Harry Belafonte hits #1, Elvis debuts and Bing swings with Satchmo.
1956’s top artists were extremely prolific. Bing Crosby appeared on six records, Elvis debuted with two, Ella Fitzgerald recorded three, and Frank Sinatra featured on four.
One of the top albums was the soundtrack to High Society, the Philadelphia-based film starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong.
Doris Day had the year’s biggest single with “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be),” followed by Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” and a string of Elvis Presley singles.
Was 1956 the Greatest Year in Music? Let us know what you think in the comments below and across social media with #XPNGreatestYear.
Albums:
High Society – Soundtrack
Calypso – Harry Belafonte
The Champ – Jimmy Smith
Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings– Bing Crosby
Blue Rose – Rosemary Clooney and Duke Ellington
Chet Baker Sings – Chet Baker
The Complete Porgy and Bess – Original Broadway Cast
Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street – Clifford Brown, Max Toach
Day by Day – Doris Day
Dinner Music for People Who Aren’t Very Hungry – Spike Jones
Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley
Pithecanthropus Erectus – Charles Mingus
Singles:
“Blueberry Hill” – Fats Domino
“I Walk the Line” – Johnny Cash
“Now You Has Jazz” – Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong
“Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” – Doris Day
“Hound Dog” – Elvis Presley
“Heartbreak Hotel” – Elvis Presley
“Don’t Be Cruel” – Elvis Presley
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – Frank Sinatra
“Long Tall Sally” – Little Richard
“In the Still of the Night” – Five Satins
“Memories are Made of This” – Dean Martin
“I Almost Lost My Mind” – Pat Boone
“Blue Suede Shoes” – Carl Perkins
