Hi Don,

Here's my choice (and 3 extras) along with my reasons.

Didn't do the 50's teenage thing (dances, etc.); I'm not old enough. But I'm responding because the 1950's is my favorite musical decade (narrowly over the 1960's). Ironically, for me, that's because of the NON-rock 'n' roll records (many of which I think are brilliant) coupled with the energy and the great songwriting of the rock 'n' roll explosion.

Doo-***** (vocal harmony) has become my favorite genre, period.

Anyway, since you said there are no wrong answers... (!!!)

My first choice is fairly obscure (already a bad move), came late (1959), was not that big a hit (#35 Billboard peak), and is by a Canadian to boot. Though recorded in 1958, it sounds like 1956 to my ears.

It is, I think, my favorite rockabilly recording and definitely one of my all-time Top 40 recordings.

"The Way I Walk" by Jack Scott (Jack wrote the song too!)

Here are some things to recommend this record.

It's raw. Incredibly, the released version is a demo. They tried to do the "real" version, but gave up, as they couldn't match the feel of the demo. (That's ROCK 'N' ROLL!)

I much prefer the mono version of this recording to the stereo version. (I got the Jack Scott Bear Family boxed set maybe 5 years ago because of this recording. Although he had some giant hits, the boxed set is entitled "The Way I Walk", so there are others who think this is a great record.)

This record has ATTITUDE. If possible, he out-cools Elvis, and that's not easy.

("The way I walk is just the way I walk" (!!!))

It has a fantastic sax part and a fantastic guitar part (both staples of 1950's rock 'n' roll.) Bonus points for the standup acoustic bass (played by Stan Getz)!

The background vocals are perfection! The Chantones (blind Canadian guys) came up with something that is the equal of anything the Jordanaires ever did, and I've become a major fan of the Jordanaires!

Jack Scott's "The Way I Walk" has become one of my all-time Top 40 recordings.


"Rock Around The Clock" Bill Haley and the Comets (1953, #1 Billboard (1955), #1 record of 1955)

I'm tired of this, but I think it deserves consideration for a couple of reasons.

The first is its obvious historical importance to rock 'n' roll.

The second is that, given the importance of the guitar to the advent of rock 'n' roll, this recording has one of the greatest guitar solo's ever put down. Absolutely blistering. That fact that it stands up 59 years after it was recorded is astonishing.

It's easy to miss it today, given everyone's (over)familiarity with "Rock Around The Clock".

"Rock Around The Clock" is, after all, the only song to open 2 major feature films ("Blackboard Jungle" and "American Graffiti")!


My next suggestion will probably be summarily dismissed because it will be considered pop and not rock 'n' roll. Based on reading and listening, I believe in the context of that time (not now) this is incorrect. Also, it's late to the party (1959).

"Lipstick On Your Collar" Connie Francis

Here are some things to recommend it.

It's a story song, about a record hop (a 1950's staple) and it's a dance record to boot.

It's a major hit ( million seller, #5 Billboard) by a major 1950's FEMALE recording artist whose recordings were aimed at teenagers. (I think it's Connie Francis' finest recording.) The stereo version is excellent.

(Tiny reason) You can't help but laugh at the way the record begins and reflect on the lyric calling card years later of four lads from Liverpool.

(Big reason) "Lipstick On Your Collar" has the most amazing guitar solo (!!!), so it has the same guitar argument that "Rock Around The Clock" did.

(personal) George Barnes guitar solo is my all-time favorite. Not Hendrix. Not Clapton. Not Chet or James Burton. Not Les Paul. George Barnes. This one is a complete counter-melody (and it's a good one!) of chords and single notes. When you listen to it, you can clearly hear (if you're a musician) when the solo will end. There's not enough time. It sounds like he's stuck, and then he machine guns in a bunch of notes at the last instant (and they are beautiful notes)!

A couple of years ago Eric Clapton released his autobiography and I got it. In the book he mentioned George Barnes' guitar solo in "Lipstick On My Collar", among others, as guitar solos he admired and was influenced by.

The fact that he knew the name of the guitarist was telling. It took me a couple of decades (pre-internet) to find out who did it.

("Lipstick On My Collar" is one of my all-time Top 40 recordings.)


Finally,

"Sweet Little Sixteen" Chuck Berry

To me, Chuck rivals Elvis for importance in the early history of rock 'n' roll. This 1958 recording (#2 Billboard, not a million seller then) is my favorite by Chuck.

The preceding guitar argument applies (in a different form, his general guitar artistry).

The story song form and that fact that Chuck wrote it.

The fact that the story is about the 1950's rock 'n' roll youth culture.

The stops. A staple of great rock 'n' roll (and dance) records.

The influence. ("Surfing USA" was the Beach Boys' first million seller.)

("Sweet Little Sixteen" is one of my all-time Top 40 recordings.)


Probably a thousand good suggestions for you Don. But these are mine.