’t take into consideration who sang the originals and when.
I admit I’ve had this experience myself at times, during my younger years, concerning certain songs that I discovered by chance had been first released in the 50s.When I was much younger though .
Another one was Johnny Cash who was drawn to song-writing and guitar playing after losing his brother tragically at a very young age. A common factor unfortunately for professional artists, a negative event in their lives that leads to depression, finally finding refuge in music.
The Batchelors from the 50’s are still raking in royalties and they were my Nan’s favourite. Its difficult to find their singles now, but I found this in an easy listening compliation . . Diane