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1954

Episode 4 of 50

Jeremy Vine introduces an audio journey through five decades. 1954 was the year of Roger Bannister's amazing four-minute mile, Tony Hancock and the Goons, mambo and the Teddy Boys.

Sounds of the 20th Century is an audio journey through five decades of triumph, tragedy and trivia in 50 hour-long episodes.

Each programme is dedicated to one year from 1951 to 2000 and features nothing that wasn't heard, seen or read at the time. There's no hindsight, no "I-heart-the-80s"-style reminiscences; just the music, the news, the radio, the TV and the movies as they were first experienced.

Jeremy Vine introduces part four of the 50 part series: 1954. The year when Roger Bannister breaks the "unbreakable" record - the 4-minute mile; the Prime Minister celebrates his 80th birthday; and a young American preacher launches his London Crusade.

Journey into Space is the big radio hit; and Ted Ray, Tony Hancock and The Goons keep Britain laughing as rationing continues for yet another year. The big dance hit of the year is the mambo. But the Teddy Boys are slipping on their drapes and creepers and starting to shake, rattle and roll!

57 minutes

Last on

Tue 27 Jan 2015 23:00

Music Played

  • Tracklisting

    • Johnnie Ray

      Such A Night

  • Ken Mackintosh

    The Creep

  • Frankie Laine

    Rain Rain Rain

  • The Chords

    Sh Boom

  • The Crew-Cuts

    Sh Boom

  • Johnny 鈥淕uitar鈥 Watson

    Space Guitar

  • The Stargazers

    I See The Moon

  • Rosemary Clooney

    Mambo Italiano

  • Perry Como

    Papa Loves Mambo

  • The Chordettes

    Mr Sandman

  • Doris Day

    Secret Love

  • Frank Sinatra

    Three Coins In The Fountain

  • Eddie Calvert

    Oh Mein Papa

  • Eddie Fisher

    Oh My Papa

  • Alma Cogan

    I Can'T Tell A Waltz From A Tango

  • Ruby Murray

    Heartbeat

  • Kitty Kallen

    Little Things Mean A Lot

  • Rosemary Clooney

    This Old House

  • Bill Haley and His Comets

    Shake Rattle & Roll

Credit

Role Contributor
Producer Trevor Dann

Broadcasts

  • Thu 28 Apr 2011 22:00
  • Tue 27 Jan 2015 23:00