Category Archives: 1950s

Carl Perkins severely injured in car crash 70 years ago this morning (Mar 22 1956)


Video: 'Carl Perkins’ Career Never Recovered After His Car Crash'

(Thursday, March 22, 1956, shortly before sunrise EST) — Musician Carl Perkins, 23, was severely injured this morning when the car he was riding in crashed on Route 13 between Dover and Woodside, Delaware. Continue reading Carl Perkins severely injured in car crash 70 years ago this morning (Mar 22 1956)

‘My Fair Lady’ musical opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour (Mar 15 1956)


Video: 'Julie Andrews "I Could Have Danced All Night" on The Ed Sullivan Show' (July 15, 1956)

(Thursday, March 15, 1956, 7:30 p.m. EST) — The Frederick Loewe-Alan Jay musical play My Fair Lady, based on Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, opened on Broadway tonight at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City, starring Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. Continue reading ‘My Fair Lady’ musical opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour (Mar 15 1956)

Carl Perkins becomes first country artist to enter R&B chart 70 years ago today (Mar 10 1956)


Video: 'Carl Perkins - "Blue Suede Shoes (Remastered 2022)" (Official Music Video)'

(Saturday, March 10, 1956) — Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” showed up on all three of today’s Billboard best selling retail charts — pop, country and western and rhythm and blues — marking the first time a country and western artist ever scored in all three categories.

U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower says he will seek re-election despite stroke 70 years ago (Feb 29 1956)


Video: 'Dwight D Eisenhower's Decision to Seek a Second Term oval office address (February 29, 1956) [CBS]'

(Leap day, Wednesday, February 29, 1956, 10:00 p.m. EST) — Speaking slowly and in a slightly hoarse voice, President Dwight D. Eisenhower explained tonight why he had agreed this morning to seek a second term in a television report to the nation. Continue reading U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower says he will seek re-election despite stroke 70 years ago (Feb 29 1956)

‘Lisbon Antigua’ by Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 25 1956)

(Saturday, February 25, 1956) — “Lisbon Antigua” by Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for four consecutive weeks (Feb. 25, Mar. 3/10/17, 1956). Continue reading ‘Lisbon Antigua’ by Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 25 1956)

Soviet leader Khrushchev lashes out at Stalin in ‘Secret Speech’ 70 years ago this hour (Feb 25 1956)


Video: 'Khrushchev Secret Speech'

(Saturday, February 25, 1956, shortly after midnight; during the Cold War) — In a sensational “Secret Speech” to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev denounced Joseph Stalin today as a brutal despot, painting a graphic picture of a regime of “suspicion, fear, and terror” built up under the former dictator, who died three years ago.

‘The Great Pretender’ by The Platters peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 18 1956)

(Saturday, February 18, 1956) — “The Great Pretender” by The Platters peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Top 100 chart for two consecutive weeks (Feb. 18/25, 1956). Continue reading ‘The Great Pretender’ by The Platters peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 18 1956)

‘Rock and Roll Waltz’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 18 1956)

(Saturday, February 18, 1956) — “Rock and Roll Waltz” by Kay Starr with Hugo Winterhalter’s orchestra and chorus peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Rock and Roll Waltz’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 18 1956)

‘See You Later, Alligator’ by Bill Haley & His Comets peaks at #6 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 11 1956)

(Saturday, February 11, 1956) — “See You Later, Alligator” by Bill Haley & His Comets peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard pop chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘See You Later, Alligator’ by Bill Haley & His Comets peaks at #6 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 11 1956)