♫Music Escape♫

When rock 'n' roll hit the scene in the 50s, rebel youth abounded. Culture in the 50s mimicked the smash movie hits Rebel Without a Cause on one hand and one of the Bible's most famous stories, The Ten Commandments, on the other. In the 60s entered pop - radio, film, television, and books carry the essence of American pop culture. While some people dubbed it music of the times, others declared it "fast noise". Today whichever route one takes, each tune/melody soon becomes a music escape...turn the music on, turn the world off! 

Today in Music History: August 4

1958 Billboard introduced 'The Hot 100 Singles Chart', Ricky Nelson was at No.1 with 'Poor Little Fool'.

A Bit of 'Fool' Trivia...

'Poor Little Fool' was written by a teenage Sharon Sheeley when she was still attending high school in Newport Beach. It was Sheeley's first hit record and during a time when female songwriters were rare, its success meant she became the first female writer to compose an American #1 without any help from a male partner.

 

 

1966 The Troggs were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'With A Girl Like You', the group's only UK No.1 single.

By early 80s, hip-hop's distinctive place in music history was set. Unique techniques were established as a new genre of music. Hip-hop gained momentum. Among the most influential of its artists are Run-DMC, The Beastie Boyz (who opened for Madonna on her first North American Tour), LL Cool J, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

 

1984 Prince started a 24 week run at the top of the US album charts with 'Purple Rain'. His sixth studio album which features the hits 'When Doves Cry' and 'Let's Go Crazy', as well as the title track has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, becoming the seventh best-selling soundtrack album of all time.

 

With the 90s came many popular styles of music. Some much more entertaining than others but then, of course, that depends upon the age of those listening to the music. It also measures one's ability to understand music's musicality - how "good" it is, how strong an emotional effect it has, and how much a person enjoys listening to it!

1990 Mariah Carey's started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Vision Of Love', her debut release. 'Vision Of Love' was nominated for three Grammy Awards at the 33rd annual ceremony, held on February 20, 1991: Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, winning the latter.

As we enter the 21st century, many songs from the 50s all the way through the 90s are still popular. Of course, it was by way of the 20s, 30s and 40s that music has evolved into a passion relative to survival as many listeners would so declare today. Look at the plethora of choices available for listening pleasure, dancing, rapping, or simply relaxing: contemporary music, popular music, traditional music, hip hop music, country music. Each decade has offered its own unique genres of music.

2000 Craig David scored his second UK No.1 single with '7 Days'. At the age of 19, he became the youngest male artist to score two No.1's since Donny Osmond in 1973.

2002 Former Pop Idol contestant Darius Campbell started a two week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Colourblind'.

2002 Bruce Springsteen scored his fifth UK No.1 album with 'The Rising', also No.1 in the US. He retains strict control of his publishing and doesn't allow his songs to be used in commercials. However, sales of Levi's went up after Born in the USA showed him wearing their jeans on the album cover.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...