A constant visitor to the charts in the first half of the 1950s, Georgia Gibbs failed to leave as strong an imprint as many of her fellow stars, at least in part because of her versatility. She did ballads, straight pop, novelties, pop-jazz, cha-cha-chas -- whatever the marketplace might take, she could adapt. In the mid-'50s she, like many... [+] Read More

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In the years immediately prior to the British Invasion, only one performer rivaled the chart dominance of Elvis Presley, and that was Pat Boone. With his trademark white buck shoes, perfectly combed hair and gleaming smile, Boone was the very essence of wholesome American values, and at a time when the rise of rock & roll was viewed as a sign of... [+] Read More

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A vocal quartet best known for their work backing rock & roller and country star Jack Scott, the Chantones at one time bidded fair to become as well known as the Jordanaires. Their three years with Scott and seven years in the recording industry put the group on more than a dozen hit singles, but they never charted a hit of their own in the... [+] Read More

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The Four Freshmen were one of the top vocal groups of the 1950s, and formed the bridge between '40s ensembles like the Mel-Tones and harmony-based rock & roll bands such as the Beach Boys as well as groups like Spanky & Our Gang and the Manhattan Transfer. The group's roots go back to the end of the 1940s and a barbershop quartet-influenced... [+] Read More

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The Four Lads were experts at close harmony and a capella and were very much influenced by Negro spirituals and gospel music. They scored a number of pop Top 100 hits during the early '50s, including "The Mockingbird," "Skokian" (1954), "Moments to Remember" (1955), and "No, Not Much!" and "Standing on the Corner" (both in 1956). Their initial... [+] Read More

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The mere mention of the name the McGuire Sisters evokes images of '50s America and comfortable white, middle-class life and aspirations. Their work was the perfect musical embodiment of the popular culture of the period, of a piece with Snooky Lanson and Gisele MacKenzie on Your Hit Parade, and Dwight Eisenhower's America. They even came from a... [+] Read More

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