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Written during a heatwave, ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ became a holiday standard. Dean Martin’s version is impossible to beat.August 1959 was an exceptionally hot month for most of the United States. It greatly amused Dean Martin, as he walked into Capitol Records’ studio, at 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, on Thursday, August 6, to think that he was about to record his own version of the winter song “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” on such a hot day. Martin, whose singing imitated the smooth baritone vocals and phrasing of Bing...

Though synonymous with Yuletide, this much-acclaimed standard was inspired by one of the hottest summers on record.The song that for many people best encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season, Nat ‘King’ Cole’s “The Christmas Song” is pretty much synonymous with Yuletide. Yet, remarkably, this winter classic was written at the height of the summer – and inspired by a heatwave. “The Christmas Song” was penned by respected singer-songwriters Mel Torme and Bob Wells, with the latter responding directly to the exceptionally hot summer of 1945. Incredibly, the two musicians wrote it in little more than an hour. Torme went...

Tennessee Ernie Ford wasn’t the first to record ‘Sixteen Tons,’ but he made it his signature song in 1955, and the title track of an album released in 1960. Tennessee Ernie Ford wasn’t the first artist to record “Sixteen Tons,” but he made it his signature. The song, inspired by the travails of the real-life coal miners of Kentucky, was first recorded by one of his forerunners on the Capitol label, Merle Travis, in 1947. That popular version, of a song that bore Travis’ songwriting credit from then on, didn’t show up on the Billboard charts on the day, even...

’Hey Good Lookin’’ inspired more than one hundred cover versions, including one that soon bagged the pop chart honours.Over the course of little more than four years — seven while he was still alive, four after his sad demise — Hank Williams had no fewer than 11 No.1s on Billboard’s country chart. Between them, they racked up an extraordinary total of 82 weeks at the summit, an aggregate of more than 18 months that helped to forge the legend of one of the true country greats. Around halfway through that sequence, it was on August 11, 1951 that Williams’...

A timeless juxtaposition of brazen lust and cool sophistication, ‘Fever’ remains the definitive hit for jazz singer Peggy Lee.In July of 1958, nearly 20 years into her career, 38-year-old Peggy Lee scored her 48th Billboard hit with “Fever.” Known for her sultry delivery, impeccable timing, and bluesy intonation, Lee had already earned the respect of jazz greats while her commercial hits won her legions of admirers. Versatile and prolific, she has become one of the swing era’s most recognizable voices, famous for such hits as “Why Don’t You Do Right” and “It’s a Good Day,” the latter being one...

Another of his timeless hits entered the Hot 100 in May 1960. Sam Cooke made so many outstanding contributions to music history that it’s impossible to choose just one song that defines him. His smooth, lyrical and expressive voice adorned countless gems, from “You Send Me” to “Chain Gang,” “Only Sixteen” to “Cupid,” and of course the immortal “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Another of his all-time greats, “Wonderful World,” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 9, 1960. The song was written chiefly by A&M Records co-founder and hitmaker Herb Alpert with Lou Adler, but Cooke himself...

The much-covered song had its origins at the end of World War II.Late in 1957, Sam Cooke was making his fans swoon. The smooth, stylish pop of “You Send Me” had just been No.1, and was about to spread Cooke’s name internationally, early in 1958. In an explosion of activity on the US charts, he also charted in November with George Gershwin’s “Summertime,” then again in the week before Christmas with the double-sided “I’ll Come Running Back To You” and “Forever.” Then, on December 30, 1957, he entered Billboard’s Best Sellers In Stores chart with yet another hit, “(I...

Tennessee Ernie Ford wasn’t the first to record ‘Sixteen Tons,’ but he made it his signature song in 1955, and the title track of an album released in 1960.Tennessee Ernie Ford wasn’t the first artist to record “Sixteen Tons,” but he made it his signature. The song, inspired by the travails of the real-life coal miners of Kentucky, was first recorded by one of his forerunners on the Capitol label, Merle Travis, in 1947. That popular version, of a song that bore Travis’ songwriting credit from then on, didn’t show up on the Billboard charts on the day, even...

Screamin' Scott Simon of Sha Na Na has died at the age of 75, following a lengthy battle with sinus cancer. The news was confirmed by his daughter, Nina, in a social media post. "My dad was a rock star. Literally," she wrote, sharing a photo of her father and family. "A member of Sha Na Na for over 50 years. He loved early morning diners and late nights onstage. But he loved his girls most of all." Simon's Background Simon was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1948, later graduating from Columbia in New York City in 1970. That...

On a July day in 1958, the performing talents of Buddy Holly were intertwined with the writing nous of Bobby Darin. The net result was a peculiar chart battle and Top 40 hits for both of them, with “Early In The Morning.” It was the seventh of Buddy’s mere eight Top 40 singles in the US, and the tale behind it takes some believing. Written by Darin and Woody Harris, the track had a bizarre history, even by the standards of the chart battles that often took place in those days. It was recorded and released by Bobby first, not...

Cole’s re-entrance marks the longest break between top 10 hits in chart history.Nat King Cole’s celebrated “The Christmas Song” posthumously reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated January 7, marking his first top 10 hit in nearly 60 years. Shop the best of Nat King Cole’s discography on vinyl and more. Cole, who died in 1965, returned to the top 10 after 59 years, six months, and a week, which marks the longest break between top 10 hits in chart history. This breaks the record previously broken last year by The Ronettes, whose holiday smash “Sleigh Ride” returned...

Regardless of how silly it can be, I find much to enjoy about this Batman show with Adam West and Burt Ward. Julie Newmar is still the best Catwoman. After years of ownership disputes, the fans can watch these classics once again!

Hugh McElhenny, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who used his speed and elusiveness to rise to prominence as a halfback in the 1950s, died June 17 at age 93, the Hall of Fame announced Thursday. McElhenny died of natural causes at his home in Nevada, the Hall of Fame said. Known for his long strides and high-knee propulsion, McElhenny rushed for 5,281 yards and 38 touchdowns in a 13-year career that included stops with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Detroit Lions. But it was his nine-year run with the San Francisco 49ers that vaulted...

Philadelphia and music legend Bobby Rydell has died. The former teen idol is probably best-known in the area for the song “Wildwood Days,” but he had so many hits — “Volare,” “Wild One” and so many others. …

ROUND 7 OF THE '50S TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS II COMMENCES!ROUND 7 – THE FINAL Votes due: Sunday, March 6 @ 12:00 pm Eastern. 2 songs, 1 pair, 1 winner! Vote for your favorite. Any ties will be broken via Billboard annual ranking, then back to Round 1 ranking (seed), then Round 1 point total, then Round 1 vote count. See the pair in my next reply post. Format in survey: Poll seed – year - song title – act The survey is at 1950s survey Final My YouTube playlist is at 1950s playlist Final

(VANITY) TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS II ('50S) - ROUND 6 ROUND 6 OF THE '50S TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS II COMMENCES!ROUND 6 – THE FINAL 4 Votes due: Sunday, Feb 20 @ 12:00 pm Eastern. 4 songs, 2 pairs, 2 winners! Vote for your favorite in each pair listed. Any ties will be broken via Billboard annual ranking, then back to Round 1 ranking (seed), then Round 1 point total, then Round 1 vote count. See run-down of the pairs in my next reply post. Format in survey: Poll seed – year - song title – act The survey is at 1950s...

ROUND 5 OF THE '50S TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS II COMMENCES!ROUND 5 – THE GREAT 8 Votes due: Sunday, Feb 20 @ 12:00 pm Eastern. 8 songs, 4 pairs, 4 winners! Vote for your favorite in each pair listed. (You may abstain from any pairs, but please don't overdo it!) Any ties will be broken via Billboard annual ranking, then back to Round 1 ranking (seed), then Round 1 point total, then Round 1 vote count. Past Rounds: Rounds 1A and 1B: Rd 1A, Rd 1B Round 2: Rd 2 Round 3: Rd 3 Round 4: Rd 4

ROUND 4 OF THE '50S TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS II COMMENCES! ROUND 4 – SWEET 16 Votes due: Sunday, Feb 13 @ 12:00 pm Eastern. 16 songs, 8 pairs, 8 winners! Vote for your favorite in each pair listed. (You may abstain from any pairs, but please don't overdo it!) Any ties will be broken via Billboard annual ranking, then back to Round 1 ranking (seed), then Round 1 point total, then Round 1 vote count. Past Rounds: Rounds 1A and 1B: 1A, 1B Round 2: 2 Round 3: 3

ROUND 3 OF THE '50S TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS II COMMENCES! Votes due: Sunday, Feb 6 @ 12:00 pm Eastern. 32 songs, 16 pairs, 16 winners! Vote for your favorite in each pair listed. No reply, no vote. (You may abstain from any pairs but please don't overdo it!) Any ties will be broken via Billboard annual ranking, then back to Round 1 ranking (seed), then Round 1 point total, then Round 1 vote count. Format in survey: Poll seed – year - song title - act Rounds 1A and 1B: ToCT Rd 1A, ToCT Rd 1B Round 2: ToCT Rd...

She starred as Harriet Conklin, the principal's daughter, on radio, TV and the big screen, then taught acting and tap dancing to kids for more than four decades.Gloria McMillan, who played the sweet schoolgirl and principal’s daughter Harriet Conklin opposite Eve Arden in the comedy Our Miss Brooks on the radio, television and the movies, has died. She was 88. McMillan died peacefully Wednesday at her home in Huntington Beach, California, after being diagnosed in November with a cancerous tumor in her bile duct, her husband of 35 years, Ron Cocking, told The Hollywood Reporter. “She was, indeed, a beautiful,...