In this nine-part radio essay, Pete Myers tells the stories behind the music and the people that created the sounds of the 1950’s. This was the decade in which rock ‘n roll burst upon the world, but it was also a time of memorable recordings by the likes of B.B. King and Nat King Cole, of Edith Piaf and Mario Lanza, Patti Page and Frank Sinatra. It was also a decade of outstanding instrumental and popular orchestra music from such stars as Mantovani and Henry Mancini.
Part 4 – 1953: Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” and Percy Faith’s “The Song from Moulin Rouge” offer a romantic and melodious contrast to the rhythmic, steam-rolling music of Fats Domino, well on his way to worldwide stardom by now, scoring his third, fourth, fifth and sixth million-selling hits in this year alone. A harbinger of the musical revolution that was to come.
Producer: Pete Myers
Broadcast: February 15, 1991