Category Archives: 1950s

Chuck Berry records his first single, ‘Maybellene’ for Chess Records in Chicago 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)


Video: 'Chuck Berry - Maybelline (1955)'

(Saturday, May 21, 1955) — Chuck Berry today recorded “Maybellene,” his first single release and his first hit, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago for Chess Records. Continue reading Chuck Berry records his first single, ‘Maybellene’ for Chess Records in Chicago 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)

‘Dance with Me, Henry’ by Georgia Gibbs peaks at #2 in USA 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)

(Saturday, May 21, 1955) — “Dance with Me, Henry” by Georgia Gibbs was the #2 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Dance with Me, Henry’ by Georgia Gibbs peaks at #2 in USA 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)

‘Rock Around the Clock’ by Bill Haley and His Comets debuts at #22 in USA 70 years ago today (May 14 1955)

(Saturday, May 14, 1955) — “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets (featuring the late Danny Cedrone, who died June 17, 1954, three days before his 34th birthday of a broken neck after falling down a staircase, on the electric guitar solo), widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world, debuted at #22 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores top 30 chart. Continue reading ‘Rock Around the Clock’ by Bill Haley and His Comets debuts at #22 in USA 70 years ago today (May 14 1955)

Eight Communist bloc countries sign Warsaw Pact 70 years ago today (May 14 1955)


Video: '14th May 1955: The establishment of the Warsaw Pact'

(Saturday, May 14, 1955, during the Cold War) — Representatives from eight Communist bloc countries, including the Soviet Union, signed the Warsaw Pact, a collective defense treaty to counter NATO, today in Poland. Continue reading Eight Communist bloc countries sign Warsaw Pact 70 years ago today (May 14 1955)

‘Riot’ breaks out at Elvis Presley concert in Jacksonville 70 years ago tonight (May 13 1955)


Video: 'ELVIS PRESLEY Interview in 1955, may 13 He is interviewed by Mae Boren Axton'

(Friday, May 13, 1955, show scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT) — A riot broke out at an Elvis Presley concert today at the Gator Bowl Baseball Park in Jacksonville, Florida, the first time trouble was reported at one of his concerts. Continue reading ‘Riot’ breaks out at Elvis Presley concert in Jacksonville 70 years ago tonight (May 13 1955)

Manhattan’s last elevated rail line ceases operation 70 years ago this hour (May 12 1955)


Video: 'THIRD AVENUE EL - "The Vanishing El" - New York City's last "El" trains.'

(Thursday, May 12, 1955, 6:00 p.m. EDT) — The main portion of the Third Avenue El closed tonight from Chatham Square to East 149th Street in the Bronx, ending the operation of elevated service in Manhattan.

‘Damn Yankees’ opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour (May 5 1955)


Video: 'Damn Yankees (1955 Original Broadway Cast Recording)' (15 clips)

(Thursday, May 5, 1955, 7:45 p.m. EDT)Damn Yankees, a musical based on the novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop, opened tonight on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre at 226 West 46th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York. Continue reading ‘Damn Yankees’ opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour (May 5 1955)

West Germany becomes a fully sovereign state 70 years ago this hour (May 5 1955)


Video: 'WEST GERMAN SOVEREIGNTY and GERMAN FLAG HOISTED AT SHAPE'

(Thursday, May 5, 1955, 12 noon Central European Time; during the Cold War) — The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) became a sovereign state today when the United States, France, and Great Britain end their military occupation, which had begun with the end of World War II in 1945. Continue reading West Germany becomes a fully sovereign state 70 years ago this hour (May 5 1955)