Rare Footage from 1950

1950s

Explore 61 rare behind-the-scenes clips and footage of famous musicians from 1950.

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

R.E.M.sooThe WhoThe La'sMaeCherY&TStingJohn MayerL.A.B.Bob WillsThe PoliceS-K-ORare 1950s FootageJune Carter CashSonya IsaacsJ.O.E.Thomas sConcertFleaWilma Lee CooperLes SmithThe Staple SingersBob DylanRhythm and bluesWeenMavis StaplesStephen StillsCarl PerkinsT. Texas TylerHank GarlandLonzo and OscarJerry DanielsThe SandpipersJagori TannaT.O.K.MetallicaRichard ShawSlashTex RitterPiano RedLive (band)Sonny ThompsonRecord shopEddie CochranJohnny BondJimmie Davisdoo wop at the gLittle Jimmy DickensRoy MiltonJohnny OtisStuart SutcliffeBobby HackettHarry BabasinPrinceNMEPete BestGuitar Pete FranklinThe FoundationsThe PlattersJohnny AceSongwriterWynonie HarrisLittle Willie JohnJimmy RogersPee Wee CraytonQueenBig Maceo MerriweatherOtis ReddingTina TurnerPeter GreenAndrew Fletcher