October 2007, is actually 50 years, since the BBC, started to follow a singles chart. Before this, the actual singles chart was ignored by them. RADIO LUXEMBOURG were still using Sheet music sales (1949 - 1959). The BBC, started "PICK OF THE POPS" on Tuesday 4th Oct 1955. It was a fortnightly show at 9pm. This just featured new releases. At that point, the BBC were still rather behind the times, and played loads of 40s music. That also, reflected most of the new releases in 'PICK OF THE POPS", introduced by FRANKLIN ENGELMAN (a BBC anouncer). FRANKLIN`s first theme tune was IT`S THE TUNE THAT COUNTS by FATS WALLER, (he also used one called GOOD CLEAN FUN). The first producer was DENYS JONES. The only chart show on the BBC then,was a programme called "HIT PARADE", that was also, all about sheet music (the biggest selling music of the week, played by the BBC orchestra). It went out on Sundays at 6pm.

 

On January 10th 1956, ALAN DELL took over on PICK OF THE POPS. It was still all new releases, going out on Tuesdays, again at 9pm. This later (11th Apr 56) moved to Wednesdays. On the 5th Sept 1956, DAVID JACOBS took over. He moved to Saturdays at 6pm, from Oct 6th. Still only playing new releases, he took it to Sundays at 11pm, from 31st March 1957. The producer was now DEREK CHINNERY. On SUNDAY 29th Sept 57, ALAN DELL returned.

 

Sunday 6th October 57, was the first time the programme, featured the latest hits (as well as new releases). All the top 10 hits from NME, RECORD MIRROR and MELODY MAKER were played, and ended up with just an averaged top 3. The first top 3 featured 3) LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND - PAT BOONE, 2) LAST TRAIN TO SAN FERNANDO - JOHNNY DUNCAN, 1) DIANA - PAUL ANKA. Interestingly, EMI, started doing a chart of their own, that week too (slightly different from the BBC, because EMI had a small percentage of sales data)

 

The BRITISH FORCES BROADCAST NETWORK, were already doing an averaged chart then. On the 30th March 1958, DAVID JACOBS returned to PICK OF THE POPS, this time he featured the new entries and climbers in the Aveaged Top 20 (compiled by adding positions together from NME, RECORD MIRROR, MELODY MAKER and DISC AND MUSIC ECHO. The producer of the show (DEREK CHINNERY) was supplied with the music press charts every Friday. Then he would at the positions together from all charts to come up with the BBC TOP 20 (along with his daughter).

 

From the 24th May 58, PICK OF THE POPS moved to Saturday nights at 11pm. It stayed there for 3 and a half years. Between June 59 and Aug 59, there was a newspaper strike so many music papers were not published. (It did not affect the BBC because the papers, supplied the charts to them by post, anyway). Derek just added them together. From 21st May 1960, the chart was only added up from NME, MELODY MAKER and DISC. DAVID JACOBS` used SWINGING AT THE TOWER, by RAY ANTHONY, as the theme for his shows.

 

On the 23rd Sept 61, ALAN FREEMAN took over the show. It was broadcasted in 3 segments at 9.20pm, 10.40 and 11.20 in a Saturday Jazz block, called TRAD TAVERN.

 

On Sunday 7th Jan 62, ALAN FREEMAN moved to Sundays at 4pm. This time playing new entries 20 - 11, new releases, and ending up with the full averaged top 10. From 31st Mar 62, the charts were averaged from NME, MELODY MAKER, DISC and RECORD RETAILER.

 

On the 7th Oct 62, David Jacobs, returned to host the show, with the same format as Alan, but a different theme tune, Alan had used "AT THE SIGN OF THE SWINGING CYMBAL" by BRIAN FAHEY.

 

6th Jan 63, ALAN FREEMAN returned for a second stint. He was replaced by DON MOSS on the 5th Oct 63. The new entries were then referred to as "Chart-starters". DON MOSS used CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS by FRANCIS DAY as the theme for his shows. His producer was TEDDY WARWICK.

 

TOP OF THE POPS started on BBC TV on 1st Jan 64, ALAN FREEMAN returned to PICK OF THE POPS on Sun 5th Jan 1964. DON MOSS was now the holiday stand-in. alan used a new theme from Apr 66, it was QUITE BESIDE THE POINT by the HARRY ROBERTS SOUND.

 

DENYS JONES took over producing POTP in Dec 66. He now added the charts together. From 27th Aug 67, the programme was increased to the 4.30 - 6.00pm slot. Now it featured the top 30, averaged from NME, MELODY MAKER and RECORD RETAILER coz DISC were now using the same chart as MELODY MAKER.

 

On the 1st Oct 67, PICK OF THE POPS became a 2 hour, show 5-7pm, now it played new entries 30-21, new releases and the complete averaged top 20. This was now compiled on the previous Tuesday lunchtime (it had been since 1964).

 

On 16th Feb 69, the show started to use the RECORD RETAILER/MUSIC WEEK chart compiled by the BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU. In april 1970, Alan started to use a new theme for the show..a new version of AT THE SIGN OF THE SWINGING CYMBAL by BRASS INCORPORATED.

 

PICK OF THE POPS was axed in Sept 72 (although, it did return, on the Saturday 5th June 1982, on London`s Capital Radio, known as PICK OF THE POPS - TAKE TWO, playing the brand new NME/MRIB London top 15 chart, back to back with a chart from the past). On Radio One, it was replaced on the 1st Oct 1972, by TOM BROWNE`s SOLID GOLD SIXTY 4-7PM. This featured Radio 1 airply 60 - 21, and from 6pm the complete sales top 20. The theme was BROTHER by CCS. TOM BROWNE`s producers were, DAVE PRICE 72 - 74, PETE RITZEMA 75 - 76, and BERNIE ANDREWS from 77 (he produced the chart show, right through to the Spring of 1983).

 

From 24th March 74, the first 2 hours were dropped (PAUL BURNETT now counted down Radio 1`s airplay chart on Sunday mornings) TOM BROWNE continued with the top 20 sales every Sunday at 6pm.

 

Tom quit in March 78, to host a tv show in Denmark. SIMON BATES took over on 26th March 78. On tuesday 9th May Radio 1 started to use a top 40, but only the top 20 was broadcasted on a Sunday.

 

SIMON BATES increased to a top 40 on 11th Nov 78 at 5pm - 7pm. Playing around 18 records in the 40-21 part, from 6pm Radio 2 joined for the complete top 20. From 27th Jan 79, radio 2, no longer took the show. Simon, now played around 16 records between 40-21 and the complete 20 from 5.50pm.

 

On 2nd Sep 79, TONY BLACKBURN took over basically the same format as SIMON but he did not get so many hits in to the 40-21 part, usually around 32 or 33. Tony, dropped the theme (BROTHER by CCS) for a theme entitled FIREPOWER. He used two versions, of this but mainly the one by the HOT FORTIES.

 

On the 10th Jan 82, TOMMY VANCE took over. He started to drop the jingles for chart positions. ANDY PEEBLES was the stand-in presenter. He didn`t have a regular theme, instead mainly used instrumentals of current hits i.e. DOWN UNDER by MEN AT WORK etc.

 

On the 8th Jan 84 SIMON BATES was back..with new jingles.

 

The 30th Sept 84, saw INDEPENDANT RADIO launch the NETWORK CHART with DAVID JENSEN. RICHARD SKINNER was brought in to host Radio 1s top 40. He toyed around trying to play 40 hits in 2 hours for a while, then slip back to only playing around 31. Richard`s theme was ROCK-ALL by MEZZOFORTE, (this was also used by BRUNO BROOKES).

 

Easter 86, RICHARD SKINNER left for CAPITAL RADIO, BRUNO BROOKES was the replacement. On the 4th Oct 87, it was the first time the brand new chart was announced on Sundays (a move to beat DAVID JENSENs ILR input). BRUNO only played about 30 records from the chart though. ILR reacted quickly increasing there chart to play new entries and climbers 75 - 31 in a 3 hour show, and the entire top 30 (Although the first hour, could only be heard on CAPITAL RADIO). From around 91, the NETWORK CHART, increased to a top 40 (broadcasted, on around 80 Independant Radio stations, across the UK).

 

Bruno was replaced by Mark Goodier in Jan 91, playing the complete top 40 at 4.30, In 1992 BRUNO returned from 4-7pm playing records in full!

 

Come Apr 95, MARK GOODIER was back. Until Nov 2002, he left. Various other radio 1 presenters did the show until feb 03, when WES BUTTERS took over. The programme was a mess..playing the best of the top 20 albums, lots of chat...and it hardly played any of the 40-21 part of the chart. Towards the end of MARK GOODIER`s reign on the top 40, he used a re-worked theme, AT THE SIGN OF THE SWINGING CYMBAL, this time by FATBOY SLIM (NORMAN COOK). At the end of 2001, he began to use CRASH by the PROPELLERHEADS (another take on, the SWINGING CYMBAL) as the new theme.

 

2004 came around, JK and JOEL took over...it was more mess, just like Wes, but even worse. Earlier this year, they did however start playing much more of the chart positions 40 -21, sometimes managing 39 0ut of 40.

 

Oct 14th 2007, more mess..chat (what are we doing?) from FEARNE COTTON and REGGIE YATES. Although the programme on 21st Oct, was slightly better than the previous one!

 

Sept 27th 2009, REGGIE YATES goes it alone, as FEARNE now hosts the mid-morning show on Radio One.

 

By the way if anyone would like to know exactly how the BBC chart was worked out between 57 - 69, and a complete list of number ones, from that period...read on!

Edited October 3, 200915 yr by Dave Taylor

Great info. The Network Chart only featured a Top 30 for about the first seven years though - played in full. Positions 75-31 were featured on a "warm-up" programme between 4-5pm on Capital Radio featuring a selection of new entries and climbers.

 

I think it was 1991 that this was increased to a complete Top 40 - mirroring what Bruno and Mark were doing on Radio 1. Radio 1's 4:30pm start didn't last long: loads of the songs were clumsily edited so they could feature them all. Verses and choruses missed out here and there... It was dreadful. I was very relieved when they extended it to a three-hour show. I miss that format so much! Wish I'd appreciated it properly at the time!

Edited October 22, 200717 yr by eightiespopkid

Great Read ^_^

 

Thanks for posting Trevs ^_^

Nice one Trev

 

And it also makes a great report for front page news

 

http://www.buzzjack.com/

 

already over 100 hits

 

If you want to add more news to the front page let me know :cool:

Great read thank you for posting :heart:

Thats a good read, thank you for posting.

Cheers, Trev what an excellent informative post regarding the history of BBC Radio's Chart countdown.

 

As for the Averaged charts worked out between 1957 - 69 with a complete BBC number one, rundown 57 - 69! I reckon that would go down really well in our Retro Forum.

Cheers, Trev what an excellent informative post regarding the history of BBC Radio's Chart countdown.

 

As for the Averaged charts worked out between 1957 - 69 with a complete BBC number one, rundown 57 - 69! I reckon that would go down really well in our Retro Forum.

 

Yep, will list the BBC Number ones on the retro forum. I already use their charts, when I do the Vintage charts there. I find it hard to believe that PICK OF THE POPS and DALE WINTON do not use them today. I know many people passed retirement age that remember the original charts, Alan Freeman, David Jacobs etc, and when Dale, tells us that DES O, CONNER had a number one in 1968..they all say "but that wasn`t number one in Pick of the Pops in the 60s"!!! And it indeed only made number 2, on the BBC TOP 30! It was just GUINESS that thrust that news on us!!!

very informative!

 

I'd love to see a list of all the BBC number ones.

Maybe I should do the thread of BBC number ones 57 - 69, on the Retro forum..but then I thought, this is the same thread, and will continue nicely here!!

So here we go with the BBC number ones part 1...

5TH OCT 57 DIANA - PAUL ANKA (this one would have actually gone to the top on 31/08/57)

2ND NOV 57 THAT`LL BE THE DAY - BUDDY HOLLY/CRICKETS

23RD NOV 57 MARY`S BOY CHILD - HARRY BELAFONTE

11TH JAN 58 MA HE`S MAKING EYES AT ME - JOHNNY OTIS SHOW

18TH JAN 58 GREAT BALLS OF FIRE - JERRY LEE LEWIS

25TH JAN 58 JAILHOUSE ROCK - ELVIS (entered at number 1)

15TH FEB 58 STORY OF MY LIFE - MICHAEL HOLLIDAY

1ST MAR 58 MAGIC MOMENTS/CATCH A FALLING STAR - PERRY COMO

19TH APR 58 MAGIC MOMENTS (tied with WHOLE LOTTA WOMAN - MARVIN RAINWATER)

26TH APR 58 WHOLE LOTTA WOMAN - MARVIN RAINWATER

17TH MAY 58 WHO`S SORRY NOW - CONNIE FRANCIS

28TH JUN 58 ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM/CLAUDETTE - EVERLY BROTHERS

23RD AUG 58 WHEN - KALIN TWINS

27TH SEP 58 STUPID CUPID/CAROLINA MOON - CONNIE FRANCIS

1ST NOV 58 BIRD DOG - EVERLY BROTHERS

22ND NOV 58 HOOTS MON - LORD ROCKINGHAMS XI

20TH DEC 58 ITS ONLY MAKE BELIEVE - CONWAY TWITTY

31ST JAN 59 ONE NIGHT/I GOT STUNG - ELVIS

21ST FEB 59 AS I LOVE YOU - SHIRLEY BASSEY

7TH MAR 59 AS I LOVE YOU (tie with SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - PLATTERS)

14TH MAR 59 SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES - PLATTERS

28TH MAR 59 SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES (tie with SIDESADDLE - RUSS CONWAY)

4TH APR 59 SIDESADDLE - RUSS CONWAY

25TH APR 59 IT DOESN`T MATTER ANYMORE - BUDDY HOLLY

23RD MAY 59 FOOL SUCH AS I/NEED YOUR LOVE TONIGHT - ELVIS

20TH JUN 59 ROULETTE - RUSS CONWAY

27TH JUN 59 ROULETTE (tie with DREAM LOVER - BOBBY DARIN)

4TH JUL 59 DREAM LOVER - BOBBY DARIN

1ST AUG 59 LIVIN` DOLL - CLIFF

5TH SEP 59 ONLY SIXTEEN - CRAIG DOUGLAS

10TH OCT 59 ONLY SIXTEEN (tie with HERE COMES SUMMER - JERRY KELLER)

17TH OCT 59 HERE COMES SUMMER - JERRY KELLER

24TH OCT 59 TRAVELLIN` LIGHT - CLIFF

5TH DEC 59 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - EMILE FORD

12TH DEC 59 WHAT DO YOU WANT - ADAM FAITH

NO CHART 2ND JAN 60 Derek Chinnery did not do one due to Christmas/new year

9th JAN 60 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - EMILE FORD

30TH JAN 60 STARRY EYED - MICHAEL HOLLIDAY

6TH FEB 60 WHY - ANTHONY NEWLY

5TH MAR 60 POOR ME - ADAM FAITH

19TH MAR 60 RUNNING BEAR - JOHNNY PRESTON

2ND APR 60 MY OLD MAN`S A DUSTMAN - LONNIE DONEGAN

30TH APR 60 DO YOU MIND - ADAM FAITH

7TH MAY 60 CATHY`S CLOWN - EVERLY BROTHERS

30TH JUN 60 GOOD TIMIN` - JIMMY JONES

23RD JUL 60 PLEASE DON`T TEASE - CLIFF

20TH AUG 60 APACHE - SHADOWS

1ST OCT 60 TELL LAURA I LOVE HER - RICKY VALENCE

15TH OCT 60 ONLY THE LONELY - ROY ORBISON

5TH NOV 60 ITS NOW OR NEVER - ELVIS (entered at number 1)

7TH JAN 61 POETRY IN MOTION - JOHNNY TILLOTSON

28TH JAN 61 ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT - ELVIS

4TH MAR 61 WALK RIGHT BACK/EBONY EYES - EVERLY BROTHERS

25TH MAR 61 WOODEN HEART - ELVIS PRESLEY

20TH APR 61 ARE YOU SURE - ALLISONS

27TH APR 61 WOODEN HEART - ELVIS

4TH MAY 61 YOU`RE DRIVIN` ME CRAZY - TEMPERENCE SEVEN (tie with BLUE MOON - MARCELS)

11TH MAY 61 BLUE MOON - MARCELS

25TH MAY 61 RUNAWAY - DEL SHANNON

1ST JUN 61 SURRENDER - ELVIS

22ND JUN 61 RUNAWAY - DEL SHANNON

13TH JUL 61 TEMPTATION - EVERLY BROTHERS

27TH JUL 61 WELL I ASK YOU - EDEN KANE

3RD AUG 61 YOU DON`T KNOW - HELEN SHAPIRO

24TH AUG 61 JOHNNY REMEMBER ME - JOHN LEYTON

5TH OCT 61 MICHAEL ROW THE BOAT - HIGHWAYMEN

19TH OCT 61 WALKIN` BACK TO HAPPINESS - HELEN SHAPIRO

9TH NOV 61 HIS LATEST FLAME/LITTLE SISTER - ELVIS

30TH NOV 61 TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY - BOBBY VEE

7TH DEC 61 TOWER OF STRENGTH - FRANKIE VAUGHAN

28TH DEC 61 MOON RIVER - DANNY WILLIAMS

 

All the BBC charts used to list double A sides together, whatever. From the 20th Apr 61, the chart is compiled on a Thursday..where as before the date is a Saturday(Although the chart was then compiled on Friday afternoons.

On to 1962...

4TH JAN 62 STRANGER ON THE SHORE - ACKER BILK

11th JAN 62 THE YOUNG ONES - CLIFF RICHARD (entered at number 1)

22ND FEB 62 ROCK-A-HULA BABY/CANT HELP FALLING IN LOVE

1ST MAR 62 THE YOUNG ONES - CLIFF

8TH MAR 62 MARCH OF THE SIAMESE CHILDREN - KENNY BALL

15TH MAR 62 MARCH OF THE SIAMESE CHILDREN (tie with WONDERFUL LAND - SHADOWS)

22ND MAR 62 WONDERFUL LAND - SHADOWS

10TH MAY 62 NUTROCKER - B. BUMBLE AND THE STINGERS

17TH MAY 62 GOOD LUCK CHARM - ELVIS

28TH JUN 62 COME OUTSIDE - MIKE SARNE/WENDY RICHARD

5TH JUL 62 A PICTURE OF YOU - JOE BROWN

12TH JUL 62 I CANT STOP LOVING YOU - RAY CHARLES

26TH JUL 62 I REMEMBER YOU - FRANK IFIELD

13TH SEP 62 I REMEMBER YOU (tie with SHE`S NOT YOU - ELVIS)

20TH SEP 62 SHE`S NOT YOU - ELVIS

4TH OCT 62 TELSTAR - TORNADOS

8TH NOV 62 LOVESICK BLUES/SHE TAUGHT ME TO YODEL - FRANK IFIELD

13TH DEC 62 RETURN TO SENDER - ELVIS

3RD JAN 63 THE NEXT TIME/BACHELOR BOY - CLIFF

24TH JAN 63 THE NEXT TIME/BACHELOR BOY (tie with DANCE ON - SHADOWS)

31ST JAN 63 DIAMONDS - JET HARRIS/TONY MEEHAN

21ST FEB 63 PLEASE PLEASE ME - BEATLES (their first number one single, don`t let anyone tell, you different)!!

7TH MAR 63 PLEASE PLEASE ME (tie with SUMMER HOLIDAY - CLIFF

14TH MAR 63 SUMMER HOLIDAY - CLIFF

28TH MAR 63 FOOT TAPPER - SHADOWS

4TH APR 63 HOW DO YOU DO IT - GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS

2ND MAY 63 FROM ME TO YOU - BEATLES

6TH JUN 63 FROM ME TO YOU (tie with DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET - BILLY J. KRAMER)

13TH JUN 63 I LIKE IT - GERRY/PACEMAKERS

18TH JUL 63 CONFESSIN` - FRANK IFIELD

8TH AUG 63 SWEETS FOR MY SWEET - SEARCHERS

22ND AUG 63 BAD TO ME - BILLY J. KRAMER

5TH SEP 63 SHE LOVES YOU - BEATLES

3RD OCT 63 SHE LOVES YOU (tie with DO YOU LOVE ME - BRIAN POOLE/TREMOLOES

10TH OCT 63 DO YOU LOVE ME - BRIAN POOLE/TREMOLOES

24TH OCT 63 YOU`LL NEVER WALK ALONE - GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS

21ST NOV 63 YOU`LL NEVER WALK ALONE (tie with SHE LOVES YOU - BEATLES)

28TH NOV 63 SHE LOVES YOU - BEATLES

12TH DEC 63 I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND - BEATLES

7TH JAN 64 I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND (tie with GLAD ALL OVER - DAVE CLARK FIVE

14TH JAN 64 GLAD ALL OVER - DAVE CLARK FIVE

28TH JAN 64 NEEDLES AND PINS - SEARCHERS

18TH FEB 64 ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART - CILLA BLACK

17TH MAR 64 LITTLE CHILDREN - BILLY J. KRAMER

24TH MAR 64 CANT BUY ME LOVE - BEATLES (the first BEATLES disc, to enter at number 1)

14TH APR 64 WORLD WITHOUT LOVE - PETER AND GORDON

28TH APR 64 DONT THROW YOUR LOVE AWAY - SEARCHERS

12TH MAY 64 JULIET - FOUR PENNIES

26TH MAY 64 YOU`RE MY WORLD - CILLA BLACK

16TH JUN 64 ITS OVER - ROY ORBISON

7TH JUL 64 HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - ANIMALS

14TH JUL 64 A HARD DAYS NIGHT - BEATLES (2nd BEATLES disc to enter at number 1)

11TH AUG 64 DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY - MANFRED MANN

25TH AUG 64 HAVE I THE RIGHT - HONEYCOMBS

8TH SEP 64 HAVE I THE RIGHT (tie with YOU REALLY GOT ME - KINKS)

15TH SEP 64 YOU REALLY GOT ME - KINKS

22ND SEP 64 I`M INTO SOMETHING GOOD - HERMAN`S HERMITS

6TH OCT 64 OH PRETTY WOMAN - ROY ORBISON

27TH OCT 64 ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME - SANDIE SHAW

10TH NOV 64 BABY LOVE - SUPREMES

1ST DEC 64 I FEEL FINE - BEATLES (3rd BEATLES disc to enter at number 1)

12TH JAN 65 YEH YEH - GEORGIE FAME

19TH JAN 65 GO NOW - MOODY BLUES

2ND FEB 65 YOU`VE LOST THAT LOVIN` FEELING - RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS

9TH FEB 65 TIRED OF WAITING FOR YOU - KINKS

16TH FEB 65 I`LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU - SEEKERS

2ND MAR 65 ITS NOT UNUSUAL - TOM JONES

9TH MAR 65 THE LAST TIME - ROLLING STONES (this single went from 18 - 1)

6TH APR 65 CONCRETE AND CLAY - UNIT 4 PLUS 2

13TH APR 65 TICKET TO RIDE - BEATLES (the 4th BEATLES disc to enter at number 1)

18TH MAY 65 WHERE ARE YOU NOW MY LOVE - JACKIE TRENT

25TH MAY 65 LONG LIVE LOVE - SANDIE SHAW

15TH JUN 65 CRYING IN THE CHAPEL - ELVIS

29TH JUN 65 I`M ALIVE - HOLLIES

13TH JUL 65 MR TAMBOURINE MAN - BYRDS

27TH JUL 65 HELP - BEATLES (the 5th BEATLES disc to enter at number 1)

24TH AUG 65 I GOT YOU BABE - SONNY AND CHER

7TH SEP 65 SATISFACTION - ROLLING STONES

21ST SEP 65 MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF - WALKER BROTHERS

28TH SEP 65 TEARS - KEN DODD

2ND NOV 65 GET OFF OF MY CLOUD - ROLLING STONES (this one went from 9 - 1)

23RD NOV 65 THE CARNIVAL IS OVER - SEEKERS

14TH DEC 65 DAYTRIPPER/WE CAN WORK IT OUT - BEATLES (this one did not enter at number 1)

11TH JAN 66 KEEP ON RUNNING - SPENCER DAVIS GROUP

 

From 31st Dec 1963, the chart was compiled on a Tuesday.

 

25TH JAN 66 MICHELLE - OVERLANDERS (from 5 - 1)

8TH FEB 66 THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING - NANCY SINATRA

15TH FEB 66 NINETEENTH NERVOUS BREAKDOWN - ROLLING STONES (from 6 - 1)

8TH MAR 66 SHA LA LA LEE - SMALL FACES

15TH MAR 66 THE SUN AIN`T GONNA SHINE ANYMORE - WALKER BROTHERS

12TH APR 66 SOMEBODY HELP ME - SPENCER DAVIS GROUP

19TH APR 66 YOU DONT HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD (from 6 - 1)

3RD MAY 66 PRETTY FLAMINGO - MANFRED MANN

24TH MAY 66 PAINT IT BLACK - ROLLING STONES (from 6 - 1)

31ST MAY 66 STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT - FRANK SINATRA

21ST JUN 66 PAPERBACK WRITER - BEATLES (did not enter at number 1)

5TH JUL 66 SUNNY AFTERNOON - KINKS

19TH JUL 66 GET AWAY - GEORGIE FAME

26TH JUL 66 OUT OF TIME - CHRIS FARLOWE

2ND AUG 66 WITH A GIRL LIKE YOU - TROGGS

16TH AUG 66 YELLOW SUBMARINE/ELEANOR RIGBY - BEATLES (went from 4 - 1)

6TH SEP 66 YELLOW SUBMARINE/ELEANOR RIGBY (tie with ALL OR NOTHING - SMALL FACES)

13TH SEP 66 ALL OR NOTHING - SMALL FACES

20TH SEP 66 DISTANT DRUMS - JIM REEVES

18TH OCT 66 REACH OUT I`LL BE THERE - FOUR TOPS (from 16 - 1)

15TH NOV 66 GOOD VIBRATIONS - BEACH BOYS

29TH NOV 66 GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME - TOM JONES

17TH JAN 67 I`M A BELIEVER - MONKEES

14TH FEB 67 THIS IS MY SONG - PETULA CLARK (from 7 - 1)

28TH FEB 67 RELEASE ME - ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK

11TH APR 67 SOMETHING STUPID - FRANK AND NANCY SINATRA

18TH APR 67 SOMETHING STUPID (tie with PUPPET ON A STRING - SANDIE SHAW)

25TH APR 67 PUPPET ON A STRING - SANDIE SHAW

16TH MAY 67 SILENCE IS GOLDEN - TREMOLOES (went from 4 - 1)

6TH JUN 67 A WHITER SHADE OF PALE - PROCOL HARUM

18TH JUL 67 ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE - BEATLES (from 3 - 1)

8TH AUG 67 SAN FRANCISCO (FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR) - SCOTT MCKENZIE)

5TH SEP 67 THE LAST WALTZ - ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK

17TH OCT 67 MASSACHUSETTES - BEE GEES

7TH NOV 67 BABY NOW THAT I FOUND YOU - FOUNDATIONS

21ST NOV 67 LET THE HEARTACHES BEGIN - LONG JOHN BALDRY (from 8 - 1)

5TH DEC 67 HELLO GOODBYE - BEATLES (from 4 - 1)

16TH JAN 68 BALLAD OF BONNIE AND CLYDE - GEORGIE FAME (from 5 - 1)

23RD JAN 68 EVERLASTING LOVE - LOVE AFFAIR (from 6 - 1)

13TH FEB 68 THE MIGHTY QUINN - MANFRED MANN

27TH FEB 68 CINDERELLA ROCKEFELLA - ESTHER AND ABI OFARIUM

26TH MAR 68 LADY MADONNA - BEATLES (from 6 - 1)

9TH APR 68 CONGRATULATIONS - CLIFF RICHARD

16TH APR 68 WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD/CABERET - LOUIS ARMSTRONG

14TH MAY 68 YOUNG GIRL - UNION GAP (from 5 - 1)

18TH JUN 68 JUMPING JACK FLASH - ROLLING STONES

2ND JUL 68 BABY COME BACK - EQUALS

23RD JUL 68 MONY MONY - TOMMY JAMES/SHONDELLS (from 6 -1)

27TH AUG 68 THIS GUY`S IN LOVE WITH YOU - HERB ALPERT (tieing with DO IT AGAIN - BEACH BOYS, and GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU - BEE GEES)

3RD SEP 68 GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU - BEE GEES

10TH SEP 68 HEY JUDE - BEATLES (from 8 - 1)

1ST OCT 68 THOSE WERE THE DAYS - MARY HOPKIN

5TH NOV 68 WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS - JOE COCKER

12TH NOV 68 THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY - HUGO MONTENEGRO

10TH DEC 68 LILY THE PINK - SCAFFOLD

7TH JAN 69 OB-LA-DI-OB-LA-DA - MARMALADE

28TH JAN 69 ALBATROSS - FLEETWOOD MAC

11TH FEB 69 HALF AS NICE - AMEN CORNER (from 15 - 1)

 

The very first Official chart on the Tuesday 11th Feb 1969. Don`t let anyone refer to an Official chart before that...there weren`t one!!!!

 

As many people are interested, as to how the BBC worked out the chart 57 - 69...here is an example, with the contraversial chart from 27th Aug 1968.

It was based on positions, from MELODY MAKER, NME, and RECORD RETAILER.

 

Firstly they note the position in MM, then NME, and finally RR...

01 03 03 THIS GUYS IN LOVE WITH YOU, added up you get 7points

02 04 01 DO IT AGAIN added up again to 7points

03 02 02 GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU again 7points (hence the tie at number one with the 3)

04 07 06 FIRE = 17points

05 01 05 HELP YOURSELF = 11points

06 05 04 MON MONY = 15points

07 06 08 I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER = 21points

08 08 07 HIGH IN THE SKY = 23points

09 09 09 SUNSHINE GIRL = 27points

10 12 13 I CLOSE MY EYES AND COUNT TO TEN = 35points

11 15 12 KEEP ON - BRUCE CHANNEL = 38points

12 11 11 HOLD ME TIGHT = 34points

13 12 10 DANCE TO THE MUSIC = 35points

14 13 16 ON THE ROAD AGAIN = 43points

15 16 17 MRS ROBINSON = 48points

16 14 14 I PRETEND = 44points

17 17 15 DAYS = 49points

18 18 18 DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME = 54points

19 22 20 LAST NIGHT IN SO HO = 61points

20 29 23 THE UNIVERSAL = 72points

21 23 19 HARD TO HANDLE = 63points

22 24 21 LADY WILLPOWER = 67points

23 21 31 DREAM A LITTLE DREAM (ANITA HARRIS) If a single was missing from one top 30, it was awarded 31points, for that particular chart, whatever.

24 19 22 YOUR TIME HASNT COME YET BABY = 65points

25 31 26 MACARTHUR PARK = 82points

26 31 25 AMERICA = 82points

27 31 31 YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY = 89points

28 20 24 JESAMINE = 72points

29 31 29 BABY COME BACK - EQUALS 89points

30 30 31 LAUREL AND HARDY = 91points

31 25 31 ELEANOR RIGBY (RAY CHARLES) = 87points

31 26 31 WE CAN HELP YOU = 88points

31 27 28 VOICES IN THE SKY = 86points

31 28 27 SON OF HICKORY HOLLERS TRAMP = 86points

31 31 30 HERE COMES THE JUDGE (PIGMEAT MARKHAM) 92points

 

Now, you have to sort out the BBC chart positions, based on the points...the lower the number of points, the higher the chart position..So the BBC TOP 30, that week, would have been as follows...

01 THIS GUY`S IN LOVE - HERB ALPERT 7PTS

01 DO IT AGAIN 7PTS

01 GOTTA GET A MESAGE TO YOU - BEE GEES 7PTS

04 HELP YOURSELF - TOM JONES 11PTS

05 MONY MONY - TOMMY JAMES 15PTS

06 FIRE - ARTHUR BROWN 17PTS

07 I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER - ARETHA FRANKLIN 21PTS

08 HIGH IN THE SKY 23PTS

09 SUNSHINE GIRL - HERMAN`S HERMITS 27PTS

10 DANCE TO THE MUSIC - SLY/FAMILY STONE 33PTS

11 HOLD ME TIGHT - JOHNNY NASH 34PTS

12 I CLOSE MY EYES AND COUNT - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD 35PTS

13 KEEP ON - BRUCE CHANNEL 38PTS

14 ON THE ROAD AGAIN - CANNED HEAT 43PTS

15 I PRETEND - DES O` CONNER 44PTS

16 MRS ROBINSON 48PTS

17 DAYS - KINKS 49PTS

18 DREAM A LITTLE DREAM - MAMA CASS 54PTS

19 LAST NIGHT IN SO HO 61PTS

20 HARD TO HANDLE - OTIS REDDING 63PTS

21 YOUR TIME HASNT COME - ELVIS 65PTS

22 LADY WILLPOWER 67PTS

23 JESAMINE - CASUALS 72PTS

24 UNIVERSAL - SMALL FACES 72PTS (Although tieing, on points, during this situation, as the SMALL FACES were falling, they were separated from the CASUALS

25 DREAM A LITTLE DREAM - ANITA HARRIS 78PTS

26 AMERICA - THE NICE 82PTS

27 MACARTHUR PARK - RICHARD HARRIS 82PTS (Again as RICHARD was falling, he was separated from THE NICE

28 VOICES IN THE SKY - MOODY BLUES 86PTS

29 SON OF HICKORY HOLLERS TRAMP - O.C. SMITH 86PTS (Again separated from a tie, because it was falling)

30 ELEANOR RIGBY - RAY CHARLES 87PTS

 

That explains, the Averaged equation. Contrary to the fact that 3 records tied at number one, this was not the full reason, that the BBC, joined forces with the BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU in Feb 1969. The other reason, the Official chart started, was because there was known to be hyping going on in the other charts...there had been investigations, into BOB DYLAN`s songs always being higher in NME`s chart, and lots of other artists, were getting into the 31 - 50 part of MELODY MAKER`s charts that were not even sighted in others...singers like DAVID BOWIE and KIKI DEE smashed into MELODY MAKER`s TOP 50, but didn`t show elsewhere. Even JIMI HENDRIX was allegedlly pushed by NME. So, BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU formed exclusively with the BBC, to give a more Official chart. But this was open to argument, for the first 3 weeks, of the new style chart, the MRS ROBINSON E.P. was excluded from the chart, when it should have been in the 21 - 30 slots!

 

If you compare the new Official chart of the week of 11th FEB 69, to the old BBC way, you get this difference...

new way

01 HALF AS NICE old way number 4

02 ALBATROSS old way 2

03 BLACKBERRY WAY old way 1

04 FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE old way 3

05 DANCING IN THE STREET old way 5

06 PLEASE DON`T GO old way 8

07 YOU GOT SOUL old way 7

08 I`M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME old way 5

09 OB-LA-DI-OB-LA-DA old way 9

10 TO LOVE SOMEBODY old way 10

11 I GUESS I`LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU old way 13

12 WHERE DO YOU GO TO MY LOVE old way 11

13 FOX ON THE RUN old way 12

14 SOMETHINGS HAPPENING old way 14

15 WAY IT USED TO BE old way 17

16 I`LL PICK A ROSE FOR MY ROSE old way 15

16 HEY JUDE old way 24

18 STOP HER ON SIGHT old way 19

19 GOING UP THE COUNTRY old way 23

19 LILY THE PINK old way 22

21 PEOPLE old way 18

22 PRIVATE NUMBER old way 16

23 SOUL SISTER BROWN SUGAR old way 25

24 ITS TOO LATE NOW old way 30

25 QUICK JOEY SMALL old way 31

26 WICHITA LINEMAN old way 21

27 MOVE IN A LITTLE CLOSER old way 26

28 BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP old way 28

29 YOU AINT LIVIN TIL YOUR LOVIN` old way 26=

30 WHITE ROOM old way 36

In the old way the MRS ROBINSON E.P. would have been number 20, and SON OF A PREACHER MAN would have been 29.

There wasn`t that much difference towards the Top 15, really. The MOVE though were denied a BBC number one, because of the changes. It was a faster chart though and, nearly a week in front of NME and MELODY MAKER, the BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU lost the contract in Jan 83, to GALLUP, and GALLUP lost there contract in 1994 to MILWARD BROWN, who still compile the chart today.

 

Now, as RADIO ONE announced the new chart every Tuesday lunchtime (Wednesdays, if the Monday were a Bank Holiday)...how about the presenters that rundown that new chart...

3RD SEPT 67 - 26TH SEPT 72 ALAN FREEMAN did a rundown of the new top 30, at 12.30pm everyweek

3RD OCT 72 - DEC 72 TONY BLACKBURN rundown the new top 30 at 12.30 every week.

JAN 73 ONWARDS DAVE LEE TRAVIS played the complete new top 20 at 1pm every week. This didn`t last long!

SPRING 73 - 1976 JOHNNIE WALKER rundown the new chart, at 12.30pm(this moved to 12.45, when Radio one stated the news show..NEWSBEAT.

1977 - 1982 PAUL BURNETT run down the new chart at 12.45 every week

1982 - 1983 MIKE SMITH did the rundown at 12.45 every week

1984 - 1987 GARY DAVIES run down the chart (again at 12.30)

 

In the later part of the 70s PETER POWELL also re-capped the new chart between 6 and 7pm on a Tuesday evening..previously it had been re-capped on Wednesdays Breakfast show...and also, in the mid 80s, it was again re-capped in the Breakfast prog (but that followed the move in 87, of the new chart being announced on a Sunday evening. In the lunchtime slot, you always got to hear the complete brand new top 5, every week from 1973. During PAUL BURNETT`s reign on the lunchtime show, he also ran down the album chart on Wednesdays and the American chart on a Friday. On Mondays and Thursdays, he ran down a retro chart, from the vaults of Radio 0ne. During TOM BROWNE`s run of the TOP 20 on Sundays, PAUL BURNETT sat in for him for a week in June 74, and JOHNNIE WALKER did the Sunday TOP 20, for a week in early Sept 73.

 

There were a few mis-haps in the Tuesday rundowns...ON the 13th March 73, the wrong chart was delivered to the BBC and JOHNNIE ran down that, but it was corrected later. But although TOM BROWNE played the correct chart on the SUNDAY, when he did the re-cap before the number one, he again ran through, the wrong one, like JOHNNIE WALKER!

 

On the 17th Feb 76, again the wrong chart was delivered...PAUL BURNETT announced that RODRIGO`s GUITAR CONCERTO and MANUEL AND HIS MUSIC OF THE MOUNTAINS was number one! That was very incorrect! It was again corrected hours later!

 

On the 30th Oct 79, again the wrong chart was delivered, Paul announced that DR HOOK had knocked LENA MARTELL off the chart, again it was wrong and Lena, actually did have a 2nd week at the top (although the following week DR HOOK took over, anyway).

 

During the Sunday countdown these songs have been deemed too fithy/offensive to play...

BLACK GIRL - FOUR PENNIES

WET DREAM - MAX ROMEO

JE T`AIME - SERGE GAINSBOURG/JANE BIRKIN

GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH - PAUL MCCARTNEY/WINGS

BIG SIX - JUDGE DREAD

BIG SEVEN - JUDGE DREAD

BIG EIGHT - JUDGE DREAD

SICK MAN BLUES - THE GOODIES

JE T`AIME - JUDGE DREAD

NAPPY LOVE - THE GOODIES

BIG TEN - JUDGE DREAD

CHRISTMAS IN DREADLAND - JUDGE DREAD

LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY - DONNA SUMMER

MAGIC ROUNDABOUT - JASPER CARROT

Y VIVA SUSPENDERS - JUDGE DREAD

THE WINKERS SONG - IVOR BIGGUN

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN - SEX PISTOLS

NO ONE IS INNOCENT/MY WAY - SEX PISTOLS

FRIGGIN` IN THE RIGGIN` - SEX PISTOLS

TOO DRUNK TO F**K - DEAD KENNEDYS

RELAX - FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD

I WANT YOUR SEX - GEORGE MICHAEL

THERE AIN`T NOTHING LIKE SHAGGING - THE TAMS

SMACK MY b**ch UP - PRODIGY

 

There is controversy over the TAMS because it was from a film, about a U.S. dance called the shag. During announcing a banned record the presenter would say, "We do not intend playing this record, due to the nature of the lyric". In 1989, while FRENCH KISS was in the chart, by LIL` LOUIS, radio one, never ever played the full version, because it has loads, of heavy breathing at the end of it. Also, the beginnings of records, SEX CRIME 1984 by the EURYTHMICS, and the I FEEL LOVE medley by BRONSKI BEAT/MARC ALMOND were cut due to the nature of/or references to sex.

 

Also to note, during DAVID JACOBS run on Pick Of The Pops in 1958, he never actually played the top 20 hit by Jackie Dennis "La Dee Dah"...why that was, who knows?

 

According to Radio One`s countdown (but not in chart books) these records tied in the chart between 1969 and 1979...

9TH DEC 69 JOINT 14 NOBODYS CHILD and TRACY

23RD OCT 73 JOINT 29 HIGHER GROUND and I`VE BEEN HURT

4TH JUN 74 JOINT 17 I CANT STOP and THE JARROW SONG

9TH DEC 75 JOINT 16 I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS and IN FOR A PENNY

19TH OCT 76 JOINT 11 CANT GET BY WITHOUT YOU and I`LL MEET YOU AT MIDNIGHT

There are others, but those above have been missed by the chart books available today!!!

Edited October 3, 200915 yr by Dave Taylor

20TH APR 61 ARE YOU SURE - ALLISONS

 

I remember this track was not the #1 single in the Guiness Book, was that due to the new rules, that cropped up that week.

A great read with lots of interesting info (not at all biast towards the end lol....)

 

I'd be interested to know how the BBC charts were actually worked out in the early days.

20TH APR 61 ARE YOU SURE - ALLISONS

 

I remember this track was not the #1 single in the Guiness Book, was that due to the new rules, that cropped up that week.

 

The change of compilation date didn`t alter the position, DEREK CHINNERY(BBC producer/chart compiler just began to request the NME, MELODY MAKER and DISC charts earlier. This was due to the fact that, sometimes PICK OF THE POPS was recorded on a Thursday/Friday, and the charts/music press were all available on Thursdays anyway. The RECORD RETAILER chart did not figure in the BBC`s averaged equation until 29th March 1962, even when it did, some mathematical guess work, had to be put into practice because RECORD RETAILER excluded EPs and LPs from their main singles chart, and the BBC wanted them all in one. ARE YOU SURE and the ALLISONS made it to number one, in DISC and MELODY MAKER, thus it was a BBC number one too, adding up to 4points that week, while ELVIS and WOODEN HEART was on 5points, so he became the weeks number 2. I will explain the "points" system later in the thread, its complexed sometimes! The lowest amount of points makes the number one! On sales the number 1 AND 2 that week must have been very close, anyway...because ELVIS went back to the top, on the 27th Apr 61.

 

Derek explained that averaging the charts, "means when you take 3 or 4 published charts, and add them together, it means you are taking into account over 250 - 300 shops sales figures that equals, a pretty damn accurate and fairer top 20". Had Derek, also been using RECORD MIRROR that week, the ALLISONS would have been further ahead, of ELVIS, but from 21st May 60, RECORD MIRROR`s compilation, and publication date, made it impossible for Derek to include. He didn`t use any RECORD RETAILER`s charts before 62, because it was just a business paper, and only sampled no more than 25+ shops, and was very much way behind all the other charts. At one point (from around 1968, Denys Jones(another producer compiler) had thought about using MELODY MAKER`s charts, on their own, (MM had the biggest sample of shops, then 150+ every week) but later, of course the BBC join forces with the BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU, and pulled in nearly 500+ shops

This is just brilliant info, that has never been talked about anywhere else. It seems that too many people, have followed the GUINESS book, in the 50s and 60s, but for those years, its really a load of speculation. Wonder why they didn`t put the bbc charts in there? Any chance of going further, with number ones beyond 1957?

It is possible to list an averaged list of number ones from 1955 onwards. Which I will do, as the BRITISH FORCES BROADCASTING NETWORK did from the Spring of 1956, beating the BBC by 18 months!! So, hang around!! Why didn`t GUINESS put the BBC chart in the books? No idea!! Actually, they should do a book, that includes the positions of records, for all the published charts between 1952 - 1969...and even delve back to the sheet music charts, that were around in Britain, even before the war!!

Edited October 26, 200717 yr by trevs

This is just brilliant info, that has never been talked about anywhere else. It seems that too many people, have followed the GUINESS book, in the 50s and 60s, but for those years, its really a load of speculation. Wonder why they didn`t put the bbc charts in there? Any chance of going further, with number ones beyond 1957?

Here then are the "missing" averaged number ones 1955 - 1957...

8TH JAN 55 FINGER OF SUSPICION - DICKIE VALENTINE

22ND/29TH JAN 55 FINGER OF SUSPICION (tie with MAMBO ITALIANO - ROSEMARY CLOONEY)

5TH FEB 55 MAMBO ITALIANO - ROSEMARY CLOONEY

19TH FEB 55 SOFTLY SOFTLY - RUBY MURRAY

19TH MAR 55 GIVE ME YOUR WORD - TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD

30TH APR 55 GIVE ME YOUR WORD (tie with CHARRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE - PEREZ PRADO)

7TH MAY 55 STRANGER IN PARADISE/TAKE ME BACK AGAIN - TONY BENNETT

11TH JUN 55 CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE - EDDIE CALVERT

25TH JUN 55 UNCHAINED MELODY - AL HIBBLER

9TH JUL 55 UNCHAINED MELODY AL HIBBLER (tie with UNCHAINED MELODY - JIMMY YOUNG and DREAMBOAT - ALMA COGAN)

16TH JUL 55 DREAMBOAT - ALMA COGAN

30TH JUL 55 ROSE MARIE - SLIM WHITMAN

8TH OCT 55 THE MAN FROM LARAMIE - JIMMY YOUNG

12TH NOV 55 ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - BILL HALEY/COMETS

24TH DEC 55 CHRISTMAS ALPHABET - DICKIE VALENTINE

7TH JAN 56 ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - BILL HALEY/COMETS

14TH JAN 56 ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK (tie with SIXTEEN TONS - TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD going from 14 - 1)

21ST JAN 56 SIXTEEN TONS - TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD

18TH FEB 56 MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS - DEAN MARTIN

25TH FEB 56 MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS (tie with ZAMBESI - LOU BUSCH)

3RD MAR 56 MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS - DEAN MARTIN

17TH MAR 56 IT`S ALMOST TOMORROW - DREAMWEAVERS

14TH APR 56 POOR PEOPLE OF PARIS - WINIFRED ATWELL

12TH MAY 56 NO OTHER LOVE - RONNIE HILTON

9TH JUN 56 NO OTHER LOVE (tie with I`LL BE HOME - PAT BOONE

16TH JUN 56 I`LL BE HOME - PAT BOONE

21ST JUL 56 WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE - FRANKIE LYMON/TEENAGERS

11TH AUG 56 WHATEVER WILL BE WILL BE - DORIS DAY

22ND SEP 56 LAY DOWN YOUR HANDS - ANNE SHELTON

20TH OCT 56 A WOMAN IN LOVE - FRANKIE LAINE

17TH NOV 56 JUST WALKING IN THE RAIN - JOHNNY RAY

5TH JAN 57 SINGING THE BLUES - GUY MITCHELL

26TH JAN 57 SINGING THE BLUES - GUY MITCHELL (tie with THE GARDEN OF EDEN - FRANKIE VAUGHAN)

 

TOMMY STEELE`s version of SINGING THE BLUES only made number 2, on an averaged chart.

 

2ND FEB 57 THE GARDEN OF EDEN - FRANKIE VAUGHAN

23RD FEB 57 YOUNG LOVE - TAB HUNTER

13TH APR 57 CUMBERLAND GAP - LONNIE DONEGAN (went from 6 - 1)

18TH MAY 57 BUTTERFLY - ANDY WILLIAMS

8TH JUN 57 YES TONIGHT JOSEPHINE - JOHNNY RAY

6TH JUL 57 PUTTIN` ON THE STYLE/GAMBLIN` MAN - LONNIE DONEGAN

13TH JUL 57 ALL SHOOK UP - ELVIS PRESLEY (his first number one)

31ST AUG 57 DIANA - PAUL ANKA (went from 5 - 1)

 

It has to be said, that the Sheet Music charts, were more popular to singles, until around 1956. RADIO LUXEMBOURG, didn`t start to play the record charts, until January 1960, when they played NME`s top 20. RADIO CAROLINE played the top 50 MELODY MAKER chart from April 64 onwards. No stations even bothered with the RECORD RETAILER chart (with the lowest number of shops, polled).

 

DIANA by PAUL ANKA was the first million seller of the 50s. Only two records in the 40s surpassed 900,000 copie, these were WHITE CHRISTMAS - BING CROSBY, in 1942 and THE HARRY LIME THEME - ANTON KARAS, in 1949. Since 1942, BING CROSBY has sold around 1.2million copies of WHITE CHRISTMAS, but the exact number of sales is hard to assertain. YOURS by VERA LYNN would have been the second biggest seller of 1942, behind BING.

 

Previous to the 40s, these recordings, are said to have sold just under 900,000 copies...

OH FOR THE WINGS OF A DOVE - ERNEST LOUGH (in 1927)

COHEN ON THE TELEPHONE - JOE HAYMAN (in 1914)

LAUGHING SONG - BERT SHEPARD (in 1910)

 

Biggest selling albums before 1956, are all provided by MANTOVANI, with four million selling L.P`s in 3 years!!!

Edited November 12, 200717 yr by trevs

This is all fantastic info Trevs ^_^

 

Thanks for it all ^_^

A great story Trevs ^_^ As a person that has a collection of more than 1 year of the chat show, I must admit reading all this facts made me travel into time :wub: Cheers mate! xox.

The detailed info on the 50's and 60's is absolutely incredible Trevs - is some of this from memory? (I know what you've said on the 70's is spot on!!) V interesting to me that Mrs Robinson ep would have had one more week in the 20 had the chart basis not changed when it did. For about 6 months, the BMRB top 40 had at laest one tie position in it, they should have applied tie-breaking by looking at sales movement (as was done before and after). When was the chart of the year first done properly using sales (albeit with a 3 week early cut-off - was it 1970?) The points systems ones I've seen for the 60's are dreadful - because Can't By Me Love, 1964's top seller, sold like hotcakes over a very short period of time, it didn't even make the Top 20! (I'm a Tom Browne fan - see my site at listen.to/uktopforty)

As I noticed our very good friend Mykka, has updated the number 2s recently, I thought, why don`t I list the number 2s from the original BBC charts? So, here are the records that only made number 2, on the PICK OF THE POPS/TOP OF THE POPS charts, from 1957 - 1969...

 

05TH OCT 57 LAST TRAIN TO SAN FERNANDO - JOHNNY DUNCAN/BLUE GRASS BOYS

22ND OCT 57 LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND/BERNADINE - PAT BOONE

02ND NOV 57 LET`S HAVE A PARTY/GOT A LOT OF LIVIN` TO DO - ELVIS PRESLEY

30TH NOV 57 BE MY GIRL - JIM DALE

07TH DEC 57 WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE - EVERLY BROTHERS

29TH MAR 58 DON` T/I BEG OF YOU - ELVIS PRESLEY

03RD MAY 58 SWINGIN` SHEPHERD BLUES/TEQUILA - TED HEATH

17TH MAY 58 A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE(GOSPEL BOOGIE)/IT`S TOO SOON TO KNOW - PAT BOONE

07TH JUN 58 TOM HARK - ELIAS AND HIS ZIG ZAG JIVE FLUTES

28TH JUN 58 ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE - VIC DAMONE

19TH JUL 58 BIG MAN - FOUR PREPS

02ND AUG 58 HARD HEADED WOMAN - ELVIS PRESLEY

06TH SEPT 58 RETURN TO ME - DEAN MARTIN

04TH OCT 58 VOLARE - DEAN MARTIN

18TH OCT 58 KING CREOLE - ELVIS PRESLEY

15TH NOV 58 IT`S ALL IN THE GAME - TOMMY EDWARDS

17TH JAN 59 THE DAY THE RAINS CAME - JANE MORGAN

24TH JAN 59 TO HIM IS TO LOVE HIM - TEDDY BEARS

31ST JAN 59 BABY FACE - LITTLE RICHARD

11TH JUL 59 BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS - LONNIE DONEGAN

17TH OCT 59 MACK THE KNIFE - BOBBY DARIN 6WKS AT 2

06TH FEB 60 A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS - CLIFF RICHARD

09TH APR 60 FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU/WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE - CLIFF RICHARD

16TH APR 60 STUCK ON YOU - ELVIS PRESLY

14TH MAY 60 SOMEONE ELSE`S BABY - ADAM FAITH

28TH MAY 60 CRADLE OF LOVE - JOHNNY PRESTON

25TH JUN 60 MAMA/ROBOT MAN - CONNIE FRANCIS

02ND JUL 60 THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN - EDDIE COCHRAN

06TH AUG 60 SHAKIN` ALL OVER - JOHNNY KIDD/PIRATES

13TH AUG 60 MESS OF BLUES/GIRL OF MY BEST FRIEND - ELVIS PRESLEY

10TH SEPT 60 BECAUSE THEY`RE YOUNG - DUANE EDDY

29TH OCT 60 AS LONG HAS HE NEEDS ME - SHIRLEY BASSEY

26TH NOV 60 SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME - DRIFTERS

17TH DEC 60 I LOVE YOU - CLIFF RICHARD 5WKS AT 2

11TH FEB 61 SAILOR - PETULA CLARK 4WKS AT 2

21ST SEPT 61 WILD IN THE COUNTRY/I FEEL SO BAD - ELVIS PRESLEY

28TH SEPT 61 KON-TIKI - SHADOWS

19TH OCT 61 WILD WIND - JOHN LEYTON

04TH JAN 62 LET THERE BE DRUMS - SANDY NELSON

25TH JAN 62 I`D NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU - BILLY FURY

01ST FEB 62 LET`S TWIST AGAIN - CHUBBY CHECKER

22ND MAR 62 TELL ME WHAT HE SAID - HELEN SHAPIRO 3WKS AT 2

12TH APR 62 DREAM BABY - ROY ORBISON

26TH APR 62 HEY BABY - BRUCE CHANNEL

31ST MAY 62 I`M LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW/DO YOU WANNA DANCE - CLIFF RICHARD 3WKS AT 2

02ND AUG 62 SPEEDY GONZALES - PAT BOONE 5WKS AT 2

06TH SEPT 62 THINGS - BOBBY DARIN

20TH SEPT 62 IT`LL BE ME - CLIFF RICHARD

11TH OCT 62 SHEILA - TOMMY ROE

18TH OCT 62 THE LOCO-MOTION - LITTLE EVA 3WKS AT 2

01ST NOV 62 LET`S DANCE - CHRIS MONTEZ 6WKS AT 2

14TH FEB 63 WAYWARD WIND - FRANK IFIELD 3WKS AT 2

11TH APR 63 FROM A JACK TO A KING - NED MILLER

16TH MAY 63 SCARLET O` HARA - JET HARRIS/TONY MEEHAN

20TH JUN 63 IF YOU GOTTA MAKE A FOOL OF SOMEBODY - FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS

04TH JUL 63 ATLANTIS - SHADOWS

18TH JUL 63 DEVIL IN DISGUISE - ELVIS PRESLEY

29TH AUG 63 I`M TELLING YOU NOW - FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS

19TH SEPT 63 IT`S ALL IN THE GAME - CLIFF RICHARD

10TH OCT 63 THEN HE KISSED ME - CRYSTALS

14TH NOV 63 SUGAR AND SPICE - SEARCHERS

28TH NOV 63 DON`T TALK TO HIM - CLIFF RICHARD

5TH DEC 63 YOU WERE MADE FOR ME - FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS

14TH JAN 64 HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE - SWINGING BLUE JEANS 3WKS AT 2

04TH FEB 64 I`M THE ONE - GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS

25TH FEB 64 DIANE - BACHELORS

03RD MAR 64 BITS AND PIECES - DAVE CLARK FIVE

23RD APR 64 I BELIEVE - BACHELORS

05TH MAY 64 MY BOY LOLLIPOP - MILLIE

23RD JUN 64 SOMEONE SOMEONE - BRIAN POOLE/TREMOLOES

07TH JUL 64 IT`S ALL OVER NOW - ROLLING STONES 4WKS AT 2

22ND SEPT 64 RAG DOLL - FOUR SEASONS

29TH SEPT 64 WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO - SUPREMES

17TH NOV 64 ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT - KINKS

24TH NOV 64 LITTLE RED ROOSTER - ROLLING STONES

08TH DEC 64 I`M GONNA BE STRONG - GENE PITNEY 3WKS AT 2

23RD FEB 65 GAME OF LOVE - WAYNE FONTANA/MINDBENDERS

23RD MAR 65 SILHOUETTES - HERMAN`S HERMITS

06TH APR 65 THE MINUTE YOU`RE GONE - CLIFF RICHARD 3WKS AT 2

27TH APR 65 KING OF THE ROAD - ROGER MILLER 3WKS AT 2

11TH MAY 65 WORLD OF OUR OWN - SEEKERS 3WKS AT 2

15TH JUN 65 THE PRICE OF LOVE - EVERLY BROTHERS

13TH JUL 65 HEART FULL OF SOUL - YARDBIRDS

03RD AUG 65 YOU`VE GOT YOUR TROUBLES - FORTUNES 3WKS AT 2

05TH OCT 65 IF YOU GOTTA GO GO NOW - MANFRED MANN

12TH OCT 65 ALMOST THERE - ANDY WILLIAMS

09TH NOV 65 YESTERDAY MAN - CHRIS ANDREWS

23RD NOV 65 1-2-3 - LEN BARRY

30TH NOV 65 MY GENERATION - WHO

28TH DEC 65 THE RIVER - KEN DODD

08TH FEB 66 YOU WERE ON MY MIND - CHRISPIAN ST. PETERS

08TH MAR 66 GROOVY KIND OF LOVE - MINBENDERS

15TH MAR 66 I CAN`T LET GO - HOLLIES 3WKS AT 2

26TH APR 66 BANG BANG - CHER

10TH MAY 66 DAYDREAM - LOVIN` SPOONFUL

17TH MAY 66 SLOOP JOHN B - BEACH BOYS

24TH MAY 66 WILD THING - TROGGS

12TH JUL 66 NOBODY NEEDS YOUR LOVE - GENE PITNEY

26TH JUL 66 BLACK IS BLACK - LOS BRAVOS

23RD AUG 66 GOD ONLY KNOWS - BEACH BOYS

27TH SEPT 66 I`M A BOY - WHO

11TH OCT 66 BEND IT - DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK AND TICH

25TH OCT 66 I CAN`T CONTROL MYSELF - TROGGS

01ST NOV 66 STOP STOP STOP - HOLLIES

15TH NOV 66 SEMI-DETACHED SURBURBAN MR JAMES - MANFRED MANN

22ND NOV 66 GIMME SOME LOVIN` - SPENCER DAVIS GROUP

06TH DEC 66 WHAT WOULD I BE - VAL DOONICAN

20TH DEC 66 MORNINGTOWN RIDE - SEEKERS 3WKS AT 2

10TH JAN 67 SUNSHINE SUPERMAN - DONOVAN

24TH JAN 67 MATTHEW AND SON - CAT STEVENS

07TH FEB 67 LET`S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER/RUBY TUESDAY - ROLLING STONES

28TH FEB 67 PENNY LANE/STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER - BEATLES 3WKS AT 2

21ST MAR 67 EDELWEISS - VINCE HILL

28TH MAR 67 THIS IS MY SONG - HARRY SECOMBE

16TH MAY 67 DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE - MAMAS AND PAPAS

23RD MAY 67 WATERLOO SUNSET - KINKS

13TH JUN 67 THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING - ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK 4WKS AT 2

11TH JUL 67 ALTERNATE TITLE - MONKEES

22ND AUG 67 I`LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN - TOM JONES 4WKS AT 2

19TH SEPT 67 EXCERPT FROM A TEENAGE OPERA - KEITH WEST

03RD OCT 67 FLOWERS IN THE RAIN - MOVE

14TH NOV 67 ZABADAK - DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK AND TICH

28TH NOV 67 EVERYBODY KNOWS - DAVE CLARK FIVE

19TH DEC 67 IF THE WHOLE WORLD STOPPED LOVIN` - VAL DOONICAN

02ND JAN 68 MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR E.P. - BEATLES

16TH JAN 68 WALK AWAY RENEE - FOUR TOPS

30TH JAN 68 AM I THAT EASY TO FORGET - ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK

05TH MAR 68 LEGEND OF XANADU - DAVE DEE, DOZY, BEAKY, MICK AND TICH 3WKS AT 2

26TH MAR 68 DELILAH - TOM JONES

30TH APR 68 SIMON SAYS - 1910 FRUITGUM COMPANY

07TH MAY 68 LAZY SUNDAY - SMALL FACES

21ST MAY 68 HONEY - BOBBY GOLDSBORO 3WKS AT 2

09TH JUL 68 SON OF HICKORY HOLLER`S TRAMP - O.C. SMITH

23RD JUL 68 I PRETEND - DES O` CONNER

06TH AUG 68 FIRE - CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN 3WKS AT 2

08TH OCT 68 JESAMINE - CASUALS

12TH NOV 68 ELOISE - BARRY RYAN 3WKS AT 2

17TH DEC 68 AIN`T GOT NO-I GOT LIFE - NINASIMONE

31ST DEC 68 BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP - FOUNDATIONS

04TH FEB 68 BLACKBERRY WAY - MOVE

 

The poor MOVE not getting a BBC number one, because of the decision to join up with the BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU, on the 11th Feb 1969.

 

That`s the BBC number 2s. Maybe I might go on to the number 3s, at some point...then work all the way through to the BBC number 30s, then we have a full list of hits, that ever made the BBC/RADIO ONE chart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 200717 yr by trevs

Just for clarification, we have already explained that the Official Chart started, when DEREK CHINNERY etc, formed an alliance with the BRITISH MARKET RESEARCH BUREAU, in 1969 (when Record Retailer, also put some money in) to begin a more accurate chart on 11th Feb 69. There is no point of talking about official charts before 1969, when there wasn`t one (it just happened to be that the GUINESS Team, JO RICE, TIM RICE and PAUL GAMBACCINI just decided to use Record Retailer from 1960, because it`s chart used a top 50, when all the others at the time, were only using a top 20, or 30. So, I am not going to enter, into an argument, about non-existent official charts. It`s surposed to be a thread on BBC Charts, after all.

Edited October 2, 200915 yr by Dave Taylor