Important People During 1957
Jackie Robinson
Born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. Throughout his decade-long career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he made advancements in the case of civil rights for black athletes. In 1955, helped the Dodgers win the World Series. He retired in 1957, with a career batting average of .113. He died on October 24, 1972 in Stamford, Connecticut.
Fats Domino
Fats Domino was born February 26, 1928, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began performing in clubs in his teens and in 1949 was discovered by Dave Bartholomew, who became Domino's exclusive arranger. His first recording, " The Fat Man" (1950), was one of a series of rhythm-and-blues hits that sold 500,000 to 1,000,000 copies. Fats Domino was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Chuck Berry
Born on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, Chuck Berry had early exposure to music at school and church. As a teen, he was sent to prison for three years for armed robbery. He began producing hits in 1950s, including 1958s "Johnny B. Goode," and had his first No.1 hit in 1972 with "My Ding-a-Ling." With his clever lyrics and distinctive sounds, Berry became one of the most influential figures in the history of rock music.
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman was born on December 5, 1932 in Macon, Georgia, Little Richard helped define the early rock 'n' roll era of the 1950s with his driving, flamboyant sound. With his croons, wails and screams, he turned songs like "Tutti-Frutti" and "Long Tally Sally" into huge into huge hits and influenced such bands as the Beatles.
Pat Boone
Pat Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer, actor, and writer who was a successful pop singer in the United States durning the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold over 45 million albums, had 38 Top 40 Hits and starred in more than 12 Hollywood movies. Boone's talent as a singer and actor combined with his old fashioned values contributed to his popularity in the pre-rock and roll era. He continues to entertain and perform, and is also a motivational speaker, a television personality, a conservative political commentator, a christian activist, writer and preacher.
Elvis Presley
Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley came from very humble beginnings and grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll. By the mid-1950s he appeared on television, radio, and the silver screen. On August 16, 1977, at age 42 he died of heart failure l, which was related to his drug addiction. Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world's most popular music icons.
Daisy Bates
Daisy Bates was born on November 11, 1914, in Huttig, Arkansas. She married journalist Cristopher Bates and they operated a weekly African-American newspaper, the Arkansas State Press. Bates became president of the Arkansas chapter of the NAACP and played a crucial role in fight against segregation, which she documented in her book "The Long Shadow of Little Rock." She died on November 4, 1999 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rosa Parks
Civil Rights activist Rosa Parkscwad born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her refusalto surrender her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus spurred a city-wide boycott. The city of Montgomery had no choice but to lift the law requiring segregation on public buses. Rosa Parks recieved many honors during her lifetime, including the NAACP's highest award. She died on October 24, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan.
Harry Belafonte
A multi-talented performer, Harry Belafonte, was born on March 1, 1927, in New York City. As a youth, he struggled with poverty and a turbulent family life. Belafonte's career took off with the film Carmen Jones (1954). Soon after, he had several hits like "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)" and "Jamaica Farewell." In addition to his acting and singing career, Belafonte worked as a champion for many social and political causes.
Marian Anderson
Born on February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, Marian Anderson displayed vocal talent as a child, but her family could not afford to pay for formal training. Members of her church congregation raised funds for her to attend a music school for a year, and in 1955 she became the first African American singer to perform as a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She died on April 8, 1993 in Portland, Oregon.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas. In 1945 he was appointed U.S. Army cheif of staff. He became the first Supreme Allied Commander of the North Alantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1951. In 1952 he was elected U.S. president. He served two terms before retiring to Gettysburg in 1961. Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969, at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Ralph Bunche
Born on August 7, 1903 or '04 in Detriot, Ralph Bunche excelled at academics to become a professor and federal officer specializing in international work. He joined the United Nations in 1947 and oversaw a heralded armistice in the Arab-Israeli conflict. He was awarded the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize and later oversaw peacekeeping efforts in ghd Congo, Cyprus and Bahrain. He died on December 9, 1971 in New York, New York.