Rockin' Rochester: The 1950's:
1951
The Rochester Royals are NBA Champions after defeating the New York Knicks in seven games. 1952 The Rochester Red Wings defeat the Montreal Royals 4-2 to win the Governor's Cup 1953
WARC-AM 950 a a locally programmed, personality-driven popular music station, is purchased by the B. Forman regional department store chain in 1953 and changed its call letters to WBBF, the last three letters of which stood for "Buy B. Forman". The format is retained.
Northgate Plaza opens as Rochester's first Shopping Plaza on October 29th. The Cisco Kid and Pancho are on hand to sign autographs.
Rochester's second TV station, Channel 10, signs on the air on November 1st. It is a shared operation between two groups, WHEC-TV and WVET-TV
1954
Channel 6, WHAM-TV moves to Channel 5 as part of a New York State revision of FCC VHF station allotments.
1955
The Rochester Red Wings defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 to win the Governor's Cup Rochester's Subway closes.
The Rochester Community War Memorial is built.
1956
The Rochester Red Wings defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 to win the Governor's Cup The AHL Rochester Americans begin their inaugural season as the shared affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Amerks make it to the championship, but lose to the Cleveland Barons 4 games to 1.
1957
WBBF-AM (950) Jocks are as follows: Mort Nussbaum handles AM drive time. Nick Nickson is there for the ride home. Future 'Mother's In-Law' TV show star Jerry Fogel is also a DJ at the station. February 27, 1957: Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. headed by local businessman Morrie Silver, purchases the Red Wings and Red Wing Stadium to ensure that the franchise would remain in Rochester. "Leap Frog" b/w "That's My Desire" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12449, March; Debuted on Cashbox 4/13/15, peaked at #56, -3 weeks on the charts; Billboard on 4/29/57 #91 for 1 week, Music Vendor (Record World) on 5/4/57 #85 for 1 week
"You're No Good !!" b/w "I Want To Know Where You'll Go (Then I'll Be Happy)" Mickey Evans (aka Ersel Hickey) Fine 45-4M2657 (April 1957)
"Hop in My Jalop" b/w "Rockin' in G" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12508, April
"Pan American" b/w "I'm Getting Nowhere With You" Don Hess Ken K-23, June
"Local 60-6" b/w "How I Love You" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12508, July "Kit Kat Rock" b/w "Perfidia" -Two Kats & A Kitten Fine FI-4M1857 (July) "Where's My Baby" b/w "Lovers Again" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12589, November
September 17th: Alan Freed's "BIGGEST SHOW OF STARS FOR 1957" comes to the War Memorial . On the bill are: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Paul Williams, Chuck Berry, The Spaniels, Johnnie & Joe, The Bobettes, Paul Anka, The Drifters, Frankie Lymon, Lavern Baker, Everly Brothers, Jimmy Bowen, Clyde McPhatter, Sam "The Man" Taylor
"You belong to me" b/w "Will I ever find my baby?" Bernie Campbell & the 4 Ekkos Fine F10-26571 (September 1957)
"Sputnik (Satellite Girl)" b/w "Unfaithlful One" Jerry Engler & The Four Ekkos Brunswick 9-55037 (November 1957) "Jive Train" b/w "Woke Up This Morning" Jim Laurro And His Orchestra Fine F8-2157 (November) Picked up by End Records in May of 1958. Features "Pee Wee" Ellis on Tenor Sax.
"Somebody loves me" b/w "Tarrantela rock" Frank Sandy with the Mel Thomas Trio Fine F12-1571 (December 1957) "The Girl Can't Help It" b/w "Jelly" Steve Alaimo & Redcoats -Lifetime 6112/3
1958
January 19th: The Everly Brothers Tour comes to the War Memorial . On the bill are: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, The Rays, Royal Teens, Shepherd Sisters, Paul Anka, Margie Rayburn, Danny & The Juniors, The Tuneweavers, Hollywood Flames, Jimmy Edwards, Billy Brown, Mello-Kings, Al Jones, Sam Donahue & His Orchestra
"Hangin' Around" b/w "Bluebirds Over The Mountain" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9263 (February) Debuted on Cashbox on 3/29/58 highest position: #39 -5 weeks on the chart, Music Vendor on 4/14/58 #46 -6 weeks on the chart, Billboard on 4/28/58 #75 -6 weeks on the chart,.
"Goin' Down That Road" b/w "Lovers Lane" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9278 (July) "Tarrantela Rock: b/w "Somebody Loves Me" Frank Sandy w/The Mel Thomas Trio Fine F12-1571 September 7th: Jerry Engler travels to Norman & Vi Petty's Clovis, NM studio and cuts 'What a you gonna do' and 'I sent you roses',. Buddy Holly jopined the session and played lead guitar and bells, along with co-producing the session with Norman Petty. These tracks remained unreleased until the 1990's.
"Daddy’s Little Baby" b/w "Toasted Love" Mickey & Shonnie Lane, the Bright & Early Kids-Brunswick 9-55098 (October)
October 15th: Alan Freed's "BIGGEST SHOW OF STARS FOR 1958" comes to the War Memorial . On the bill are: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Darin, The Olympics, Dion & The Belmonts, Bobby Freeman, The Elegants, Jimmy Clanton, The Danleers, Duane Eddy, Clyde McPhatter, Jack Scott, The Coasters, Sil Austin Orchestra, The Roses (backed Buddy & The Crickets). "You Never Can Tell" b/w "Wedding Day" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9298 (November)
"Going to the river" b/w "A cottage for sale" Jerry Jaye Fine FI -1258 (December 1958) "Home By Eleven" b/w "I Wanna Kiss You" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Dade 1800
1959 "Daddy, Daddy" b/w "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You be)" Joy Palmer -Belmont 45 "Blue Skies" b/w "I Want You To Love Me" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Marlin 45 "Cal's tune"b/w "Playboy" Vel-Tones with the Blue Shields Coy C-101, Kapp K-268X (March)
"You Threw A Dart" b/w "Don't Be Afraid Of Love" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9309 (April )
"Linda Lee" b/w "Gotta Lotta Lovin' To Do" Carl Morelli Belmont BEF-595 (May)
"Mushroom In The Sky" b/w "Love Me Baby" Eddie Kane with The Girl Friends-Kadet 45
"People Gotta Talk" b/w "I Can't Love Another" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9320 (June)
"The Weekend's Over " b/w "Gils! Girls! Girls!" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Marlin 6065
"She's My Baby" b/w "Should I Care" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Marlin 6067 (July)
1951
The Rochester Royals are NBA Champions after defeating the New York Knicks in seven games. 1952 The Rochester Red Wings defeat the Montreal Royals 4-2 to win the Governor's Cup 1953
WARC-AM 950 a a locally programmed, personality-driven popular music station, is purchased by the B. Forman regional department store chain in 1953 and changed its call letters to WBBF, the last three letters of which stood for "Buy B. Forman". The format is retained.
Northgate Plaza opens as Rochester's first Shopping Plaza on October 29th. The Cisco Kid and Pancho are on hand to sign autographs.
Rochester's second TV station, Channel 10, signs on the air on November 1st. It is a shared operation between two groups, WHEC-TV and WVET-TV
1954
Channel 6, WHAM-TV moves to Channel 5 as part of a New York State revision of FCC VHF station allotments.
1955
The Rochester Red Wings defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 to win the Governor's Cup Rochester's Subway closes.
The Rochester Community War Memorial is built.
1956
The Rochester Red Wings defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 to win the Governor's Cup The AHL Rochester Americans begin their inaugural season as the shared affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Amerks make it to the championship, but lose to the Cleveland Barons 4 games to 1.
1957
WBBF-AM (950) Jocks are as follows: Mort Nussbaum handles AM drive time. Nick Nickson is there for the ride home. Future 'Mother's In-Law' TV show star Jerry Fogel is also a DJ at the station. February 27, 1957: Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. headed by local businessman Morrie Silver, purchases the Red Wings and Red Wing Stadium to ensure that the franchise would remain in Rochester. "Leap Frog" b/w "That's My Desire" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12449, March; Debuted on Cashbox 4/13/15, peaked at #56, -3 weeks on the charts; Billboard on 4/29/57 #91 for 1 week, Music Vendor (Record World) on 5/4/57 #85 for 1 week
"You're No Good !!" b/w "I Want To Know Where You'll Go (Then I'll Be Happy)" Mickey Evans (aka Ersel Hickey) Fine 45-4M2657 (April 1957)
"Hop in My Jalop" b/w "Rockin' in G" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12508, April
"Pan American" b/w "I'm Getting Nowhere With You" Don Hess Ken K-23, June
"Local 60-6" b/w "How I Love You" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12508, July "Kit Kat Rock" b/w "Perfidia" -Two Kats & A Kitten Fine FI-4M1857 (July) "Where's My Baby" b/w "Lovers Again" Chuck Alaimo Quartet MGM 12589, November
September 17th: Alan Freed's "BIGGEST SHOW OF STARS FOR 1957" comes to the War Memorial . On the bill are: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Paul Williams, Chuck Berry, The Spaniels, Johnnie & Joe, The Bobettes, Paul Anka, The Drifters, Frankie Lymon, Lavern Baker, Everly Brothers, Jimmy Bowen, Clyde McPhatter, Sam "The Man" Taylor
"You belong to me" b/w "Will I ever find my baby?" Bernie Campbell & the 4 Ekkos Fine F10-26571 (September 1957)
"Sputnik (Satellite Girl)" b/w "Unfaithlful One" Jerry Engler & The Four Ekkos Brunswick 9-55037 (November 1957) "Jive Train" b/w "Woke Up This Morning" Jim Laurro And His Orchestra Fine F8-2157 (November) Picked up by End Records in May of 1958. Features "Pee Wee" Ellis on Tenor Sax.
"Somebody loves me" b/w "Tarrantela rock" Frank Sandy with the Mel Thomas Trio Fine F12-1571 (December 1957) "The Girl Can't Help It" b/w "Jelly" Steve Alaimo & Redcoats -Lifetime 6112/3
1958
January 19th: The Everly Brothers Tour comes to the War Memorial . On the bill are: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, The Rays, Royal Teens, Shepherd Sisters, Paul Anka, Margie Rayburn, Danny & The Juniors, The Tuneweavers, Hollywood Flames, Jimmy Edwards, Billy Brown, Mello-Kings, Al Jones, Sam Donahue & His Orchestra
"Hangin' Around" b/w "Bluebirds Over The Mountain" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9263 (February) Debuted on Cashbox on 3/29/58 highest position: #39 -5 weeks on the chart, Music Vendor on 4/14/58 #46 -6 weeks on the chart, Billboard on 4/28/58 #75 -6 weeks on the chart,.
"Goin' Down That Road" b/w "Lovers Lane" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9278 (July) "Tarrantela Rock: b/w "Somebody Loves Me" Frank Sandy w/The Mel Thomas Trio Fine F12-1571 September 7th: Jerry Engler travels to Norman & Vi Petty's Clovis, NM studio and cuts 'What a you gonna do' and 'I sent you roses',. Buddy Holly jopined the session and played lead guitar and bells, along with co-producing the session with Norman Petty. These tracks remained unreleased until the 1990's.
"Daddy’s Little Baby" b/w "Toasted Love" Mickey & Shonnie Lane, the Bright & Early Kids-Brunswick 9-55098 (October)
October 15th: Alan Freed's "BIGGEST SHOW OF STARS FOR 1958" comes to the War Memorial . On the bill are: Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Darin, The Olympics, Dion & The Belmonts, Bobby Freeman, The Elegants, Jimmy Clanton, The Danleers, Duane Eddy, Clyde McPhatter, Jack Scott, The Coasters, Sil Austin Orchestra, The Roses (backed Buddy & The Crickets). "You Never Can Tell" b/w "Wedding Day" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9298 (November)
"Going to the river" b/w "A cottage for sale" Jerry Jaye Fine FI -1258 (December 1958) "Home By Eleven" b/w "I Wanna Kiss You" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Dade 1800
1959 "Daddy, Daddy" b/w "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You be)" Joy Palmer -Belmont 45 "Blue Skies" b/w "I Want You To Love Me" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Marlin 45 "Cal's tune"b/w "Playboy" Vel-Tones with the Blue Shields Coy C-101, Kapp K-268X (March)
"You Threw A Dart" b/w "Don't Be Afraid Of Love" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9309 (April )
"Linda Lee" b/w "Gotta Lotta Lovin' To Do" Carl Morelli Belmont BEF-595 (May)
"Mushroom In The Sky" b/w "Love Me Baby" Eddie Kane with The Girl Friends-Kadet 45
"People Gotta Talk" b/w "I Can't Love Another" Ersel Hickey Epic 54-9320 (June)
"The Weekend's Over " b/w "Gils! Girls! Girls!" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Marlin 6065
"She's My Baby" b/w "Should I Care" Steve Alaimo & the Redcoats -Marlin 6067 (July)