since July 21, 2004.This month marked the 50th anniversary of Elvis Presley's recording of "That's All Right (Mama)," which some consider the official start of rock-n-roll. From that moment through the late 1960s, Presley and a select few artists and groups comprised this golden age of rock music and set the standard for future generations.
Brook Benton
South Carolina born and raised, Brook Benton sang in the church choir and soon evolved to gospel groups. That eventually led to an interest in popular music, and he combined the two styles to create his 'commercially balanced' sound. After relocating to New York City, some of Benton's songs were recorded by other singers, including Nat "King" Cole and Clyde McPhatter, and he had his first release for Mercury Records, "It's Just a Matter of Time." Benton had 16 Top 20 hits in four years and 15 million records by 1962, including artists' covers of his work. During the 1960s, he worked mainly as a songwriter and record producer and in 1970 released "A Rainy in Georgia."
The Fleetwoods
The late-1950s trio The Fleetwoods - named after their Tacoma, Wash., phone prefix - consisted of high schoolers Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis and Gary Troxel. Their catchy three-part harmonies soon led to signing with local label Dolton, which released their two back-to-back number one hits, "Come Softly to Me" and "Mr. Blue." In 1961, the trio made the Top Ten again with "Tragedy" but soon afterward faded out of the popular spectrum. Alas, they have occasionally reunited and performed local (Northwest) shows.
Lloyd Price
From Day One, expectations were likely high for Lloyd Price. He was born into a music-heavy New Orleans family - his father a professional guitarist, his mother into gospel, and each sibling played an instrument. Price eventually made a reputation for himself on the trumpet and formed a dance band that received local radio airplay. In addition, Price wrote the band's tunes as well as commercial jingles for the radio station; this led to his 1951 on-air performance of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," which was an instant smash and led to his recording of it and other R&B successes. After a stint in the army, Price formed a new nine-piece group and brought it to international acclaim with "Stagger Lee" - his 'hot firing' take of folk ballad "Stack-o-Lee" - and the sing-a-long "Personality." 1959 saw Price in the Top 20 five times. He even managed to dupe his famous sound into a dynamice and sought after live show. In the 1960s, after his hit-making streak ended, Price started his own record label - Double LL - and helped lauch singer Wilson Pickett's career.
The Platters
No group during the late 1950s and early 1960s had the vocal dynamics and harmonies that matched those of The Platters. First recording 'boogie-woogie' tunes, the group signed with Mercury and their first release "Only You" went straight to number one. Quick to follow were "The Great Pretender," "My Prayer," "Twilight Time," and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," their spine-tingling take on the 1930s ballad. The Platters also appeared in early rock-n-roll films, including "Rock Around the Clock" and "The Girl Can't Help it." Tenor Tony Williams left the group in 1961, and their final hit came with 1967's "With This Ring."
Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin is another rock artist among many other throughout the years who was taken too soon. But in his short career, he managed to leave a legacy of music appropriate for teenyboppers and adults as well as his presence graced upon the silver screen. Darin was recording by the late 1950s, at first mainly traditional songs. But in 1958, "Splish Splash" - his first release with Atco Records, which he co-wrote - sold over a million copies. "Dream Lover" would follow as well as Brecht-Weill's "Mack the Knife" from "Three Penny Opera" and renditions of "Beyond the Sea," "Bill Bailey" and "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby." At the start of the 1960s, Darin pursued acting - during which he met and married actress Sandra Dee; they would divorce seven years later - and was nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role in "Captain Newman, M.D." His 1966 cover of Tim Hardin's "If I Were a Carpenter" brought another generation of fans to his sensitized vocal. In 1973, he hosted his own summer TV series. He even released an album under his real name, Walden Robert Cassotto. Alas, one of many surgeries for his rheumatic heart proved to be fatal. Darin died Dec. 20, 1973, and even today remains one of rock's greatest legends.
These artists and groups are just a sampling of the fine talent that graced rock's radar during its golden era. Unfortunately, eras such as this don't last forever.
Further Listening: The Mystics, "Hushabye"; Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"; The Monotones, "Book of Love"; Gene McDaniel, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay"; Wilson Pickett, "Hey Joe"; The Teddy Bears, "To Know You is To Love You (To Know Him is To Love Him)"; Little Anthony & the Imperials, "Goin' Out of My Head"; Spiral Staircase, "More Today Than Yesterday"
Copyright © 2004, Talia M. Wilson
posted: July 21, 2004
since July 21, 2004.