Thursday, August 9, 2012

UK-THE NUMBER ONE SONGS OF THE 50's

Week EndingACT + LinksTITLEWeeksTALLYCOMMENT
14 Nov 1952
Xmas No 1
Al MartinoHere In My Heart9Only No 1First UK No 1 based on record sales.   Al was a US crooner, who had a come-back Top 10 entry in 1973 ("Spanish Eyes").
16 Jan 1953Jo StaffordYou Belong To Me1Only No 1Took 10 weeks to climb
to No 1.  She was a singer with Tommy Dorsey until 1942, when she went on to solo stardom.
23 Jan 1953Kay StarrComes A-Long A-Love11st No 1Born in Oklahoma, her father was an American Indian, her mother Irish.  Her well-known song, "Wheel of Fortune", pre-dates the UK chart.
30 Jan 1953Eddie FisherOutside Of Heaven11st No 1US tenor who was married to Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds, and is father of actress Carrie Fisher.
6 Feb 1953Perry ComoDon't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes51st No 1Top international tv crooner of the decade, whose shows were watched world-wide.
13 Mar 1953Guy MitchellShe Wears Red Feathers41st No 1He was a US rising star, whose early best-sellers pre-dated the charts.  First of a series of hits with producer Mitch Miller. 
10 Apr 1953StargazersBroken Wings11st No 1First No 1 by a British act. They were radio stars of the 50s who mostly scored with novelty items.
17 Apr 1953Lita Roza(How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window1Only No 1UK star and NME readers' Top Female artist of 1953.
24 Apr 1953Frankie LaineI Believe181st No 1Major US singing star of the 50s.   Holds the record for most (non-consecutive) weeks at No 1, ever.
26 Jun 1953Eddie FisherI'm Walking Behind You12nd & last No 1His fifth million-seller.  He remained a star for many years, and continued with cabaret performances until the end of the century.
14 Aug 1953MantovaniMoulin Rouge1Only No 1Highly popular Italian-born orchestra leader.  First instrumental No 1, from the film of the same name.
11 Sep 1953Guy MitchellLook At That Girl62nd No 1Most of his early hits were novelty items, but this was a bouncy love song.  It failed to chart in US!
23 Oct 1953Frankie LaineHey Joe22nd No 1During the last week of October 1953 he had four singles in the Top 12.
06 Nov 1953David WhitfieldAnswer Me21st No 1Powerful tenor who was the top-selling British artist of the mid-50s.
13 Nov 1953
Xmas No 1
Frankie LaineAnswer Me83rd No 1Banned by BBC for religious content (use of the phrase "O Lord"), but it outsold Whitfield's version.
8 Jan 1954Eddie CalvertOh Mein Papa91st No 1Popular British solo trumpeter.  Was first No 1 recorded at Abbey Road studios.
12 Mar 1954StargazersI See The Moon62nd & last No 1They were still radio stars, but all their releases since "Broken Wings" had failed to chart.
16 Apr 1954Doris DaySecret Love91st No 1Major US recording and film star.   Oscar-winning song from her film "Calamity Jane".
30 Apr 1954Johnnie RaySuch A Night11st No 1US super star and early teenage heart-throb famous for his emotional stage act.
2 Jul 1954David WhitfieldCara Mia102nd & last No 1.Million-seller backed by Mantovani Orchestra.  He remained popular for the rest of the decade.
10 Sep 1954Kitty KallenLittle Things Mean A Lot1Only No 1US band vocalist from the 1940s who became the first One-hit Wonder in the UK.
17 Sep 1954Frank SinatraThree Coins In The Fountain31st No 1First No 1 in UK for the singing legend, who had been a star since the 1930s.
8 Oct 1954Don CornellHold My Hand4Only No 1US band vocalist from the 1940s. Never a major star in the UK, but still performing in 1999!
5 Nov 1954Vera LynnMy Son My Son2Only No 1Major British singing star since the 1930s, and known as the "Forces Sweetheart" during World War 2.
26 Nov 1954Rosemary ClooneyThis Ole House11st No 1Popular US music and tv star.  The song was No 1 for Shakin' Stevens in 1981.
3 Dec 1954
Xmas No 1
Winifred AtwellLet's Have Another Party51st No 1Popular honky-tonk piano-playing star from Trinidad.
7 Jan 1955Dickie ValentineFinger Of Suspicion31st No 1Top British crooner, popular throughout the 50s.
14 Jan 1955Rosemary ClooneyMambo Italiano32nd & last No 1She remained very popular in the UK and US until the end of the decade.
18 Feb 1955Ruby MurraySoftly, Softly3Only No 1Belfast-born recording and tv star of the mid 50s, but this was her only No 1.
11 Mar 1955Tennessee Ernie FordGive Me Your Word71st No 1Former radio DJ from Tennessee who became a country music singer.
29 Apr 1955Perez "Prez" Prado & His OrchestraCherry Pink And Apple Blossom White2Only No 1Cuban band with the theme from the Jane Russell film "Underwater".
13 May 1955Tony BennettStranger In Paradise2Only No 1Song from the musical "Kismet".   Only UK No 1 for the legendary US crooner, who was still popular at the end of the century.
27 May 1955Eddie CalvertCherry Pink And Apple Blossom White42nd & last No 1British cover version of the original Perez Prado hit. His fame continued for the rest of the 50s.
24 Jun 1955Jimmy YoungUnchained Melody31st No 1British crooner whose early recordings pre-dated the charts.  Theme from the film "Unchained", and the first of four No 1 versions of the song by 2002.
15 Jul 1955Alma CoganDreamboat2Only No 1Top British radio and tv singing star, famous for her huge ball gowns.  She had 21 hits, 1954-1961.
29 Jul 1955Slim WhitmanRose Marie11Only No 1US Country singer and yodeller.  Held record for most consecutive weeks at No 1 until 1991 - 36 years!
14 Oct 1955Jimmy YoungThe Man From Laramie42nd & last No 1After the 50s, he moved on to become a star DJ on BBC Radio, still broadcasting at the millennium.
11 Nov 1955Johnston BrothersHernando's Hideaway2Only No 1British vocal group with a song from the musical "The Pyjama Game".
25 Nov 1955Bill Haley & His CometsRock Around The Clock5Only No 1First Rock 'n' Roll No 1. They were RnR pioneers, but did not achieve lasting fame. Record entered the charts a further 6 times until 1974.
16 Dec 1955
Xmas No 1
Dickie ValentineChristmas Alphabet32nd & last No 11st Christmas Song to make No 1. He continued charting until the end of the decade.
20 Jan 1956Tennessee Ernie FordSixteen Tons42nd & last No 1US coal-mining song written in 1947.
17 Feb 1956Dean MartinMemories Are Made Of This4Only No 1He was a US record, tv and film star for three decades, with 11 Top 10 hits.
16 Mar 1956Dream WeaversIt's Almost Tomorrow3Only No 1Studio-only act from Miami. The song was covered by Mark Wynter in 1963 (No 12)
30 Mar 1956Kay StarrRock And Roll Waltz12nd & last No 1Nothing to do with rock 'n' roll - strictly MOR!  This was her final hit.
13 Apr 1956Winifred AtwellPoor People Of Paris32nd & last No 1Instrumental version of genuine French song. She remained popular, but eventually lost out to Russ Conway.
4 May 1956Ronnie HiltonNo Other Love6Only No 1British tenor with a Rodgers & Hammerstein song.
15 Jun 1956Pat BooneI'll Be Home5Only No 1American international heart-throb who had 26 UK hits by 1962.
20 Jul 1956Frankie Lymon And The TeenagersWhy Do Fools Fall in Love3Only No 1At 13, Lymon was youngest performer to make No 1 - record held until 23/12/72. Their popularity never developed in the UK.
10 Aug 1956Doris DayWhatever Will Be Will Be62nd & last No1Oscar-winning song from the Doris Day film "The Man Who Knew Too Much". Her recording and film career lasted well into the 60s.
21 Sep 1956Anne SheltonLay Down Your Arms4Only No 1British vocal star of the 40s & 50s.   The song was based on a traditional Swedish melody.
19 Oct 1956Frankie LaineA Woman In Love44th & last No 1His success continued, through the 50s, with a total of 19 Top 10 hits.
16 Nov 1956
Xmas No 1
Johnny RayJust Walking In The Rain72nd No 1Another tear-jerker from the "Prince of Wails".
4 Jan 1957Guy MitchellSinging The Blues33rd No 1Third No 1 in a row from producer Mitch Miller, and 5th in a row on Philips label.
11 Jan 1957Tommy SteeleSinging The Blues1Only No 1He is regarded as Britain's first Rock 'n' Roll performer. He moved into film and stage musicals for the rest of his career.
25 Jan 1957Frankie VaughanThe Garden Of Eden41st No 1British singing entertainer, popular for several decades.
22 Feb 1957Tab HunterYoung Love7Only No 1US movie idol who was asked to record the song.  It had no connection with any film.
12 Apr 1957Lonnie DoneganCumberland Gap51st No 1The "King of Skiffle" was a former member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band.  1st Skiffle no 1.
17 May 1957Guy MitchellRock-A-Billy14th & last No 1Song gave its name to a music style - a mix of rock and country.
24 May 1957Andy WilliamsButterfly2Only No 1Early hit for the international tv crooner of the 60s and 70s. He accrued 21 hits by 1976, and toured the UK in 2001.
7 Jun 1957Johnnie RayYes Tonight Josephine33rd & last No 1Another Mitch Miller production.  Ray remained popular until the end of the decade.
28 Jun 1957Lonnie DoneganPuttin' On The Style / Gamblin' Man22nd No 11st double-sided No 1 and first live recording to reach the top.
12 Jul 1957Elvis PresleyAll Shook Up71st No 1 of record 18 by 2002.The King of Rock 'n' Roll had 9 previous UK hits before finally making No 1.
30 Aug 1957Paul AnkaDiana9Only No 1Canadian who wrote the song himself about his kid brother's baby-sitter.  His success continued into the 70s.
1 Nov 1957The CricketsThat'll Be The Day31st No 1First No 1 for the band's lead singer, Buddy Holly.
22 Nov 1957
Xmas No 1
Harry BelafonteMary's Boy Child7Only No 1Famous for his West Indian calypso music, but he was an American, born in New York.
10 Jan 1958Jerry Lee LewisGreat Balls Of Fire2Only No 1Only major white rock 'n' roll star to play piano rather than guitar. Controversial private life restricted his popularity.
24 Jan 1958Elvis PresleyJailhouse Rock32nd No 11st record to enter charts at No 1.   From the Presley film of the same name.
14 Feb 1958Michael HollidayThe Story Of My Life21st No 1UK laid-back, deep-voiced crooner with a Burt Bacharach and Hal David song.
28 Feb 1958Perry ComoMagic Moments82nd & last No 12nd No 1 in a row for writers Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  Como's hits continued into the early 60s, with a sepatate chart career in the early 70s.
25 Apr 1958Marvin RainwaterWhole Lotta Woman3Only No 1US Country Music singer who was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian .
16 May 1958Connie FrancisWho's Sorry Now61st No 1First female rock 'n' roll star to make No 1, but this song was a 1920s ballad.
27 Jun 1958Vic DamoneOn The Street Where You Live2Only No 1US balladeer with a song from the hit musical "My Fair Lady".  Producer Mitch Miller's last No 1.
4 Jul 1958Everly BrothersAll I Have To Do Is Dream71st No 1First of 4 chart toppers for famous brothers Don & Phil.
22 Aug 1958Kalin TwinsWhen5Only No 1They had several hits in US, but this rock 'n' roll classic was their only hit in the UK.
26 Sep 1958Connie FrancisStupid Cupid62nd & last No 1Written by Neil Sedaka.  Connie had hits into the 60s, with a final tally of 24.
7 Nov 1958Tommy EdwardsAll In The Game3Only No 1A re-recording of his own 1951 hit.   Sold 3m copies.
28 Nov 1958Lord Rockingham's XIHoots Mon3Only No 1House band from tv's "Oh Boy!"   Based on traditional Scottish folk song.
19 Dec 1958
Xmas No 1
Conway TwittyIt's Only Make Believe5Only No 1US Country singer who had amassed over 30 No 1s in the US Country Chart by the 1980s.
23 Jan 1959Jane MorganThe Days The Rains Came1Only No 1American who sang in Paris for some time.   The B-side was the same song in French!
30 Jan 1959Elvis PresleyI Got Stung / One Night33rd No 1Presley was in the army by the time this was a hit.
20 Feb 1959Shirley BasseyAs I Love You41st No 1First chart topper for the legendary Welsh diva, who was in the charts in 1999 - 40 years later!
20 Mar 1959The PlattersSmoke Gets In Your Eyes1Only No 1Established doo-wop group with a Jerome Kern classic from 1933.
27 Mar 1959Russ ConwaySide Saddle41st No 1Popular pianist who found fame on tv's "Billy Cotton Band Show".
24 Apr 1959Buddy HollyIt Doesn't Matter Anymore32nd & last (1st with Crickets)Reached No 1 six weeks after Holly's death.  Written by Paul Anka.
15 May 1959Elvis PresleyA Fool Such As I54th No 1This was his first ballad to make it to the top.
19 Jun 1959Russ ConwayRoulette22nd & last No 1He wrote both his No 1s.
He remained popular and performed into the 90s.
3 Jul 1959Bobby DarinDream Lover41st No 1Classic Rock 'n' Roll love song written by Darin.  He started with RnR, but soon moved into MOR.
31 Jul 1959Cliff RichardLiving Doll61st No 1
of 14 by the end
of 1999.
Written by Lionel Bart ("Oliver!"), it was Cliff's first of 14 No 1s spanning 40 years.
11 Sep 1959Craig DouglasOnly Sixteen4Only No 1Written by Sam Cooke and  covered by this milkman from the Isle of Wight.
9 Oct 1959Jerry KellerHere Comes Summer1Only No 1Despite taking care over follow-up, he became a One-hit Wonder in UK and US.
16 Oct 1959Bobby DarinMack The Knife22nd & last No 1Darin moved into big-band MOR with this, but his hoped-for Sinatra-style career failed.  Returned to pop for the mid 60s.
30 Oct 1959Cliff RichardTravellin' Light52nd No 1Living Doll sound-alike repeated the trick.
4 Dec 1959Adam FaithWhat Do You Want31st No 1After several failed singles, he finally shot to the top. The backing featured John Barry's pizzicato strings.
18 Dec 1959
Xmas No 1
Emile Ford & The CheckmatesWhat Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For6Only No 1From the Bahamas, he was "discovered" at the Pye Records-sponsored Soho music contest.

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