Early rock & roll was in love with motion, cars, Saturday nights, dancing, and, of course, young love, and as a genre, initially embraced by teens, it gradually took over and reshaped pop radio between 1955 and 1960, the period covered by this generous three-disc, 75-track collection. Every track here is a classic of the time period, but some of the clear highlights include the Penguins' “Earth Angel,” Chuck Berry's “Maybelline,” Fats Domino's “Ain’t That a Shame,” Frankie Lymon's “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” Little Willie John's “Fever,” Buddy Holly's “That’ll Be the Day,” Duane Eddy's “Rebel Rouser,” Roy Orbison's “Only the Lonely,” and the Ventures' “Walk Don’t Run,” among many other timeless gems. It’s a fun collection, it’s history, and, oh yeah, you can dance to it.
DISC 1:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1955 (CD1) [1:06:00.55]
01. Bill Haley & His Comets / Rock Around The Clock [0:02:11.40]
02. Ray Charles / I Got A Woman [0:02:51.47]
03. The Charms / Hearts Of Stone [0:02:34.58]
04. The Moonglows / Sincerely [0:03:12.29]
05. Bo Diddley / Bo Diddley [0:02:43.54]
06. Elvis Presley / Mystery Train [0:02:26.46]
07. Boyd Bennett & His Rockets / My Boy Flat Top [0:02:29.60]
08. The Cleftones / You Baby You [0:02:42.33]
09. Carl Perkins / Gone Gone Gone [0:02:39.45]
10. The Penguins / Earth Angel [0:02:54.09]
11. Fats Domino / Ain't That A Shame [0:02:29.47]
12. The Drifters / Adorable [0:02:41.24]
13. Chuck Berry / Maybellene [0:02:21.30]
14. The Clovers / Nip Sip [0:02:59.26]
15. Etta James / The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry) [0:03:06.36]
16. The Platters / Only You [0:02:37.42]
17. Joe Turner / Flip, Flop & Fly [0:02:47.53]
18. The Five Keys / Close Your Eyes [0:02:18.56]
19. Johnny Cash / Cry! Cry! Cry! [0:02:26.74]
20. Elvis Presley / I'm left, You're Right, She's Gone [0:02:38.13]
21. The Spiders / Witchcraft [0:02:36.54]
22. Merrill Moore / Rock Rockola [0:02:14.72]
23. Johnny Ace / Pledging My Love [0:02:26.24]
24. Shirley & Lee / Feel So Good [0:02:51.56]
25. Tennessee Ernie Ford / Sixteen Tons [0:02:37.02]
DISC 2:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1955 (CD2) [1:03:55.13]
01. Chuck Berry / Thirty Days [0:02:26.18]
02. Bo Diddley / Pretty Thing [0:02:45.46]
03. Little Walter / My Babe [0:02:41.15]
04. Elvis Presley / Baby Let's Play House [0:02:17.37]
05. Hank Ballard & The Midnighters / Annie Had A Baby [0:02:40.11]
06. Bobby Charles / See You Later Alligator [0:02:49.56]
07. Boyd Bennett & His Rockets / Seventeen [0:02:07.05]
08. Roy Hall / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On [0:02:58.21]
09. Nappy Brown / Don't Be Angry [0:02:23.58]
10. The Cardinals / Come Back My Love [0:02:27.68]
11. Clyde McPhatter / Seven Days [0:02:29.41]
12. The Drifters / Whatcha Gonna Do [0:02:47.17]
13. Etta James / Good Rockin' Daddy [0:02:27.00]
14. The El Dorados / At My Front Door [0:02:35.22]
15. Johnny Cash / Hey Porter! [0:02:13.24]
16. Little Willie John / Need Your Love So Bad [0:02:17.03]
17. Elvis Presley / I Forgot To Remember To Forget [0:02:30.33]
18. Bill Haley & His Comets / Razzle Dazzle [0:02:43.45]
19. The Clovers / Blue Velvet [0:02:38.12]
20. Ruth Brown / What'd I Say? [0:02:38.12]
21. LaVern Baker / That Lucky Old Sun [0:02:55.48]
22. The Nutmegs / Story Untold [0:02:19.31]
23. Gale Storm / I Hear You Knocking [0:02:22.27]
24. The Turbans / When You Dance [0:02:56.38]
25. Dean Martin / Memories Are Made Of This [0:02:24.00]
DISC 3:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1956 (CD1) [1:02:32.23]
01. Chuck Berry / Roll Over Beethoven [0:02:25.29]
02. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers / Why Do Fools Fall In Love [0:02:18.40]
03. The Teen Queens / Eddie My Love [0:03:12.69]
04. Charlie Feathers / One Hand Loose [0:02:22.58]
05. The Mellow Kings / Tonite Tonite [0:02:32.05]
06. Little Richard / The Girl Can't Help It [0:02:26.39]
07. The Cadillacs / Speedo [0:02:19.70]
08. The Five Keys / Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind [0:02:16.27]
09. Mac Curtis / That Ain't Nothin' But Right [0:02:13.40]
10. Bill Haley & His Comets / Rock A Beatin' Boogie [0:02:20.23]
11. Buddy Holly / Blue Days, Black Nights [0:02:05.43]
12. Lew Williams / Bop Bop Ba Doo Bop [0:02:07.42]
13. The Moonglows / See Saw [0:02:26.05]
14. Carl Perkins / Blue Suede Shoes [0:02:16.29]
15. The Cleftones / Little Girl Of Mine [0:03:13.64]
16. Elvis Presley / Don't Be Cruel [0:02:02.62]
17. The Magnificents / Up On The Mountain [0:02:49.01]
18. The Dells / Oh What A Night [0:02:55.66]
19. Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps / Be-Bop-A-Lula [0:02:35.61]
20. Joe Turner / Corinna, Corinna [0:02:54.49]
21. Jerry Lee Lewis / Crazy Arms [0:02:45.25]
22. The Drifters / Soldier Of Fortune [0:02:36.47]
23. Johnny Cash / Get Rhythm [0:02:13.61]
24. LaVern Baker / Jim Dandy [0:02:13.31]
25. The Platters / My Prayer [0:02:47.12]
DISC 4:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1956 (CD2) [1:03:51.74]
01. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers / The ABC's Of Love [0:01:56.17]
02. Little Richard / Tutti Frutti [0:02:24.44]
03. Carl Perkins / Boppin' The Blues [0:02:49.22]
04. Bill Doggett / Honky Tonk (Part I) [0:03:07.33]
05. Charlie Feathers / Bottle To The Baby [0:02:19.09]
06. Bill Haley & His Comets / Rip It Up [0:02:26.33]
07. Bo Diddley / Who Do You Love? [0:02:30.54]
08. The Cadets / Stranded In The Jungle [0:03:14.33]
09. Chuck Berry / No Money Down [0:02:58.72]
10. Warren Smith / Ubangi Stomp [0:01:59.69]
11. Chuck Willis / It's Too Late [0:02:36.57]
12. Georgia Gibbs / Tra La La [0:01:59.07]
13. Gene Vincent / Woman Love [0:02:32.35]
14. The Del-Vikings / Come Go With Me [0:02:40.18]
15. Elvis Presley / Hound Dog [0:02:16.44]
16. Fats Domino / When My Dreamboat Comes Home [0:02:17.52]
17. The Five Satins / In The Still Of The Night [0:03:04.29]
18. Ray Charles / Hallelujeh I Love Her So [0:02:35.69]
19. Freddie Bell & The Bellboys / Giddy Up A Ding Dong [0:02:01.72]
20. The Clovers / Devil Or Angel [0:02:24.07]
21. Johnny Cash / I Walk The Line [0:02:43.63]
22. The Platters / The Great Pretender [0:02:40.39]
23. Little William John / Fever [0:02:42.27]
24. Roy Orbison / Ooby Dooby [0:02:13.48]
25. Jesse Blevin / Goodnight My Love [0:03:15.21]
DISC 5:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1957 (CD1) [0:57:54.68]
01. Dale Hawkins / Susie Q [0:02:18.63]
02. The Tune Weavers / Happy, Happy Birthday Baby [0:02:19.51]
03. Chuck Berry / School Day (Ring, Ring Goes The Bell) [0:02:42.42]
04. The Heartbeats / A Thousand Miles Away [0:02:26.15]
05. Buddy Knox / Party Doll [0:02:12.67]
06. Bo Diddley / Mona [0:02:21.55]
07. Buddy Holly / Peggy Sue [0:02:29.52]
08. Joe Bennett & The Sparletones / Black Slacks [0:02:05.49]
09. Eddie Cochram / Drive In Show [0:02:02.14]
10. Fats Domino / I'm Walkin' [0:02:07.29]
11. Elvis Presley / Got A Lot Of Livin' To Do [0:02:33.71]
12. Wanda Jackson / Baby Loves Him [0:02:00.63]
13. Gene Vincent / Lotta Lovin' [0:02:09.61]
14. Lavern Baker / Jim Dandy Got Married [0:02:09.51]
15. Huey "Piano" Smith & The Clowns / Rockin' Pnuemonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu [0:02:16.38]
16. Patsy Cline / Walking After Midnight [0:02:36.19]
17. Little Joe & The Thrillers / Peanuts [0:02:25.16]
18. Paul Anka / Diana [0:02:26.49]
19. The Diamonds / The Stroll [0:02:25.31]
20. The Crickets / That'll Be The Day [0:02:17.00]
21. Little Richard / Send Me Some Lovin' [0:02:20.05]
22. Elvis Presley / Teddy Bear [0:01:47.44]
23. The Pastels / Been So Long [0:02:42.34]
24. Ricky Nelson / Stood Up [0:01:53.26]
25. The Spaniels / Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight [0:02:43.23]
DISC 6:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1957 (CD2) [1:01:28.50]
01. The Diamonds / Little Darlin' [0:02:09.74]
02. Johnnie & Joe / Over The Mountain, Across The Sea [0:02:17.11]
03. Larry Williams / Bony Maronie [0:03:07.73]
04. The Five Satins / To The Aisle [0:02:45.10]
05. Jimmie Rodgers / Honeycomb [0:02:16.44]
06. The Bobbettes / Mr Lee [0:02:16.63]
07. Carl Perkins / Matchbox [0:02:09.34]
08. The Crickets / Not Fade Away [0:02:17.05]
09. The Del-Vikings / Whispering Bells [0:02:28.60]
10. Elvis Presley / Jailhouse Rock [0:02:36.03]
11. The Everly Brothers / Bye Bye Love [0:02:19.60]
12. Sam Cooke / You Send Me [0:02:44.15]
13. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers / Goody Goody [0:02:12.22]
14. Jackie Wilson / Reet Petite [0:02:44.12]
15. Lee Andrews & The Hearts / Long Lonely Nights [0:02:52.65]
16. Brenda Lee / Dynamite [0:02:03.61]
17. Little Richard / Lucille [0:02:25.74]
18. Marty Robbins / A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) [0:02:31.42]
19. The Rays / Daddy Cool [0:02:43.12]
20. Ricky Nelson / Be Bop Baby [0:02:04.33]
21. The Velours / Can I Come Over Tonight? [0:02:22.04]
22. The Drifters / Fools Fall In Love [0:02:32.40]
23. Thurston Harris / Little Bitty Pretty One [0:02:24.09]
24. Ruth Brown / Lucky Lips [0:02:09.67]
25. The "5" Royales / Dedicated To The One I Love [0:02:52.57]
DISC 7:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1958 (CD1) [0:58:52.16]
01. Danny & The Juniors / At The Hop [0:02:33.18]
02. The Champs / Tequila [0:02:12.59]
03. The Monotones / Book Of Love [0:02:21.33]
04. Chuck Berry / Rock And Roll Music [0:02:32.06]
05. Jimmie Rodgers / Kisses Sweeter Than Wine [0:02:21.35]
06. Buddy Holly / Rave On [0:01:50.25]
07. The Collins Kids / Rock Boppin' Baby [0:02:20.31]
08. Eddie Cochran / Summertime Blues [0:01:57.72]
09. The Royal Teens / Short Shorts [0:02:40.74]
10. Ricky Nelson / Poor Little Fool [0:02:32.50]
11. Connie Francis / Stupid Cupid [0:02:15.16]
12. Jody Reynolds / Endless Sleep [0:02:26.07]
13. The Five Discs / I Remember [0:02:02.05]
14. Little Richard / Good Golly Miss Molly [0:02:11.27]
15. Huey "Piano" Smith & The Clowns / High Blood Pressure [0:02:48.10]
16. The Crickets / It's So Easy [0:02:11.18]
17. Tommy Edwards / It's All In The Game [0:02:38.41]
18. The Spaniels / Stormy Weather [0:02:33.03]
19. The Chordettes / Lollipop [0:02:11.10]
20. The Edsels / Rama Lama Ding Dong [0:02:27.65]
21. Wanda Jackson / Let's Have A Party [0:02:09.72]
22. Elvis Presley / One Night [0:02:31.55]
23. The Skyliners / Since I Don't Have You [0:02:38.14]
24. Brenda Lee / Ring-A-My-Phone [0:02:01.07]
25. The Olyms / Western Movies [0:02:23.13]
DISC 8:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1958 (CD2) [1:04:15.15]
01. The Big Bopper / Chantilly Lace [0:02:26.18]
02. Bobby Freeman / Do You Wanna Dance? [0:02:37.54]
03. Bobby Day / Rockin' Robin [0:02:36.72]
04. The Silhouettes / Get A Job [0:02:47.73]
05. Harvey & The Moonglows / Ten Commandments Of Love [0:04:06.36]
06. Duane Eddy / Rebel Rouser [0:02:24.16]
07. The Everly Brothers / All I Have To Do Is Dream [0:02:21.63]
08. The Platters / Smoke Gets In Your Eyes [0:02:40.07]
09. Eddie Cochran / C'mon Everybody [0:01:56.44]
10. Chuck Berry / Reelin' & Rockin' [0:03:18.53]
11. Ritchie Valens / Come On, Let's Go [0:02:04.23]
12. Bill Haley & His Comets / Corrine, Corrina [0:02:27.52]
13. Robin Luke / Susie Darlin' [0:02:39.24]
14. Janis Martin / Cracker Jack [0:02:08.32]
15. The Drifters / Drip Drop [0:02:33.11]
16. Elvis Presley / Wear My Ring Around Your Neck [0:02:16.22]
17. Conway Twitty / It's Only Make Believe [0:02:13.70]
18. Jan & Dean / Jennie Lee [0:02:03.18]
19. Hank Mizell / Jungle Rock [0:02:45.69]
20. Cliff Richard & The Shadows / Move It [0:02:23.20]
21. The Kodaks / Oh Gee, Oh Gosh [0:02:52.42]
22. Chuck Berry / Johnny B Goode [0:02:42.31]
23. The Capris / There's A Moon Out Tonight [0:02:14.49]
24. Marvin Rainwater / Whole Lotta Woman [0:02:38.33]
25. The Platters / Twilight Time [0:02:54.58]
DISC 9:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1959 (CD1) [1:01:48.55]
01. The Olyms / (Baby) Hully Gully [0:02:05.20]
02. Big Jay Mcneely / There Is Something On Your Mind [0:03:22.63]
03. Chuck Berry / Almost Grown [0:02:21.19]
04. Dinah Washington / What A Difference A Day Makes [0:02:29.21]
05. Bo Diddley / Say Man [0:03:12.70]
06. The Crests / Sixteen Candles [0:02:53.37]
07. Lloyd Price / Personality [0:02:36.52]
08. Brook Benton / It's Just A Matter Of Time [0:02:28.02]
09. Phil Phillips / Sea Of Love [0:02:23.04]
10. Wilbert Harrison / Kansas City [0:02:22.71]
11. The Flamingos / I Only Have Eyes For You [0:03:12.52]
12. Bobby Darin / Mack The Knife [0:03:09.45]
13. The Drifters / There Goes My Baby [0:02:09.43]
14. The Coasters / Poison Ivy [0:02:42.18]
15. The Clovers / Love Potion No. 9 [0:01:53.36]
16. Jimmy Jones / Handy Man [0:02:01.59]
17. Dion & The Belmonts / A Teenager In Love [0:02:37.10]
18. The Fleetwoods / Come Softly To Me [0:02:25.26]
19. The Shirelles / Dedicated To The One I Love [0:02:02.18]
20. Bobby Darin / Dream Lover [0:02:31.10]
21. Ricky Nelson / It's Late [0:01:59.14]
22. Santo & Johnny / Sleep Walk [0:02:23.38]
23. Branda Lee / Sweet Nothin's [0:02:25.41]
24. Dee Clark / Hey Little Girl [0:01:53.33]
25. Elvis Presley / A Big Hunk O' Love [0:02:06.03]
DISC 10:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1959 (CD2) [1:01:24.13]
01. Eddie Cochran / Somethin' Else [0:02:06.00]
02. Chuck Berry / Little Queenie [0:02:42.73]
03. Elvis Presley / A Fool Such As I [0:02:40.64]
04. Duane Eddy / Forty Miles Of Bad Road [0:02:02.46]
05. Chuck Berry / Memphis Tennessee [0:02:14.07]
06. Johnny Horton / The Battle Of New Orleans [0:02:32.66]
07. Buddy Holly / It Doesn't Matter Anymore [0:02:04.36]
08. Johnny Preston / Running Bear [0:02:39.08]
09. Johnny & The Hurricanes / Red River Rock [0:02:11.02]
10. Marty Robbins / El Paso [0:04:40.16]
11. The Rock-A-Teens / Woo Hoo [0:02:06.59]
12. Little Anthony & The Imperials / Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop [0:02:08.55]
13. Sandy Nelson / Teen Beat [0:03:01.12]
14. Paul Anka / Put Your Head On My Shoulder [0:02:39.46]
15. Dave 'Baby' Cortez / The Happy Organs [0:02:04.57]
16. Buddy Holly / Peggy Sue Got Married [0:02:04.73]
17. Connie Francis / Lipstick On Your Collar [0:02:18.37]
18. Ricky Nelson / Never Be Anyone Else But You [0:02:15.67]
19. Elvis Presley / I Need Your Love Tonight [0:02:06.26]
20. Charlie Ryan / Hot Rod Lincoln [0:02:27.61]
21. Cliff Richard / Livin' Doll [0:02:38.68]
22. Marv Johnson / You Got What It Takes [0:02:44.68]
23. Fats Domino / I Want To Walk You Home [0:02:23.58]
24. Sam Cooke / Only Sixteen [0:01:55.21]
25. The Virtues / Guitar Boogie Shuffle [0:02:32.37]
DISC 11:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1960 (CD1) [1:03:06.48]
01. Joe Jones / You Talk Too Much [0:02:32.35]
02. Little Anthony & The Imperials / Tears On My Pillow [0:02:12.63]
03. Brook Benton & Dinah Washington / Baby You Got What It Takes [0:02:55.47]
04. Jack Scott / What In The World's Come Over You [0:02:44.00]
05. Hank Ballard & The Midnighters / Finger Poppin' Time [0:01:50.69]
06. The Tempos / See You In September [0:01:59.40]
07. The Hollywood Argyles / Alley Oop [0:02:43.51]
08. Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs / Stay [0:01:36.32]
09. Johnny Preston / Running Bear [0:02:38.74]
10. Toni Fisher / The Big Hurt [0:02:12.26]
11. Duane Eddy / Because Theyre Young [0:02:01.71]
12. Buster Brown / Fannie Mae [0:02:57.29]
13. The Shirelles / Will You Love Me Tomorrow [0:02:42.57]
14. Ben E King / Spanish Harlem [0:02:54.00]
15. Gary US Bonds / New Orleans [0:02:49.52]
16. Elvis Presley / Stuck On You [0:02:15.57]
17. Roy Orbison / Blue Angel [0:02:52.20]
18. Ray Charles / Georgia On My Mind [0:03:39.03]
19. Johnny Bond / Hot Rod Lincoln [0:02:46.43]
20. Jimmy Jones / Good Timin' [0:02:05.25]
21. The Miracles / Shop Around [0:02:49.52]
22. Chuck Berry / Bye Bye Johnny [0:02:06.12]
23. Sam Cooke / Chain Gang [0:02:36.12]
24. Johnny Burnette / Dreamin' [0:02:19.54]
25. Paul Anka / Puppy Love [0:02:43.24]
DISC 12:
CD: Various Artists - The Cruisin' Story 1960 (CD2) [1:01:06.09]
01. Elvis Presley / Its Now Or Never [0:03:16.17]
02. The Ventures / Walk Don't Run [0:02:04.61]
03. Bobby Rydell / Volare [0:02:27.61]
04. Eddie Cochran / Three Steps To Heaven [0:02:22.39]
05. Chubby Checker / The Twist [0:02:37.52]
06. Johnny Tillotson / Poetry In Motion [0:02:34.06]
07. Gene Vincent / Pistol Packin' Mama [0:02:09.47]
08. Johnny Kidd & The Pirates / Shakin' All Over [0:02:21.54]
09. Sam Cooke / Wonderful World [0:02:07.45]
10. Charlie Rich / Lonely Weekend [0:02:09.51]
11. Cliff Richard / Nine Times Out Of Ten [0:02:07.59]
12. The Everly Brothers / Cathy's Clown [0:02:25.43]
13. Chuck Berry / Let It Rock [0:01:48.11]
14. Clarence "Frogman" Henry / (I Don't Know Why) But I Do [0:02:21.57]
15. Elvis Presley / Such A Night [0:03:01.24]
16. Fats Domino / Walkin To New Orleans [0:02:00.43]
17. The Crickets / I Fought The Law [0:02:13.20]
18. Brook Benton & Dinah Washington / A Rockin' Good Way [0:02:27.03]
19. The Fendermen / Mule Skinner Blues [0:02:25.06]
20. Jackie Wilson / Doggin' Around [0:02:54.49]
21. Brenda Lee / I Want To Be Wanted [0:03:05.25]
22. Kathy & The Innocents / A Thousand Stars [0:03:13.26]
23. Billy Fury / That's Love [0:01:49.68]
24. The Drifters / I Count The Tears [0:02:09.44]
25. Buddy Holly / True Love Ways [0:02:50.73]
