No way did the 50s rock. Hell, they didn't even get interesting til somewhere around 58. The 60s rocked. But the 70s rule and that's all there is to it. If you look around, you will see that the decade that is still drawing ppl in is the 70s. Plain and simple. I dont think I've seen too many poodle skirts or pompadours lately, or parachute pants.
The 50s had Chuck Berry, Elvis, Little Richard, Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins, Ray Charles, and all those great doo-wop groups for starters. The 70s had the BeeGees and the Starland Vocal Band.
You must have grown up in Jersey.