As soon as Elvis released his first big crossover hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," early in 1956, Bill Haley became yesterday's news to us hipsters. The main WDON DJ would give the (R&B) Rainbows' "Mary Lee" ten times as much air time as all of Bill Haley put together.

Legend has it that D.C. native Marvin Gaye was part of the Rainbows, but AFAIK, that's never been corroborated.

Let's not forget that Washington was also home base for the Clovers, one of the great early '50s groups ("Don't You Know I Love You," "Fool, Fool, Fool," "One Mint Julep"). They were among the many acts who recorded for Atlantic, the Motown of its day -- and I'm certain Berry Gordy analyzed the Atlantic formula for success, refined it a bit (more control over his artists, live package shows, etc.) in building his empire of the following decade.