Category Archives: Popular Music 1950s

Elvis Presley makes his television debut 70 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1955)


Image: 'Elvis Presley - Complete Louisiana Hayride performance (March 5, 1955)'

(Saturday, March 5, 1955, 8:00 p.m. CST) — Singer Elvis Presley made his television debut tonight on the regional show Louisiana Hayride carried by KSLA-TV Shreveport (although audio recordings exist, there is no known video footage of this appearance).

‘Earth Angel’ by The Penguins peaks at #8 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 5 1955)

(Saturday, February 5, 1955) — “Earth Angel” by The Penguins was the #8 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for three weeks. Continue reading ‘Earth Angel’ by The Penguins peaks at #8 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 5 1955)

‘Dim, Dim The Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)’ by Bill Haley & His Comets peaks at #11 in USA 70 years ago today (Jan 22 1955)

(Saturday, January 22, 1955) — “Dim, Dim The Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)” by Bill Haley & His Comets was the #11 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.

‘Mr. Sandman’ by The Chordettes peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1954)

(Saturday, December 4, 1954) — “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes (knees played by Archie Bleyer, orchestra conducted by Archie Bleyer) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for seven consecutive weeks (Dec. 4/11/18/25, 1954, Jan. 1/8/15, 1955). Continue reading ‘Mr. Sandman’ by The Chordettes peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1954)

‘I Need You Now’ by Eddie Fisher peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1954)

(Saturday, November 13, 1954) — “I Need You Now” by Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for three consecutive weeks (Nov. 13/20/27, 1954). Continue reading ‘I Need You Now’ by Eddie Fisher peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1954)

‘This Ole House’ by Rosemary Clooney peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 6 1954)

(Saturday, November 6, 1954) — “This Ole House” by Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra (bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week, the singer’s second consecutive number one hit on the chart (following “Hey There”). Continue reading ‘This Ole House’ by Rosemary Clooney peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 6 1954)

‘The Tonight Show’ debuts on NBC with host Steve Allen, pioneering late-night television 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1954)


Video: 'First Tonight Show 9/27/54'

(Monday, September 27, 1954, 11:30 p.m. EDT)The Tonight Show, the world’s longest-running talk show and the longest-running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, made its debut tonight on NBC under the original title Tonight. Continue reading ‘The Tonight Show’ debuts on NBC with host Steve Allen, pioneering late-night television 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1954)