1959: Early Rock dies. (Early Rock: Part V) - Page 2

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May 12, 1999

What did appear to fill the void, however, were even more clean cut young stars, known as Teen Idols. They dominated the charts that year. Many of these earned popularity on the popular show American Bandstand. Host Dick Clark bred a stock of resident Philadelphia youngsters, mainly Italian. Though lacking in artistic talent, these young stars fit the image of a proper, polite teen, which was what Clark wanted his show to project. 1959's biggest hit was Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife", with Frankie Avalon's "Venus" and Paul Anka's "Lonely Boy", "Puppy Love" and "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" also being big. The first of Dick Clark's protégés was Fabian Forte, known simply as Fabian. He batantly promoted Fabian on American Bandstand, lip-synching "Turn Me Loose", "Tiger" and "Hound Dog Man" on the show. Fabian enjoyed enormous succes even though he couldn't sing a note. Francis Avallone, or Frankie Avalon, was another of Clark's creations. He was also promoted on the show, singing "DeDe Dinah", "Venus" and "Why", as was Robert Ridarelli, or Boddy Rydell. He was unsuccesful with his efforts until he joined American Bandstand in 1959, and scored with "Kissin' Time", "Volare" and "Swingin' School". The last of Clark's creations was Ernest Evans, or Chubby Checker. In 1960, Clark suggested he cover Hank Ballard's "Twist" on the show. It was a huge hit, and Clark discovered he was onto something. American Bandstand was always based on dance, mainly completely unoffensive ones. Though the twist was a bit ofensive, it was fun, and soon adults and children alike were partaking in it. A number of twist songs followed on the show: "The Twist", "Twist And Shout", "Twist Polka", "Twistin' the Night Away" and many more.

There were indications that rock was going somewhere, though. Berry Gordy opened up Motown Records in Detroit. His idea was to take black artists, clean them up and promote them in white markets. He was doubted at first, but eventually produced on of the most successful black-owned companies of all time. Also coming on the scene was the re-emergence of folk. In '59 it was mainly only traditional folk, but soon many groups like the Kingston Trio would join in because of the immense commercial succes to be had with folk. This was coused by the first wave of baby boomers reaching college. Because Clark's brand of music was aimed mainly at 12 year olds, and the new adults didn't like being lumped in together with them, they found something else to listen to. Eventually, starting with Bob Dylan, folk took political roots and became even more popular.

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