"The Elvis Era" is divided into the following sections: The Era, Elvis Presley, Time Capsules, Search Site, and a section for each of the eight years of the era. Each year's section has a page for each of the following topics:

Introduction
The Year
Song Lists
Chart Success
Rankings
Featured Artists
Spotlight Songs
Perspectives
Awards
Lyrics
Trivia
My CD
Jukebox
Dance Songs
Romance Songs

Use the buttons to the right to get more information about each section

clicking on a button below will take you to a description of that section

ELVIS ERA YEARS:

clicking on a button below will take you to the home page for that year

YEAR TOPICS:

clicking on a button belwo will take you to a descriptionof that section

The buttons on the menus below are all active -- if you want to go to a section for a particular year, just click on it. To get back to this "Site Map" you will need to go to the home page.

The "Overview" gives a perspective of the entire time span between 1956 and 1963, focusing mainly on the music -- the songs and artists that were most prominent during the decade. Included is a comparison of the eight years from the era, an analysis of the artists who recorded the most top twenty hits, artists that have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, songs that are listed as the "Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll" (RR Hall of Fame), a list of instrumental hits from the era, the top dance songs of the era, the top romance songs of the era, the top heartbreak songs.

The "Elvis Presley" section is divided into nine pages: "What Else" is an introduction that explains the naming of the era; "The Flash" describes the launching of Elvis's career at Sun Records; "Atomic Burst" chronicles Elvis's dramatic entry to the national scene with RCA recors; "Rock & Roll" explains Elvis's relationship to the new sound of rock and roll; "Absence" shows the significance of Elvis's tour in the army; "Elvis is Back" tells the story of Elvis's return from the army; "Lost Direction" explains how Elvis's music career declined; "The King is Dead" reflects on Elvis's 1968 comeback and eventual death; "A 'Boomer's' View" presents a personal perspective about Elvis Presley's career and significance.

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In this section you can search for information on all the records and artists that made the top twenty during the Elvis Era. You can also get a list of the Billboard Top Twenty for each week of the Elvis Era.

BILLBOARD WEEKLY TOP TWENTY LISTS:

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The "Playlists" are collections of songs with a common thread, such as the "Best Romance Songs" or the "Novelty Songs." A jukebox player displays information about the songs as they play.



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Introductions

The "Introduction" segment is pretty much self-explanatory. For each year there is an anecdote concerning some aspect or personality in popular music that sets the tone for the year.

Introductions	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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The Year

"The Year" sections contain an account of major events that occurred that year including developments in popular music and popular culture.

The Year	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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Song List

A chart of all the songs from the year are presented in a sortable chart: title, artist, highest rank, week debuted, weeks in top twenty, weeks in top forty. Slides of the songs are presented randomly.

Song Lists	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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Music:
Chart Success

"Chart Success" discusses the musical trends of the year, commenting on the most successful artists on the charts and the music's relationship to movies and television.

The Music	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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RANKINGS

The end of year rankings for "Billboard," "Cashbox," and "Gilbert & Theroux" are listed, as well as an "Elvis Era" ranking that takes into account records that crossed over from one year to another. There is a slideshow of the top 50 Billboard songs and a video of the Billboard top ten.

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Music:
Featured Artists

"Featured Artists" explores the careers of some of the most successful artists of the year and includes a jukebox of selected songs and a list of their top recordings of The Elvis Era.

Featured Artists	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

	The Platters Bill Haley Pat Boone Little Richard	Perry Como Fats Domino The Coasters The Everly Brothers	Ricky Nelson Chuck Berry Buddy Holly Jerry Lee Lewis	Connie Francis Paul Anka Bobby Darin Lloyd Price Jackie Wilson	Brook Benton Johnny Burnette Sam Cooke Brenda Lee Bobby Rydell	Patsy Cline Roy Orbison Dion The Shirelles Bobby Vee	Ray Charles The Crystals The 4 Seasons Gene Pitney Neil Sedaka	The Beach Boys Jan & Dean Lesley Gore Peter, Paul & Mary The Miracles

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Music:
Spotlight Songs

"Spotlight Songs" details the success of four songs from the year.


	Memories Are Made of This Roll Over Bethoven Rock & Roll Waltz Let The Good Times Roll	Little Darlin That'll Be The Day Party Doll The Banana Boat Song	Do You Wanna Dance Yakety Yak Tom Dooley Tears On My Pillow	The Three Bells Mr. Blue Donna Kansas City	El Paso Walk Don't Run Cathy's Clown Stay	Stand By Me The Lion Sleeps Tonight Raindrops Gypsy Woman	Duke of Earl Hey! Baby Do You Love Me Party Lights	Sukiyaki On Broadway Danke Schoen Be My Baby

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Music:
Perspectives

"Perspectives" gives a personal perspective of the year, recounting personal experiences and memories.

Perspectives	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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Awards

The "Awards" section displays the winners of national awards for the year (Oscars, Emmies, etc.) and special Elvis Era awards for: Best Song, Best Dance Song, Best Slow Song, Classic Rock, Hidden Nugget, Under Rated, and Best Country Cross-Over.

Awards	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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Lyrics

A set of ten lyrics are presented for you to guess the song.

Labels

An analysis of the success of record labels for the year, including a chart of all the labels that produced a top twenty record for the year.

Labels	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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Trivia

You are challenged to answer five trivia questions about the music of the year.

Trivia	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963

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30 BEST

A selection of 30 songs I would put on my playlist for Best of the Year.

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Juke Box

Playlists for each year -- all the songs that made the top twenty, plus a few extras. The jukebox plays the song and displays information about the song. Extra jukeboxes are available for pre-elvis years and post-elvis years.