Number 1 Songs in 1959 — UK and US Charts
"Living Doll"
Cliff Richard and The Drifters
Cliff Richard's breakthrough hit spent six weeks at number one and established him as Britain's biggest rock and roll star. Written by Lionel Bart, it was originally performed in a more aggressive style before being slowed to the familiar version.
"The Battle of New Orleans"
Johnny Horton
This novelty country song about the War of 1812 topped the Billboard chart for six weeks in the summer of 1959. It won the Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording.
Biggest Films of 1959 — Box Office Hits
Ben-Hur
Box Office: $146 million (worldwide)
William Wyler's epic starring Charlton Heston won a record 11 Academy Awards, a feat unmatched until Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The chariot race remains one of cinema's greatest action sequences.
Fashion and Style of 1959
Fashion, clothing and visual culture from the era
Architecture and Buildings of 1959
Buildings completed and structures opened in 1959