The 1950s may seem like a sweet and innocent time, but rock 'n' roll took the world by storm during the decade, mixing with country and jazz and inspiring more diversity than you might expect. See how much you know about the decade's music.
The song "Rocket 88," released in 1951, is often credited with ushering in the era of rock 'n' roll. Who recorded it?
Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm
Bill Haley & His Comets
The Everly Brothers
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It was written about an Oldsmobile 88 as the band drove to Memphis, Tennessee, for a recording session
Like we said, it was an era of varied musical genres, with perhaps nothing stranger than a cowboy belting out a kid's holiday song that hit No. 1 as the decade began. What musician and song made up this strange pair?
Roy Rogers and "Frosty the Snowman"
Gene Autry and "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer"
Tex Ritter and "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"
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"Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" ushered in the holiday season and the decade.
At a time when most women were quiet on the issue, this singer spoke out against the idea of blaming women for the wrongdoings of men with her song "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels."
Patsy Cline
Kitty Wells
Loretta Lynn
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Kitty Wells' song was recorded in response to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life" in 1952 and banned by the Grand Ole Opry. It became a huge hit, selling more than 1 million copies.
Speaking of the reintroduction of music, in the movie "Back to the Future," what song does Marty McFly play at his parent's prom, prompting stunned and disapproving looks from the crowd?
"Peggy Sue"
"Johnny B. Goode"
"Great Balls of Fire"
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While he rocks on Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," promgoers aren't thrilled. "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet," Marty tells the crowd, "but your kids are gonna love it."
This crooner got his start in the 1950s with his first hit "Because of You," and he hasn't slowed yet. To celebrate his 80th birthday in 2006, he recorded an album of duets with Elton John, Barbra Streisand and Bono — and he celebrated turning 85 with duets with Lady Gaga in 2011.
Perry Como
Tony Stark
Tony Bennett
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Bennett has also appeared on "The Simpsons" and recorded with Queen Latifah and Amy Winehouse.
This silky-voiced singer, best known for "The Christmas Song," became the first African-American to host a TV variety show in 1956.
Sammy Davis Jr.
Nat King Cole
Louis Armstrong
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Nat King Cole died in 1965, but his daughter, Natalie Cole, continued the family business. In 1991 she brought her father's voice to a new generation with a duet called "Unforgettable."
In 1954 Elvis made his first recordings at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. This song, which became a rockabilly hit, was the flip side of "That's All Right (Mama)."
"Blue Suede Shoes"
"Good Rockin' Tonight"
"Blue Moon of Kentucky"
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"Blue Moon of Kentucky" was one of the first rockabilly — a country-blues combo with a rockin' beat — hits by a young Elvis. Elvis would continue to show the world he could break ground in every musical genre out there — and some that he'd invent himself.
This song made Fats Domino a household name in 1956 and was the first song Beatle John Lennon learned on the guitar.
"Raspberry Beret"
"Strawberry Fields"
"Blueberry Hill"
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Domino, a New Orleans native, lost his home and nearly all of his possessions in Hurricane Katrina. The Coast Guard rescued him and his family. In 2006 he recorded the album "Alive and Kickin'" and donated some of the proceeds to help other musicians in need.
This singer already had hits, including "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day," when he died at just 22 years old.
Buddy Holly
The Big Bopper
Ritchie Valens
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While his songs live on, his influence on the basics of rock music was even more long-lasting. His band, The Crickets, pioneered the now ubiquitous lineup of two guitars, a bass and drums.
One of the 10 original inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, this singer had hits in the mid 1950s, including "Tutti Frutti," "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly Miss Molly."
Little Richard
Elvis Presley
Jerry Lee Lewis
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Little Richard is credited with helping establish rock 'n' roll as a true music form and with inspiring the Beatles, who covered "Long Tall Sally" in 1964.
Dick Clark introduced her song "Who's Sorry Now" on "American Bandstand" in 1958, catapulting her to success.
Doris Day
Connie Francis
Peggy Lee
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While this song was a hit, her lasting influence came after she was attacked in her hotel room in 1974. Her lawsuit cited poor security and resulted in changes across the hotel industry, such as better lighting, deadbolt locks and peepholes in doors.
In 1958, just two years after being signed by Columbia Records, he released his greatest hits album, which stayed on Billboard's album chart for 10 years. Who was this groundbreaking singer?
Johnny Mathis
Paul Anka
Dean Martin
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Johnny Mathis' album was the first greatest hits album Columbia ever released, starting a tradition that nearly every band, even those without so many great hits, follow to this day.
This musician's hit "I Got a Woman" reached No. 1 on the rhythm and blues charts in 1954. It was the first in a long string of hits for this versatile Georgia native.
Otis Redding
Little Richard
Ray Charles
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Inducted into the first class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Charles earned the nickname "The Genius" for his piano playing, singing and songwriting abilities.
In 1953 this Southern performer married his 13-year-old cousin, causing a boycott of his records and perpetuating a stereotype of Southern incest and ignorance that continues in some areas to this day.
Elvis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Carl Perkins
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"The Killer," as Lewis came to be known, overcame the boycott and went on to become one of the most influential rockabilly stars of the 1950s, alongside Carl Perkins and Elvis.
Dale Evans wrote this song that was used at the end of the early 1950s TV show she had with her husband. It has since become as popular as saying "bon voyage" when wishing folks a good trip.
"Goodnight Sweetheart"
"Happy Trails"
"Goodnight Irene"
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"Happy Trails" was played at the end of both "The Roy Rogers Show" and the show the two shared, "The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show."
"In 1814 we took a little trip along with Col. Jackson down the mighty Mississip'," opens the song that peaked at the end of the 1950s. What's the unlikely topic of this hit by Johnny Horton?
a raft race down the river
a trip on the riverboat Delta Queen
the Battle of New Orleans
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"The Battle of New Orleans" was the No. 1 song of 1959, according to Billboard.
