Table of Contents 1959’s Biggest Artists and Songs |
| Bobby Darin (1st Best New Artist Grammy Winner, for 1958, awarded in 1959) Bobby’s career started with a songwriting partnership with Don Kirshner. His first hit was written after a bet that he could not write a song that started out with the words, “Splish Splash, I was takin’ a bath.” Splish Splash, his first hit, sold over a million copies. |
| Henry Mancini (1st Grammy for Album of the Year) Henry made a name for himself getting the Grammy for the Peter Gunn Theme. He later went on to be nominated for more Grammys and Oscars. Grammy wins included Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Days of Wine and Roses, and The Pink Panther Theme. Oscar wins included Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Days of Wine and Roses, Victor Victoria. |
| Domenico Modugno (Grammy for Record of the Year & Song of the Year) Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare) was the top song, and Domenico co-wrote it, so he didn’t mind when young singer Bobby Rydell recorded it in 1960, hitting number 4 on Billboard. Bobby’s version is the one most remembered today. |
| On February 3, 1959, a small-plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, killed three American rock and roll pioneers – Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, as well as the pilot, Roger Peterson. This was “The Day The Music Died” in Don McLean’s American Pie. |
| New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Fabian, Chubby Checker, Bobby Vee, The Miracles, The Isley Brothers and Cliff Richard. |
1959’s Retro Top 10 Hits |
| 1. Donna – Ritchie Valens |
| 2. Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny |
| 3. The Happy Organ – Dave ‘Baby’ Cortez |
| 4. Poison Ivy – The Coasters |
| 5. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – The Platters |
| 6. Waterloo – Stonewall Jackson |
| 7. Dream Lover – Bobby Darin |
| 8. Sea of Love – Phil Phillips with The Twilights |
| 9. Lavender Blue – Sammy Turner |
| 10. There Goes My Baby – The Drifters |
1959’s ‘One Hit Wonders’ |
| 1. Sea of Love – Phil Phillips |
| 2. Battle Hymn of the Republic – Mormon Tabernacle Choir |
| 3. Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home) – The Impalas |
| 4. Woo-Hoo – Rock-A-Teens |
| 5. Tell Him No – Travis & Bob |
| 6. Red River Rock – Johnny and the Hurricanes |
| 7. Enchanted Sea – The Islanders |
| 8. Makin’ Love – Floyd Robinson |
| 9. High School USA – Tommy Facenda |
| 10. Petite Fleur (Little Flower) – Chris Barber |
1959’s Dance Top 10 Hit List |
| 1. Shout – The Isley Brothers |
| 2. Mack The Knife – Bobby Darin |
| 3. Lonely Teardrops – Jackie Wilson |
| 4. What’d I Say – Ray Charles |
| 5. Kansas City – Wilburt Harrison |
| 6. Stagger Lee – Lloyd Price |
| 7. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens |
| 8. (Til) I Kissed You – The Everly Brothers |
| 9. Kissin’ Time – Bobby Rydell |
| 10. Teen Beat – Sandy Nelson |
1959’s Doo-Wop Song Top 10 Hit List |
| 1. I Only Have Eyes For You – The Flamingos |
| 2. A Teenager In Love – Dion & the Belmonts |
| 3. Love Potion No. 9 – Clovers |
| 4. Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home) – Impalas |
| 5. You’re So Fine – Falcons |
| 6. Come Softly To Me – The Fleetwoods |
| 7. Charlie Brown – Coasters |
| 8. Hushabye – Mystics |
| 9. The Angels Listened In – Crests |
| 10. Since I Don’t Have You – Skyliners |
More Doo-Wop Song Hits: |
| Oh Rosemarie – Fascinators |
| Island of Love – The Sheppards |
| Who’s That Knocking – Genies |
| Traveling Stranger – Little Anthony & the Imperials |
| Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop – Little Anthony and the Imperials |
PCM’s 1959 Top 10 Hit List |
| 1. Mack The Knife – Bobby Darin |
| 2. Kansas City – Wilbur Harrison |
| 3. What’d I Say – Ray Charles |
| 4. 16 Candles – The Crests |
| 5. A Teenager In Love – Dion and the Belmonts |
| 6. I Only Have Eyes For You – The Flamingos |
| 7. Sleep Walk – Santo and Johnny |
| 8. It’s Just A Matter of Time – Brook Benton |
| 9. There Goes My Baby – The Drifters |
| 10. Come Softly To Me – The Fleetwoods |
