Category Archives: 1950s

Carl Perkins records ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ in Memphis 70 years ago today (Dec 19 1955)


Video: '(1955) Sun ''Blue Suede Shoes'' (Take 1) Carl Perkins'

(Monday, December 19, 1955) — “Blue Suede Shoes,” considered one of the first rockabilly records, was recorded by Carl Perkins today at Sun Studio in Memphis. Continue reading Carl Perkins records ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ in Memphis 70 years ago today (Dec 19 1955)

‘Nuttin’ for Christmas’ by Art Mooney with Barry Gordon debuts at #62 in USA 60 years ago today (Dec 7 1955)

(Saturday, December 7, 1955) — “Nuttin’ for Christmas” by Art Mooney and His Orchestra, with six-year-old Barry Gordon as lead vocalist debuted at #62 on today’s Billboard “The Top 100” chart (for survey week ending November 30). Continue reading ‘Nuttin’ for Christmas’ by Art Mooney with Barry Gordon debuts at #62 in USA 60 years ago today (Dec 7 1955)

AFL and CIO labor unions merge 70 years ago this hour (Dec 5 1955)


Video: 'Labor Merger. AFL and CIO Join Forces 1955 Newsreel'

(Monday, December 5, 1955, 10:00 a.m. EST) — The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged today in New York to form the AFL-CIO under its first president, George Meany.

Rosa Parks arrested after refusing to give bus seat to white man 70 years ago this hour (Dec 1 1955)


Video: 'Rosa Parks_Dec 1, 1955 achievement'

(Thursday, December 1, 1955, around 6 p.m. local time)Rosa Parks, an African-American seamstress, was arrested today after refusing to obey bus driver James F. Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, sparking a year-long boycott of the buses by blacks. Continue reading Rosa Parks arrested after refusing to give bus seat to white man 70 years ago this hour (Dec 1 1955)

‘Sixteen Tons’ by Tennessee Ernie Ford peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Nov 26 1955)

(Saturday, November 26, 1955) — “Sixteen Tons” by The Tennessee Ernie Ford peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for seven consecutive weeks (Nov. 26, Dec. 3/10/17/24/31, 1955, Jan. 7, 1956). Continue reading ‘Sixteen Tons’ by Tennessee Ernie Ford peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Nov 26 1955)

RCA Records signs Elvis Presley after buying out his Sun Records contract 70 years ago today (Nov 21 1955)


Video: 'Elvis Presley and Heartbreak Hotel & Elvis signs with RCA Records | Elvis Presley 1955'

(Monday, November 21, 1955) — RCA Records purchased the contract, singles and released masters of 20-year-old Elvis Presley today from Sam Phillips of Sun Records for an unprecedented sum of $40,000 ($35,000 to Sun and a $5,000 bonus to Presley).

Bo Diddley performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (Nov 20 1955)


Video: 'Bo Diddley - Ed Sullivan Show 1955'

(Sunday, November 20, 1955, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) — Bo Diddley performed “Bo Diddley” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Bo Diddley performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (Nov 20 1955)

‘Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie’ by Bill Haley and the Comets peaks at #23 in USA 70 years ago today (Nov 19 1955)

(Saturday, November 19, 1955) — “Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie” by Bill Haley and the Comets peaked at #23 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Rock-A-Beatin’ Boogie’ by Bill Haley and the Comets peaks at #23 in USA 70 years ago today (Nov 19 1955)

‘The Eating Contest’ episode airs on ‘You’ll Never Get Rich’ 70 years ago this hour (Nov 15 1955)


Video: 'Sergeant Bilko - Fred Gwynn is "The Stomach"'

(Tuesday, November 15, 1955, 8:00-8:30 p.m. EST) — Bilko discovers that the G.I. he’s sponsoring in an eating contest only eats when he’s miserable on tonight’s episode of the CBS sitcom television series You’ll Never Get Rich. Continue reading ‘The Eating Contest’ episode airs on ‘You’ll Never Get Rich’ 70 years ago this hour (Nov 15 1955)

‘Better Living Through TV’ episode airs on ‘The Honeymooners’ 70 years ago this hour (Nov 12 1955)

Video: 'Honeymooners S01E07 (Better Living Through TV)'

(Saturday, November 12, 1955, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Ralph devises a get-rich-quick scheme: selling Handy Housewife Helpers on TV on tonight’s episode of the CBS sitcom television series The Honeymooners. Continue reading ‘Better Living Through TV’ episode airs on ‘The Honeymooners’ 70 years ago this hour (Nov 12 1955)