10 Best 1950’s Debut Singles In Rock Music

Our article, “10 Best 1950s Debut Singles and Rock Music,” presents a showcase not only of a select group of artists’ debut singles but also a look back at the origins of rock and roll and the songs that changed the world. Much is made in classic rock history about the arrival of The Beatles in 1963 and how they turned the world upside down. Of course, that is very true and a huge part of the rock and roll story. However, there would have never been The Beatles if it weren’t for the musical artists who got the rock and roll train rolling down the tracks in the 1950s. Obviously, there would have been no rock and roll artists in the ’50s if it hadn’t been for the sounds of jazz, swing, and blues that started earlier in the century. And it all keeps going back.

Since we were only picking ten, we had to be very careful with which artists we chose. Most importantly, it wasn’t just the artists that were vital to the selection, although they played a significant role; it was the songs. We picked a group of songs that changed everything, especially the first couple. Many of these artists on this list would go on to have much bigger hits than their debut singles. Yet without those debut singles, they never would have made a name for themselves and might never have been discovered again.

This list is in Chronological order so that it all makes sense

# 10 – The Fat Man (1949) – Fats Domino

We open our “10 Best 1950s Debut Singles in Rock Music” article with a song that was released just twenty days before the start of the decade. Released on December 10, 1949, Fats Domino’s song “The Fat Man” is considered by many to be the first rock and roll record. Although some people have given that title to “Rocket 88,” which was released in 1951, “The Fat Man” came first. However, if you ask Fats Domino about it, he would likely say that rock and roll was basically rhythm and blues, and he had been doing it for a long time in New Orleans.

The development of rock and roll was a slow process. As we mentioned in the introduction, it evolved from blues, jazz, swing, and, of course, R&B. All of these genres were crossing over into each other in the ’40s, and the sound of rock and roll was starting to be created, as you can hear on this recording. It’s not about the guitar; it’s about the piano, the vocals, and the attitude. All of that can be heard on “The Fat Man.”

On the recording, Fats Domino plays the piano and sings the vocals. The band includes Earl Palmer on drums, Frank Fields on string bass, Ernest McLean on guitar, and Herbert Hardesty, Clarence Hall, Joe Harris, and Red Tyler on saxophones. The song was recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana, and released on Imperial Records. Fats Domino was twenty-one years old at the time. This is where rock and roll truly begins.

# 9 – “Rocket 88” – (1951)  Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats

Continuing with our “10 Best 1950s Debut Singles in Rock Music,” we turn to a song that is often credited as being the first rock and roll song. Although they weren’t thinking in those terms back then—they were just making music—“Rocket 88” stands out. Recorded by Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm, the song was laid down in Memphis, Tennessee, in March of 1951. Jackie Brenston, the saxophone player in the Kings of Rhythm, ended up being credited on the record. For whatever reason, when the studio printed the single, they labeled it as Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. However, the Delta Cats were actually Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm backup band, and Jackie Brenston was a member of that group. The initial credit was entirely wrong.

This song, although officially credited to Jackie Brenston, was actually a collaborative effort with Ike Turner’s band. The legendary Sam Phillips produced it. Regardless of who got the credit, “Rocket 88” became a massive hit. It went to number one on the Best Selling R&B Records chart and also spent multiple weeks at the top of the Most Played Jukebox R&B Records chart. Many historians believe this is the song that truly ignites rock and roll. The piano playing on this track reportedly inspired artists like Little Richard.

At that time, so many records were being made, and so many bands were performing that undoubtedly, a lot of contributions went uncredited. Yet, we can’t ignore the importance of “Rocket 88” and its role in rock and roll history.

# 8 – Taxi Blues – (1951) Little Richard

“Taxi Blues” is the debut single released by Little Richard. The song was released as a stand-alone single in November of 1951. The B-side was a song called “Every Hour.” If you’ve never heard this song, you’re not alone. The song  did not even break into the charts and have been rarely written about. The song is fueled more by a big band jazz swing sound than rock and roll. However, if you listen to the piano underneath it all, you can hear a rock and roll groove just begging to be heard. This song has been placed on this list because it’s Little Richard’s debut single. The impact that Little Richard had on the origins of rock and roll is immeasurable and often overlooked. And Little Richard would have been the first one to remind you of that.

# 7 – That’s All Right – (1954) Elvis Presley

# 6 -Maybellene – (1955) Chuck Berry

While there were multiple moments in the early fifties that showcased the origins of rock and roll, it’s Chuck Berry’s debut single “Maybellene” that truly stands as the beginning of rock and roll as we know it. First and foremost, it was because Berry played the guitar in a way no one else had ever done before. Many people have called Chuck Berry the father of rock and roll, and they are right. Everything about this song—from its lyrics and attitude to its arrangement—had never been done before in this way. The song features Chuck Berry on vocals and guitar, Johnny Johnson on piano, Willie Dixon on bass, Jerome Green on maracas, and Ebby Hardy on drums. If you look and point to one song that starts it all, it’s Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.”

# 5 – “Bo Diddley” – (1955) – Bo Diddley

At the halfway point on our “10 Best 1950’s Debut Singles in Rock Music” is a song that not only contributes to the ongoing development of rock and roll but also introduces an entirely new beat that would be used in hundreds, if not thousands, of songs over the next seven decades. If you are a fan of Buddy Holly’s music, or songs like “Not Fade Away” by The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen’s “She’s the One,” George Thorogood’s “Who Do You Love,” and many more, the groove and beat behind those songs all start with Bo Diddley’s famous “Bo Diddley” song. This iconic rhythm became known as the Bo Diddley beat. And it all begins in 1955 with this debut single.

Read More: Top 10 Bo Diddley Songs

# 4 –  Crazy Arms- (1956) – Jerry Lee Lewis

When you look back at the 1950s, a handful of artists become key players in the origins of rock and roll: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Bill Haley and His Comets, Buddy Holly, and of course, Jerry Lee Lewis. What’s interesting about Jerry Lee Lewis is that he started as a piano-pumping, crazy rock and roller but eventually became a big-time country artist. In his debut single, “Crazy Arms,” we hear a combination of both styles. Although he initially shifted more toward rock and roll at the start of his career, he later transitioned to the country side many years on.

Read More: Top 10 Jerry Lee Lewis Songs

# 3 – At The Hop – (1957) Danny & The Juniors

“At the Hop,” released in 1957 by Danny and the Juniors, was one of those songs that just kept on giving. This song was very influential in merging the American doo-wop sound with a rock and roll R&B swinging beat. It became one of the biggest songs of the decade, making numerous appearances in motion pictures and plays. The song was given new life in the 1970s when Sha Na Na had a huge hit with it. The band followed up their 1957 hit with another big one in 1958, titled “Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay.” Danny and the Juniors consisted of Danny Rapp, David White, Joe Terranova, and Frank Maffei.

# 2 – I Met Him On A Sunday (Ronde-Ronde) -(1958) – The Shirelles

The Shirelles were an extremely influential group on many levels. In many ways, their sound was reminiscent of Motown before Motown Records ever existed. The Shirelles utilized the genres of doo-wop, R&B, and rock and roll to create a unique sound that became widely loved. Their debut single, “I Met Him on a Sunday,” was released in 1958 and became a hit, reaching number 49 on the US Hot 100. The Shirelles went on to have a very successful career throughout the ’60s and into the early ’70s, scoring hit after hit.

Only two years later, in 1960, they went all the way to number one with the single “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” This was followed by two more top 10 hits in 1961: “Dedicated to the One I Love” and “Mama Said.” They hit number one once again with “Soldier Boy,” in 1962.

Read More: Top 10 Shirelles Songs

# 1 – Come On Let’s Go – (1958) -Ritchie Valens

We close out our “10 Best 1950s Debut Singles in Rock Music” list with the debut single by Ritchie Valens, entitled “Come On, Let’s Go.” The song was released in May of 1958. Ritchie Valens would release his debut album in January of 1959, but just a month later, he tragically died in a plane crash. Although his career was short, its impact was enormous. He had several hits, including his debut single “Come On, Let’s Go,” the follow-up “Donna,” and the iconic “La Bamba.” These songs have been quoted and covered by many great rock and roll artists.

Valens’ tragic passing came on February 3, 1959, when he, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and pilot Roger Peterson all died in a plane crash. This event was immortalized in Don McLean’s song “American Pie” as “The Day the Music Died.” Despite his brief career, Ritchie Valens left an indelible mark on the rock and roll landscape.

Read More: Top 10 Ritchie Valens Songs

10 Best 1950’s Debut Singles In Rock Music article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024