July 28
SH-BOOM DAY
On this day in 1954, The Crew Cuts reached the top spot of the Billboard pop singles chart with Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream). It became the fastest-moving record to hit the music charts, making it to the top ten in only three weeks. The tune stayed atop the pop music listing for seven weeks.
Many people consider this song (a cover version of a rhythm and blues recording by The Chords) to be the first rock ’n’ roll record. It wasn’t the first. Rock and roll had made it to the music scene long before this. In fact, The Boswell Sisters recorded a song titled, Rock and Roll in 1934. However, Sh-Boom was the first rock ’n’ roll record to make it to the top of the pop charts. (The Chords’ version became the first rock-related hit in Great Britain.)
Purists consider Rock Around the Clock to be the first, true #1 rock ’n’ roll hit. However, it didn’t hit the top of the charts until one year after The Crew Cuts’ Sh-Boom. Our lines are open. Call in your votes now.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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