Video: 'Carl Perkins, Matchbox (1950s)'
(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 60 years ago this morning (Mar 22 1956)
Video: '1956 Oscars' (20 videos)
(Wednesday, March 21, 1956, 7:30-9:00 p.m. PST) — Marty, a romantic drama film about a lonely butcher who finds love despite the opposition of his friends and family, won four Oscars tonight at the 28th Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture, Delbert Mann for Best Director and Ernest Borgnine for Best Actor. Continue reading ‘Marty’ wins Best Motion Picture at 28th Academy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 21 1956)
Video: 'I'm Flying (Peter Pan - 1956 Broadcast)'
(Saturday, March 17, 1956, 6:00-7:30 p.m. PST) — Mary Martin of Peter Pan and Lloyd Nolan, the neurotic captain of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, walked off with 8th Primetime Emmy Awards tonight as the best actress and actor on television in 1955. Continue reading ‘Producers’ Showcase’ and ‘The Phil Silvers Show’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 17 1956)
Video: 'My Fair Lady (Original Broadway Cast Recording)'
(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.
Video: '1956 HITS ARCHIVE: Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins'
(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.
Video: 'Eisenhower Decision to Seek Second Term'
(Wednesday, February 29, 1956) — 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.
The 65-year-old president frankly told his party tonight, however, that because of his heart attack last Sept. 24, he must restrict his activities in the conduct of his office and in the presidential campaign.
(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).
Video: 'Khrushchev Secret Speech'
(Saturday, February 25, 1956) — 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.
(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). In 2004, the song was voted 360th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone.
(Saturday, February 18, 1956) — “Rock and Roll Waltz” by Kay Starr peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.
