Golden Era of Rock ‘n’ Rolls: 1954-1963

Although not all stories were told here, but Hip-O’s 3-CD box set ‘Golden Era of Rock ‘n’ Rolls: 1954-1963’ is probably the most concise, yet thoroughly, collection of rock & rolls music available you can find on the market.

There is no doubt that these 62 tracks here are among the finest songs of the era. From the songs that started the period of rock & rolls like Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock”, Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene”, and Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti”; to the sound of pre-Beatles years like Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman”, Dion’s “Runaround Sue”, and Del Shannon’s “Runaway”. Lots of big hits are presented including Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula”, The Diamonds’ “Little Darlin’”, Danny & the Juniors’ “At the Hop”, The Elegants’ “Little Star”, Wilbert Harrison’s “Kansas City”, “Gary “U.S” Bonds’ “Quarter to Three”, Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl”, and The Angels’ “My Boyfriend’s Back”. The producers also did not forget to include some rock instrumentals including The Champs’ “Tequila”, Santo & Johnny’s “Sleep Walk”, and The Ventures’ “Walk Don’t Run”. There also are many one-hit wonders such as Shirley & Lee’s “Let the Good Times Roll”, Mickey & Sylvia’s “Love Is Strange”, The Monotones’ “The Book of Love”, and Frankie Ford’s “Sea Cruise”. Others highlights include The Crows’ “Gee”, Dale Hawkins’ “Susie-Q”, Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues”, and Joey Dee’s “Peppermint Twist, Pt.1”.

This is an essential set for any rock ‘n’ rolls fans and, probably, the only stop for casual listeners.