Some were #1 hits and others should have been. Still more became the roots of pop music,
stretching for many decades into the future. This was the start of the rock 'n' roll era,
with AM radio blasting out the "top 40" hits of the day. Elvis Presley was the undisputed
king of these years with 32 songs charted, including 12 of them at #1.
This was also the time when the first Baby Boomers were becoming aware of pop music. They
and their older siblings demanded a new style: ROCK AND ROLL!!!. See our honorable mention
section for the songs their parents were choosing, which were the last, fading remnants of
the big band era.
Shown below are representative samples of the music of Elvis and the many others who
helped define rock 'n' roll. In association with Amazon.com,
there are links to CD's of the original recordings (where available) or of those included
in "greatest hits" collections. Also shown are two jukeboxes of MP3 clips -- one for
#1 - 20 and one for #21 - 40 -- where you can buy the MP3's, too. Enjoy!
The first rock 'n' roll tune to hit #1, this was the one that started it all for mainstream America.
It was recorded in 1954, but did not become popular until heard in the movie "Blackboard Jungle"
in the Spring of 1955.
#1 for an amazing 11 weeks, this record included both songs which Elvis performed on Ed Sullivan's
TV show. He became the first national rock 'n' roll star, even though his hip-swinging sexuality offended
many (especially older) viewers.
This rockabilly pioneer recorded music for less than 3 years before his death in an airplane crash
at age 21. However, he influenced the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and many others. Paul
McCartney bought the rights to most of Holly's music.
Blending blues and country with a rock beat, Berry showed a generation of rockers how it was
done. His guitar work provided the foundation for groups like the Beatles and Stones, while
his trademark duck walk made him a concert favorite.
With a great deal more talent than good sense, "the Killer" often let his personal life interfere
with his success. As advertised, though, his "pulsating piano" truly was incredible!
With his first #1 hit, Elvis showed that even ballads sounded new and different in the rock era.
RCA shelled out big bucks to buy his contract from Sun, but it paid off well with this 1956 song
of the year, his first release for them.
With his frenetic pace and wild falsetto, Little Richard [Penniman] blazed a flaming trail for
others to follow in the early days of rock 'n' roll. This was his last big hit before he quit
to become a minister.
This New Orleans R & B star made a successful transition to rock, eventually selling over 65 million
records, only outpaced by Elvis among the rock pioneers of the fifties. This, his most popular tune,
peaked at #2.
Elvis again earned song of the year honors in 1957 with this tune, which was his 4th hit to
spend more than 20 weeks on the charts. He is the only artist who ever had the top single for
2 years in a row.
These Philadelphia teens earned the first #1 single of 1958, thanks in part to a guest
spot on the new nationally televised "American Bandstand". Street corner
doo wop swept the nation in this classic hit.
This seminal number became Berry's most successful rock hit at #2 on the pop chart and #1 in R & B.
It later was converted by Brian Wilson into the Beach Boys' first major success, "Surfin' U.S.A."
Originally from L.A. (therefore "coasters"), their combination of comedy and doo wop made
them one of the most popular groups of the era. Their line "why's everybody always pickin' on me?"
is still a common teen lament today.
Title song of the movie of the same name, Elvis performed it in one of the most memorable
scenes from any of his films. But he could not "stick around a while and get [his] kicks"
since he was drafted into the Army soon after.
Haley's other well-remembered hit shared the energy and style of our #1, although it was not
as successful commercially. He had no other top 10 hits after this, but remained a major
concert act in Europe and Mexico for many years.
The first #1 for this country duo, it showcased the harmonies that were later adopted by groups
such as Simon and Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, and the Mamas and the Papas. So do you remember the
drive-in movies?
A prolific songwriter, Holly wrote a lot of material and recorded it all in a short period of time.
He also popularized the 2 guitar - bass - drums lineup that became standard for young rockers everywhere.
In their only top 10 hit, Johnny Maestro and the Crests delivered a sweet East Coast sound
that could have been a prototype for all of the "guy groups" of the sixties. Maestro returned
to the charts with the group Brooklyn Bridge 10 years later.
With his first big hit, Lewis rose to the top of the pop, country, and R & B charts all at the
same time. This and #5 were huge, but his success was short-lived, after he married his 13-year-old
cousin. He became a country star 10 years later.
Like his idol Fats Domino, Price was another New Orleans R & B star who made it big in
rock 'n' roll. After this #1 hit, he switched to more of a manistream sound in songs like
"Personality."
This St. Louis hairdresser struck it big with his first record. Originally called "Ida Red,"
the name was changed to that of a cow in a children's book, "Maybellene." This was the first
of 5 Berry hits to make the top 10 in the mid-fifties.
His first pop hit only rose to #17, but Little Richard's wild style and his piano banging soon
made him a star. This song set the tone for much of his later work and eventually sold over
3 million copies. A-wop-bop-a-loo-mop a-lop bam boom!
Unsuccessful as a straight country act, Don and Phil combined their close harmonies with
more of a rock beat for this, their first big hit. It led to a string of 15 top 10 hits
over the next 10 years.
Billed as a tougher, darker version of Elvis, Vincent made this rockabilly tune a classic.
It was his only top 10 hit, but it eventually sold 9 million copies, which is more than many
other artists' lifetime totals.
Perkins took his song to the top of the charts, but Elvis later sold more copies of it.
This was his only top 10 hit, but he later wrote many hit country songs and the Beatles
recorded a number of his tunes, thanks to Perkins fan George Harrison.
With their first #1 hit, the Coasters established themselves as America's class clowns.
As with #12, teens could easily identify with the lyrics and with the situations they
portrayed: "Don't talk back!"
Title song of the first of Elvis' 34 films, it succeeded "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound
Dog" at #1. This was the first time an artist had followed himself in that spot. Based
on the Civil War ballad "Aura Lee," it fit the movie perfectly.
After 7 failed singles, Darin came up a winner with this one. His biggest hit was
the jazzy "Mack The Knife," but this was the one that established him as a star
with the teen record buyers. He later charted 7 other top 10 hits.
Blues and R & B legend Bo Diddley was never a major top 40 player, but his trademark
bum, ba-bum-bum, bum-bum rhythm became a rock 'n' roll tradition. In particular, the
Rolling Stones borrowed heavily from his stylings.
An R & B star in the early fifties, Domino moved to rock with this number in 1955.
Pat Boone's white-bread version made it to #1, but the original by Fats was by far
the better rendition.
This song was written in response to attacks on rock music, especially the campaign
to smash rock records by KWK, St. Louis. Not a great hit at the time, rising only to
#19, it has had a lot of airtime over the years because people agree with its title.
This young rocker died in an auto accident at age 21, while touring in England. His only
top 10 hit is well remembered, though, as a teen view of summer. Gene Vincent (#23)
survived that accident, but also never regained the top 10.
Fans sent Elvis thousands of teddy bears, in the belief that he liked them. This song,
his 8th #1 hit in 15 months, was the initial response. He later donated the bears to
charity at Christmas time.
As the first black singers to have a #1 hit on the pop chart, the Platters scored
4 top 10 hits in less than a year, including "Only You" and "My Prayer." Later, in 1958,
they were one of the first groups ever to appear in a music video.
The Diamonds covered R & B tunes and made them into pop hits. This one, their biggest hit,
was followed the next year by "The Stroll." If you ever watched "American Bandstand"
during that era, you certainly heard that one!
A Greek-American band leader, talent scout, and DJ, Johnny Otis discovered many R & B
stars and led a popular touring revue for many years. This Bo Diddley-style number was
his biggest pop hit.
This Philadelphia gospel group switched to rock with a bang. When their first single
was featured on "American Bandstand", it became one of the few doo wop songs to
make it to #1. Oldies group Sha Na Na was named for a line in the song.
As with #36, Harrison also made it to #1 with his only top 10 hit. This was one of the first
songs written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, back in 1952. They also have 4 others in our top 40:
#2 and 13 by Elvis; and #12 and 25 by the Coasters.
The first Hispanic rock star, Valens made it big with this song and its flip side,
"Donna". He died at age 17 in the airplane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and
The Big Bopper. Don McLean called this "the day the music died" in "American Pie".
With his first million seller, the "Genius" combined blues and gospel with a contagious rhythm
and his own unique singing style. An outststanding performer, even though blind, he later became
known as one of the key pioneers of soul music.
13-year-old Frankie Lymon brought a beautiful soprano voice from Harlem to the world
in 1956. His style influenced many of the new Motown acts in the early sixties, along
with the young lead singer of the Jackson 5, almost 10 years later.
Loud, Fast & Out Of Control -- 4 CD's
This marvelous set contains more than half of our top 40, along with some tunes popular before 1955,
like the classic "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" by Joe Turner & His Blues Kings (1954).
Doo Wop Box -- 4 CD's
As above, this set also contains songs popular before 1955, such as the beautiful "Goodnite
Sweetheart, Goodnite" by the Spaniels (1954).
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