1955 Music History: Key Events, Band Formations & Album Releases
Acts Formed
The Channels
New York, New York, USA
Doo Wop
The Coasters
Los Angeles, California, USA
Rhythm & Blues
The Del-Vikings
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Rock and Roll
The Five Satins
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Doo Wop
The Lennon Sisters
Venica, California, USA
Pop
The Miracles
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Motown
The Parliaments
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Psychedelic Soul
The Temperance
Seven
London, England
Jazz
The Tokens
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Doo Wop
January 1st
In an attempt to put independent labels out of business, RCA Victor announce the price-slashing marketing strategy: Operation TNT. The cost of LPs is reduced by one third. Other major labels soon join the campaign.
January 17th
The British major label EMI purchases 96% of Capitol Records for $8.5 million to enter the US market, paving the way for the British invasion.
March 12th
Charlie Parker dies at 34 from substance abuse complications.
April
Sarah Vaughan releases Sarah Vaughan.
May 13th
Chaos erupts at an Elvis Presley concert in Jacksonville, Florida after he tells the crowd: "Girls, I'll see you backstage." Hundreds accept the offer and shred his clothing to keep as souvenirs.
May 22nd
A rock and roll concert by Fats Domino is cancelled in Bridgeport, Connecticut due to concerns of rioting.
July 9th
'Rock Around the Clock', by Bill Hailey & His Comets, becomes the first rock and roll song to top the US singles chart.
August 5th
The Portuguese-born singer of Brazilian samba music, Carmen Miranda, dies at 46 from a heart attack in Los Angeles. She was addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates.
August 31st
A Londoner is fined for 'creating an abominable noise' and threatening his neighbours after they complained about him playing 'Shake, Rattle, and Roll' by Bill Hailey & His Comets.
October 12th
Chrysler launch 'Highway Hi-Fi', an in-car turntable installed under the dashboard that ejects at the press of a button.
December
Julie London releases Julie Is Her Name.
December
Jazz musician Dexter Gordon releases Dexter Blows Hot and Cool.
1955
Clifford Brown & Max Roach release Study in Brown.
1955
Louis Armstrong and His All-Stars release Satch Plays Fats.
1955
Peggy Seeger releases Folk Songs of Courting and Complaint.
1955
The first 8-Track Recorder, known as the Octopus, is developed for Les Paul. This facilitated the recording of different tracks at different times, meaning that bands no longer had to produce a 'perfect take.'
