Oldies Vault: Jukebox Groove

Jukeboxes, diners and classic cars…what do they all have in common? They ALL give us the feeling and excitement of days gone by – the fabulous 50’s leading us into the rockin’ and psychedelic 60’s. They all remind us of when life was (or appeared to be) a lot more simple. Diners were in every town, spotlighting down-home cookin’. It was cool to be seen in a ‘57 Chevy – cars with “fins” were “in”.

But before those rather cold-looking CDs ruled the world (though not anymore), there were brightly lit, glitzy, chrome laden jukeboxes – all spinning vinyl 45’s featuring the most popular songs and dances crazes. Teenagers could be found “twisting” or “strolling” the night away. Sock hops were all the rage.

For those fans that appreciate the wonderful 50’s and 60’s, you can still find a few original diners scattered throughout the U.S., still serving grits, real home fries, eggs over easy and plump juicy burgers with hand-cut fries. You might even be able to find one that still has their original memory-making jukebox!

I guess we all sometimes wish we could go back to those times and places when cars weren’t all digitalized (to the point of giving us” lip” and talking back to us) – those times when dropping a coin in the jukebox was a real thrill.

The 50’s and 60’s were truly an era of Jukebox Groove. Take a step back in time to re-visit some of the most popular 45’s found at sock hops and in jukebox diners.

JUKEBOX GROOVE:

Heartbreak Hotel – Elvis ‘56

I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash ‘56

Tutti Frutti – Little Richard ‘56 Pat Boone ‘56

Why Do Fools Fall In Love – Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers ‘56

You Send Me – Sam Cooke ‘57

Come Go With Me – Del Vikings ‘57

That’ll Be The Day – Buddy Holly ‘57

The Book of Love – The Monotones ‘58

It’s Only Make Believe – Conway Twitty ‘58

Lollipop – The Chordettes ‘58

Who’s Sorry Now – Connie Francis ‘58

Chantilly Lace – The Big Bopper ‘58

Tears On My Pillow – Little Anthony & the Imperials ‘58

Teen Angel – Mark Dinning ‘60

Runaround Sue – Dion ‘61

Blue Moon – The Marcels ‘61

Spanish Harlem – Ben E. King ‘61

Shop Around – Miracles ‘61

Once In A While – The Chimes ‘61

He’s A Rebel – Dion ‘62

Do You Love Me – The Controus ‘62

Let’s Dance – Chris Montez ‘62

Duke of Earl – Gene Chandler ‘62

He’s So Fine – The Chiffons ‘63

Down In the Boondocks – Billy Joe Royal ‘63

Our Day Will Come – Ruby & The Romantics ‘63

Lightning Strikes – Lou Christie ‘63

My Boyfriend’s Back – The Angels ‘63

You Can’t Sit Down – The Dovells ‘63

Denise – Randy and the Rainbows ‘63

Our Day Will Come – Ruby and the Romantics ‘63

Hey Paula – Paul and Paula ‘63

Blue Velvet – Bobby Vinton ‘63

Love Me Do – The Beatles ‘64

A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles ‘64

Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss) – Betty Everett ‘64

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones ‘65

Cool Jerk – The Capitols ‘66

There Is – The Dells ‘68

It may be 2023, but you can still keep your Jukebox Groove going by loading your favorite oldies into your favorite listening devices or check them out on YouTube. Then do some dancing around the house – you’ve got plenty of dances to choose from: Dee Sharp’s ‘62, Mashed Potato Time; Chubby Checker’s Limbo Rock and The Twist; The Vibration’s ‘61, The Watusi; The Dovell’s ‘61, The Bristol Stomp; Major Lance’s ‘63, Monkey Time; Little Eva’s ‘62 Locomotion and many more!

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