As the decade ended, it began to look like rock and roll was also on the way out.

There were still a few prime examples of excellent rock and roll, but the ratio shrank considerably, while other styles started to compete and even outrun rock and roll music.

From a quality standpoint, R&B provided the most competition, but novelty records watered down the overall quality of the pop charts. You’ll see both of these trends in this show, including:

Bongo Rock – Preston Epps

The Little Space Girl – Jesse Lee Turner

Sea of Love – Phil Phillips

What’d I Say (parts 1 and 2) – Ray Charles

Only Sixteen – Sam Cooke

Back in the U.S.A. – Chuck Berry

Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny

I Loves You Porgy – Nina Simone

Deck of Cards – Wink Martindale

Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin

Mary Lou – Ronnie Hawkins

Misty – Johnny Mathis