Rock and roll was hitting its stride in March of 1958 -- rock and roll legends Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry all had a record in the top twenty. The Champs' "Tequila" climbed to the top spot on March 17th and it would remain there for five weeks. There were five records in the top twenty that had been to the top: "Don't," "Get a Job," "Sugartime," "Catch a Falling Star," and "At the Hop."
"Sweet Little Sixteen" became Chuck Berry's highest ranking record when it reached #2 on March 17th. It was never able to overcome "Tequila," but it spent six weeks in the top five. It was Berry's most successful record until 1972. The man dubbed The Father of Rock and Roll had eight top twenty records. His signature song, "Johnny B. Goode" stalled at #8. One of his best, "Roll Over Bethoven" didn't even make the top twenty (#29).
While rock and roll had come to dominate the charts, the top twenty of 1958 still held remnants of the past with "Sugartime" from The McGuire Sisters and "Catch A Falling Star" from Perry Como. The bridge that Pat Boone had built with his covers of early rock and roll was still serving him well as he placed two records in the top twenty. All in all, the chart from March 17th is a good representation of the pop music taste of the time.
And by the way, that Chuck Berry number one? -- It was the novelty tune, "My Ding-a-Ling" from 1972 -- go figure. |
