The Chords, The Crew-Cuts song Sh-Boom, July 1954

   [July 3, 1954] The song "Sh-Boom" by the Chords crosses over from the R&B charts to the pop charts and becomes a number one national hit for the Crew-Cuts [July 10, 1954], making it the first major crossover record. This breakthrough resulted in many more R&B records getting airplay on pop music stations.

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Cat 104 - Sh-Boom-The Chords

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Mercury 70404 - Sh-Boom-The Crew-Cuts

 With David Carroll And His Orchestra

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The Crows, The Chords, R&B hits, April 1954

   R&B music explodes into the mainstream with black vocal groups leading the crossover thanks to such records such as the Crows "Gee" [April 10, 1954], The Chords "Sh-Boom" [July 3, 1954], The Charms "Hearts Of Stone" [October 30, 1954] and The Penguins "Earth Angel" [December 18, 1954]. The often crude recording techniques, amateurish vocals and sometimes nonsensical lyrics give the indication the music is just a novelty.
   Pop record companies try desperately to capitalize on the perceived fad by having white artists cover black vocal group records and the increased distribution and radio play assures many of those versions of becoming the bigger hits.

  US Singles rnb 1954 Billboard jukebox debut  US Singles rnb 1954 Billboard selling debut

Gee-The Crows

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Sh-Boom-The Chords

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