[sparklite2]

In the years just before rock and roll’s emergence, we watched Your Hit Parade every week, showcasing the top ten songs of that week. YHP didn’t survive rock and roll, probably because the rock songs didn’t sound as good when done by pop artists like Snookie Lanson, Dorothy Collins, or Giselle McKinsey. McKinsey just couldn’t sing rock and absolutely hated it, anyway. She went to her dying day cursing rock and roll.

Up until then, we had to listen to stuff like “Sixteen Tons,” “Canadian Sunset”,”How Much is that Doggie in the Window”, “This Old House,” and “Dance with me Henry.”
It was tough, I tell ya.

[Fiji Hill]

Up until then, we had to listen to stuff like “Sixteen Tons,” “Canadian Sunset”,”How Much is that Doggie in the Window”, “This Old House,” and “Dance with me Henry.” It was tough, I tell ya.

I like this "tough" version of the song also known as "Dance With Me, Henry." It's by an LA act--Richard Berry, who would later score with Louie, Louie, sings the part of Henry.

The Wallflower--Etta James & the Peaches (1955)

That song was promptly answered:

Roll On--The Lamplighters (1955)

[a fool in paradise]

Scatman Crothers did some covers of rock and roll songs for budget labels like Tops.

Be Bop A Lula
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MbnSR6lWM4

Run that one up the hit parade flag pole.

More from the Scatman
My Blue Heaven (which had been covered by Fats Domino)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8-63wEklbg

I’m In Love Again (again Fats)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47XH_08JmaI

I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (this sounds more like Louis Prima with some Fats Waller mixed in)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-pm3G1D32g

Ghost Riders In The Sky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIV0oZthUuY