This topic may last a long time since it is many subjects in one. The main question I see is: Do we even have a Popular music anymore? Madonna, "Urban Stink Noise", Dixie Chicks? How about Alan Jackson? Although I cringe at the thought of even three notes by Perez Prado, I could listen to anything on your 1958 list. It was the great strength of Popular music to bring people together, not drive them apart.