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33 & 1/3 rpm record
The introduction of the 33 & 1/3 rpm vinyl record by Columbia records -
45 rpm record
RCA introduces the 45 rpm vinyl record, this became the future of single releases. -
Jerry Lee Lewis Debut
Fourteen-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis makes his performing debut, singing at the opening of a Ford dealership in the town of Ferriday, Louisiana. -
The first Rock n' roll song was released
Fats Domino 'The Fat Man' reached #2 in the RnB charts, featuring musical elements such as back beats synchopated rhythms and boogie woogie piano parts. This was considered by some to be the first Rock n' roll ever released. -
Launch of the Fender Telecaster
Fender launched the first ever solid-bodied electric guitar, the 'Broadcaster', later known as the Fender 'Telecaster'. -
First 'cross-over' record was released
Considered to be the first ever 'cross-over' track, Billy Ward and the Dominoes' track 'Sixety Minute Man' was released. The term 'cross-over' refers to an artist that has had releases featured in the charts under one genre of music and then also appeared in other charts of different genres aswell. For example, if an R&B artist featured in the main popular music charts then they wouldbe considered to be a cross-over artist. -
Alan Freed named the music Rock n' roll
DJ Alan Freed launched the Moondog show and named this particular type of music Rock n' roll. -
45 rpm Jukebox
The 45 rpm jukebox was invented. This was a huge step for popular music. -
Sun records was founded
Sam Phillips founded Sun records and claimed that if he could find a white man that could sing with a Negro feel then he would make a million dollars. -
Gibson Les Paul was launched
Gibson launched their first solid bodied guitar called the Les Paul. -
Little Richard's first release
Little Richard's first record was released -
A Rock n' roll track made it in to the pop charts
Bill Haley & The Comets' track 'Crazy Man Crazy' was the first Rock n' roll song to make the pop charts, it reached #12 -
DJ Alan Freed Starts new radio show 'Rock and roll party'
DJ Alan Freed left Cleveland for WINS radio in New York. Freed's new show "Rock and Roll Party" was an immediate hit, showing rock's growing appeal. -
Leo Fender introduces the Fender Stratocaster
1954 saw the invention of the famously used Fender Stratocaster or 'Strat' for short. This guiter became the choice for many musicians in the future such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and many others. -
Ray Charles - I Got A Woman
Ray Charles recorded "I Got A Woman (Atlantic Records). It reached #1 in the R&B charts and was considered by many to be the first ever 'Soul' record. -
Rock Legends Debut
Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard all had debut hits this year. -
Fats Domino - Ain't That A Shame
Fats Domino had numerous hits that crossed over from the R&B charts to the pop charts, especially in 1955, 'Ain't that a Shame' being one of the most popular. -
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash records Folsum Prison Blues at Sun Studios in Memphis. -
Elvis - Heartbreak Hotel
Elvis Presley recorded his first single for RCA, "Heartbreak Hotel." The song became the first of many #1 hits for Presley and helped popularize rock and roll. -
Elvis - Hound Dog
Elvis debuts "Hound Dog" on the Milton Berle TV show and creates a national stir with his suggestive hip movements. -
Song lyrics reviewed before sale
In light of recent controversy over "obscene" music, the U.S. Congress considers legislation that would require song lyrics to be screened by a review committee before sale. -
Elvis - Jailhouse Rock
Elvis releases the single "Jailhouse Rock" to coincide with the release of the movie of the same name. The song would reach #1 in both the US and UK. -
Ricky Nelson has #1 album
At just 17 years old Ricky Nelson's album reaches #1. -
Bobby Freeman reaches #5
17 year old Bobby Freeman scores a #5 hit with "Do You Wanna Dance?" -
Cliff Richard 'Move It' reaches number #2
Cliff Richard's song 'Move It' hit #2 in the UK charts, it was considered to be the frist rock and roll track produced outside of the UK. -
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valen and thbig bopper killed in plane crash
A late night plane crash following a Feb. 2nd performance at Clear Lake, Iowa kills Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. -
Instrumentals in the charts
Instrumentals make an impact with Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat", Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk" and Johnny & The Hurricanes "Red River Rock" all enjoying chart success. -
Rock & roll accounts for 43% of all records sold
As the decade ends, Rock and Roll accounts for 43% of all records sold. This massive popularity is worldwide and impacts movies, television, fashion, attitudes and language. -
1st Grammy awards
The National Association of Record Merchandisers holds the first Grammy Awards - with Frank Sinatra winning for his album "Nice 'n Easy"
