1955 was a landmark year in rock and roll history. A series of events signaled the mainstream arrival of the form that would dominate popular music and shape American culture for the next 50 years.
Great list. Re: There’s a Riot Goin’ On, I’d add that its influence reached a peak as the title of Sly & the Family Stone’s 1971 album, which shattered Black music into Before and After.
Great work! I knew some of these (would think everyone reading this would know some), but there were a bunch I didn’t know and several I really dug, so kudos. Only disagreement I have is the earlier version of Rock Around the Clock. I think Haley’s version smokes this one, if only for the fantastic guitar break, but to each his own and I had no idea Haley’s was a cover. I’ll be revisiting some of these (hello again Guitar Boogie Shuffle and Crazy Man Crazy), so thanks for a great article and some new old music.
Thank you Sherman! And you are 100% correct. The Bill Haley take on Rock Around the Clock is absolutely the superior version. However, it also marks the beginning of the rock and roll era. I included the original here as a final chapter in the pre-history of rock and roll. But yeah, the Bill Haley version is, of course, definitive. Thanks again for digging in, my friend!
Thanks so much for this Dave - I think. You’ve opened up so many musical rabbit holes I may never get out!
The rabbit holes are everything! Thanks for reading, Peter!
Great list. Re: There’s a Riot Goin’ On, I’d add that its influence reached a peak as the title of Sly & the Family Stone’s 1971 album, which shattered Black music into Before and After.
Thanks Bill! Great call. Sly and the Family Stone was absolutely ground zero for everything that came after (i.e. Funkadelic, the JBs, War, etc.)
Great work! I knew some of these (would think everyone reading this would know some), but there were a bunch I didn’t know and several I really dug, so kudos. Only disagreement I have is the earlier version of Rock Around the Clock. I think Haley’s version smokes this one, if only for the fantastic guitar break, but to each his own and I had no idea Haley’s was a cover. I’ll be revisiting some of these (hello again Guitar Boogie Shuffle and Crazy Man Crazy), so thanks for a great article and some new old music.
Thank you Sherman! And you are 100% correct. The Bill Haley take on Rock Around the Clock is absolutely the superior version. However, it also marks the beginning of the rock and roll era. I included the original here as a final chapter in the pre-history of rock and roll. But yeah, the Bill Haley version is, of course, definitive. Thanks again for digging in, my friend!