In fifth place is Billie Holiday with her album 'Billie Holiday Sings' which was released in 1952. Billie Holiday didn't have the best of lives growing up or in her adulthood; her father abandoned her, she had dropped out of school by the age of 11 resulting in both Holiday and her mother turning to prostitution whilst she was only 14 - by this time she had also been arrested several times for numerous crimes; prostitution being one. Unfortuneatly at this point in her career when this album was released Billie had developed a severe drug addiction to heroin which had been building up over the past several years, she also had a drinking problem and like most woman attracted the wrong kind of men which all contributed to a deterioration in her health. Apart from her terrible upbringing and life in general, Holiday was an incredibly talented jazz and blues singer who even though she was heavily discriminated against because she was black and a woman - she didn't let that affect her career. This album includes hits like her cover of Richard Rodgers - 'Blue Moon', 'You Turned The Tables On Me', 'Easy To Love' and of course a jazz album would never be complete without at least one song that has a ridiculously long introductory instrumental and that song is 'These Foolish Things'.
In fourth place is Chuck Berry with 'After School Sessions' which was released in 1957. Chuck Berry, also known as 'the pioneer of rock n roll' was brought up by a middle-class family and he was interested by music of a very young age, but in contrary to that he got in trouble in his youth for committing three shop robberies, stealing a car and holding someone at gun point (with a fake gun) which ultimately resulted in an arrest. However, after his release this is when his life began to get on track, especially within his music career. This album consists of 12 Rock n Roll - filled tracks, such as; 'Too Much Monkey Business' and he also releases his romantic side in this album as well with 'Wee Wee Hours'. Midway through the album, Berry 'chucks' in an instrumental track called 'Roly Poly'. Also for those people who claim to have never heard of a Chuck Berry if you listen to 'No Money Down' you will inevitably recognise the instrumental from somewhere whether it be Chuck Berry's song or off an advert - this is also a fantastic 1950's RnR track.
Next in third place we have Buddy Holly with his 1958 album - 'That'll Be The Day'. Buddy Holly was recognised for his dorky looking glasses and Fender Stratocaster. He opened for the one and only Elvis Presley several times within his career. Holly has inspired a lot of big artists such as; The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John and many more... This album consists of 11 Rock n Roll tracks such as; 'You Are My One Desire' which is a short but sweet love song that is devoted to a special someone - it's just a shame that he wasn't as much of a looker as Elvis. 'That'll Be The Day' is one of Buddy Holly's well-known songs alongside 'Blue Days, Black Nights' and 'Rock Around With Ollie Vee' which are also on this brilliant album. In 1986 Buddy Holly was ranked 13th out of 100 of the greatest artists in the Rolling Stones Magazine. Unfortunately this iconic gentlemen passed away at a very young age alongside; Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson on a plane crash. Don McLean had written a song devoted to the 1950's in 1971 and it was mainly dedicated to these three music legends called 'American Pie' where he quotes "The day the music died" - the crash happened on the 3rd of February 1959, so this is the day that music sadly died for McLean.
Runner-up is Frank Sinatra with his 1956 album - 'Songs For Swingin' Lovers'. Sinatra is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, with his timeless tracks and distinctive voice - you know a Frank Sinatra track when you hear one. Being brought up in The Great Depression his mother and father always made sure he was well-dressed and could afford ventures with his friends; they didn't have a lot, but what they had they would give to Frank. This icon is one of the best-selling artists of all time and he has sold over 150 million records worldwide. This 15-track album is catered with loads of blithesome, uplifting and smooth well-known Jazz and Blues tracks by the king of swing himself. This is the ultimate album of love with tracks such as; 'I've Got You Under My Skin', 'You Make Me Feel So Young' and 'Too Marvelous For Words'. This whole album just makes you feel like it's ok to be single, as it just feels like Sinatra himself is serenading you!
Of course at number one it would inevitably be The King! Elvis Presley's self-titled debut 'Elvis Presley' which was released in 1956 is my favourite album of the 1950's as it is just simply brilliant! Besides the fact that Elvis has not written a single song on his own and has only co-written 9 songs in his entire life span, heartbreaking I know - he still manages to swoon you over with his charm, good looks and majestic voice. Presley was brought up as an only child which led him to create a very close relationship with both parents. Religion was how Presley found his initial music inspiration at an Assembly Of God. The King is the best selling solo-artist in the history of recorded music and has sold over 600 million records worldwide, which is quadruple the amount that Sinatra has managed to sell! This masterpiece of an album will include some of your favourite track (if you're an Elvis fan) such as; 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'One-Sided Love Affair', 'Tutti Frutti', 'Money Honey', 'I Got A Woman' and a cover of Richard Rodgers 1930's track - 'Blue Moon'.
What are your top 5 favourite albums from the 1950's? Let me know!
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