Edd Byrnes – Kookie (1959)

In 1959 television heart throb Edd Byrnes, better known as Kookie, the hip talking car hop on the hit TV series “77 Sunset Strip” teamed up with Connie Stevens to record the memorable novelty song “Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb),” producing a surprise Billboard hit and an entire album dedicated to Kookie. But how many Kookie songs did the world actually need? A look at the career of Edd Byrnes, and how his character Kookie continues to shape our modern culture. Extra: Edd Byrnes’ musical collaborators including Joanie Sommers, Bob Denver, Pat Boone, Sha Na Na and….Anthrax? It’s the ginchiest!

Vinyl Stories Interview – “Now They’re All Here”: Celebrating a Century of The King Family with Cam Clarke

Once known as “The First Family of Song,” The King Family have been a part of the entertainment landscape for a century via radio, film, television, vinyl and beyond. Now Cam Clarke, son of The King Sisters’ lead vocalist Alyce King, has written a new book “Now They’re All Here: The King Family” chronicling his family’s entertainment legacy. From the roots of The King Sisters’ career during the Great Depression, to their union with bandleader Alvino Rey, their success on television in the 1960’s and the achievements by the third generation, Cam shares memories and stories featuring his family including The King Sisters, Alvino Rey, The King Cousins and more.

David Seville and The Chipmunks – Let’s All Sing with the Chipmunks (1959) and Christmas with the Chipmunks (1962)

Anyone who ever owned an album by Alvin and the Chipmunks remembers their manager/producer David Seville, but who was Ross Bagdasarian? The man behind one of the most enduring musical franchises of all time, Bagdasarian had a massive year in 1958 when he had two back to back number one Billboard hits – “The Witch Doctor” and “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and unleashed Alvin, Simon and Theodore on an unsuspecting public for the first time! A look at the continuing legacy of “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and The Chipmunks’ rise to fame! Extra: The Christmas that The Chipmunks teamed up with Canned Heat!

Gladys Knight and the Pips – The Greatest Hits of Gladys Knight and the Pips (1981)

One of the greatest soul groups in the history of American Music, Gladys Knight and the Pips have had 22 hit singles on the Billboard top 20 between 1961 and 1989.. However, while Gladys Knight rose to the front as “The Empress of Soul,” The Pips were far more than just a back up vocal group. We explore the questions “What is a Pip” with a look at the origins and early struggles of the group, and how a crooked producer tried to steal the profits from their first number one single, “Every Beat of My Heart” which led The Pips to officially change their name to Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – At Home with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (1958)

In 1956 Cleveland Ohio musician Jay Hawkins went into OKeh Records studios to lay down his blues ballad “I Put a Spell On You.” But after a feast of chicken and ribs and beer, the once traditional song turned into an orgy of grunts, groans and howls. Although he claimed to have no memory of recording it, a strange thing happened that night. The young blues pianist emerged out of the studio as Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and the sub genre of shock rock was born. The story of “I Put a Spell On You,” and how Screamin’ Jay Hawkins reluctantly became the forefather of shock rock.

Duane Eddy – Have Twangy Guitar, Will Travel (1958)

When Duane Eddy met Lee Hazelwood in 1954 Lee was a country music disc jockey in the small farming community of Coolidge, Arizona and Duane was a high schooler looking to score free records. But pooling together their individual talents, by the end of the decade the pair joined forces and changed the shape of guitar rock with their hit collaboration “Rebel-‘Rouser.” The story of the Duane Eddy and Lee Hazelwood partnership, and its continuing influence on rock n’ roll.

Roy Orbison – At the Rock House (1961)

In 1956 Roy Orbison and his band, The Teen Kings, arrived at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee to recut their record “Ooby Dooby.” However, despite being signed by Sam Phillips, Roy would find himself floundering at the legendary label and wouldn’t find chart success until 1961 and at a different label. Why did it take Roy Orbison so long to make it, and how did Sam Phillips allow Roy Orbison to slip through his fingers? A look at Roy Orbison at Sun Records.