Why did rockabilly decline by the end of the 1950s?

By the end of the 1950s, the popularity of rockabilly had waned due to several key factors. As the genre evolved, the inclusion of additional elements—such as piano, saxophone, harmony singing, and background vocal groups—diluted its original, raw sound.1

Furthermore, the broader rock and roll landscape underwent significant shifts that impacted the genre. The music industry began to sanitize its output, promoting clean-cut, nonthreatening performers and manufactured "pretty-boy" crooners to appeal to a wider audience. Personal and professional changes among key figures also contributed to the decline: Elvis Presley was inducted into the army, Buddy Holly died in a plane crash, and other influential artists, such as Little Richard, shifted their focus toward gospel music. These developments marked the end of the genre's initial golden era, leading to a transitional phase in popular music characterized by more sophisticated production styles.2