As 1956 drew to a close, rock and roll had a firm grip on pop culture.

It seemed to influence everything, changing the entire music industry with the sudden rise of independent record labels, driven by a youth market that had previously been neglected. Once the economy is affected, most other things change as well, including politics and race relations, which of course eventually led to a conservative backlash.

Late 1956 to early 1957 was a golden era of sorts, when rock and roll music could spread its wings, before corporate society learned to economize it as a product. These were heady times, when Southern artists became the center of attention for the entire country.

Featured songs include:

Blueberry Hill – Fats Domino

I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash

Singin’ the Blues – Guy Mitchell

Love Me – Elvis Presley

Since I Met You Baby – Ivory Joe Hunter

Jim Dandy – Lavern Baker

Young Love – Sonny James

Blue Monday – Fats Domino

Banana Boat Song (Day-o) – Harry Belafonte

Ain’t Got No Home – Clarence “Frogman” Henry

I’m Walkin’ – Fats Domino

Walkin’ After Midnight – Patsy Cline

All Shook Up – Elvis Presley