1955: Year In Review

I learned today that Disneyland and local department store Bi-Mart were both born in 1955. That got me thinking: What else happened in 1955?

Zenith unveiled the first wireless remote control for TV. It was much later before I owned one. Maybe around 1985 or so? My first VCR, purchased in the early 80s, had a wired remote control as an option for an additional $30. No idea why I remember this. But I do.

Sony released the first cassette recorder. This foreshadowed the popular Sony Walkman by 25 or 30 years.

Special K cereal debuted. I haven’t bought cereal in forever, but I bet this is still on the shelves.

We first met Wooly Willy. I had one. You probably did too.

Here are the Billboard Top 30 songs for 1955. Notice that The Ballad of Davy Crockett appears 3 times, with 3 different performers. Some of these I know. Some of these I don’t. Maybe some will be unveiled in a future Lost Remotes gig?

1. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White – Pérez Prado
2. (We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley & His Comets
3. The Yellow Rose of Texas – Mitch Miller & His Orchestra & Chorus
4. Autumn Leaves – Roger Williams
5. Unchained Melody – Les Baxter and his Orchestra
6. The Ballad of Davy Crockett – Bill Hayes
7. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing – The Four Aces
8. Sincerely – The McGuire Sisters
9. Ain’t That A Shame – Pat Boone
10. Dance With Me Henry: (The Wallflower) – Georgia Gibbs
11. The Crazy Otto Medley – Johnny Maddox (original artist for the medley was Crazy Otto)
12. Melody Of Love – Billy Vaughn
13. Sixteen Tons – Tennessee Ernie Ford
14. Learnin’ The Blues – Frank Sinatra
15. Hearts of Stone – The Fontane Sisters
16. Tweedle Dee – Georgia Gibbs
17. Moments To Remember – The Four Lads
18. Mr. Sandman – The Chordettes
19. Let Me Go Lover – Joan Weber
20. A Blossom Fell – Nat King Cole
21. Unchained Melody – Al Hibbler
22. The Ballad of Davy Crockett – Fess Parker
23. Honey-Babe – Art Mooney
24. The Ballad of Davy Crockett – Tennessee Ernie Ford
25. Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So) – Perry Como
26. Hard To Get – Gisele MacKenzie
27. The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane – The Ames Brothers
28. That’s All I Want From You – Jaye P. Morgan
29. Only You (And You Alone) – The Platters
30. It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie – Somethin’ Smith and the Redheads