Backstage from the 1950s

Rare backstage footage of famous musicians from the 1950s. Browse 5 clips below.

All BackstageAll 1950s

About Backstage Footage

Backstage footage captures the world that exists just out of the audience’s sight — the nervous energy before going on, the adrenaline after coming off, the camaraderie, the tension, and the mundane reality of life on the road. These clips humanise artists in a way that stage performances and interviews rarely do.

The 1950s in Music

The 1950s saw the birth of rock and roll, the explosion of bebop jazz, and the rise of electric blues. Artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Miles Davis were reshaping popular music, while behind the scenes, Sam Phillips was experimenting at Sun Studio and Atlantic Records was capturing the raw energy of rhythm and blues. Footage from this era is exceptionally rare — most of what survives comes from early television appearances, newsreels, and the occasional home movie.

Artists

Little Anthony and the ImperialsClark TerryHank BallardMahalia JacksonElvis Presley