FIFTIES

The Weavers from a 1949 LP. 

(remember those!!) 

Standing l to r:

Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Fred Hellerman. Seated: Ronnie Gilbert.

The 1950's was a time of change as the 'moon in june' music gave way to Rock and Roll.

The transition to the new sound was upsetting to the older generation. This is always the way. The parents saying their music is great; while their kids music is rubbish. 

However, the current 'music' of Rap is just that - rubbish. There is some goood modern stuff, Bryan Adams, Springsteen, U2, The Mavericks and so on. Much of the early 50's was bad but amongst the blandness were also some gems. 

Why is it that many artists who rose to fame in that 1956-1966 period can still dominate the music world today - Elvis, The Stones, Beatles, Johnny Cash and the like. The industry wonder why sales are down. It is a combination of factors - competition from other pastimes such as video games, TV, Internet etc but I think the blame has to be  because most of the current stuff is awful. 

Some 1950's are here - not all gems but an interesting reflection of those times - 

Weavers - Hey round the corner. The first of the folk singers with the iconic Pete Seeger. The Weavers enabled the rise of folk music and to groups such as The Kingston Trio.

Bill Haley - still in his C & W days - Love letters in the sand 

Anne Shelton - Lay down your arms . I remember reading that the BBC were not happy playing this song as it gave the impression that soldiers should go AWOL. Then again those were the days of the 'Cold War' and war in Korea. 

Margaret Whiting - Good morning Mr Echo

Don Cornel - Heart of my heart  

Ethel Merman & Dick Haymes - I Wonder Why