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Eddie Hodges began as a child performer in television, film and the Broadway musical The Music Man. His screen work included A Hole in the Head and Summer Magic. As a recording singer, he became known for I'm Gonna...

Gene Pitney developed as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in Connecticut, learning guitar, piano and drums. His dramatic tenor brought a forceful character to recordings such as Town Without Pity, I'm...

Burl Ives was an American singer and actor whose clear tenor carried traditional folk songs into radio, records, theatre and film. Raised in southern Illinois, he learned ballads from his family and later worked with...

Written by Anka himself, showcasing his evolving style as a singer-songwriter.

Billy Vaughn was an arranger and orchestra leader who became musical director at Dot Records. Before that work he sang with the Hilltoppers. His arrangements and instrumental releases drew on popular, country and R&B...

An instrumental piece inspired by African rhythms, composed by Kaempfert.

Written by Stevens himself, the novelty song told a humorous Middle Eastern-themed story.

Originally an Italian song, it gained popularity after being featured in the film "Rome Adventure."

An instrumental piece composed by Bent Fabric, inspired by the movements of a cat.

Written by Alexander himself, later covered by The Beatles.

Written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard, the song became one of Jackson's signature hits.

The Shirelles began as a school vocal group in Passaic, New Jersey, before recording I Met Him on a Sunday for Florence Greenberg's Tiara label. Their later Scepter work paired an R&B background with string...

An instrumental surf rock piece, named after Balboa Beach in California.

Written by Marvin Gaye, Mickey Stevenson, and George Gordy, based on a real phone number.

Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio wrote the song after watching the movie "Tennessee Partner."

Written by Joe Seneca and Diane Lampert, showcasing Lee's emotive vocal style.

Sedaka and Howard Greenfield wrote the song based on Sedaka's high school experiences.

Written by Cooke himself, the song became one of his most enduring hits.

Elvis Presley's early records brought country, blues, gospel, R&B and pop into a new rock-and-roll setting during the 1950s. His singing and physical stage style helped carry that mixture to a large audience. His...

Another dance-themed song capitalizing on Checker's twist success.

Johnny Crawford's early entertainment career included the original Mouseketeers and a starring role in The Rifleman. Del-Fi Records then introduced him as a teen-pop singer, with Cindy's Birthday among his best-known...

Written by Harpo himself, showcasing his distinctive blues style.

The Highwaymen were a folk quintet formed by Wesleyan University undergraduates, including Bob Burnett and Dave Fisher. What began as entertainment for a fraternity developed into a recording career, with their...

Written by Howard Greenfield and Carole King, blending the Everlys' style with the Brill Building sound.

Another dance-themed song capitalizing on Checker's popularity and the twist craze.

A follow-up to Bonds' hit "Quarter to Three," capitalizing on the twist craze.

Larry Finnegan was the recording name of New York singer Johnny Lawrence Finnegan. He wrote with his brother Vinnie and brought early demonstrations to Old Town Records, where Dear One became his best-known release....

A jazz interpretation of the bossa nova standard written by Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Written by Berry Gordy Jr., the song was originally intended for The Temptations.

Written by Benny Davis and Ted Murry, the song was one of Francis' last major hits.

Written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell, the song captured teenage phone culture.

Written by Ahmet Ertegun and Betty Nelson, showcasing King's soulful vocals.

Written by Cindy Walker, the song showcased Orbison's unique vocal style.

Chandler and his group The Dukays came up with the song while warming up their voices.

Written by Jerry Reed, the song showcased Lee's versatility as a vocalist.

Burl Ives was an American singer and actor whose clear tenor carried traditional folk songs into radio, records, theatre and film. Raised in southern Illinois, he learned ballads from his family and later worked with...

Written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell, continuing Hyland's string of teen idol hits.

Written by Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold, the song was one of Presley's last major hits before his career decline.

A follow-up to "Mashed Potato Time," continuing the food-themed dance craze.

An impromptu jam session led to this instrumental classic.

Written by Cooke himself, the song captured the joy of social gatherings.

Written by Phil Spector and the Brill Building team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

A doo-wop cover of the 1931 song written by Al Hoffman and John Klenner.

James Darren began recording for Colpix while developing a film career that included Gidget. His pop repertoire drew on professional songwriters and standards-oriented singing, with Goodbye Cruel World among his...

Channel co-wrote the song with Margaret Cobb, inspired by a phrase often used by a disk jockey.

A ska song that gained popularity in Jamaica and among Caribbean communities in the UK.

Written by Don Gibson in 1957, Charles' version was inspired by his desire to create a country-soul crossover hit.

Written by Reed himself, showcasing his influential blues style.

Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, showcasing Jackson's powerful vocals.

Barbara George grew up singing in a New Orleans church choir and writing songs. Fellow musician Jessie Hill introduced her to Harold Battiste's AFO label, where her recording career developed within the city's R&B...

Written by George Cory and Douglass Cross, it became Bennett's signature song.

A cover of the 1941 song written by Johnny Mercer and Victor Schertzinger.

Ronnie and the Hi-Lites was a Jersey City vocal group featuring the young lead singer Ronnie Goodson. Initially called the Cascades, the group worked with arranger and producer Hal Weiss and songwriter Marian Weiss....

Bobby Rydell began performing as a child drummer in Philadelphia before becoming associated with the city's teen-pop singers. His recording repertoire included Wild One, Volare, Swingin' School and Wildwood Days,...

Written by Ike Turner, the song featured the backing vocalists of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

A soulful ballad showcasing Burke's powerful vocals and emotional delivery.

Written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949, this version became a civil rights anthem.

Tillotson wrote the song about his father's illness.

Written by King and Gerry Goffin, it was King's debut as a performer.

Written by Nelson and Jerry Fuller, showcasing Nelson's maturing style.

Written by John D. Loudermilk, the song used a humorous metaphor for a relationship.

Written by Lyn Duddy and Lee Pockriss, the song was Fabares' debut single.

Written by Hal David and Sherman Edwards, the song reflected changing gender dynamics.

Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, following up on the success of "The Loco-Motion."

Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, one of the group's early singles before their major breakthrough.

Written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell, the song was the group's biggest hit.

A cover of the 1940 standard written by Lionel Rand and Ian Grant.

Written by Jim Lee, the song was inspired by the dance crazes of the early 1960s.

A follow-up to "The Twist," written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell to capitalize on the ongoing dance craze.

Written by Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca, continuing Dion's string of hits.

Written by Jean Renard and Carl Sigman, the song was one of Lee's most successful ballads.

Originally written in 1945 by Edward Heyman and Victor Young for the film "Love Letters."

One of the earliest Lennon-McCartney compositions, written when they were teenagers.

Ottawa-born Paul Anka developed a career as both a singer and a songwriter. Diana and Lonely Boy became familiar parts of his own repertoire, while other performers recorded his compositions, including Tom Jones with...

Written by Billy Swan, the song was McPhatter's biggest hit as a solo artist.

Written by Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca, the song continued Dion's solo success.

A cover of the 1922 Tin Pan Alley song, popularized by Hank Williams in 1949.

Written by Curtis Mayfield, the song was Bradley's biggest hit.

The song capitalized on the popularity of the Mashed Potato dance craze.

Based on the Russian folk song "Podmoskovnye Vechera" (Moscow Nights).

Henry Mancini built a career linking orchestral popular music with film and television. He worked as a pianist and arranger for Tex Beneke before composing for Universal films. His screen work ranged from Touch of...

A novelty song written by Drake and Max Diamond, with an Australian theme.

Sue Thompson developed her singing career in California, appearing in Bay Area clubs and on cowboy singer Dude Martin's radio and television programs. Early recordings for Mercury were followed by work with other...

Walter Brennan combined a long screen-acting career with recordings that reached country and pop audiences. Known for films including Come and Get It, Kentucky and The Westerner, he became especially active on record...

Written by Chuck Barris, the song was inspired by the famous New Jersey amusement park.

Clark wrote the song about her experiences as a teenager wanting to go to parties.

Dickey Lee is a Memphis-born singer and songwriter whose career connects early rock and roll with country music. He recorded for Sun before gaining a wider pop audience with Patches, I Saw Linda Yesterday and Laurie....

The song was inspired by the twist dance craze and the Peppermint Lounge in New York City.

Percolator (Twist) belongs to the studio identity Billy Joe and the Checkmates. The licensed artist biography identifies Billy Joe Hunter as a pseudonym used by Lew Bedell, who worked with Ernie Freeman on the...

Written by Mickey Stevenson and Clarence Paul, the song was a follow-up to "Please Mr. Postman."

Jimmy Dean developed his performing career around Washington, D.C., where he led the Texas Wildcats and worked in clubs and radio. Television expanded his audience through Town and Country Time and successive...

A doo-wop song written by Kent Harris, based on a children's rhyme.

Written by Noel Sherman and Joe Sherman, the song became one of Cole's signature hits.

A posthumous release of a song Holly recorded in 1955, written by Mickey Stevenson.

Written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell for the film "Girls! Girls! Girls!"

Another dance-themed song capitalizing on Sharp's earlier successes.

An instrumental piece featuring Cortez's distinctive organ playing.

Based on the traditional nursery rhyme, the song was written by Al Byron and Paul Evans.

Written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld, the song is about a summer romance.

Written by Gregory Carroll and Teddy Randazzo, the song was the group's first major hit.

Written by Hank Cochran, the song was inspired by a photograph of a lost love.

Roe wrote the song about a high school girlfriend when he was 14.

Bob Gaudio wrote the song in 15 minutes before a group rehearsal.

Joey Dee and the Starliters developed from the band led by New Jersey singer and saxophonist Joey Dee. Their engagement at New York's Peppermint Lounge connected them closely with the early-1960s twist craze....

Maresca wrote the song himself, drawing on the energetic rock and roll style of the time.

Chubby Checker, born Ernest Evans in South Carolina, developed as a Philadelphia street singer and an impersonator before becoming closely associated with dance records. The Class showcased his imitations of other...

The Corsairs was a North Carolina vocal group featuring the Uzzell brothers and their cousin George Wooten. Earlier known as the Gleems, they worked with producer Abner Spector after moving into the New York and New...

Written by Grady Martin and Alex Zanetis, the song became Henderson's signature hit.

Written by Florence Greenberg and Luther Dixon, the song reflected the experiences of young women during the Vietnam War era.

An instrumental piece showcasing Curtis's saxophone skills and the growing popularity of soul music.

Written by Buddy Kaye, Ethel Lee, and David Hess, inspired by the Looney Tunes character.

Bilk wrote the song for his daughter Jenny and originally titled it "Jenny."

Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the song helped launch the surf music craze.

Written by Jack Lewis, the song reflected Nelson's experiences as a young star.

Written by the duo themselves, showcasing their harmonies and songwriting skills.

Written by Joe Meek, inspired by the Telstar communications satellite.

Written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell, inspired by the popular Latin dance.

Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote the song for their babysitter, Eva Boyd.

Written by Smokey Robinson, the song was one of Wells' early Motown hits.

Originally written as background music for a television show, it became a surprise hit.

Written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell, the song was inspired by the Watusi dance.

Written by Ernie Maresca, the song was inspired by Dion's reputation as a ladies' man.

Richard Chamberlain was an actor and singer whose early television role in Dr. Kildare also produced the recording Three Stars Will Shine Tonight, based on the series theme. His screen career later included...

Written by Bobby Darin, the upbeat song reflected on the simple pleasures in life.

Written for the 1961 film of the same name starring Kirk Douglas.

A gospel song that reflected the turbulent times of the civil rights movement.

Ace Cannon's saxophone career grew from an early interest in performing with his father in Mississippi. He chose the alto saxophone as a child, then worked as a sideman in Memphis for Sun and Hi Records. Tuff...

Originally recorded by the Top Notes, the Isley Brothers' version became a hit.

Another twist-themed song, following the success of "Dear Lady Twist."

Jimmy Soul came to popular recording after singing gospel as a teenager. Producer Frank Guida brought him into the Norfolk recording scene and selected material with calypso and Caribbean influences. Twistin' Matilda...

Cooke wrote the song to capitalize on the twist dance craze.

Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the song addressed social issues of the time.

Written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller, the song compared a girl to the goddess Venus.

Jimmy Smith helped establish the Hammond organ as a major jazz instrument, combining bass movement, chords and melodic improvisation within one performance. His sound brought blues, gospel and R&B into a...

A re-release of Grant's 1956 hit, written by Stanley Lebowsky and Herb Newman.

Written by Richard Barrett, showcasing the group's doo-wop harmonies.

Written by Claude Johnson and Roland Trone (Don and Juan), the doo-wop song became their only hit.

The Kingston Trio grew from a Palo Alto partnership among Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds. Guitars, banjo and close vocal harmonies framed a repertoire drawn from folk traditions and other popular songs....

Written by Alexander himself, showcasing his influential country-soul style.

An instrumental piece inspired by the dance crazes of the early 1960s.

Co-written by Merle Kilgore and Claude King, the song was based on a real person, Clifton Clowers.

Written by Orbison and Joe Melson, drawing on Orbison's experiences working in the oil fields.

A soulful cover of the 1939 country standard, originally recorded by Jimmie Davis.

Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, showcasing Wells' vocal talents.

A doo-wop cover of the 1952 pop standard written by Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart.

Written by Cindy Walker and Eddy Arnold in 1955, Charles' version became the most famous.

Lynn wrote the song herself, drawing from personal experiences.

A cover of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song from the musical "Carousel."

Written by Jerry Fuller, the song reflected the optimism of youth in the early 1960s.

A rock and roll cover of the 1946 song from Disney's "Song of the South."