Category Archives: Popular Music 1950s

‘Grand Ole Opry’ premieres on ABC-TV 70 years ago this hour (Oct 15 1955)


Video: 'Kitty Wells - Making Believe (1955)'

(Saturday, October 15, 1955, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT)Grand Ole Opry, a live monthly television series featuring leading Opry cast members and guest stars from the country or pop fields, debuted tonight on ABC.

‘Oklahoma!’ musical film premieres in New York City 70 years ago tonight (Oct 10 1955)


Video: 'Oklahoma!' trailer

(Monday, October 10, 1955, evening EDT)Oklahoma!, a musical film based on the 1943 stage musical Oklahoma!, written by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II, premiered tonight before an invitation-only audience at the Rivoli Theatre in New York. Continue reading ‘Oklahoma!’ musical film premieres in New York City 70 years ago tonight (Oct 10 1955)

‘Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing’ by The Four Aces peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Oct 8 1955)

(Saturday, October 8, 1955) — “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” by The Four Aces was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two non-consecutive weeks (Oct. 8/22, 1955). Continue reading ‘Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing’ by The Four Aces peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Oct 8 1955)

Actress Debbie Reynolds marries singer Eddie Fisher wed 70 years ago tonight (Sep 26 1955)


Video: 'USA: Debbie Reynolds weds (1955)'

(Monday, September 26, 1955, evening EDT) — Actress Debbie Reynolds, 23, and singer Eddie Fisher, 26, were married tonight in a civil ceremony at Grossinger’s resort in the Catskills, New York, following a 15-month romance.

Little Record records ‘Tutti Frutti’ in New Orleans 70 years ago today (Sep 14 1955)


Video: 'Tutti Frutti'

(Wednesday, September 14, 1955) — “Little Richard” Penniman recorded “Tutti Frutti” today at Cosimo Matassa’s J & M Studio in New Orleans for Specialty Records. Continue reading Little Record records ‘Tutti Frutti’ in New Orleans 70 years ago today (Sep 14 1955)

‘Maybellene’ by Chuck Berry peaks at #5 in USA 60 years ago today (Sep 10 1955)

(Saturday, September 10, 1955) — “Maybellene,” Chuck Berry’s first single release and his first hit, peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Maybellene’ by Chuck Berry peaks at #5 in USA 60 years ago today (Sep 10 1955)

‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’ by Mitch Miller peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Sep 3 1955)

(Saturday, September 3, 1955) — “The Yellow Rose of Texas” by Mitch Miller was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for six non-consecutive weeks (Sep. 3/10/17/24, Oct. 1/15, 1955).

‘Ain’t That a Shame’ by Fats Domino peaks at #16 in USA 70 years ago today (Aug 27 1955)

(Saturday, August 27, 1955) — “Ain’t That a Shame” by Fats Domino was the #16 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Ain’t That a Shame’ by Fats Domino peaks at #16 in USA 70 years ago today (Aug 27 1955)