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1957

1957 in British Music

Skiffle peaks, rock and roll matures, and Cliff Richard begins his journey.

Key Events

  • Paul McCartney joins John Lennon's skiffle group The Quarrymen
  • Buddy Holly and the Crickets tour Britain — influencing an entire generation
  • Cliff Richard forms his first band, The Drifters

Dominant Genres

Rock & RollSkifflePopCountry

Notable Trends

  • British youth clubs become hotbeds of musical activity
  • The guitar replaces the piano as the aspirational instrument
  • First wave of British rockers emerge from skiffle backgrounds

Key Artists of 1957

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