1956 Hitmakers
The year 1956 was a good one for the Collins family. Betty and Rosalie Collins would form a duo called The Teen Queens-their hit was “Eddie My Love” (#14). Aaron Collins, their brother, was the leader of a group called The Cadets-their hit this year was “Stranded In The Jungle” (#15). Fats Domino would have 5 hits this year-his biggest would be a remake of a 1940 hit by Glenn Miller, a song called “Blueberry Hill” (#2).
George Hamilton IV would have only 1 hit in 1956-“A Rose And A Baby Ruth” (#6). Ivory Joe Hunter would also have 1 hit this year-“Since I Met You Baby” (#12). Jerry Lewis was a very popular comedian in the year 1956, but now he would venture out into the world of pop music. His only hit would come in the latter part of 1956 with a remake of a 1918 hit by Al Jolson-“Rock A Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody” (#10).
Jim Lowe would ask the musical question -what’s behind “The Green Door” (#1 for 3 weeks). Shirley & Lee would hit the pop charts this year with their biggest hit-“Let The Good Times Roll” (#20). Bill Doggett would score 2 instrumental hits in 1956-his biggest was “Honky Tonk” (#2 for 3 weeks).
Andy Williams would begin his career as a hitmaker in 1956-he would score 2 hits, his biggest was the vocal version of “Canadian Sunset” (#7). The Five Satins would hit the pop charts this year with their classic recording of “In The Still Of The Night” (#24). Johnny Cash would score his first Top 40 hit in 1956- it was called “I Walk The Line” (#17).
The summer of 1956 would see the biggest hit in the career of Gogi Grant-“The Wayward Wind” (#1 for 8 weeks). The G-Clefs would have only 1 hit this year-“Ka Ding Dong” (#24). Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers would score 2 hits in 1956-their biggest was “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” (#6).
Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps would debut on the nation’s Top 40 this year-their biggest hit was “Be Bop A Lula” (#7). Carl Perkins would also debut on the musical scene this year with “Blue Suede Shoes” (#2 or 4 weeks). The Willows would also have only 1 hit this year-“Church Bells May Ring” (#62).
A Teen Idol would burst onto the musical scene in 1956. His name was Elvis Presley and he would score 11 Top 40 hits this year, including 4 #1’s. His #1 records would be “Heartbreak Hotel” (#1 for 8 weeks), “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” (#1 for 1 week), “Don’t Be Cruel” (#1 for 11 weeks) and “Love Me Tender” (#1 for 5 weeks). The Six Teens, featuring the lead voice of Trudy Williams, would have 1 hit this year-“A Casual Look” (#25). Patience & Prudence would have 2 hits in 1956-their biggest was “Tonight You Belong To Me” (#4)
The Orchestra of Hugo Winterhalter would have 1 hit this year-“Canadian Sunset” (#2 for 2 weeks). Bobby Scott would score 1 hit in 1956-it was called “Chain Gang” (this song would peak at #15 and it wasn’t the same song that Sam Cooke would do a few years later). The Turbans would come from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and they would be led by Al Banks. They would have 1 hit in 1956, their biggest hit-“When You Dance”(#33).
These were just some of the performers that we would hear on our radios back in 1956.
