1959 In Music
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This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1959.


Specific locations

* 1959 in British music * 1959 in Norwegian music


Specific genres

* 1959 in country music *
1959 in jazz This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1959. Events May * 4 – 1st Annual Grammy Awards **Ella Fitzgerald awarded Best Vocal Performance, Female for the album ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook'', and Best ...


Events

*
January 5 Events Pre-1600 *1477 – Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is defeated and killed in a conflict with René II, Duke of Lorraine; Duchy of Burgundy, Burgundy subsequently becomes part of France. 1601–1900 *1675 – Battle of Turckh ...
– The first sessions for Ella Fitzgerald's '' George and Ira Gershwin Songbook'' are held. *
January 12 Events Pre-1600 * 475 – Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople, and his general, Basiliscus gains control of the empire. *1528 – Gustav I of Sweden is crowned King of Sweden, having already reigned s ...
– Tamla Records is founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit, Michigan. *
January 22 Events Pre-1600 * 613 – Eight-month-old Constantine is crowned as co-emperor (''Caesar'') by his father Heraclius at Constantinople. * 871 – Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by King Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vi ...
–
Buddy Holly Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas ...
records some acoustic demos in his New York City apartment, the last songs he will record. Songs included "Peggy Sue Got Married", "Crying, Waiting, Hoping", "Learning the Game", "What to Do", "That's What They Say", and "That Makes It Tough." *
January 29 Events Pre-1600 * 904 – Sergius III is elected pope, after coming out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed antipope Christopher. * 946 – Caliph Al-Mustakfi is blinded and deposed by Emir Mu'izz al-Dawla, ruler o ...
– The first
Melodifestivalen Melodifestivalen (; literally "the Melody Festival") is an annual song competition organised by Swedish public broadcasters Sveriges Television (SVT) and Sveriges Radio (SR). It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song ...
, an annual Swedish music competition that determines the country's representative for the
Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...
, is held in
Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
. *
February 3 Events Pre-1600 * 1112 – Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, and Douce I, Countess of Provence, marry, uniting the fortunes of those two states. *1451 – Sultan Mehmed II inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire. *1488 – ...
– "
The Day the Music Died On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson. The event later beca ...
":
Buddy Holly Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas ...
,
Ritchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...
, and
The Big Bopper Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959), known as The Big Bopper, was an American singer, songwriter and disc jockey. His best-known compositions include "Chantilly Lace" and " White Lightning", the latter of wh ...
are killed in a plane crash in Iowa. Future country star
Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music. Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...
was scheduled to be on the plane, but instead gave his seat up to The Big Bopper. *
March 2 Events Pre-1600 * 537 – Siege of Rome: The Ostrogoth army under king Vitiges begins the siege of the capital. Belisarius conducts a delaying action outside the Flaminian Gate; he and a detachment of his ''bucellarii'' are almost cut o ...
–
April 22 Events Pre-1600 * 1500 – Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral lands in Brazil. * 1519 – Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés establishes a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico. * 1529 – Treaty of Zaragoza divides the eastern ...
– The recording sessions for the extremely influential
Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
album ''
Kind of Blue ''Kind of Blue'' is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 2 and April 22, 1959, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City, and released on August 17 of that year by Co ...
'' take place at the
CBS 30th Street Studio CBS 30th Street Studio, also known as Columbia 30th Street Studio, and nicknamed "The Church", was an American recording studio operated by Columbia Records from 1948 to 1981 located at 207 East 30th Street, between Second and Third Avenues in Manha ...
in New York City. The album is released on August 17 in the United States, including the Davis-
Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...
composition " Blue in Green". *
March 11 Events Pre-1600 * 222 – Roman emperor Elagabalus is murdered alongside his mother, Julia Soaemias. He is replaced by his 14-year old cousin, Severus Alexander. * 843 – Triumph of Orthodoxy: Empress Theodora II restores the venerati ...
– The 4th
Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...
is held in
Cannes Cannes ( , , ; oc, Canas) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions I ...
, France, and won by the
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
with the song "
Een beetje "n Beetje" (; "A little bit"), spelled in full as "Een beetje", is a song written in Dutch by Willy van Hemert, composed by Dick Schallies and performed by Teddy Scholten as the ' entry and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1959. The song was ...
" performed by
Teddy Scholten Dorothea Margaretha "Teddy" Scholten (née van Zwieteren; 11 May 1926 – 8 April 2010) was a Dutch singer and television presenter. She is known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 with the song "Een beetje", representing the Netherlands ...
. *
April 3 Events Pre-1600 * 686 – Maya king Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ahk' assumes the crown of Calakmul. * 1043 – Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. * 1077 – The Patriarchate of Friûl, the first Friulian state, is created ...
– The
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
in the United Kingdom bans
The Coasters The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group who had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and " Young Blood" in 1957, their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing ...
song "Charlie Brown" because of the word "spitball", a decision it reverses later in the month. *
April 24 Events Pre-1600 * 1479 BC – Thutmose III ascends to the throne of Egypt, although power effectively shifts to Hatshepsut (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th dynasty). * 1183 BC – Traditional reckoning of the Fall of Troy m ...
– The ''
Your Hit Parade ''Your Hit Parade'' was an American radio and television music program that was broadcast from 1935 to 1953 on radio, and seen from 1950 to 1959 on television. It was sponsored by American Tobacco's Lucky Strike cigarettes. During its 24-year r ...
'' television series airs its last episode in the United States. *
May 4 Events Pre-1600 * 1256 – The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV issues a papal bull ''Licet ecclesiae catholicae''. * 1415 – Religious reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus are ...
– The
1st Annual Grammy Awards The 1st Annual Grammy Awards were held on May 4, 1959. They recognized musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1959. Two separate ceremonies were held simultaneously on the same day; the first hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and the ...
are held in
Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
.
Henry Mancini Henry Mancini ( ; born Enrico Nicola Mancini, ; April 16, 1924 – June 14, 1994) was an American composer, conductor, arranger, pianist and flautist. Often cited as one of the greatest composers in the history of film, he won four Academy Award ...
's ''
The Music from Peter Gunn ''The Music from Peter Gunn'' is a soundtrack album to the TV series ''Peter Gunn'', composed and conducted by Henry Mancini, and released in 1959 on RCA Victor. It was the first album ever to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1959. ...
'' wins Album of the Year, while
Domenico Modugno Domenico Modugno (; 9 January 1928 – 6 August 1994) was an Italian singer, actor and, later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. He is known for his 1958 international hit song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu (song), Nel blu dipinto di blu", ...
's song " Nel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare)" wins both
Record of the Year The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without reg ...
and Song of the Year. *
May 12 Events Pre-1600 * 254 – Pope Stephen I succeeds Pope Lucius I, becoming the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church, and immediately takes a stand against Novatianism. * 907 – Zhu Wen forces Emperor Ai into abdicating, ending the Tang d ...
–
Plácido Domingo José Plácido Domingo Embil (born 21 January 1941) is a Spanish opera singer, conductor, and arts administrator. He has recorded over a hundred complete operas and is well known for his versatility, regularly performing in Italian, French, ...
makes his stage debut at the Teatro Degollado in
Guadalajara Guadalajara ( , ) is a metropolis in western Mexico and the capital of the list of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population of 1,385,629 people, making it the 7th largest city by population in Me ...
as Pascual in ''Marina''. *
May 30 Events Pre-1600 * 70 – Siege of Jerusalem: Titus and his Roman legions breach the Second Wall of Jerusalem. Jewish defenders retreat to the First Wall. The Romans build a circumvallation, cutting down all trees within fifteen kilometres ...
–
Helge Rosvaenge Helge Rosvaenge (born Helge Anton Rosenvinge Hansen, August 29, 1897June 17, 1972) was a Danish-born operatic tenor whose career was centred on Germany and Austria, before, during and after World War II. His last name is sometimes spelled Roswaen ...
gives his farewell concert at Vienna's Great Musikvereinsaal. *
June 11 Events Pre-1600 * 173 – Marcomannic Wars: The Roman army in Moravia is encircled by the Quadi, who have broken the peace treaty (171). In a violent thunderstorm emperor Marcus Aurelius defeats and subdues them in the so-called "miracle ...
– Violence erupts at the Seventh Festival of Neapolitan Song in a scandal that sparks a parliamentary inquiry amidst accusations of corruption and involvement of organized crime in a song competition that is seen to have become increasingly commercialised. *July–November –
Alan Lomax Alan Lomax (; January 31, 1915 – July 19, 2002) was an American ethnomusicologist, best known for his numerous field recordings of folk music of the 20th century. He was also a musician himself, as well as a folklorist, archivist, writer, sch ...
and English singer
Shirley Collins Shirley Elizabeth Collins MBE (born 5 July 1935) is an English folk singer who was a significant contributor to the English Folk Revival of the 1960s and 1970s. She often performed and recorded with her sister Dolly, whose accompaniment on ...
make a folksong collecting trip in the
Southern United States The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
during which they 'discover'
Mississippi Fred McDowell Fred McDowell (January 12, 1904 – July 3, 1972), known by his stage name Mississippi Fred McDowell, was an American hill country blues singer and guitar player. Career McDowell was born in Rossville, Tennessee, United States. His parents were f ...
. *
August 25 Events Pre-1600 * 19 – The Roman general Germanicus dies near Antioch. He was convinced that the mysterious illness that ended in his death was a result of poisoning by the Syrian governor Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, whom he had ordered to ...
–
September 5 Events Pre-1600 * 917 – Liu Yan declares himself emperor, establishing the Southern Han state in southern China, at his capital of Panyu. * 1367 – Swa Saw Ke becomes king of Ava * 1590 – Alexander Farnese's army forces Hen ...
–
Darmstädter Ferienkurse Darmstädter Ferienkurse ("Darmstadt Summer Course") is a regular summer event of contemporary classical music in Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany. It was founded in 1946, under the name "Ferienkurse für Internationale Neue Musik Darmstadt" (Vacation Cou ...
held in Darmstadt, with lectures by
Włodzimierz Kotoński Włodzimierz Kotoński (23 August 1925 – 4 September 2014) was a Polish composer. Biography Born in Warsaw, Kotoński studied there with Piotr Rytel and Tadeusz Szeligowski at the PWSM, graduating in 1951. In an initial period of activity he ...
,
György Ligeti György Sándor Ligeti (; ; 28 May 1923 – 12 June 2006) was a Hungarian-Austrian composer of contemporary classical music. He has been described as "one of the most important avant-garde composers in the latter half of the twentieth century" ...
, Andrzej Markowski,
Yoritsune Matsudaira was a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music. Matsudaira was descended, on his father's side of the family, from the Matsudaira clan, related to the Tokugawa clan who ruled Japan as ''shōgun'' during the Edo period (specifically ...
,
Werner Meyer-Eppler Werner Meyer-Eppler (30 April 1913 – 8 July 1960), was a Belgian-born German physicist, experimental acoustician, phoneticist and information theorist. Meyer-Eppler was born in Antwerp. He studied mathematics, physics, and chemistry, fir ...
,
Luigi Nono Luigi Nono (; 29 January 1924 – 8 May 1990) was an Italian avant-garde composer of classical music. Biography Early years Nono, born in Venice, was a member of a wealthy artistic family; his grandfather was a notable painter. Nono beg ...
,
Henri Pousseur Henri Léon Marie-Thérèse Pousseur (23 June 1929 – 6 March 2009) was a Belgian classical composer, teacher, and music theorist. Biography Pousseur was born in Malmedy and studied at the Academies of Music in Liège and in Brussels from 1947 to ...
,
Karlheinz Stockhausen Karlheinz Stockhausen (; 22 August 1928 – 5 December 2007) was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He is known for his groun ...
, and Bo Wallner, and world premieres of Claude Baillif's ''Mouvements pour deux'',
Sylvano Bussotti Sylvano Bussotti (1 October 1931 – 19 September 2021) was an Italian composer of contemporary classical music, also a painter, set and costume designer, opera director and manager, writer and academic teacher. His compositions employ graphic n ...
's ''Piano Pieces for David Tudor'',
Cornelius Cardew Cornelius Cardew (7 May 193613 December 1981) was an English experimental music composer, and founder (with Howard Skempton and Michael Parsons) of the Scratch Orchestra, an experimental performing ensemble. He later rejected experimental music, ...
's ''Two Books of Study for Pianists'' and ''Piano Piece 1959'', Niccolo Castiglioni's ''Cangiati per pianoforte'',
Roman Haubenstock-Ramati Roman Haubenstock-Ramati ( he, רוֹמן האובּנשׁטוֹק-רָמָתִי; 27 February 1919 – 3 March 1994) was a composer and music editor who worked in Kraków, Tel Aviv and Vienna. Life Haubenstock-Ramati was born in Kraków. He stud ...
's ''Interpolation: Mobile pour flûte'',
Mauricio Kagel Mauricio Raúl Kagel (; 24 December 1931 – 18 September 2008) was an Argentine-German composer. Biography Kagel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into an Ashkenazi Jewish family that had fled from Russia in the 1920s . He studied music, his ...
's ''Transición II'', Angelo Paccagnini's ''Canti brevi: secondo libro'', and Stockhausen's ''
Zyklus ''Zyklus für einen Schlagzeuger'' (English: Cycle for a Percussionist) is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, assigned Number 9 in the composer's catalog of works. It was composed in 1959 at the request of Wolfgang Steinecke as a test piece ...
''. *
September 13 Events Pre-1600 * 585 BC – Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victories over the Sabines, and the surrender of Collatia. *509 BC – The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on Rome's Capitoline Hill i ...
–
Bo Diddley Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates; December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, incl ...
's single "Say Man" enters the US R&B charts. *
November 29 Events Pre-1600 * 561 – Following the death of King Chlothar I at Compiègne, his four sons, Charibert I, Guntram, Sigebert I and Chilperic I, divide the Frankish Kingdom. * 618 – The Tang dynasty scores a decisive victory over t ...
– Though they are held in the same year as the inaugural ceremony, the 2nd Annual Grammy Awards are held in
Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
and
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
and are notable for being the first televised
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...
ceremony.
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
's '' Come Dance with Me!'' wins Album of the Year,
Bobby Darin Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto; May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was an American musician and actor. He performed jazz, Pop music, pop, rock and roll, Folk music, folk, Swing music, swing, and country music. He started his car ...
's version of "
Mack the Knife "Mack the Knife" or "The Ballad of Mack the Knife" (german: "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer", italic=no, link=no) is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 music drama ''The Threepenny Opera'' (german: Die Dreig ...
" wins
Record of the Year The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without reg ...
and
Jimmy Driftwood James Corbitt Morris (June 20, 1907 – July 12, 1998), known professionally as Jimmy Driftwood or Jimmie Driftwood, was an American folk music songwriter and musician, most famous for his songs "The Battle of New Orleans" and " Tennessee Stud ...
's song "
The Battle of New Orleans "The Battle of New Orleans" is a song written by Jimmy Driftwood. The song describes the Battle of New Orleans from the perspective of an American soldier; the song tells the tale of the battle with a light tone and provides a rather comical ver ...
" wins Song of the Year. Darin is also awarded
Best New Artist The Grammy Award for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1959. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for records released in the previous year. The award was not presented in 1967. The official guidelines are as ...
. * Fall –
Bill Haley & His Comets Bill Haley & His Comets were an American rock and roll band founded in 1947 that continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. From late 1954 to late 1956, the group record ...
end their groundbreaking association with
Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...
, for whom they had recorded since 1954. Their first recording for the label, "
Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was record ...
", helped usher in the rock and roll era. Haley signs with
Warner Bros. Records Warner Records Inc. (formerly Warner Bros. Records Inc.) is an American record label. A subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division of the ...
. *
Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...
performs at the first
Newport Folk Festival Newport Folk Festival is an annual American folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the Newport Jazz Festival. It was one of the first modern music festivals in America, and remains a foca ...
as a surprise guest and becomes an underground favorite *
Otto Luening Otto Clarence Luening (June 15, 1900 – September 2, 1996) was a German-American composer and conductor, and an early pioneer of tape music and electronic music. Luening was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to German parents, Eugene, a conducto ...
and
Vladimir Ussachevsky Vladimir Alexeevich Ussachevsky (November 3, 1911 in Hailar, China – January 2, 1990 in New York, New York) was a composer, particularly known for his work in electronic music. Biography Vladimir Ussachevsky was born in the Hailar Distric ...
co-found the
Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center The Computer Music Center (CMC) at Columbia University is the oldest center for electronic and computer music research in the United States. It was founded in the 1950s as the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center. Location The CMC is hou ...
in New York City. * The
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Recording Academy (formally the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; abbreviated NARAS) is an American Learned society, learned academy of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other musical professionals. It is famous f ...
in the United States sponsors the first
Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
Award ceremony for music recorded in 1958. *
Dalida Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti (; 17 January 1933 – 3 May 1987), professionally known as Dalida, was an Italian-French singer and actress born in Egypt. She sang in eleven languages and sold millions of records internationally. Her best known son ...
receives a Music Oscar for Best Song and a first foreign award (a "Golden Lion" in Berlin). *
Jacques Loussier Jacques Loussier (26 October 1934 – 5 March 2019) was a French pianist and composer. He arranged jazz interpretations of many of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, such as the ''Goldberg Variations''. The Jacques Loussier Trio, founded in 19 ...
releases ''Play Bach No.1'' with bassist
Pierre Michelot Pierre Michelot (3 March 1928 – 3 July 2005) was a French jazz double bass player and arranger. Early life Michelot was born in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris on 3 March 1928. He studied piano from 1936 until 1938. He switched to playi ...
and percussionist Christian Garros. *
Ornette Coleman Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman (March 9, 1930 – June 11, 2015) was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer known as a principal founder of the free jazz genre, a term derived from his 1960 album '' Free Jazz: A Colle ...
plays a legendary and controversial concert at New York's
Five Spot 5 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 5, five or number 5 may also refer to: * AD 5, the fifth year of the AD era * 5 BC, the fifth year before the AD era Literature * ''5'' (visual novel), a 2008 visual novel by Ram * ''5'' (comics), an awar ...
. *
Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...
signs with
Monument Records Monument Records is an American record label in Washington, D.C. named for the Washington Monument, founded in 1958 by Fred Foster, Buddy Deane (a prominent Baltimore disc jockey at WTTG), and business manager Jack Kirby. Buddy Deane soon left ...
. *
The Supremes The Supremes were an American girl group and a premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s. Founded as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful ...
are founded as a quartet ("The Primettes"). *
Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...
buys his first electric guitar: a White Single pickup Supro Ozark 1560 S. * Veteran sarodiya and multi-instrumentalist
Allauddin Khan Allauddin Khan, also known as Baba Allauddin Khan ( – 6 September 1972) was an Indian sarod player and multi-instrumentalist, composer and one of the most notable music teachers of the 20th century in Indian classical music. For a generation ...
records for
All India Radio All or ALL may refer to: Language * All, an indefinite pronoun in English * All, one of the English determiners * Allar language (ISO 639-3 code) * Allative case (abbreviated ALL) Music * All (band), an American punk rock band * ''All'' (All a ...
. *
Jilin Jilin (; alternately romanized as Kirin or Chilin) is one of the three provinces of Northeast China. Its capital and largest city is Changchun. Jilin borders North Korea (Rasŏn, North Hamgyong, Ryanggang and Chagang) and Russia (Prim ...
opera is developed in China. *Approximate date – Ballads and Blues
folk club A folk club is a regular event, permanent venue, or section of a venue devoted to folk music and traditional music. Folk clubs were primarily an urban phenomenon of 1960s and 1970s Great Britain and Ireland, and vital to the second British folk r ...
founded by
Ewan MacColl James Henry Miller (25 January 1915 – 22 October 1989), better known by his stage name Ewan MacColl, was a folk singer-songwriter, folk song collector, labour activist and actor. Born in England to Scottish parents, he is known as one of the ...
and others in a London
pub A pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term ''public house'' first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and was ...
in
Soho Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century. The area was develop ...
as part of the second
British folk revival The British folk revival incorporates a number of movements for the collection, preservation and performance of folk music in the United Kingdom and related territories and countries, which had origins as early as the 18th century. It is particul ...
.


Albums released (in alphabetical order)

* ''
An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer ''An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer'' is an album recorded by Tom Lehrer, the well-known satirist and Harvard lecturer. The recording was made on March 20–21, 1959 in Sanders Theater at Harvard. In 2020, Lehrer donated all of his lyrics and mus ...
'' –
Tom Lehrer Thomas Andrew Lehrer (; born April 9, 1928) is an American former musician, singer-songwriter, satirist, and mathematician, having lectured on mathematics and musical theater. He is best known for the pithy and humorous songs that he recorded in ...
* '' At Large'' –
The Kingston Trio The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to the late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and ...
* '' Ballad of the Blues'' –
Jo Stafford Jo Elizabeth Stafford (November 12, 1917July 16, 2008) was an American traditional pop music singer, whose career spanned five decades from the late 1930s to the early 1980s. Admired for the purity of her voice, she originally underwent classi ...
* '' Bill Haley's Chicks'' –
Bill Haley & His Comets Bill Haley & His Comets were an American rock and roll band founded in 1947 that continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. From late 1954 to late 1956, the group record ...
* ''
Blind Joe Death ''Blind Joe Death'' is the first album by American fingerstyle guitarist and composer John Fahey. There are three different versions of the album, and the original self-released edition of fewer than 100 copies is extremely rare. The recording ...
'' – John Fahey * ''
The Cats ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
'' – John Coltrane * '' Cattin' with Coltrane and Quinichette'' – John Coltrane &
Paul Quinichette Paul Quinichette (May 17, 1916 – May 25, 1983) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was known as the "Vice President" or "Vice Prez" for his emulation of the breathy style of Lester Young, whose nickname was "The President", or simply "P ...
*
Chega De Saudade "Chega de Saudade" (), also known as "No More Blues", is a bossa nova jazz standard. It is often considered to be the first bossa nova song to be recorded. Like "The Girl from Ipanema", the music for "Chega de Saudade" was composed by Antônio Carl ...
–
João Gilberto João Gilberto (born João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira – ; 10 June 1931 – 6 July 2019) was a Brazilian guitarist, singer and composer who was a pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Around the world, he was o ...
* ''
Chuck Berry Is on Top ''Chuck Berry Is on Top'' is the third studio album by rock and roll artist Chuck Berry, released in July 1959 on Chess Records, catalogue LP 1435. With the exception of one track, "Blues for Hawaiians," all selections had been previously release ...
'' –
Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the " Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into th ...
* ''
Cliff In geography and geology, a cliff is an area of rock which has a general angle defined by the vertical, or nearly vertical. Cliffs are formed by the processes of weathering and erosion, with the effect of gravity. Cliffs are common on co ...
'' –
Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an Indian-born British musican, singer, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million s ...
(debut) ('Live' and with '
The Drifters The Drifters are several American doo-wop and R&B/Soul music, soul vocal groups. They were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, formerly the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. The second group of Drifters, f ...
') * ''
Cliff Sings Cliff Sings is the second album by British Cliff Richard and his first studio album. It was released in November 1959 through EMI Columbia Records and recorded at Abbey Road Studios. It reached No. 2 in the UK album chart. No singles were rel ...
'' – Cliff Richard * '' Come Dance with Me!'' –
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
* ''
Como Swings ''Como Swings'' was Perry Como's fifth RCA Victor 12" long-play album, released in 1959. The album's concept was one of lively swing arrangements by Joe Lipman of standards from the Great American Songbook. The album was, in part, recorded to s ...
'' –
Perry Como Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (; May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an Italian-American singer, actor and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, after signing ...
* '' Cuttin' Capers'' –
Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...
* ''
A Date with Elvis ''A Date with Elvis'' is a compilation album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, issued on RCA Victor (LPM 2011) in July 1959. The album compiled a selection of previously released material from multiple sessions at Sun, an August 195 ...
'' –
Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...
* ''
Dinah, Yes Indeed! ''Dinah, Yes Indeed!'' is a 1958 studio album by Dinah Shore, arranged by Nelson Riddle. Track listing # "It All Depends on You" (Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown) – 2:36 # " Falling in Love with Love" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – ...
'' –
Dinah Shore Dinah Shore (born Frances Rose Shore; February 29, 1916 – February 24, 1994) was an American singer, actress, and television personality, and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during ...
* ''Dreams of Italy'' – Johnny Cole * ''
Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers'' is a 1959 album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, recorded with a studio Orchestra arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol. Ella focuses on well known jazz standards by lesser known song ...
'' – Ella Fitzgerald * ''
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book'' is a box set by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald that contains songs by George and Ira Gershwin with arrangements by Nelson Riddle. It was produced by Norman Granz, Fitzgerald' ...
'' –
Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...
* ''
Everybody Digs Bill Evans ''Everybody Digs Bill Evans'' is an album by jazz musician Bill Evans. It was released in early 1959 on the Riverside label. History ''Everybody Digs Bill Evans'' was Evans's second album, done two years after his first record as a leader. Thoug ...
'' –
Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...
* ''
50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong ''50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 2'' (or simply known as ''Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 2)'' is the fourth compilation album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, issued by RCA Victor in November 1959 ...
'' –
Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...
* ''
For LP Fans Only ''For LP Fans Only'' is a compilation album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released on February 6, 1959 by RCA Victor. It compiled previously released material from an August 1956 recording session at 20th Century Fox Stage One, a ...
'' – Elvis Presley * '' ...from the "Hungry i"'' –
The Kingston Trio The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to the late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and ...
(live) * ''
The Genius of Ray Charles ''The Genius of Ray Charles'' is a 1959 Ray Charles album, released in October by Atlantic Records, the seventh album since the debut ''Ray Charles'' in 1957. The album consists of swinging pop with big band arrangements. It comprises a first half ...
'' –
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
* '' Get Happy!'' – Ella Fitzgerald * ''
Go Bo Diddley ''Go Bo Diddley'' is the second album by American rock and roll musician Bo Diddley, released in July 1959. The album was Bo's first studio album that included some material that hadn't been prereleased on singles, and his first LP for Checker R ...
'' –
Bo Diddley Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates; December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, incl ...
* ''
Greatest! ''Greatest!'' is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. It was released on October 19, 1959, by Sun Records after Cash had left the label and signed with Columbia Records. The album is made of songs Cash recorded for Sun pr ...
'' –
Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
* ''
Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs ''Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs'' is the fifth studio album by Marty Robbins, released on the Columbia Records label in September 1959 and peaking at number 6 on the U.S. pop albums chart. It was recorded in a single eight-hour session on Ap ...
'' –
Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and suc ...
* ''
Here We Go Again! ''Here We Go Again!'' is an album by American folk music group the Kingston Trio, released in 1959 (see 1959 in music). It was one of the four the Trio would have simultaneously in Billboard's Top 10 albums during the year. It spent eight weeks at ...
'' – The Kingston Trio * ''
How to Speak Hip ''How to Speak Hip'' is a comedy album by Del Close and John Brent, released by Mercury Records in 1959. Description The album is designed as a satire of language-learning records, where the secret language of the ' hipster' is treated as a f ...
'' –
Del Close Del Close (March 9, 1934 – March 4, 1999) was an American actor, writer, and teacher who coached many of the best-known comedians and comic actors of the late twentieth century. In addition to an acting career in television and film, he was ...
and John Brent * ''
Hymns by Johnny Cash ''Hymns by Johnny Cash'' is the third studio album and first gospel album by American singer Johnny Cash. The album was produced in 1958 and was then officially released in 1959. An alternate version of the song ''It was Jesus'' was an added bonu ...
'' –
Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
* '' I'll Be Seeing You'' –
Jo Stafford Jo Elizabeth Stafford (November 12, 1917July 16, 2008) was an American traditional pop music singer, whose career spanned five decades from the late 1930s to the early 1980s. Admired for the purity of her voice, she originally underwent classi ...
* ''I'm Nobody's Baby'' –
Jo Ann Campbell Jo Ann Campbell (born July 20, 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American singer who was one of the pioneers of rockabilly. Campbell began attending music school at the age of four, and won many honors as a drum majorette at Fletcher High S ...
* '' A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra'' –
Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, ...
* ''
Kind of Blue ''Kind of Blue'' is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 2 and April 22, 1959, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City, and released on August 17 of that year by Co ...
'' –
Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...
* '' Liturgical Jazz'' –
Ed Summerlin Edgar Eugene Summerlin (September 1, 1928 – October 10, 2006) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator known for pioneering Liturgical jazz, avant-garde jazz, and free jazz. Professional career While a graduate student at the ...
* '' Lonely Street'' –
Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...
* '' Look to Your Heart'' –
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
* '' Love in Portofino (A San Cristina)'' –
Dalida Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti (; 17 January 1933 – 3 May 1987), professionally known as Dalida, was an Italian-French singer and actress born in Egypt. She sang in eleven languages and sold millions of records internationally. Her best known son ...
* ''
Mingus Ah Um ''Mingus Ah Um'' is a studio album by American jazz musician Charles Mingus which was released in October 1959 by Columbia Records. It was his first album recorded for Columbia. The cover features a painting by S. Neil Fujita. The title is a corrup ...
'' –
Charles Mingus Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians and ...
* ''
Moanin' in the Moonlight ''Moanin' in the Moonlight'' is a compilation album and the first album by American blues artist Howlin' Wolf, released by Chess Records in 1959. It contains songs previously issued as singles, including one of his best-known, "Smokestack Lightn ...
'' –
Howlin' Wolf Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910January 10, 1976), better known by his stage name Howlin' Wolf, was an American blues singer and guitarist. He is regarded as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. Over a four-decade care ...
(debut) * '' Newk's Time'' –
Sonny Rollins Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (born September 7, 1930) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, he has recorded over sixty albums as a ...
* ''
No One Cares ''No One Cares'' is a 1959 album by Frank Sinatra. It is generally seen as a "sequel" to Sinatra's 1957 album ''Where Are You? (Frank Sinatra album), Where Are You?'' (also arranged by Gordon Jenkins), and was similar in theme and concept to ''Fr ...
'' –
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
* '' ¡Olé Tormé!: Mel Tormé Goes South of the Border with Billy May'' –
Mel Tormé Melvin Howard Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999), nicknamed "The Velvet Fog", was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. He composed the music for "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts Roasting on an Op ...
* ''
Once Upon a Summertime "Once Upon a Summertime" is the title of the American version (with lyrics from Johnny Mercer) of a French song written by Michel Legrand, Eddie Barclay and Eddy Marnay. The French original is La valse des lilas. Notable recordings *Blossom D ...
'' –
Blossom Dearie Margrethe Blossom Dearie (April 28, 1924 – February 7, 2009) was an American jazz singer and pianist. She had a recognizably light and girlish voice. Profile at AllMusicDearie performed regular engagements in London and New York City over ...
* ''
Persuasive Percussion ''Persuasive Percussion'' was an LP album performed by Terry Snyder and the All Stars and released in 1959 by Command Records (run by Enoch Light). The packaging includes the first use of the gatefold cover which, upon being unfolded, lists inf ...
'' – Terry Snyder and the All Stars * ''
Porgy and Bess ''Porgy and Bess'' () is an English-language opera by American composer George Gershwin, with a libretto written by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It was adapted from Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward's play '' Porgy'', itse ...
'' –
Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...
* ''
Ricky Sings Again ''Ricky Sings Again'' is the third rock and roll album by Ricky Nelson, released in 1959. The Jordanaires provide vocal accompaniment. Track listing #"It's Late" (Dorsey Burnette) - 1:59 #"One of These Mornings" (Dorsey Burnette) - 1:54 #"B ...
'' –
Ricky Nelson Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician, songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet''. In 1957, he bega ...
* ''
Ritchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...
'' –
Ritchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...
* ''
Season's Greetings from Perry Como ''Season's Greetings from Perry Como'', originally released in 1959, was Perry Como's sixth RCA Victor 12-inch long-play album and the fourth recorded in stereophonic sound, as well as his first major full-length Christmas album. The album is w ...
'' –
Perry Como Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como (; May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an Italian-American singer, actor and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century, he recorded exclusively for RCA Victor for 44 years, after signing ...
* ''
The Shape of Jazz to Come ''The Shape of Jazz to Come'' is the third album by jazz musician Ornette Coleman. Released on Atlantic Records in 1959, it was his debut on the label and his first album featuring the working quartet including himself, trumpeter Don Cherry, bass ...
'' –
Ornette Coleman Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman (March 9, 1930 – June 11, 2015) was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer known as a principal founder of the free jazz genre, a term derived from his 1960 album '' Free Jazz: A Colle ...
* ''
The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love ''The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love'' was an LP album issued by Atlantic Records in 1958, featuring vocalist Betty Johnson. It was recorded in New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the L ...
'' –
Betty Johnson Betty Johnson (March 16, 1929 – November 6, 2022) was an American traditional pop and cabaret singer who reached her career peak in the 1950s. Biography Johnson was born in Guilford County, North Carolina on March 16, 1929. Johnson's professio ...
* ''
Songs of our Soil ''Songs of Our Soil'' is the sixth studio album by American singer Johnny Cash. It was originally released on July 6, 1959, and later re-issued on August 27, 2002 with two additional bonus tracks. The major theme throughout this album is death. ...
'' –
Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
* '' Stereo Concert'' – The Kingston Trio (live) * '' Strictly Instrumental'' –
Bill Haley & His Comets Bill Haley & His Comets were an American rock and roll band founded in 1947 that continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. From late 1954 to late 1956, the group record ...
* ''
Swing Along ''Swing Along'' is an LP album by The Four Lads, released by Columbia Records as catalog number CS 8106 in 1959. Track listing The album was reissued, combined with the 1960 Four Lads album ''Everything Goes!!!,'' in compact disc format, by C ...
'' –
The Four Lads The Four Lads was a Canadian male singing quartet which, in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, earned many gold singles and albums. Its million-selling signature tunes include "Moments to Remember"; " Standing on the Corner"; "No, Not Much"; "Who Needs ...
* ''
Swing Me an Old Song ''Swing Me an Old Song'' is an LP album by Julie London, released by Liberty Records under catalog numbers LRP-3119 (monaural) and LST-7119 (stereophonic) in 1959. The accompaniment was by Jimmy Rowles and his Orchestra. Track listing Person ...
'' –
Julie London Julie London (née Peck; September 26, 1926 – October 18, 2000) was an American singer and actress whose career spanned more than 40 years. A torch singer noted for her sultry, languid contralto vocals, London recorded over thirty albums ...
* '' That's All'' -
Bobby Darin Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto; May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was an American musician and actor. He performed jazz, Pop music, pop, rock and roll, Folk music, folk, Swing music, swing, and country music. He started his car ...
* '' Time Out'' –
Dave Brubeck Quartet David Warren Brubeck (; December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Often regarded as a foremost exponent of cool jazz, Brubeck's work is characterized by unusual time signatures and superimposing contrasti ...
* ''
Vaughan and Violins ''Vaughan and Violins'' is a 1959 album by Sarah Vaughan, orchestrated and conducted by Quincy Jones. Reception The AllMusic review by Dave Nathan awarded the album four and a half stars and said that "these sessions catch Sarah Vaughan at her ...
'' –
Sarah Vaughan Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "Jazz royalty, The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine ...
* ''
What a Diff'rence a Day Makes! ''What a Diff'rence a Day Makes!'' is a tenth studio album by Dinah Washington, arranged by Belford Hendricks, featuring her hit single of the same name. The title track won Washington the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 2nd Ann ...
'' –
Dinah Washington Dinah Washington (born Ruth Lee Jones; August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963) was an American singer and pianist, who has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the 1950s songs". Primarily a jazz vocalist, she performe ...
* '' Your Number Please'' –
Julie London Julie London (née Peck; September 26, 1926 – October 18, 2000) was an American singer and actress whose career spanned more than 40 years. A torch singer noted for her sultry, languid contralto vocals, London recorded over thirty albums ...


Biggest hit singles

The following songs achieved the highes
chart positions
in the charts of 1959.


Top hits on record (in alphabetical order)


Published popular music

* "
77 Sunset Strip ''77 Sunset Strip'' is an American television Private investigator#PIs in fiction, private detective drama series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith (actor), Roger Smith, Richard Long (actor), Richard Long (fr ...
"
Mack David Mack David (July 5, 1912 – December 30, 1993) was an American lyricist and songwriter, best known for his work in film and television, with a career spanning the period between the early 1940s and the early 1970s. David was credited with writing ...
&
Jerry Livingston Jerry Livingston (born Jerry Levinson; March 25, 1909 – July 1, 1987) was an American songwriter and dance orchestra pianist. Life and career Born in Denver, Colorado, Livingston studied music at the University of Arizona. While there he com ...
* " Along Came Jones" w.m.
Jerry Leiber Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such Crossover music, crossover hit songs ...
&
Mike Stoller Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such crossover hit songs as " Hound Dog" ( ...
* " All My Tomorrows" w.
Sammy Cahn Samuel Cohen (June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993), known professionally as Sammy Cahn, was an American lyricist, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for his romantic lyrics to films and Broadway songs, as well as stand-alone songs premier ...
m.
Jimmy Van Heusen James Van Heusen (born Edward Chester Babcock; January 26, 1913 – February 6, 1990) was an American composer. He wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Life and care ...
, from the film ''
A Hole in the Head ''A Hole in the Head'' (1959) is a DeLuxe Color comedy film, shown in CinemaScope, directed by Frank Capra, featuring Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Parker, Keenan Wynn, Carolyn Jones, Thelma Ritter, Dub Taylor, Ruby Dandridge, ...
'' * "
Alvin's Harmonica "Alvin's Harmonica" is a song from the fictional musical group, Alvin and the Chipmunks, which also features additional vocals by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. who plays David Seville in the song. The song was released as the second single from the group ...
" w.m.
Ross Bagdasarian Ross S. Bagdasarian (; January 27, 1919 – January 16, 1972), known professionally by his stage name David Seville, was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, best known for creating the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmun ...
* "Angela Jones" w.m.
John D. Loudermilk John Dee Loudermilk Jr. (March 31, 1934 – September 21, 2016) was an American singer and songwriter. Although he had his own recording career during the 1950s and 1960s, he was primarily known as a songwriter. His best-known songs include "I ...
* "Anyone Would Love You" w.m.
Harold Rome Harold Jacob "Hecky" Rome (May 27, 1908 – October 26, 1993) was an American composer, lyricist, and writer for musical theater. Biography Rome was born in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Hartford Public High School. Originally, he ch ...
. Introduced by
Andy Griffith Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, southern gospel singer and writer whose career spanned seven decades in music and television. Known for his Southern drawl, his characte ...
and
Dolores Gray Dolores Gray (born Sylvia Dolores Finkelstein; June 7, 1924 – June 26, 2002) was an American actress and singer. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical twice, winning once. Early life She was born as Sylvia ...
in the musical ''
Destry Rides Again ''Destry Rides Again'' is a 1939 American Western comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. The supporting cast includes Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy, Allen Jenkins, Irene Hervey ...
'' * "
The Battle of New Orleans "The Battle of New Orleans" is a song written by Jimmy Driftwood. The song describes the Battle of New Orleans from the perspective of an American soldier; the song tells the tale of the battle with a light tone and provides a rather comical ver ...
" trad arr.
Jimmy Driftwood James Corbitt Morris (June 20, 1907 – July 12, 1998), known professionally as Jimmy Driftwood or Jimmie Driftwood, was an American folk music songwriter and musician, most famous for his songs "The Battle of New Orleans" and " Tennessee Stud ...
* "
The Best Is Yet to Come "The Best Is Yet to Come" is a 1959 song composed by Cy Coleman to lyrics by Carolyn Leigh. It is associated with Frank Sinatra, who recorded it on his 1964 album ''It Might as Well Be Swing'' accompanied by Count Basie under the direction of ...
" w.
Carolyn Leigh Carolyn Leigh (August 21, 1926 – November 19, 1983) was an American lyricist for Broadway, film, and popular songs. She is best known as the writer with partner Cy Coleman of the pop standards "Witchcraft" and "The Best Is Yet to Come". With ...
m.
Cy Coleman Cy Coleman (born Seymour Kaufman; June 14, 1929 – November 18, 2004) was an American composer, songwriter, and jazz pianist. Life and career Coleman was born Seymour Kaufman in New York City, United States, to Eastern European Jewish parents ...
* "Best Of Everything" w.
Sammy Cahn Samuel Cohen (June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993), known professionally as Sammy Cahn, was an American lyricist, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for his romantic lyrics to films and Broadway songs, as well as stand-alone songs premier ...
m.
Lionel Newman Lionel Newman (January 4, 1916 – February 3, 1989) was an American conductor, pianist, and film and television composer. He won the Academy Award for Best Score of a Musical Picture for '' Hello Dolly!'' with Lennie Hayton in 1969. He ...
, from the film '' The Best of Everything'' * "
A Big Hunk o' Love "A Big Hunk o' Love" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and released as a single on June 23, 1959 by RCA Victor, which topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for two weeks. The song was revived by Presley in 1972 during his engagements at the Las V ...
" w. m.
Aaron Schroeder Aaron Harold Schroeder (September 7, 1926 – December 2, 2009) was an American songwriter and music publisher. Early years Born in Brooklyn, Schroeder graduated from the school now known as the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art ...
&
Sid Wyche Sidney Jackson Wyche ( February 11, 1922 – November 11, 1983) was an American songwriter and pianist. Wyche is best known for writing the jazz standard "Alright, Okay, You Win", Elvis Presley's Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper "A Big Hunk o' Lov ...
* "
Big Iron "Big Iron" is a country ballad written and performed by Marty Robbins, originally released as an album track on ''Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs'' in September 1959, then as a single in February 1960 with the song "Saddle Tramp" as the B-si ...
" w.m.
Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and suc ...
* "
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" is a song recorded by Neil Sedaka, co-written by Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Sedaka recorded this song twice, in 1962 and 1975, in two significantly different arrangements, and it is considered to be his signature ...
" w.m.
Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka (; born March 13, 1939) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records worldwide and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collabo ...
&
Howard Greenfield Howard Greenfield (March 15, 1936 – March 4, 1986) was an American lyricist and songwriter, who for several years in the 1960s worked out of the famous Brill Building. He is best known for his successful songwriting collaborations, including o ...
* " The Children's Marching Song" trad arr. Malcolm Arnold. Performed by
Ingrid Bergman Ingrid Bergman (29 August 191529 August 1982) was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films, television movies, and plays.Obituary ''Variety'', 1 September 1982. With a career spanning five decades, she is often ...
and The Orphans' Chorus in the film ''
Inn of the Sixth Happiness ''The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'' is a 1958 20th Century Fox film based on the true story of Gladys Aylward, a tenacious British woman, who became a missionary in Republic of China (1912–1949), China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Dire ...
'' * "China Doll" w.m.
Cindy Walker Cindy Walker (July 20, 1918 – March 23, 2006) was an American songwriter, as well as a country music singer and dancer. She wrote many popular and enduring songs recorded by many artists. She adopted a craftsman-like approach to her songwr ...
* "Ciao, Ciao, Bambina" w.(Eng) Mitchell Parish (Ital) Eduardo Verde &
Domenico Modugno Domenico Modugno (; 9 January 1928 – 6 August 1994) was an Italian singer, actor and, later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. He is known for his 1958 international hit song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu (song), Nel blu dipinto di blu", ...
m.
Domenico Modugno Domenico Modugno (; 9 January 1928 – 6 August 1994) was an Italian singer, actor and, later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. He is known for his 1958 international hit song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu (song), Nel blu dipinto di blu", ...
* "
Climb Ev'ry Mountain "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ''The Sound of Music.'' It is sung at the close of the first act by the Mother Abbess. It is themed as an inspirational piece, to encourage people to take every s ...
" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Patricia Neway Patricia Neway (September 30, 1919 – January 24, 2012) was an American operatic soprano and musical theatre actress who had an active international career during the mid-1940s through the 1970s. One of the few performers of her day to enjoy equal ...
in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
'' * "
Come Softly To Me "Come Softly to Me" is a popular song recorded by The Fleetwoods, composed of Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxel, who also wrote it. The original title was "Come Softly", but was changed en route to its becoming a hit. Bob Reisdo ...
" w.m. Gary Troxel, Barbara Ellis & Gretchen Christopher * "
Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...
" w.m.
Irving Gordon Irving Gordon (February 14, 1915 – December 1, 1996) was an American songwriter. Biography Irving Gordon was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family, and later lived on Coney Island. He was named Israel Goldener but later changed his na ...
* "
Don't You Know? "Don't You Know?" is a 1959 popular song written by Bobby Worth, and hit record for singer Della Reese. The song was adapted from an aria ("Musetta's Waltz") from Puccini's ''La bohème''. The song was Reese's first single on her new label RC ...
" w.m. adapt.
Bobby Worth Bobby Worth (September 25, 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio – July 17, 2002 in Mission Hills, California) was an American songwriter. His best known songs are "Do I Worry?", "'Til Reveille", "Tonight We Love", and "Don't You Know?". Worth was consi ...
* "
Do-Re-Mi "Do-Re-Mi" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ''The Sound of Music''. Each syllable of the musical solfège system appears in the song's lyrics, sung on the pitch it names. Rodgers was helped in its creation by long-time ...
" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in '' South Pacific'' (194 ...
in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
''. Sung by
Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...
in the film version. * "
Dream Lover "Dream Lover" is a song written by Bobby Darin. Darin recorded his composition on March 5, 1959 and released it as a single the following month. It was produced by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and engineered by Tom Dowd. Song background In a ...
" w.m.
Bobby Darin Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto; May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was an American musician and actor. He performed jazz, Pop music, pop, rock and roll, Folk music, folk, Swing music, swing, and country music. He started his car ...
* "Early In The Morning" adapt Bruce Belland &
Glen Larson Glen Albert Larson (January 3, 1937 – November 14, 2014) was an American musician, television producer, writer, and director. His best known work in television was as the creator of the television series ''Alias Smith and Jones'', ''Battlestar ...
* "
Edelweiss EDELWEISS (Expérience pour DEtecter Les WIMPs En Site Souterrain) is a dark matter search experiment located at the Modane Underground Laboratory in France. The experiment uses cryogenic detectors, measuring both the phonon and ionization signals ...
" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in '' South Pacific'' (194 ...
in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
''. Sung by
Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...
and
Christopher Plummer Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer (December 13, 1929 – February 5, 2021) was a Canadian actor. His career spanned seven decades, gaining him recognition for his performances in film, stage, and television. He received multiple accolades, inc ...
in the film version. * "
El Paso El Paso (; "the pass") is a city in and the seat of El Paso County in the western corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population of the city from the U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the 23rd-largest city in the U.S., the s ...
" w.m.
Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and suc ...
* " Endlessly" w.m.
Clyde Otis Clyde Lovern Otis (September 11, 1924 – January 8, 2008), was an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his collaboration with singer Brook Benton, and for being one of the first African-American A&R executives at a major label ...
& Brook Benton * "Everything's Coming up Roses, Everything's Coming Up Roses" w. Stephen Sondheim m. Jule Styne. Introduced by Ethel Merman in the musical ''Gypsy: A Musical Fable, Gypsy''. Sung in the film version by Lisa Kirk dubbing for Rosalind Russell. * "Frankie (Connie Francis song), Frankie" w.
Howard Greenfield Howard Greenfield (March 15, 1936 – March 4, 1986) was an American lyricist and songwriter, who for several years in the 1960s worked out of the famous Brill Building. He is best known for his successful songwriting collaborations, including o ...
m.
Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka (; born March 13, 1939) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records worldwide and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collabo ...
* "Game Of Poker" w. Johnny Mercer m. Harold Arlen, from the musical ''Saratoga (musical), Saratoga'' * "Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye" w.m. Jack Vaughn * "Greenfields" w.m. Terry Gilkyson, Rich Dehr & Frank Miller * "Handy Man (song), Handy Man" w.m. Otis Blackwell & Jimmy Jones (singer), Jimmy Jones * "The Hanging Tree (Marty Robbins song), The Hanging Tree" w.
Mack David Mack David (July 5, 1912 – December 30, 1993) was an American lyricist and songwriter, best known for his work in film and television, with a career spanning the period between the early 1940s and the early 1970s. David was credited with writing ...
m.
Jerry Livingston Jerry Livingston (born Jerry Levinson; March 25, 1909 – July 1, 1987) was an American songwriter and dance orchestra pianist. Life and career Born in Denver, Colorado, Livingston studied music at the University of Arizona. While there he com ...
. Introduced by
Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and suc ...
in the film ''The Hanging Tree (film), The Hanging Tree'' * "Happy Anniversary (1959 song), Happy Anniversary" w. Al Stillman m. Robert Allen (songwriter), Robert Allen * "The Happy Organ" w.m. Kurt Wood, Dave "Baby" Cortez, David Clowney & James Kreigsmann * "Heartaches By The Number" w.m. Harlan Howard * "He'll Have to Go, He'll Have To Go" w.m. Joe Allison & Audrey Allison * "High Hopes (1959 song), High Hopes" w.
Sammy Cahn Samuel Cohen (June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993), known professionally as Sammy Cahn, was an American lyricist, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for his romantic lyrics to films and Broadway songs, as well as stand-alone songs premier ...
m.
Jimmy Van Heusen James Van Heusen (born Edward Chester Babcock; January 26, 1913 – February 6, 1990) was an American composer. He wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Life and care ...
. Introduced by
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
and Eddie Hodges in the film ''
A Hole in the Head ''A Hole in the Head'' (1959) is a DeLuxe Color comedy film, shown in CinemaScope, directed by Frank Capra, featuring Frank Sinatra, Edward G. Robinson, Eleanor Parker, Keenan Wynn, Carolyn Jones, Thelma Ritter, Dub Taylor, Ruby Dandridge, ...
''. * "I Ain't Never" w.m. Mel Tillis * "I Feel Sorry For The Girl" w.m. Glenn Paxton, Robert Goldman & George Weiss * "I Know" w.m. Carl Stutz & Edith Lindeman * "I Need Your Love Tonight" w.m. Sid Wayne & Bix Reichner * "I Wanna Be Around" w.m. Johnny Mercer & Sadie Vimmerstedt * "If I Ever Fall In Love Again" w. Peter Wildeblood m. Peter Greenwell * "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" Johnnie Ray * "I'm Gonna Get Married" w.m. Lloyd Price & Harold Logan * "I'm Looking Out the Window" John Jacob Niles, Don Raye * "I'm Never Gonna Tell" Hoffman, Manning, Markwell * "In A Little While" w. Marshall Barer m. Mary Rodgers * "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" w.m. Paul Anka * "Kansas City (Leiber and Stoller song), Kansas City" w.m.
Jerry Leiber Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such Crossover music, crossover hit songs ...
&
Mike Stoller Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such crossover hit songs as " Hound Dog" ( ...
* "Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)" w.m. Irving Taylor (songwriter), Irving Taylor * "Let Me Entertain You" w. Stephen Sondheim m. Jule Styne. Introduced by Sandra Church and chorus in the musical ''Gypsy: A Musical Fable, Gypsy''. * "Like Young" m. André Previn * "Lipstick on Your Collar (song), Lipstick On Your Collar" w. Eddie Lewis m. George Goehring * "Little Donkey" w.m. Eric Boswell (songwriter), Eric Boswell * "The Little Drummer Boy" w.m. adapt. Henry Onorati, Katherine Kennicott Davis, Katherine Davis & Harry Simeone * "Little Tin Box" w. Sheldon Harnick m. Jerry Bock * "The Little White Bull" Lionel Bart, Mike Pratt (actor), Michael Pratt, Jimmy Bennett * "Living Doll (song), Living Doll" w.m. Lionel Bart * "Lock Up Your Daughters" w. Lionel Bart m. Laurie Johnson * "Lonely Blue Boy (song), Lonely Blue Boy" Ben Weisman, Fred Wise (songwriter), Fred Wise * "Lonely Boy (Paul Anka song), Lonely Boy" w.m. Paul Anka * "The Lonely Goatherd" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in '' South Pacific'' (194 ...
and the children in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
''. Performed by
Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...
in the film version. * "Lonely Street (song), Lonely Street" w.m. Carl Belew, Kenny Sowder & W. S. Stevenson * "Love Potion No. 9 (song), Love Potion No. 9" w.m.
Jerry Leiber Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such Crossover music, crossover hit songs ...
&
Mike Stoller Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such crossover hit songs as " Hound Dog" ( ...
* "Love Will Find Out The Way" w.m. Glenn Paxton, Robert Goldman & George Weiss * "Lullaby In Ragtime" w.m. Sylvia Fine. Introduced by Danny Kaye in the film ''The Five Pennies''. * "M.T.A. (song), The M.T.A." w.m. adapt. Jacqueline Steiner & Bess Lomax Hawes, Bess Hawes * "Maria (1959 song), Maria" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Patricia Neway Patricia Neway (September 30, 1919 – January 24, 2012) was an American operatic soprano and musical theatre actress who had an active international career during the mid-1940s through the 1970s. One of the few performers of her day to enjoy equal ...
, Muriel O'Malley, Elizabeth Howell and Karen Shepard in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
''. * "Marina" w.(Eng) Ray Maxwell m. Rocco Granata * "The Mating Game" w. Lee Adams m. Charles Strouse. Theme song from the film ''The Mating Game (film), The Mating Game'' * "May You Always" w.m. Larry Markes & Richard Charles Krieg, Dick Charles * "Memphis, Tennessee (song), Memphis" w.m.
Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the " Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into th ...
* "Milord (song), Milord" w. (Eng) B. G. Lewis (Fr) Joseph Mustacchi m. Marguerite Monnot * "Morgen (Ivo Robić song), Morgen" w. (Eng) Noel Sherman (Ger) Peter Mosser m. Peter Mosser * "Mr. Blue" w.m. Dewayne Blackwell * "My Favorite Things (song), My Favorite Things" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Patricia Neway Patricia Neway (September 30, 1919 – January 24, 2012) was an American operatic soprano and musical theatre actress who had an active international career during the mid-1940s through the 1970s. One of the few performers of her day to enjoy equal ...
and
Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in '' South Pacific'' (194 ...
in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
''. Performed in the film version by
Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...
. * "My Heart Is an Open Book" w. Hal David m. Lee Pockriss * "My Wish Came True" w.m. Ivory Joe Hunter * "Oh! Carol" w.
Howard Greenfield Howard Greenfield (March 15, 1936 – March 4, 1986) was an American lyricist and songwriter, who for several years in the 1960s worked out of the famous Brill Building. He is best known for his successful songwriting collaborations, including o ...
m.
Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka (; born March 13, 1939) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records worldwide and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collabo ...
* "Only Love Me" w. (Eng) Mann Curtis (Ital) Pinchi m. V. Panzuti * "Only Sixteen" w.m. Barbara Campbell * "Personality (Lloyd Price song), Personality" w.m. Lloyd Price & Harold Logan * "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" w.m. Harlan Howard * "Pillow Talk" w.m. Buddy Pepper & Inez James. Introduced by
Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...
and Rock Hudson in the Pillow Talk (film), film of the same name. * "La Plume De Ma Tante" w.m. Al Hoffman & Dick Manning * "Poison Ivy (song), Poison Ivy" w.m.
Jerry Leiber Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such Crossover music, crossover hit songs ...
&
Mike Stoller Lyricist Jerome Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) and composer Michael Stoller (born March 13, 1933) were American songwriting and record producing partners. They found success as the writers of such crossover hit songs as " Hound Dog" ( ...
* "Promise Me A Rose" w.m. Bob Merrill, introduced by Eileen Herlie in the musical ''Take Me Along'' * "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" w.m. Paul Anka * "Quiet Village" m. Les Baxter * "Running Bear" w.m. The Big Bopper, J. P. Richardson * "The Same Old Me" F. Owen * "Sea of Love (Phil Phillips song), Sea Of Love" w.m. George Khoury (record producer), George Khoury & Phil Baptiste * "See You in September" w. Sid Wayne m. Sherman Edwards * "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Backseat" w. Bob Hilliard m. Lee Pockriss * "Shout (The Isley Brothers song), Shout" O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley * "Side Saddle" m. Trevor Stanford, Trevor H. Stanford * "Sleep Walk" m. Ann Farina, Santo & Johnny, Johnny Farina & Santo Farina * "Small World" w. Stephen Sondheim m. Jule Styne. Introduced by Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman in the musical ''Gypsy: A Musical Fable, Gypsy'' * "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)" w.m. Harry Giosasi & Artie Zwirn * "The Sound Of Music (song), The Sound Of Music" w.
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
m.
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
. Introduced by
Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in '' South Pacific'' (194 ...
in the musical ''
Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, '' The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'' ...
''. * "Strange Are The Ways Of Love" w. Ned Washington m. Dimitri Tiomkin, from the film western ''The Young Land'' * "Summertime Love" w.m. Frank Loesser * "Sweet Nothin's" Ronnie Self * "Take Me Along" w.m. Bob Merrill. Introduced by Jackie Gleason and Walter Pidgeon in the musical ''Take Me Along''. * "Tall Paul" w.m. Bob Roberts, Robert B. Sherman, Bob Sherman & Dick Sherman * "Tallahassee Lassie" w.m. Frank Slay, Frank C. Slay Jr, Bob Crewe & Freddy Cannon, Frederick A. Picariello * "Teen Angel (song), Teen Angel" w.m. Jean Dinning, Jean Surrey & Red Surrey * "A Teenager in Love" w.m. Doc Pomus, Jerome "Doc" Pomus & Mort Shuman * "There Goes My Baby (The Drifters song), There Goes My Baby" w.m. Ben E. King, Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson, George Treadwell * "This Magic Moment" w.m. Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman * "Three Steps to Heaven (song), Three Steps to Heaven" Eddie Cochran * "The Tijuana Jail" w.m. Denny Thompson * " (Till) I Kissed You, ('Til) I Kissed You" w.m. Don Everly * "Time And The River" w.m.
Aaron Schroeder Aaron Harold Schroeder (September 7, 1926 – December 2, 2009) was an American songwriter and music publisher. Early years Born in Brooklyn, Schroeder graduated from the school now known as the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art ...
& Wally Gold * "Too Long At The Fair" w.m. Billy Barnes (composer), Billy Barnes * "The Untouchables" m. Nelson Riddle. * "Venus (Frankie Avalon song), Venus" w.m. Ed Marshall * "The Village of St. Bernadette (song), The Village of St. Bernadette" w.m. Eula Parker * "Waterloo (Stonewall Jackson song), Waterloo" w.m.
John D. Loudermilk John Dee Loudermilk Jr. (March 31, 1934 – September 21, 2016) was an American singer and songwriter. Although he had his own recording career during the 1950s and 1960s, he was primarily known as a songwriter. His best-known songs include "I ...
& Marijohn Wilkin * "We Got Love (Bobby Rydell song), We Got Love" w. Kal Mann m. Bernie Lowe * "What Do You Want?" Les Vandyke * "What'd I Say" w.m.
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
* "Why (Frankie Avalon song), Why" w. Bob Marcucci m. Peter De Angelis * "The Wonder of You" w.m. Baker Knight * "A Worried Man" w.m. Dave Guard & Tom Glazer * "You're Starting To Get To Me"
Sammy Cahn Samuel Cohen (June 18, 1913 – January 15, 1993), known professionally as Sammy Cahn, was an American lyricist, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for his romantic lyrics to films and Broadway songs, as well as stand-alone songs premier ...
,
Jimmy Van Heusen James Van Heusen (born Edward Chester Babcock; January 26, 1913 – February 6, 1990) was an American composer. He wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Life and care ...
, from the film ''Say One for Me''


Other notable songs

* "Chiclete com banana (song), Chiclete com banana" w.m. Gordurinha and Almira Castilho * "Jin-go-lo-ba" w.m. Babatunde Olatunji * "Ne me quitte pas" w. m. Jacques Brel * "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)" w. Dino Verde m.
Domenico Modugno Domenico Modugno (; 9 January 1928 – 6 August 1994) was an Italian singer, actor and, later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. He is known for his 1958 international hit song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu (song), Nel blu dipinto di blu", ...
* "Satchan" w. Hiroo Sakata m. Megumi Ōnaka


Classical music


Premieres


Compositions

* Juhan Aavik – Requiem * Jean Absil – ** ''Danses bulgares'', op. 103, for piano ** ''Passacaglia in memoriam Alban Berg'', op. 101, for piano ** Rhapsody No. 5, op. 102, for 2 pianos * Murray Adaskin – ''Saskatchewan Legend'', for orchestra * Samuel Adler (composer), Samuel Adler – ''Toccata, Recitation, and Postlude'', for organ * Stephen Albert – Toccatas (2), for piano * William Alwyn – ** Symphony No. 4 ** Trio for strings * Hendrik Andriessen – ** ''Missa populi'', for solo voice, congregation, and organ ** ''Signum Magnum'', for soprano, choir, and organ ** Suite, for flute or recorder and piano ** ''Tota pulchra, anima mea'', for 2 voices and organ * Jurriaan Andriessen (composer), Jurriaan Andriessen – Sonata da camera, for flute, viola, and guitar * Louis Andriessen – ** ''Nocturnen'', for soprano and chamber orchestra ** ''Percosse'', for flute, trumpet, bassoon, and percussion * István Anhalt – ** ''Electronic Composition No. 1 "Sine nomine I"'' ** ''Electronic Composition No. 2 "Sine nomine II"'' * Hans Erich Apostel – ** ''Fantasie'', op. 31b, for piano ** ''Österreichische Miniaturen'' (5), for orchestra ** ''Vier kleine Klavierstücke'', op. 31a, for piano * Malcolm Arnold – ** Concerto, for guitar and chamber orchestra, op. 67 ** ''Song of Simeon'', op. 69 (nativity masque), for mimes, solo voices, and chamber orchestra ** ''Sweeney Todd'', op. 68 (ballet) ** ''William Blake Songs'', op. 66, for alto and strings * Claude Arrieu – ** ''Fantaisie lyrique'', for ondes martenot and piano ** Suite, for string orchestra * Robert Ashley – Piano Sonata ("Christopher Columbus crosses to the New World in the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria using only dead reckoning and a crude astrolabe") * Larry Austin – ''Homecoming'', cantata for soprano and jazz quintet * Jan Bach – Toccata, for orchestra * Sven-Erik Bäck – ''A Game around a Game'', for orchestra * Henk Badings – ** ''Capriccio'', for violin, 2 tapes, and "elektromagnetische Klangfiguren" ** ''Die Frau von Andros'', ballet, electronic music ** ''Jungle'', ballet, electronic music ** ''Languentibus in purgatorio'', for mixed choir ** ''Psalm 147'', for children's chorus, chamber chorus, chorus, and orchestra * Claude Baillif – ''Mouvements pour deux'', op. 27, for flute and piano * Tadeusz Baird – ''Espressioni varianti'', for violin and orchestra * Leonardo Balada – ''Musica en cuatro tiempos'', for piano * Samuel Barber – ''Nocturne (Homage to John Field)'', op. 33, for piano * Jean Barraqué – ''... Au delà du hasard'', for SSA soloists, 20 instruments in 4 groups including piano and clarinet soloists * Leslie Bassett – ** Duets, for 2 cellos ** For City, Nation, World. cantata, for tenor, SATB choir, children's choir ad lib, congregation, 4 trombones, and organ ** Sonata, for violin and piano * Jürg Baur – ** Chorale Preludes (4), for organ ** Concertino, for flute, oboe, clarinet, string orchestra, and timpani ** ''Metamorphosen'', for piano, violin, and cello * Gustavo Becerra-Schmidt – String Quartet No. 5 * John J. Becker – ** ''At Dieppe'', for voice and piano ** String Quartet no. 3 (unfinished) * John Beckwith (composer), John Beckwith – ''Music for Dancing'', for orchestra (second orchestration) * Jack Beeson – ** ''Against Idleness and Mischief and in Praise of Labor'', for high voice and piano ** "Fire, Fire, Quench Desire", for high voice and piano ** ''Lullaby'', for alto and piano (revised version) ** ''Round and Round'', for piano, four-hands ** Symphony No. 1, in A major ** ''Three Love Songs'', for alto and piano (revised version) ** ''Transformations'', for large orchestra * Paul Ben-Haim – ** ''Hazono shel navi'' [The Vision of a Prophet], for tenor, SATB choir, and orchestra ** ''Poème'', for harp * Arthur Benjamin – String Quartet No. 2 * Richard Rodney Bennett – ''Music for an Occasion'', for orchestra * Niels Viggo Bentzon – Piano Sonata No. 7, op. 121 * Gunnar Berg (composer), Gunnar Berg – ** ''Gaffkys I–X'', for piano ** ''Pour clarinette et violon'', for clarinet and violin ** ''Pour piano et orchestre'', for piano and orchestra ** ''37 Aspects (Spoon River) '', for ensemble * Arthur Berger (composer), Arthur Berger – Chamber Concerto, for small orchestra * Luciano Berio – ** ''Allez Hop!'', "racconto mimico" ** ''Différences (Berio), Différences'' (1958–59), for ensemble and tape ** ''Quaderni I'', for orchestra ** ''Thema (Omaggio a Joyce)'' (1958–59) for voice and tape * Lennox Berkeley – ** Overture, for light orchestra ** "So sweet love seemed", for mezzo-sopran or baritone and piano ** Sonatina, op. 52, no. 2, for 2 pianos * Boris Blacher – ''Musica giocosa'', op. 59, for orchestra * Easley Blackwood, Jr. – ** Concertino, op. 5, for 5 instruments ** String Quartet No. 2, op. 6 * Arthur Bliss – ''Birthday Song for a Royal Child'', SATB choir * Augustyn Bloch – ** ''Espressioni'', for soprano and orchestra ** ''Impressioni poetiche'', for male choir and orchestra * Konrad Boehmer – ''Variation'', for orchestra * William Bolcom – ''Romantic Pieces'', for piano * Margaret Bonds – ** ''Dream Portraits'' (3), for voice and piano ** "Ezekiel saw the wheel", for voice and piano ** "I Got a Home in That Rock", for voice and orchestra or piano ** Mass in D Minor, for choir and organ * Narcís Bonet – Choral, for organ * Pierre Boulez – ** ''Pli selon pli, Improvisation sur Mallarmé III: A la nue accablante tu'', for soprano and orchestra ** ''Pli selon pli, Tombeau'', for soprano and orchestra * Paul Bowles – ''Sweet Bird of Youth'', incidental music for the play by Tennessee Williams * Henry Brant – ''The Crossing'', for tenor, oboe or soprano saxophone, glockenspiel, violin, and cello * Havergal Brian – Symphony No. 13 in C major * Benjamin Britten – ** ''Cantata academica, Cantata academica, carmen basiliense'', op. 62, for SATB chorus and orchestra ** ''Fanfare for St Edmundsbury'', for 3 trumpets ** ''Missa Brevis (Britten), Missa brevis in D'', op. 63, for boys’ voices and organ ** ''Oliver Cromwell'', for unison voices and piano * Earle Brown – ''Hodograph I'', for flute, piano + celesta, and percussion * Alan Bush – ''Dorian Passacaglia and Fugue'', op. 52, for orchestra * Geoffrey Bush – ''Songs of Wonder'', for soprano or tenor and string orchestra or piano *
Sylvano Bussotti Sylvano Bussotti (1 October 1931 – 19 September 2021) was an Italian composer of contemporary classical music, also a painter, set and costume designer, opera director and manager, writer and academic teacher. His compositions employ graphic n ...
 – ''Piano Pieces for David Tudor'' * Nigel Butterley – ''Joseph and Mary'', for soprano and flute *
Cornelius Cardew Cornelius Cardew (7 May 193613 December 1981) was an English experimental music composer, and founder (with Howard Skempton and Michael Parsons) of the Scratch Orchestra, an experimental performing ensemble. He later rejected experimental music, ...
 – ''Piano Piece 1959'' * Elliott Carter – String Quartet No. 2 (Carter), String Quartet No. 2 * Niccolo Castiglioni – ''Cangiati'', for piano * Chen Gang (composer), Chen Gang & He Zhanhao – ''Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto'' * Aldo Clementi – ** ''Ideogrammi No. 1'', for 16 instruments ** ''Ideogrammi No. 2'', for flute and 17 instruments * Aaron Copland – ** ''Dance Panels'', for orchestra ** ''Paisaje mexicana'' and ''Danza de Jalisco'', as ''Two Mexican Pieces'', for orchestra; later became part of ''Three Latin American Sketches'' (1971) * John Corigliano – ** ''Kaleidoscope'', for 2 pianos ** ''Petits Fours'', for violin and piano * Paul Creston – ** ''Janus'', op. 77, for orchestra ** ''Prelude and Dance'', op. 76, for band * George Crumb – ''Variazioni'' for large orchestra ** Halim El-Dabh – ** ''Elements, Beings and Primevals'', for tape ** ''Juxtaposition No. 1'', for percussion ensemble ** ''Juxtaposition No. 2'', for percussion and harp ** ''Juxtaposition No. 3'', for mezzo-soprano, 2 harps, and percussion ** ''Leiyla and the Poet'', for tape ** ''Meditation on White Noise'', for tape ** ''The Word'', for tape, * Mario Davidovsky – ''Serie sinfonica 1959'' for orchestra * Peter Maxwell Davies – **''Ricercar and Doubles'' (on "To Many a Well"), for ensemble, Op. 10 **''Richard II'', incidental music to Shakespeare's play, WoO 51 * Paul Dessau – ** ''Flug zur Sonne'', dance scenes ** ''Hymne auf den Beginn einer neuen Geschichte der Menschheit'', for speaker, soprano, chorus, 3 pianos, 2 harps, double bass, timpani, and percussion * David Diamond (composer), David Diamond – ** ''A Private World'', for piano ** Sonata, for solo cello ** Sonata, for solo violin ** Symphony No. 7 *John W. Downey, John Downey – ''Eastlake Terrace'', for piano * Henri Dutilleux – Symphony No. 2 (Dutilleux), Symphony No. 2 (''Le Double'') * Werner Egk – ** ''Furchtlosigkeit und Wohlwollen'', oratorio for tenor, mixed chorus, and orchestra (revised version) ** ''Variationen über ein karibisches Thema'', for orchestra * Gottfried von Einem – ''Tanz-Rondo'', op. 27, for orchestra * Hanns Eisler – ** ''Brandverse'', for voice and piano ** ''Motto (Auf einer chinesischen Theewurzellöwen)'', for voice and piano ** ''Musik zu ‘Schweyk im zweiten Weltkrieg’'', for voice and small orchestra ** ''Trommellied'', for voice and piano ** ''Rezitativ und Fuge auf 60. Geburtstag von J. R. Becher'', for voice and piano ** ''Um meine Weisheit unbekümmert'', for voice and piano * Nicolas Flagello – **Concerto for strings, Op. 27 **''Tristis est anima mea'', for SATB choir and orchestra, Op. 29 * Kenneth Gaburo – ''Stray Birds'', for soprano and piano * Roberto Gerhard – ** ''Asylum Diary'', incidental music for the play by Lavant ** Chaconne, for solo violin ** ''Coriolanus'', incidental music for the play by Shakespeare ** ''Don Carlos'', incidental music for the play by Schiller ** ''Lament on the Death of a Bullfighter'', for speaker and tape * Ottmar Gerster – ** Concerto, for horn and orchestra ** ''Vorwärts!'', for baritone, speaker, SATB choir, and chamber orchestra * Peggy Glanville-Hicks – ** ''Drama for Orchestra'', for clarinet, trumpet, piano, 3 percussionists, strings ** ''Saul and the Witch of Endor'', ballet for television * Roger Goeb – ** Concertino no. 2, for orchestra ** ''Iowa Concerto'', for chamber orchestra * Alexander Goehr – ** Fantasia, op. 4 (revised version), for orchestra ** ''Songs from the Japanese'', op. 9, for mezzo-soprano and piano or orchestra ** Variations, op. 8, for flute and piano * Henryk Górecki – Symphony No. 1 ''1959'' * Fernando Lopes Graça – ** ''Canções populares portuguesas'' (24), book 4, for voice and piano ** ''História trágico-marítima'', second version, for baritone, alto chorus, and orchestra ** ''A menina do mar'', for chamber orchestra ** ''Nocturnos'' (5), for piano ** ''As predicações de Adamastor contra os portugueses'', for voice and piano ** ''Prelúdio e dança burlesca'', for 2 pianos ** ''Rondes et complaintes des provinces de France'', for choir ** ''Tres peças'', for violin and piano ** ''Tres velhos fandangos portugueses'', version for piano * Camargo Guarnieri – ** "O amor de agora", for voice and piano ** "Onde andará", for voice and piano ** ''Ponteios'', volume 5, for piano ** Sonata No. 5, for violin and piano ** Valsa No. 10, for piano * Cristóbal Halffter – ** Sonata, for violin solo ** Three Pieces, for flute solo * Rodolfo Halffter – ''Tripartita'', op. 25, for orchestra * Iain Hamilton (composer), Iain Hamilton – ** Sinfonia, for two orchestras ** Sonata for cello and piano * Karl Amadeus Hartmann – ''Concerto funebre'' for violin and strings (1939, revised 1959) *
Roman Haubenstock-Ramati Roman Haubenstock-Ramati ( he, רוֹמן האובּנשׁטוֹק-רָמָתִי; 27 February 1919 – 3 March 1994) was a composer and music editor who worked in Kraków, Tel Aviv and Vienna. Life Haubenstock-Ramati was born in Kraków. He stud ...
 – ''Interpolation: Mobile pour flûte'' * Bernhard Heiden – Viola Sonata * Hans Werner Henze – ** Sonata for piano ** ''L’usignolo dell’imperatore'', balletto-pantomima, after Hans Christian Andersen * Paul Hindemith – ** ''Festmarsch'', for 3 male voices and tuba ** ''Joseph, lieber Joseph mein'', canon for 4 voices ** Six songs from ''Das Marienleben'', op. 27, arranged for soprano and orchestra * Alan Hovhaness – ** ''Bardo Sonata'', op. 192, for piano ** Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra, op. 174 ** ''Lake of Van Sonata'', op. 175, for piano (revised version) ** , op. 173, for chamber orchestra ** , op. 175, for wind ensemble * Andrew Imbrie – ''Legend'', for orchestra * Maki Ishii – ''Prelude and Variations'', for flute, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello, piano, and percussion * Jānis Ivanovs – Piano Concerto in G minor * Francis Jackson (composer), Francis Jackson – ''Diversion for Mixtures'' * Miloslav Kabeláč – ** ''Cizokrajné motivy'' [Motifs from Foreign Countries], op. 38, for piano ** Suite from ''Master of Nine Songs''’, op. 34a, for baritone and orchestra ** Suite, op. 39, for saxophone and piano *Dmitri Kabalevsky – ** Preludes and Fugues, op. 61 ** ''The Leninists'', cantata after Y. Dolmatovski for three choruses and large symphony orchestra, op. 63 *
Mauricio Kagel Mauricio Raúl Kagel (; 24 December 1931 – 18 September 2008) was an Argentine-German composer. Biography Kagel was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into an Ashkenazi Jewish family that had fled from Russia in the 1920s . He studied music, his ...
 – ''Transición II'', for piano, percussion, and two tape recorders * Aram Khachaturian – ** ''Lermontov: Suite'', for orchestra ** Sonatina, for piano * Tikhon Khrennikov – Violin Concerto No. 1, op. 14 * Gottfried Michael Koenig – ** Quintet for Winds, for flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, and bassoon ** ''String Quartet 1959'' * Ernst Krenek – ** ''Flötenstück neunphasig'', op. 171, for flute and 6 pianos ** ''Hausmusik'', op. 172, for various instruments ** ''Quaestio temporis'', op. 170, for small orchestra ** ''Six Motets'', op. 169, for 4 voices * György Kurtág – ** String Quartet No. 1, op. 1 ** Wind Quintet, op. 2 * John La Montaine – ''Fragments from the Song of Songs'', op. 29, for soprano and orchestra * Ingvar Lidholm – ''Mutanza'', for orchestra *
György Ligeti György Sándor Ligeti (; ; 28 May 1923 – 12 June 2006) was a Hungarian-Austrian composer of contemporary classical music. He has been described as "one of the most important avant-garde composers in the latter half of the twentieth century" ...
 – ''Apparitions'', for orchestra (1958–59) *
Otto Luening Otto Clarence Luening (June 15, 1900 – September 2, 1996) was a German-American composer and conductor, and an early pioneer of tape music and electronic music. Luening was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to German parents, Eugene, a conducto ...
 – Fantasia, for string quartet and orchestra * Witold Lutosławski – ** ''Dance Preludes'', version for 9 instruments ** ''Piosenki dziecinne'' (3), for voice and piano * Elizabeth Maconchy – ''A Hymn to God the Father'', for tenor and piano * Bruno Maderna – ** ''L’altro mondo, ovvero Gli stati e imperi della luna'', music for a radio play by A. Brissoni, after Jonathan Swift's ''Gulliver's Travels'' ** Piano Concerto * Donald Martino – Trio, for violin, clarinet, and piano * Bohuslav Martinů – ** ''The Burden of Moab'', cantata, for male voices and piano ** ''Impromptus'' (2), for harpsichord ** ''Madrigaly'', for mixed voices ** ''Mikeš z hor'', chamber cantata, for solo voices, chorus, 2 violins, viola, and piano ** ''Musique de chambre no. 1'', for clarinet, violin, viola, cello, harp, and piano ** Nonet, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello, and double bass ** ''Pièce'', for 2 cellos ** ''Písničky pro dětský sbor'', for children’s choir ** ''The Prophecy of Isaiah'', cantata, for solo voices, male chorus, trumpet, viola, piano, and timpani ** ''Ptačí hody'', for children’s voices and trumpet ** ''Variations on a Slovak Folksong'', for cello and piano ** ''Vigilie'', for organ ** ''Znělka'', for children’s voices *
Yoritsune Matsudaira was a Japanese composer of contemporary classical music. Matsudaira was descended, on his father's side of the family, from the Matsudaira clan, related to the Tokugawa clan who ruled Japan as ''shōgun'' during the Edo period (specifically ...
 – ** ''Danse sacrée et Danse finale'', for orchestra ** ''Katsura'', for soprano, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, and percussion * Toshirō Mayuzumi – ** ''Campanology'', electronic music ** ''Sange'', for male choir ** ''Shukukon-ka'' [Wedding Song], for chorus and orchestra ** ''U so ri'', oratorio * Peter Mennin – ''Sonata concertante'', for violin and piano * Darius Milhaud – ** ''Burma Road'', op. 375, incidental music for television ** ''Mother Courage'', op. 379, incidental music for the play by Bertolt Brecht ** Sonatina, op. 378, for viola and piano ** Symphonie concertante, op. 376, for bassoon, horn, trumpet, double bass, and orchestra ** Symphony No. 9 (Milhaud), Symphony No. 9, op. 380 * Federico Mompou – ''Impressiones intimas'', for piano (revised version) * Makoto Moroi – ** Chamber Cantata No. 2 ** ''Pitagoras no hoshi'' [Stars of Pythagoras], music drama, for solo voice, instruments, and tape * Thea Musgrave – ** ''Scottish Dance Suite'', for orchestra ** ''Triptych'', for tenor and orchestra * Bo Nilsson – ** ''Ett blocks timme'', cantata for soprano and chamber orchestra ** ''Stenogram'', for organ ** ''Brief an Gösta Oswald'', cantata trilogy *** ''Ein irrender Sohn'', for alto, alto flute, and chamber ensemble *** ''Mädchentotenlieder'', for soprano, alto flute, and chamber ensemble *** ''Und die Zeiger seiner Augen wurden langsam zurückgedreht'', for alto or soprano and orchestra *
Luigi Nono Luigi Nono (; 29 January 1924 – 8 May 1990) was an Italian avant-garde composer of classical music. Biography Early years Nono, born in Venice, was a member of a wealthy artistic family; his grandfather was a notable painter. Nono beg ...
– ''Composizione no. 2 (Diario polacco ‘58)'', for orchestra * Andrzej Panufnik – ** ''Pieśni ludowych'' (5) unison choir, 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, and bass clarinet (revised version) ** ''Polonia'', suite for orchestra * Arvo Pärt – ** ''Meie aed'', op. 3, for children’s chorus and orchestra ** Sonatine, op. 1, no. 2, for piano * Ödön Pártos, Oedoen Partos **''Improvisation and Niggun'' for harp **''Maqamat'', for flute and strings * Vincent Persichetti – ** ''Song of Peace'', op. 82, for TTBB/SATB choir and piano ** String Quartet No. 3, op. 81 * Michel Philippot – Composition No. 1, for string orchestra * Walter Piston – ** Concerto, for 2 pianos and orchestra ** ''Three New England Sketches'', for orchestra * Quincy Porter – ** Concerto for harpsichord and orchestra ** Concerto (Concertino), for wind orchestra * Francis Poulenc - ** ''Gloria (Poulenc), Gloria'' *
Henri Pousseur Henri Léon Marie-Thérèse Pousseur (23 June 1929 – 6 March 2009) was a Belgian classical composer, teacher, and music theorist. Biography Pousseur was born in Malmedy and studied at the Academies of Music in Liège and in Brussels from 1947 to ...
 – ** ''Préhistoire du cinéma'', 1–track tape ** ''Rimes pour différentes sources sonores'', for 3 orchestral groups and 2-track tape * Juan Orrego-Salas – ** ''Alabanzas a la Virgen'', op. 49, for soprano or tenor and piano ** ''Garden Songs'', op. 47, for soprano, flute, viola, and harp * George Perle – Wind Quintet No. 1 * Allan Pettersson – Symphony No. 4 (1958–59) * H. Owen Reed – ** ''Che-Ba-Kun-Ah'' (Road of Souls), for band, or for winds and string quartet ** ''Renascence'', for band * George Rochberg – ''Bartókiana'', for piano * Ned Rorem – ** "Memory", for voice and piano ** ''Miracles of Christmas'', for SATB choir and organ ** "My Papa's Waltz", for voice and piano ** "Night Crow", for voice and piano ** "Root Cellar", for voice and piano ** ''Two Poems of Theodore Roethke'', for voice and piano ** "The Waking", for voice and piano * Hilding Rosenberg – ** ''Glaukes sånger'' (revised version), for voice and piano ** Quintet for winds ** ''Riflessioni No. 1'', for string orchestra ** Sonata, for solo flute ** Songs (4), for voice and piano * Frederic Rzewski – ''Poem'', for piano * Vadim Salmanov – Symphony No. 2 in G * Domingo Santa Cruz – String Quartet No. 3, op. 31 * Giacinto Scelsi – ''Quattro pezzi su una nota sola'' ["Four pieces each on a single note"] * Bogusław Schaeffer – ''Concerto breve'' for cello * Pierre Schaeffer – ''Etudes aux objets'' * R. Murray Schafer – ''In memoriam: Alberto Guerrero'', for string orchestra * Hermann Schroeder – ** ''Missa figuralis'', for choir, instruments, and organ ** ''Partita ''Veni Creator Spiritus, for organ ** Quartet No. 3, for oboe, violin, viola, and cello * Gunther Schuller – ** ''Abstraction'', for nine instruments ** Concertino, for jazz quartet and orchestra ** ''Conversations'', for jazz quartet and string quartet * William Schuman – Violin Concerto (revised version) * Makoto Shinohara – ** ''Kassouga'', for flute and piano ** ''Pièces concertantes'' (3), for trumpet and piano * Dmitri Shostakovich – Cello Concerto No. 1 (Shostakovich), Cello Concerto No. 1 *
Karlheinz Stockhausen Karlheinz Stockhausen (; 22 August 1928 – 5 December 2007) was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. He is known for his groun ...
 – ** ''Refrain (Stockhausen), Refrain'', for three players ** ''
Zyklus ''Zyklus für einen Schlagzeuger'' (English: Cycle for a Percussionist) is a composition by Karlheinz Stockhausen, assigned Number 9 in the composer's catalog of works. It was composed in 1959 at the request of Wolfgang Steinecke as a test piece ...
'', for a percussionist * Igor Stravinsky – ** ''Double Canon (Stravinsky), Double Canon: Raoul Dufy in memoriam'', for four instruments ** ''Epitaphium (Stravinsky), Epitaphium'', "Für das Grabmal des Prinzen Max Egon zu Fürstenberg", for flute, clarinet, and harp * Carlos Surinach – Concerto for Orchestra * Tōru Takemitsu – ** ''Ikari wo komete furikaereba'' [Looking Back with Rage], incidental music ** ''Kaizoku'' [A Pirate], incidental music ** ''Saegirarenai kyūsoku'' [Uninterrupted Rest] I–III, for piano ** ''Scene'', for cello and string orchestra ** ''Shiseru ōjo'' [A Dead Princess], incidental music * Randall Thompson – ** ''Frostiana'', for 3–7 voices and piano or orchestra ** ''The Gate of Heaven'', 4-part choir * Virgil Thomson – ** ''Bertha'' (incidental music for the play by K. Koch) ** ''Collected Poems'' (K. Koch), for soprano, baritone, and orchestra ** ''Fugues and Cantilenas'' for orchestra ** ''Lamentations'', for accordion ** ''Mostly about Love'' (Four Songs for Alice Estey), for voice and piano * Michael Tippett – ''Lullaby'', for 6 solo voices: alto, two sopranos, two tenors, and bass * Erich Urbanner – Concertino, for flute and orchestra *
Vladimir Ussachevsky Vladimir Alexeevich Ussachevsky (November 3, 1911 in Hailar, China – January 2, 1990 in New York, New York) was a composer, particularly known for his work in electronic music. Biography Vladimir Ussachevsky was born in the Hailar Distric ...
 – ** ''The Boy Who Saw Through'', film score ** ''Studies in Sound, Plus'', for tape * David Van Vactor – Symphony No. 3 * Heitor Villa-Lobos – ** Concerto Grosso, for wind quartet and wind ensemble ** Suite No. 1, for chamber orchestra ** Suite No. 2, for chamber orchestra * William Walton – ** ''Anon in Love'', 6 songs for tenor and guitar or orchestra ** ''March: A History of the English-speaking Peoples'', incidental music for ABC TV ** ''A Queen’s Fanfare'', for brass * Egon Wellesz – ** ''Lieder aus Wien'', op. 82, for voice and piano ** Quintet, op.81 for clarinet and string quartet ** Rhapsodie, op. 87, for viola * Healey Willan – ** Passacaglia and Fugue no. 2 in E minor, op. 178, for organ ** ''Poem for Strings'', op. 82, version for string orchestra * Grace Williams – ''All Seasons Shall Be Sweet'' * Charles Wuorinen – ** ''Musica duarum partium ecclesiastica'', for brass quintet, timpani, piano, and organJason Carucci and Louis Karchin, "Wuorinen, Charles (Peter)", ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', 2nd edition, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (musicologist), John Tyrrell (London: Macmillan, 2001). ** Symphony No. 3 ** ''Trio concertante'', for oboe, violin, and piano * La Monte Young – ** Sarabande, for any instruments ** Studies I, II, and III, for piano ** ''Vision'', for piano, 2 brass, recorder, 4 bassoons, violin, viola, cello, and double bass * Jōji Yuasa – ''Projection Topologic'', for piano * Iannis Xenakis – ** ''Analogique B'', for 2-track tape ** ''Duel for Two Small Orchestras'' ** ''Syrmos'', for 12 violins, 3 cellos, and 3 double basses * Çesk Zadeja – ''Atdheu im'', cantata for tenor and mixed chorus


Opera

* Samuel Adler (composer), Samuel Adler – ''The Outcast of Poker Flat'' * Jurriaan Andriessen (composer), Jurriaan Andriessen – ''Kalchas'' * Claude Arrieu – ''La cabine téléphonique'' (March 15, 1959, RTF) * Henk Badings – ''Salto mortale'' (TV chamber opera), Nederlandse Televisie Sichting, June 19, 1959 * Samuel Barber – ''A Hand of Bridge'' * Grażyna Bacewicz – ''Przygoda króla Artura'' * Karl-Birger Blomdahl – ''Aniara (opera), Aniara'' * Carlos Chávez – ''Love Propitiated'' October 28, 1959, Mexico City (revised version of ''Panfilo e Lauretta'') * Paul Dessau – ''Puntila'' * Ferenc Farkas – ''Paradies der Schwiegersöhne'' * Nicolas Flagello – ''The Judgment of St Francis'', Op. 28 (composed; staged 1966, New York) * Lukas Foss – ''Introductions and Goodbyes'' (a nine-minute opera, libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti) * Peggy Glanville-Hicks – ''The Glittering Gate'' (New York, May 15, 1959) * Jakov Gotovac – ''Stanac'' * Alan Hovhaness – ''Blue Flame'', op. 172 * Sven-Eric Johanson – ''Kunskapens vin'' * Elizabeth Maconchy – ''The Sofa'' * Carl Orff – ' (Stuttgart, December 11, 1959) * Francis Poulenc – ''La voix humaine''


Jazz


Musical theater

* ''Aladdin (TV special), Aladdin'' (Cole Porter) West End theatre, London production opened at the London Coliseum, Coliseum on December 17. * ''
Destry Rides Again ''Destry Rides Again'' is a 1939 American Western comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. The supporting cast includes Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy, Allen Jenkins, Irene Hervey ...
'' Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre (Broadway), Imperial Theatre on April 23 and ran for 472 performances * ''Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be'' (Lionel Bart) Stratford production opened at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Theatre Royal on April 17 and ran for 63 performances * ''Fiorello!'' Broadway production opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 23 and ran for 795 performances * ''Gypsy: A Musical Fable, Gypsy'' (Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim) Broadway production opened at The Broadway Theatre on May 21 and ran for 702 performances * ''Juno (musical), Juno'' (Marc Blitzstein) Broadway production opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, March 9, 1959, and ran for 16 performances * ''Little Mary Sunshine'' Off-Broadway production opened at the Orpheum Theatre (East Village, New York), Orpheum Theatre on November 18 and ran for 1143 performances. * ''Lock Up Your Daughters (musical), Lock Up Your Daughters'' (Lionel Bart) London production opened at the Mermaid Theatre on May 28 and ran for 328 performances * ''The Love Doctor'' West End theatre, London production opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on October 12 and ran for only 16 performances. * ''On the Town (musical), On the Town'' Broadway revival opened at the Carnegie Hall Playhouse on January 15 and ran for 70 performances * ''Once Upon a Mattress'' Broadway production opened at the St. James Theatre and ran for 244 performances * ''Redhead (musical), Redhead'' Broadway production opened at the 46th Street Theatre on February 5 and ran for 405 performances * ''The Sound of Music'' (
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
and
Oscar Hammerstein II Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight Ton ...
) Broadway production opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16 and ran for 1443 performances. * ''Take Me Along'' Broadway production opened at the Shubert Theatre (Broadway), Shubert Theatre on October 22 and ran for 448 performances


Musical films

* ''Expresso Bongo'' British film starring Laurence Harvey * ''Char Dil Char Rahen'', music by Anil Biswas (composer), Anil Biswas, starring Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor * ''Dil Deke Dekho'', music by Usha Khanna, starring Asha Parekh * ''The Five Pennies'' starring Danny Kaye * ''Go, Johnny, Go'' starring Jimmy Clanton and Sandy Stewart (singer), Sandy Stewart, and featuring
Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the " Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into th ...
, Jackie Wilson,
Ritchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...
, The Cadillacs, Jo-Ann Campbell, The Flamingos and Eddie Cochran. * ''Li'l Abner (musical), Li'l Abner'' featuring most of the cast of the original Broadway theatre, Broadway production * ''The Lady is a Square'' starring Anna Neagle, Frankie Vaughan, Janette Scott, Anthony Newley and Wilfrid Hyde-White * ''Porgy and Bess, Porgy And Bess'', based on 1935 stage play, directed by Otto Preminger, starring Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge, and Sammy Davis, Jr. * ''Say One for Me'' starring Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds * ''Tommy the Toreador'' starring Tommy Steele * ''Sleeping Beauty (1959 film), Sleeping Beauty'' from Walt Disney Pictures (animated)


Births

*January 2 – Cristina (singer), Cristina, no-wave singer (d. 2020 in music, 2020) *January 3 – Curt Bisquera, drummer *January 4 – Vanity (singer), Vanity, Canadian-American singer-songwriter, dancer and actress (d. 2016 in music, 2016) *January 6 – Kathy Sledge, vocalist (Sister Sledge) *January 7 – Kathy Valentine new wave musician (The Go-Go's) *January 8 – Paul Hester, drummer (Crowded House) (d. 2005 in music, 2005) *January 10 – Curt Kirkwood, alternative rock singer-songwriter (Meat Puppets) *
January 12 Events Pre-1600 * 475 – Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople, and his general, Basiliscus gains control of the empire. *1528 – Gustav I of Sweden is crowned King of Sweden, having already reigned s ...
** Blixa Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten) ** Per Gessle (Roxette) *January 14 ** Chas Smash (Madness (band), Madness) ** Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) *January 16 – Sade (band), Sade, singer *January 17 ** Susanna Hoffs, singer (The Bangles) ** Fabio Luisi, conductor ** Momoe Yamaguchi, singer and actress *January 21 – Duane Denison, guitarist (The Jesus Lizard and Tomahawk (band), Tomahawk) *January 28 **Dave Sharp, English guitarist (The Alarm and The Hard Travelers) **Bill Ware, American vibraphone player Dave Sharp (The Alarm) *January 30 – Jody Watley, singer *
February 3 Events Pre-1600 * 1112 – Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, and Douce I, Countess of Provence, marry, uniting the fortunes of those two states. *1451 – Sultan Mehmed II inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire. *1488 – ...
– Lol Tolhurst, The Cure *February 14 – Renée Fleming, operatic soprano *February 15 – Ali Campbell, ska musician (UB40) *February 25 – Mike Peters (musician), Mike Peters, singer-songwriter (The Alarm) *March 7 – Andy Diagram, trumpet player *March 16 – Flavor Flav, rapper (Public Enemy (band), Public Enemy) *March 17 – Mike Lindup, keyboard player and vocalist (Level 42) *March 18 – Irene Cara, singer-songwriter and film actress (d. 2022 in music, 2022) *March 19 – Terry Hall (singer), Terry Hall, ska singer (The Specials) (d. 2022 in music, 2022) *March 21 – Nobuo Uematsu, video game composer *March 27 – Andrew Farriss, rock musician (INXS) *March 29 – Perry Farrell, alternative rock singer (Jane's Addiction) *April 1 – Margita Stefanović, Margita "Magi" Stefanović, Serbian keyboardist (d. 2002 in music, 2002) *April 10 ** Babyface (musician), Babyface, R&B musician and record producer ** Brian Setzer, guitarist and singer (The Stray Cats) *April 21 ** Jerry Only, American singer-songwriter and bass player (Misfits (band), The Misfits, Osaka Popstar and Kryst the Conqueror) ** Robert Smith (musician), Robert Smith, singer (The Cure) ** Michael Timmins alternative country/folk rock songwriter and guitarist (Cowboy Junkies) *April 27 ** Marco Pirroni, guitarist (Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees (founder member), The Models, The Wolfmen) ** Sheena Easton, singer *April 29 – Yasuhiro Kobayashi, Japanese musician, accordionist, composer and arranger *May 3 – David Ball (electronic musician), David Ball, Soft Cell *
May 4 Events Pre-1600 * 1256 – The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV issues a papal bull ''Licet ecclesiae catholicae''. * 1415 – Religious reformers John Wycliffe and Jan Hus are ...
– Randy Travis, country singer *May 5 – Ian McCulloch (singer), Ian McCulloch, singer (Echo & the Bunnymen) *May 20 **Susan Cowsill, rock singer-songwriter (The Cowsills, Continental Drifters) **Gregory Gray, singer-songwriter (d. 2019 in music, 2019) *May 22 – Morrissey, singer-songwriter (The Smiths, solo) *May 28 – Steve Strange, singer (Visage (band), Visage) (d. 2015 in music, 2015) *June 1 – Alan Wilder (Depeche Mode) *
June 11 Events Pre-1600 * 173 – Marcomannic Wars: The Roman army in Moravia is encircled by the Quadi, who have broken the peace treaty (171). In a violent thunderstorm emperor Marcus Aurelius defeats and subdues them in the so-called "miracle ...
– Kathinka Pasveer, flautist *June 12 – John Linnell (They Might Be Giants) *June 19 **Mark DeBarge (DeBarge) **Dennis Fuller, Jamaican born English singer (London Boys) (d. 1996 in music, 1996) *June 21 **Marcella Detroit, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (Shakespear's Sister) **Kathy Mattea, American singer-songwriter and guitarist *June 22 – Alan Anton (musician), Alan Anton (Cowboy Junkies) *June 24 – Andy McCluskey (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) *June 29 – Buren Fowler, American guitarist (Drivin N Cryin) (d. 2014 in music, 2014) *July 1 – Edem Ephraim, English singer (London Boys) (d. 1996 in music, 1996) *July 3 – Stephen Pearcy, American heavy metal singer-songwriter (Ratt) *July 5 – Marc Cohn, singer-songwriter *July 9 ** Marc Almond, synthpop singer (Soft Cell) ** Jim Kerr, singer (Simple Minds) *July 11 ** Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) ** Suzanne Vega, American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer *July 16 – James MacMillan (composer), James MacMillan, composer and conductor *July 18 – Jonathan Dove, English operatic composer *July 20 – Radney Foster, American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer (Foster & Lloyd) *August 1 – Joe Elliott, English hard rock singer (Def Leppard) *August 6 – Joyce Sims, American R&B singer-songwriter (d. 2022 in music, 2022) *August 9 – Kurtis Blow, rapper *August 13 – Martyn Brabbins, English conductor *August 29 – Eddi Reader, Scottish singer *August 30 – Andreas Delfs, German conductor *August 31 – The DeFranco Family, Tony DeFranco, singer (The DeFranco Family) *September 8 – Daler Nazarov, Tajik composer, singer and actor *September 14 – Morten Harket, singer (a-ha) *October 1 – Youssou N'Dour, Senegalese singer *October 4 – Chris Lowe, keyboardist (Pet Shop Boys) *October 10 – Kirsty MacColl, English singer (d. 2000 in music, 2000) *October 13 – Marie Osmond, singer *October 16 ** Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) ** Erkki-Sven Tüür, composer *October 21 – Cleveland Watkiss, jazz vocalist *October 23 – "Weird Al" Yankovic, parodist, musician and singer *October 25 – Christina Amphlett, Australian rock singer *November 1 – Eddie MacDonald (The Alarm) *November 5 – Bryan Adams, singer/guitarist *November 27 – Charlie Burchill (Simple Minds) *
November 29 Events Pre-1600 * 561 – Following the death of King Chlothar I at Compiègne, his four sons, Charibert I, Guntram, Sigebert I and Chilperic I, divide the Frankish Kingdom. * 618 – The Tang dynasty scores a decisive victory over t ...
– Steve Hindalong, record producer *December 4 – Bob Griffin (The BoDeans) *December 26 – Chuck Mosley, singer (Faith No More) (d. 2017 in music, 2017) *December 30 – Tracey Ullman, comedian and singer *December 31 ** Baron Waqa, Nauruan politician and composer ** Paul Westerberg, singer, guitarist and songwriter (The Replacements)


Deaths

*January 6 – José Enrique Pedreira, composer, 54 *
February 3 Events Pre-1600 * 1112 – Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona, and Douce I, Countess of Provence, marry, uniting the fortunes of those two states. *1451 – Sultan Mehmed II inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire. *1488 – ...
, in a plane crash (see ''Events'') **
Buddy Holly Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas ...
, singer, songwriter and guitarist, 22 **
Ritchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...
, singer, songwriter and guitarist, 17 **
The Big Bopper Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959), known as The Big Bopper, was an American singer, songwriter and disc jockey. His best-known compositions include "Chantilly Lace" and " White Lightning", the latter of wh ...
, disc jockey, singer, and songwriter, 28 *February 12 – George Antheil, pianist and composer, 58 (heart attack) *February 13 – William Axt, film composer, 70 *February 14 – Baby Dodds, jazz musician, 60 *February 18 – Erich Zeisl, composer, 53 (heart attack) *February 28 – Maxwell Anderson, lyricist, 70 *March 1 – Mack Gordon, songwriter, 54 *March 15 – Lester Young, jazz musician, 49 (liver disease and malnutrition) *March 25 – Billy Mayerl, English pianist and composer, 56 (heart attack) *April 20 – Edward Johnson (tenor), Edward Johnson, operatic tenor, 80 *
April 22 Events Pre-1600 * 1500 – Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral lands in Brazil. * 1519 – Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés establishes a settlement at Veracruz, Mexico. * 1529 – Treaty of Zaragoza divides the eastern ...
 – Claire Delbos, French composer and violinist, 52 *May 14 – Sidney Bechet, jazz musician, 62 *May 29 – Frank Marshall (pianist), Frank Marshall, pianist and teacher, 75 *June 9 – Sonnie Hale, English actor and singer, 57 (myelofibrosis) *July 15 – Ernest Bloch, composer, 78 *July 17 – Billie Holiday, jazz and blues singer, 44 (liver and heart disease) *August 7 – Armas Launis, Finnish composer and ethnomusicologist, 75 *August 15 – Blind Willie McTell, American blues singer, 61 *August 16 – Wanda Landowska, harpsichordist, 80 *August 17 – Pedro Humberto Allende, composer and ethnomusicologist, 74 *August 28 – Bohuslav Martinů, composer, 68 *September 1 – Jack Norworth, singer and songwriter, 80 *September 6 – Kay Kendall, musical comedy actress, 33 (leukaemia) *September 8 – Mohammed El-Bakkar, Lebanese tenor, oud player, and conductor, 46 (cerebral hemorrhage) *September 11 – Ann Drummond-Grant, operatic contralto, 54 *September 17 – Omer Simeon, jazz musician, 57 (throat cancer) *September 21 – Agnes Nicholls, operatic soprano, 83 *September 22 ** Josef Matthias Hauer, composer, 76 ** Jane Winton, actress, dancer, operatic soprano, writer, and painter, 53 *September 25 – Helen Broderick, Broadway star, 68 *September 28 – Gerard Hoffnung, artist, comedian, and musician, 34 (cerebral haemorrhage) *October 7 – Mario Lanza, operatic tenor, 38 (pulmonary embolism) *October 28 – Egon Kornauth, Austrian composer and pianist, 68 *November 7 – Alberto Guerrero, pianist and composer, 73 *November 17 – Heitor Villa-Lobos, composer, 72 *November 22 – Sam M. Lewis, lyricist, 74 *November 26 – Albert Ketèlbey, composer, conductor and pianist, 84 *
November 29 Events Pre-1600 * 561 – Following the death of King Chlothar I at Compiègne, his four sons, Charibert I, Guntram, Sigebert I and Chilperic I, divide the Frankish Kingdom. * 618 – The Tang dynasty scores a decisive victory over t ...
 – Fritz Brun, Swiss composer and conductor, 81 *December 20 – Gilda Gray, dancer, 58 (heart attack) * ''date unknown'' ** Clotilde Arias, songwriter ** Susan Metcalfe Casals, operatic mezzo-soprano


Awards


Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...

* Eurovision Song Contest 1959


Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
Awards

* Grammy Awards of 1959


Pulitzer Prize for Music

* John La Montaine – Pulitzer Prize for Music#Winners, Piano Concerto


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1959 In Music 1959 in music, 20th century in music Music by year