Transistor Days: Summer 1958
Episode 10
Episode date - February 21, 2020
In the Summer of 1958, rock and roll music appeared to mellow down considerably.
In 1956 and 1957, the prime ingredients for rock and roll were a heavy backbeat and R&B leanings, but by 1958, commerciality started to change the nature of the beast. Song rhythms grew tamer and the genre began to show signs of wearing down. There was still some great music, but the BPM dropped, as did the raw energy.
Only one song in this show contains the energy of the previous two years (“Summertime Blues”), implying that rock and roll was beginning to shed its blatantly rebellious edge.
Featured tracks include:
Ginger Bread – Frankie Avalon
Delicious! – Jim Backus and Friend
It’s All in the Game – Tommy Edwards
Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) – Domenico Modugno
Tears on My Pillow – Little Anthony & The Imperials
Chantilly Lace – The Big Bopper
Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran
Devoted to You – The Everly Brothers
Stupid Cupid – Connie Francis
The Freeze – Tony and Joe
To Know Him Is to Love Him – The Teddy Bears
A Lover’s Question – Clyde McPhatter
Lonesome Town – Ricky Nelson