Pop Expresso

Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

Elvis who had been refused before by Ed Sullivan, known already back then as not being too comfortable with the new Rock N’ Roll acts on his show makes his first appearance on September 9th, 1956

Remembering the legendary Buddy Holly

Celebrating the life of one of Rock’s most influential musicians on his 90th Birthday

In 1987 Los Lobos brings back “La Bamba” in their energized version to the top of the charts

The Los Lobos version of this Rock N’ Roll classic by Ritchie Valens was featured in the 1987 biopic of the late legend and earned them worldwide popularity

In 1957 Jerry “The Killer” Lee Lewis appears on TV for the first time at The Steve Allen Show

After being rejected by The Ed Sullivan Show, the wild Rocker was finally invited to appear on TV, it happened on July 28, 1957, at The Steve Allen Show where he played “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On”

Sun Records released Elvis Presley’s first single “That’s All Right” on this day in 1954

Written and originally performed by blues singer Arthur Crudup in 1946 as “That’s All Right, Mama,” “That’s All Right” became Elvis Presley’s first single. It was released by Sun Records on July 19, 1954

The original Shock Rocker “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins

Look back at the career and legacy of the original Shock Rocker “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins today that marks his 96th birthday

On July 9, 1955 Bill Haley & His Comets peaked to No.1 on the US singles chart with Rock N’ Roll classic “Rock Around the Clock”

Despite its cultural influence “Rock Around the Clock,” the song bears a very close similarity to several songs written years before, learn which ones and also more about the background of this Rock classic

The King Elvis Presley plays his last concert ever on this day in 1977

On June 26, 1977, 18.000 people had the unique opportunity to witness Elvis Presley’s last concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. Six weeks later, The King was dead

Elvis Presley gets his first No.1 in 1956 with “Heartbreak Hotel”

One of Elvis Presley’s absolute classics, the single “Heartbreak Hotel” was his first No.1, it peaked to the top of the charts on May 5, 1956

The influential guitarist Link Wray was born 98 years ago

Link Wray was the first guitarist to discover the potential of the electric guitar distortion and the power chord. His seminal 1958 song “Rumble” opened the way to the emergence of Punk and Hard Rock

Maurice Williams turns 88 today

Maurice Williams became famous with The Zodiacs during the early 1960’s with the song “Stay,” now a timeless Rock classic. He was born on this day in 1938

Revisiting The Rolling Stones 1964 debut album, that marked the beginning of their amazing journey

In 1964 the Rolling Stones began their amazing journey with their debut album “The Rolling Stones.” Essentially a Blues and Rock N’ Roll covers LP, the album also included some of the first compositions by the Stones and Jagger/Richards. We revisit this essential classic Rock album released on this day 62 years ago

Chuck Berry releases the absolute Rock classic “Johnny B. Goode” on this day in 1958

Due to the segregation times, he was living, Chuck Berry changed the initial lyrics he wrote for the song, that granted him massive airplay

The historical significance of the 1956 Elvis Presley debut album

The self-titled Elvis Presley LP remains a favorite, influential and best seller 70 years after its original release on RCA Victor. We revisit this seminal Rock album

Remembering the Rock N’ Roll legend Fats Domino

In 1949 he signed with Imperial Records and soon scored his first hit with “The Fat Man,” heralded as one of rock ’n’ roll’s earliest classics

On this day in 1959 Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, all play their last concert at the Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa

On February 2nd, 1959, just a few hours before the tragic plane crash that killed them, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, three of the rising stars on the Rock N’ Roll scene, all play their last concert at the Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa, during the infamous Winter Dance Party Tour.

A Rock classic was born on this day in 1956, when Elvis Presley releases “Heartbreak Hotel”

“Heartbreak Hotel” was his first release on RCA on January 27, 1956, right after leaving Sun Records, it’s one of the most covered songs not only in Rock music but on other genres too and gave Elvis Presley his first international hit. Find out what the song is really about

Johnny Cash plays a legendary live concert at the Folsom State Prison on this day in 1968

After his 1955 song “Folsom Prison Blues,” Johnny Cash had been interested in recording a performance at a prison and on January 13th, 1968, he finally played a live concert at the Folsom State Prison in California that became one of Rock and Country Music seminal moments

The influential Long John Baldry was born on this day in 1941

Long John Baldry might be remembered by some only for his 1967 hit “Let the Heartaches Begin,” but he was much more than that. He gave some of the first professional opportunities to artists such as members of The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Elton John and served as their mentor; Elton adopted John as his name to honor him. We look back at his influential life and career on his birthday

The Kingsmen were No.1 on the US Cash Box music chart with the controversial “Louie Louie”

One of the absolute staples on Rock music, the Kingsmen “Louie Louie” version released in 1963 was the subject of an FBI investigation. On January 1964 it was No. 1 on the US Cash Box music chart

Top 12 1960’s Jimmy Page songs as a session musician

To celebrate the 82nd birthday of the legendary Rock God Jimmy Page we’ve selected the Top 12 1960’s tracks where he’s featured as a session musician, from Nico to David Bowie to Petula Clark to The Who and even Shirley Bassey, Page left a deep mark on the 1960’s Rock and Pop scene even before he was famous

Celebrate Elvis Presley’s life and legend by watching the 1973 “Aloha from Hawaii Concert”

The famous Elvis Presley concert was broadcast live via satellite on January 14, 1973, and aired in over 40 countries across Asia and Europe, becoming one of his most iconic shows

The Eternal King of Rock N’ Roll Elvis Presley was born on this day in 1935

Elvis Presley still holds his title as the King of Rock N’ Roll even over 48 years after his untimely death, celebrate Elvis’s life, on the day of his 90th Anniversary by looking at some of his best and most iconic photos

Remembering Sun Records founder Sam Phillips on his birthday, a man who changed the music world

Sam Phillips had a pivotal role on the initial success of Rock N’ Roll music during the 1950’s with his label Sun Records, that served as a launching platform for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ike Turner among others, we look back at some of the highlights of Sun Records history on his 103rd anniversary

The extraordinary Bo Diddley was born on this day

Bo Diddley created a signature guitar playing style that keeps influencing Rock music to this day and influenced artists from Buddy Holly to the New York Dolls. We look back at the career of one of the most influential Rock guitarists of all time on his birthday

Roy Orbison passed away 37 years ago today

The influential singer and songwriter Roy Orbison left a more than thirty years legacy of absolute music classics such as “Crying,” “In Dreams,” “Oh Pretty Woman” and “You Got It.” On December 6th, 1988, Orbison passed away suddenly at the age of 52. We recap his life and career

12 Of Little Richard’s Best Quotes

The legendary Rocker was never too shy to speak his mind whatever was his state of spirit or mind. Here’s 12 of his best quotes

Buddy Holly premieres on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1957

Buddy Holly and The Crickets first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on December 1st, 1957, watch Buddy performing “That’ll Be the Day” at the famous TV show

In 1960 Elvis Presley gets his third US No.1 with “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

In April 1960, after Elvis Presley’s two-year service in the United States Army, he recorded “Are You Lonesome Tonight? at the suggestion of manager Colonel Tom Parker, the song went No.1 on this day in 1960

In 1955 Bo Diddley is banned from The Ed Sullivan Show

In 1955 Bo Diddley became the first Rock Star to be banned from The Ed Sullivan Show, find out why

“Shake Rattle and Roll” earns Bill Haley and His Comets their first Top 10 Hit

Originally recorded by Big Joe Turner, “Shake Rattle and Roll” gave Bill Haley and His Comets his first Top 10 single on November 11th, 1954

Ike Turner was born 94 years ago today in 1931

Despite his controversial personal life, Ike is considered an influential Rock N’ Roll pioneer, with Tina Turner he scored several hit songs during the 1960’s and 1970’s that remain enduring Rock classics

Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” was released 68 years ago

“Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis was released on November 3rd, 1957, on Sun Records, despite turning 68 years old today, it remains a solid Rock classic

Remembering the legendary 1950’s artist The Big Bopper on his 95th birthday

The Big Bopper remains one of the 1950’s Rock N’ Roll legendary artists, that cemented his name in history with “Chantilly Lace” and was one of the victims of the infamous “day the music died”

Remembering the rocker Bobby Fuller on his birthday

Bobby Fuller is mostly remembered for his version of “I Fought the Law” in 1966, the singer died prematurely at 23 years old. We remember him on his 83rd birthday

Remembering the Legendary Chuck Berry

John Lennon said once “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.” Today on his birthday we remember the legendary and influential Rocker

In 1957 The Everly Brothers “Wake Up Little Susie” reaches No.1 on the U.S singles charts

A true Rock N’ Roll classic, “Wake Up Little Susie” by The Everly Brothers reached No.1 on the U.S singles charts on October 14th, 1957

The Legacy and Importance of Legendary Rocker Eddie Cochran

Rock N’ Roll legend Eddie Cochran was born on October 3, 1938, and despite his untimely death at a young age, his legacy in Rock music is immense, maybe one of the biggest ones is being the man that got John Lennon and Paul McCartney together to form a band

Remembering Frankie Lymon on his 83rd Birthday

The 1950’s band Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers were the mold for similar bands to come such as The Jackson 5, their 1956 hit “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” is still remembered to this day, Frankie Lymon the group’s most memorable member died prematurely at only 25 years old in 1968

Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” Goes No.1 in 1964

One of Roy Orbison’s signature songs, “Oh, Pretty Woman” the song was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and was named one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, it had a resurgence in 1990 when it was used as the title song for the movie “Pretty Woman”

“That’ll Be the Day” Hits No. 1 in 1957

One of Buddy Holly’s signature songs and an absolute Rock classic climbed to the top of the charts on this day in 1957

Elvis Presley reaches No.1 on Hot 100 with “Don’t Be Cruel” in 1956

Don’t Be Cruel” written by famed composer Otis Blackwell. One of Presley’s signature songs, it went on to become also one of his best-selling singles, by 1961 sales had exceeded 6 million

Remembering The Man in Black

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the passing of legendary country musician and icon Johnny Cash. We take a look back at his life and career

“Rock Around the Clock” gets banned in several theaters in 1956

Made mainly to capitalize on Haley’s success and the popularity of his multimillion-selling recording “Rock Around the Clock”, the movie takes credit as the first ever Rock N’ Roll musical

Jerry Lee Lewis, The Killer Turns 87

He was the prototypical Rock Star. Long before the late 60’s and 70’s era of rock stardom excess, Jerry Lee Lewis already was living the wild Rock Star life in the 1950’s. His bad wild boy reputation as well as his non conventional stage antics that included wild and energetic performances and instrument smash before Rockers did it, earned him the nickname “The Killer”, today, he turns 87

Remembering Del Shannon on his birthday

Del Shannon made one of Rock N’ Roll’s most memorable song, “Runaway”. During the early 1960’s he enjoyed a wave of success from the hit single, he was born on this day in 1934

The legendary self-proclaimed “Queen Of Rock N’ Roll” Little Richard turns 87 today

“Elvis may be the King of Rock and Roll, but I am the Queen. ” said Little Richard once. An influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades, with his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship, he laid the foundation for Rock N’ Roll, his music played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres. We couldn’t imagine Rock music without Little Richard. He celebrates 87 years old today, we look back at his life and career