Charting the Music of the Fifties -- Volume 1

What was the number nine popular single of 1950-54? "Cry," by Johnnie Ray & the 4 Lads. The Grammy Hall of Fame recording launched Ray's superb career. What was the number nine album of 1950-54? "The Great Caruso" by Mario Lanza, who starred in a series of operatic films during the 1950s. How about the number nine country single? "The Shot Gun Boogie" by "Tennessee" Ernie; the song was a rock & roll precursor. The number nine R&B single? "Shake a Hand" by Faye Adams & Joe Morris. The number nine summertime single was "Come On-a My House" by Rosemary Clooney, despite that she disliked the song. At number nine in Australia was Dennis Day's version of "Mona Lisa." The book features rankings of singles and albums in these genres, and in children's, Christmas, classical and gospel music, plus film soundtracks. The book is a chronicle of our musical past, with much of the music still sounding great in the present.