.....there was Johnnie Ray, most famous for his single "Cry".
I caught one of his act on an old 50's TV show, and this guy could rock. He was playing piano while singing, and style of singing and body moves he had had audience in a frenzy. You could tell where Elvis Presely or Jerry Lewis got their moves from and method they use to create an animated stage persona.
Has anybody have any of his albums?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NE-72ZXux-...esstrailer.jpg