50s

R.I.P. Yvonne Staples of the Staple Singers 1939-2018

Yvonne Staples, one of the five members of the gospel and R&B greats The Staple Singers, has died at her home in South Shore, IL at the age of 80.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, soul, Staple Singers, USA, Yvonne Staples

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Ken Dodd 1928-2018

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Legendary British singer and comedian Sir Ken Dodd has died aged 90.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, 70s, comedy, Ken Dodd, UK

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Little Sammy Davis 1928-2018

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Blues singer Little Sammy Davis, whose blues career was interrupted for two decades only to come back and become a close musical associate of Levon Helm, died on Friday (February 16) at a nursing home in Middletown, NY at the age of 89.

Tagged as: 40s, 50s, blues, Harmonica Sammy Davis, Little Sammy Davis, USA

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Vic Damone 1928-2018

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

One of the very best of the crooners to come in the wake of the Sinatra craze, Vic Damone, has died after suffering respiratory failure on Sunday (February 11) in Miami Beach at the age of 89.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, contemporary, crooner, jazz, USA, Vic Damone

Read the full article →

Chuck Berry Estate Authorizes Biography

by Music-News.com

Chuck Berry’s widow has signed a deal to bring the rock pioneer’s life story to the screen in a documentary and biopic.

Tagged as: 50s, Chuck Berry, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Elvis The Auction – Now You Can Own a Piece of Presley

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

After the record-breaking auction during the 40th anniversary Elvis Week this past August, there will be another opportunity to own a piece of music history as highlights of the rare Elvis Presley artifacts to be included in the upcoming “Auction at Graceland” were announced today along with registration information and catalog ordering details.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, 70s, Elvis Presley, pop, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Keely Smith 1928-2017

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Keely Smith, the iconic singer/performer known for her many solo recordings as well as her musical partnership with first husband Louis Prima, died in Palm Springs, CA on Saturday, December 16. She was 89 and under physicians’ care at the time of her passing from apparent heart failure.

Tagged as: 40s, 50s, jazz, Keely Smith, standards, USA

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Mel Tillis 1932-2017

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Mel Tillis, the country music singer who had 36 top ten singles including six number ones, has died at the Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, FL from what is suspected to be resperatory failure. He was 85.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, country, Mel Tillis, USA

Read the full article →

Ralph Carr To Bring Back Elvis The Wonder Of You To Australia In 2018

by Paul Cashmere

Australian music industry legend Ralph Carr is planning on keeping the legacy of Elvis alive in Australia in 2018 by bringing back the Elvis ‘The Wonder of You’ orchestra for a tour.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Australia, Elvis Presley, music industry, pop, Priscilla Presley, Ralph Carr, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Fats Domino 1928-2017

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Fats Domino, one of the ten inaugural inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and an early architect of rock music, has died at his daughter’s suburban New Orleans home at the age of 89.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, blues, Fats Domino, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Elvis Presley Wanted To Tour Australia But Colonel Parker Stopped Him

by Paul Cashmere

Elvis Presley wanted to tour Australia but his manager Colonel Tom Parker wouldn’t let him.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, 70s, Elvis Presley, pop, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Johnny Cash 9 Disc Vinyl Collection To Be Released

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

In the last decade of a career that spanned half a century, Johnny Cash capped off his musical legend with a breathtaking final act, recording a series of raw, stripped-down albums with producer Rick Rubin. Those albums reestablished Cash as a vital artist, while adding a remarkable closing chapter to his incredible body of work.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, country, Johnny Cash, USA

Read the full article →

Classic 1957 Little Richard Album Set For Release

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Craft Recordings, the Catalog division of Concord Music, is pleased to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Here’s Little Richard, with a deluxe reissue of the rock ‘n’ roll icon’s 1957 debut full-length album.

Tagged as: 50s, Little Richard, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Wanda Jackson Starts Crowdfunding Round For Autobiography

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Legendary rockabilly and country music pioneer Wanda Jackson is giving fans a chance to purchase one-of-a-kind personalized collectibles and memorabilia along side their pre-order of her new autobiography through a PledgeMusic campaign.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, country, rockabilly, USA, Wanda Jackson

Read the full article →

Section Of California Highway 5 To Be Named After Ritchie Valens

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

The great Ritchie Valens, who died in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper, has had a section of California’s 5 Highway named after him.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Ritchie Valens, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Wanda Jackson To Release Her Autobiography

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

BMG has announced it will release legendary rockabilly and country music pioneer Wanda Jackson’s autobiography Every Night Is Saturday Night: A Country Girl’s Journey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 14, 2017.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, country, rockabilly, USA, Wanda Jackson

Read the full article →

John Lee Hooker 100th Birthday Box Coming

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Craft Recordings, the Catalog division of Concord Bicycle Music, has announced the release of King Of The Boogie, a career-spanning retrospective, honoring blues icon John Lee Hooker. Due out September 29th, the five-CD set delves deep into the catalog of the influential artist, featuring not only his iconic hits, but also rarities, live recordings and

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, blues, John Lee Hooker, USA

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Jerry Lewis 1926-2017 Watch His Final Interview. It Was Awkward

by Paul Cashmere

The great Jerry Lewis is dead. Lewis gave his last interview in 2016 and it was a trainwreck.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, comedy, Jerry Lewis, USA

Read the full article →

Elvis Presley Misses UK Top Spot By 39 Sales Points

by Music-News.com

The Top 2 on this week’s Official Albums Chart were separated by just 35 combined sales, and it is Ed Sheeran who scoops his 15th (non-consecutive) week at Number 1, denying Elvis Presley an extension of his Official Chart record.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, 70s, country, Elvis Presley, Gospel, pop, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Elvis Presley Auction At Graceland Raises Over $1.6m

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Collectors from around the world raised their paddles to bid in hopes of going home with a piece of Elvis history at the “Auction at Graceland,” which took place at the new Guest House at Graceland Theater during the 40thAnniversary Elvis Week commemoration, with items selling for over $1.6 million.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, 70s, country, Elvis Presley, Gospel, pop, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Jazz Drummer John Pochée To Receive Distinguished Services To Australian Music Award

by Paul Cashmere

John Pochée will be presented with the Distinguished Services To Australian Music at the Art Music Awards on 22 August.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Australia, jazz, John Pochée

Read the full article →

R.I.P. L.C. Cook, Brother of Sam Cooke, 1932-2017

by Paul Cashmere

Blues pioneer L.C. Cook, the brother of soul legend Sam Cooke, has died at the age of 84.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, blues, LC Cook, R&B, Same Cooke, soul, USA

Read the full article →

Chuck Berry ‘Darlin’ Video Premieres

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Chuck Berry never released an official promotional video during his lifetime. His last album was released in 1979, prior to the music video revolution.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Chuck Berry, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

There Is More Elvis Presley On The Way

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Since his death in 1977, RCA has repackaged and mined the vaults for the music of Elvis Presley in every conceivable combination.

Tagged as: 50s, Elvis Presley, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Elvis Presley’s Plane Sells For $430000

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

A plane once owned by Elvis Presley and his father, Vernon Presley has been sold at auction for $430,000 by GWS Auctions in Beverly Hills, CA.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Elvis Presley, pop, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Red Hot A Memphis Celebration of Sun Records

The Music Of Sun Records Celebrated With New Charity Record

by Paul Cashmere

The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis is the benificary of “Red Hot: A Memphis Celebration of Sun Records”.

Tagged as: 50s, rock and roll, Sun Records, USA

Read the full article →

Chuck Berry’s ‘Big Boys’ Is His First Ever Music Video

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

The video for the new Chuck Berry song ‘Big Boys’ is Chuck’s first ever music video.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Chuck Berry, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

Listen To Brand New Chuck Berry ‘Wonderful Woman’

by Paul Cashmere

When Chuck Berry died on March 18, he left behind his wife of 68 years, Toddy.

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Chuck Berry, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

R.I.P. Linda Hopkins 1924-2017

by Roger Wink, VVN Music

Singer and actress Linda Hopkins died on Monday (April 10) at a care facility in Wisconsin at the age of 92.

Tagged as: 40s, 50s, blues, Gospel, Linda Hopkins, USA

Read the full article →

Gene Simmons Gave The Eulogy At Chuck Berry Funeral

by Music-News.com

Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons praised Chuck Berry for “breaking down barriers” with his music at the funeral for the late singer on Sunday (April 9).

Tagged as: 50s, 60s, Chuck Berry, rock, rock and roll, USA

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →

Australia and New Zealand Jazz Great Judy Bailey Has Died At Age 90

On 8 August 2025, the world of jazz bid farewell to one of its most beloved and enduring figures, Judith Mary “Judy” Bailey (born 3 October 1935, Auckland, New Zealand).

August 10, 2025

Australian Rock and Roll Pioneer Col Joye Dies Aged 89

One of Australia’s first Rock and Roll stars Col Joye has passed away at the age of 89.

August 6, 2025

13 Woody Guthrie Songs Never Before Released Are About To Be Made Public

A new Woody Guthrie album of recordings made in 1951 with 22 previously unreleased recordings including 13 songs never before released will have their official premiere soon, 58 years after the death of Guthrie.

July 21, 2025