UK Singles Chart: The 1950s

A question I've often asked myself is what exactly does the UK singles chart represent in the world of music?

The simple answer is its the music that sells a lot of singles. At the same time though it should serve some sort of guideline as to what's popular at the time without being definitive.

The early part of the 50s showed in some ways that the singles chart has gone full circle, because like the modern era there are a limited number of artists actually in the charts, plenty of collaborations with each other and artists who are very much performers and not songwriters.

It's quite interesting to see that despite the 50s nostalgia being centred around Rock and Roll, it wasn't until 1956 when this started to have a big impact on the charts, and even then there was still plenty of traditional pop music in the charts at the same time.

What was also interesting though was what little impact certain well known artists had on the charts. For example, Clyde McPhatter, Carl Perkins and Ritchie Valens were all one hit wonders. Furthemore, Clyde McPhatter had left the Drifters in the 50s, but the Drifters were still yet to make their chart debut by the end of the decade. Then you also had acts like James Brown, Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Cash and The Flamingos who were all yet to make their chart debuts.

Arguably the first Rock and Roll hit in the charts was "Shake Rattle and Roll", but this was a cover. The original artist, Big Joe Turner, actually never had a UK hit. Other well known 50s acts to never have a UK hit include Muddy Waters, Hank Ballard, Jimmy Reed, Bobby Bland, Little Willie John and The Moonglows.

It's also interesting to see that despite hearing about how big Skiffle was in the late 50s which influenced many 60s bands, the only Skiffle artist to have a real impact on the charts was Lonnie Donegan. Then despite the Skiffle craze being over by 1958, Lonnie Donegan was still going strong in the charts.

The charts were very different by the end of the decade compared to the beginning in terms of personnel. Of the 20 acts who had a hit in its first year, 1952, only 7 of them would have further hits beyond the 50s. Of those 7, you had the Four Lads who only had 2 hits in the 50s and scored their 3rd and final hit in early 1960 courtesy of the charts extending from 30 to 50 (note my blog only considers top 40 as a hit, this reached 34). Then there was Al Martino and Bing Crosby who had to wait until the 70s before they had their next hit. You also had Doris Day who would have just one further hit in 1964, Max Bygraves who had four more hits including one in 1973 and Nat 'King' Cole who continued to have hits up till 1962 and some posthumous releases many years later. Only Louis Armstrong would have his better charting days ahead of him which would include his only number one.

So next up is the swinging sixties, but did the charts reflect what their remembered for? and how would the big 50s musicians fare?