kingofskiffle

Those on the Record Research mailing list will have got the below email today. I think this is looking like the end is nigh, sadly, but they are looking for investors. So if you have deep pockets... The email: If you’re like us, the black and white print on our pages evoke memories associated with melodies from your life’s soundtrack. Producing these pages has never been just a job for us. It’s a labor of love. For more than a half century, Joel Whitburn’s Record Research has created the data trusted by history buffs and music preservationists worldwide. We’ve self-published 174 research books, authored the Billboard Top 40 Hits book series which spawned Billboard Books, created the Billboard Hits series of music books with Hal Leonard, and initiated and produced 125 separate Billboard Top Hits music compilations with Rhino Records. We’ve weathered bad economies, the rise and fall of multiple recording configurations, record labels, and music industry magazines, the coming and going of weekly Top 40 countdowns, the upheaval of radio, the advent of streaming, the wholescale shift of data from print to internet, and so on. What began as a one-man hobby in the mid-1960s, became a thriving small business. By the early 1990s, we employed a healthy staff able to field a variety of projects. Downturns in the music industry eventually affected our business. We cut back on projects, then on staff through attrition. Enter the 2000s and everything about how music was discovered and enjoyed changed. Extensive market research narrowed radio playlists diminishing the number of stations that played the whole Top 40 (or even the Top 10). Streaming algorithms introduced new music. And only a handful of record shops kept their doors open. Gone were the days when a collector would check out the chart posted in the shop for new releases, so fewer and fewer music lovers developed a heart for the charts. As our customer base aged, so did their enthusiasm for new music and its stats. Sales of new editions declined. We introduced our online database, the MusicVault. But its time and expense outpaced customer involvement. Despite increasing demands on our remaining staff of four -- Joel, Kim, Paul and Brent, we soldiered on. And then Fran’s accident in 2017. Kim became her primary caregiver, cutting into her RR workload; Brent assisted Joel with daily chores. Still, we kept going through COVID, boosted by music fans spending more time with their collections and craving info from our books. But, the resulting shutdowns and supply-chain issues eventually sent our production costs soaring. On more than a few occasions, Joel mulled that it was time to close up shop. In the three years since Joel’s passing, followed by Fran’s, Record Research has published three books, further streamlined, and wished Brent the best on his retirement after 47 years as a Record Researcher. Kim and Paul, the last two standing, have been fielding a lot of questions from our readers. And, so that we are not further inundated, here are our best answers to the most common queries. Where is the Billboard Hot 100 Charts: 2010-2019 book? It most likely will not be published. In early 2023, Kim created a one-page format for the chart which covered two and then three pages over the decade in Billboard’s print issue. We intended to reverse engineer the chart from our weekly positions data and Paul was set to proof. However, delayed permissions and rising production costs made it unattainable. Will you publish new editions of ….? Not likely. The current costs associated with creating, printing, storing, packaging, and shipping are too heavy; the books would incur an even higher price tag, which is insurmountable in this climate of declining interest. Don’t wait to buy a book that we’ve had in stock for years. It’s disconcerting to hear customers demand, “You have to reprint that book! I was waiting for it to go on sale and now you don’t have it! And you expect me to pay over $300 for a used copy on eBay?” No, we don’t. Buy in-stock books now. Will future books be released as print-on-demand? Again, it’s not likely due to time and expense involved. Can I buy PDFs or spreadsheets of your work? No, reports generated by our custom-designed database require edits when transferred to PDF. The database does not readily lend itself to the creation of spreadsheets. Will there be further eBook versions of your print work? This remains to be seen as the two of us are doing all we can. Will you be bringing your database online (like you did with the MusicVault)? See answer above. Since Joel’s passing, is there still interest in maintaining Record Research? Kim and Paul are deeply proud of the unique work they’ve done. Kim has been behind the scenes of Record Research her whole life, beginning in her crib next to Joel in 1965 — when he began his research with a pack of index cards and the “Hot 100” chart of 8/4/58 — to her first after-school job at age 11, to coming aboard in a professional capacity in 1987. Paul, a lifelong, serious chart enthusiast, made the move from a radio career and signed on as a Record Researcher in 1992. We maintain that ours have been the most stalwart of hearts for the charts, absorbing losses in an effort to keep creating and delivering our music history facts and stats to you. What’s next? Record Research has a tremendous database, stock on several titles, and strong support from music lovers worldwide, like you, for which we are immensely grateful. To move forward and initiate new projects requires an influx of capital from those with deep pockets who concurrently have a desire to take up the mantle and enjoy the myriad of possibilities awash within our goldmine of data. If not, it looks as if the days of this mom ‘n pop shop are numbered. Only serious endeavors with the means to build on this work will be entertained at info@recordresearch.com. Please direct all other inquiries or encouragement to comment@recordresearch.com. In the meantime, don’t miss out on your chance to keep our lights burning for a bit longer and build your library for less!

I've just made available the new book the decade series of the 1990's - but this time as a Top 200. This already existed as a Top 100, but no has been re-made as a Top 200. This contains the Gallup data from 1990-5 Feb 1994 (with sales data and all starred out position shown) and then from then on we list the Compressed Top 200. A special section at the back lists the Uncompressed chart data, derived from Hit Music and lists the charts as they listed them (which is not entirely correct as you will see when you read the volume notes). The ChartBook WebsiteUK Singles Decade SeriesOver the years I have created various books which cover the main UK Singles chart, broken down by decade. Each of these books are available below, together with details of their content. Contents E…[URL="https://usercontent.one/wp/www.thechartbook.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Decade_1990_Gallup200_Advert.pdf?media=1740600311"]You can see the Sample pages here.[/URL] The book is simply huge, clocking in at almost 8,000 pages, and a file size of 90Mb, so I do hope that it does not cause any issues for readers. If it does, then I will have to split the book into two volumes. It costs £20 because of the size.

Sorry for the delayed reply - had issues logging into the forum since the re-make. The book is being made and I've just had a Quick Look through for Graham to do some checks. It should be out quite soon.

Thousands.... it all depends of course on what you consider a typo and whether it's one that was intentional. Sometimes an act will be mis-typed - an act in 1992 called Sole was credited as Soul. Catalogue numbers where sometimes mis-typed with the Z becoming a 2 I've just been adding the 1992 Gallup Top 200's to the database and you get 2 or three per month where the chart title is a little off form the record title it should be.

Due to exclusion rules at the time for 76-100, it's actually correct for 76-100. The records moving up are 62-75, with a different record at 75. The correct chart is as printed in Music Week. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pnr1fk5kbk8g...iyxsu1&dl=0

That's actually a printing error in both the book and the OCC database. The original chart was correct. What happened is that some sales of one format were accidentally separated out. This happened at some stage after 1995 and before 2001, when the files where sent to ChartsPlus. I noticed and queried and the OCC database now seems to have bene updated. If you look further down the chart you will see a new entry at 61 that week, thus 10 THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS CHILDLINERS LONDON LONCD376 61 THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS CHILDLINERS LONDON LOCDP376 The lower entry should be combined, which is enough sales to increase the 10 to a 9 position. This is correct in the Graham Betts chart book as he utilised Music Week as printed, which was correct. I had hoped the OCC website would be updated when they updated it recently. Clearly not.... Their website has many errors and should not be relied upon.

I have just issued another new chart book to add to the UK Chart collection. This one covers the weekly charts for the Top 40 from 1952-18 July 2024, and updates the old Guiness and Virgin Top 40 Charts books, long since out of print (although I do still find the odd copy in bookshops). https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/2024/07/14/u...-top-40-charts/ Full details of the 2,114 page £20 volume are on the website as well as a sample. It's by far my largest book yet, and one I hope you will consider adding to your collection.

Well it's difficult to separate out Wales and Scotland :) It's a way of being distinct from America.

I'm writing this on behalf of poster kobyhadrian, form another forum. He has asked me to see if anybody here knows anything in relation to a query he is looking into. He is trying to find if there might be any books or dedicated research by anybody into the careers of the following artists... with SPECIFIC regard to their record sales in Great Britain. From the 50s: Guy Mitchell/Mario Lanza/Jo Stafford From the 50s/60s: Everly Brothers/Connie Francis And lastly, from the 60s: Rolling Stones. Any bits of information that you would have - or ideas as to where to locate such - would be greatly appreciated, as these people/acts who all were major record sellers in the UK.

FLASH SALE! I've decided to celebrate the end of Winter with my first flash sale on the website. Virtually all the books currently on sake are included, with a couple of items not included. This is a fantastic time to increase your collection or pick up the missing volume you have always wanted! What's The Offer? The offer is that you purchase one book and get a second absolutely free! The book bought must be of equal or greater value than the book being requested as free. The only exclusions are forthcoming books - such as 1973 Billboard 85 Years Series volume or later volumes and the Billboard 85 Years Subscription. How does it work? Select the book you want and purchase. At checkout you should be able to send me a note and in that note tell me the volume you want as your free gift. Example: Purchase the 1950 Billboard Decade Series (for £25) and type in the box at checkout that you want to purchase the 1960 Billboard Decade as your free gift (That's also £25, and so included). Head to http://www.thechartbook.co.uk and happy spending!

The Budget Album chart is presented each week in ChartsPlus as a Top 50. Prior to 2003 it was a Top 10, bi-weekly in Music Week. It is based on sales and streaming, to an extent today, but of lower value - hence Budget - albums.

It is currently being produced. I would imagine a few weeks.

I think it is mid 2010 that ChartsPlus begins to print in the charts as a separate entity. Prior, from about 2003, they were alongside the Top 200. If you go here https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scott...rt/20050515/41/ for example the chart is printed in order, but without the positions printed. Some of the charts above are not ones present some time before, in the previous iteration of the OCC database. Under that version I did save the weekly charts that exist from 1994-2017, so 1, 196 weekly charts are presented in the link below. https://www.dropbox.com/s/w2275bw3ze0z64c/S...ingles.zip?dl=0

AI is brilliant at code writing if you check it afterwards. I used it to write a set of mock exam answers and gave it to my class and asked them to find the problems. I think it got one answer right. I wanted them to understand that whilst it can do some things it is a tool and no more and does not replace human thought.

Thank god for that. Now can we all please get behind a campaign to get a good Christmas song to number one now that Mariah and Wham both had a chance? What would be your favourite not Christmas number one? I’d like to see White Christmas by Bing at the top just cos it would be fun.

For those who wish to have all of the 1980's charts - including the complete Top 200 - I have just launched a new book on the website covering the Gallup Top 200 form 1983-1989 and the weekly BMRB charts for 1980-82. To purchase the £15, 4,000 page book head over to the website. A sample set of pages is also presented. https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/2023/10/22/t...-200-1983-1989/ I have been wanting to do this book for a long time, and now, finally, I can! This volume – my largest book yet – contains over 4,000 pages with the BMRB charts for 1980-1982, and then the complete Gallup Top 200 charts from 1983-1989, complete with panel sales. The book covers all Top 200 charts and lists the full weekly charts – including the starred out records, removed via exclusion rules, in there proper place. The book adds up the panel sales for the chart run and is, quite simply, my favourite chart book. This book does come a little more expensive, at £15, but I think you will agree that the huge page count makes it worth it. The book is delivered as a link, as the book is over 50Mb in size, due to the huge wealth of information. Virtually all entires include full B-Side listings, label, catalogue number and duration, although of course some entries do miss this due to the inability to locate the records concerned. Some of the data has been posted on the forum UKMix, and I am very grateful to both Robbie and of course kobyhadrian for supplying the original Top 200 data.

I have all the others so would absolutely recommend getting this one!

I have just launched two new books on my website (though one is a much more expanded edition of one from 2017). Record Mirror: This book is the definitive version of the Record Mirror charts. Record Mirror Singles The Top 10, later 20, singles chart runs from 1955 through to 1962, covering pretty much the whole Skiffle era, the rise of Elvis, Cliff and a host of other artists, as well as the change from the acts who dominated the early 1950’s through to the period just before the Beatles snuck onto the charts at the end of the year. 967 records by 518 artists appear, some being unique to this chart. The British Artists Chart This was not a new idea, as NME had run a British Artists Chart in 1954, covering a few short weeks until they expanded their main chart from a Top 12 to a Top 20 (See the 70 Years Series issue for 1954 for a full history of that chart). The idea was a good one though, and at the end of 1955 Record Mirror started a Top 10 British Artists chart, just at the right time to cover Rock Island Line charting for the first time where it would become a Number 1 – sadly not on the main chart. The British Artists chart was a Top 10 for its entire life, finally ending in 1961. This chart is one never before researched and I do find that a shame as, apart from giving Lonnie Donegan another number 1, it does provide an interesting snapshot, particularly in the lower region, of records not yet – or never – in the national chart. By mid 1956 NME would have a Top 30, so most of these records do chart elsewhere, but the early period does offer some interesting titles for perusal. The LP Chart Record Mirror produced the first LP chart in 1956, 2 years before Melody Maker and while those two years of Top 5’s are now part of the official chart canon, subsequent years are not, of course, as Melody Maker had a larger chart, and those years (1958-1962) have never bene researched – until now. Some albums appear for the first time, including two I have been unable to find the durations for sadly (so maybe a 4th version of this book will be produced?) and the full history and track listing of these albums is unique to this volume. The Book I’ve had a great deal of fun putting this together, and researching from original scans of the charts as printed all the data. Check out the sample on the website, or the page her lets you purchase the book for £10 for 400 pages. https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/the-decade-s...ror-1955-1962/ My other new book is a Decade series for Billboard Pop Singles for the 1940's. Following on from my successful UK Singles Decade Series, I now launch the same for the Billboard Pop Charts, begun in 1940 and continuing to this day. For those wishing to purchase, please note that each is available as a free gift to those subscribing to either a full year, or the full series of my Billboard 85 Years series. Volume 1 contains over 1,200 pages (for just £10), in full colour, covering full chart data with exact peak positions as denoted on each chart for the Billboard best Sellers In Stores Chart, begun in 1940 and stoped being compiled in 1958, as well as almost 5 years worth of Regional charts (from the East Coast, Mid-West, South and West Coast), together with the 1944 begun Juke Box chart and the 1945 begun Disk Jockey (radio plays) chart. Each entry contains the composer, duration, B-Side, and full chart history for each appearance on each chart.​ To check out the sample and purchase please visit this page here https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/the-usa-collection/ My 85 Years of Billboard Charts series is still available, with the first 10 issues (1940-1949) now issued, and more to come with 1950 issued on 24 October. https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/85-years-of-us-sales-charts/

The 1947 chart book has been issued and contains 592 pages covering 5 charts, including the Juke Box Folk (Country) chart and the R&B Juke Box charts. If your interested, the full series can still be purchased form the website or individual issues can be bought also. The series will contain a wealth of charts, all with full information as to writers, duration and B-Sides (as appropriate). https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/85-years-of-.../#85_Purchasing Please use the link above if you wish to purchase or view samples.

Just a reminder that if anybody is interested, the first three issues are out now 1940 onwards includes the Regional charts, produced at the time, while 1942 sees the start of the chart that becomes the R&B chart.

85 Years Of Billboard Sales Charts https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/85-years-of-us-sales-charts/ Announcing the launch of a new subscription chart series, looking at all the Billboard Pop Sales Charts since 1940 through to mid 2025 (or 85 years). The charts began in July 1940 with the launch of the Best Sellers In Stores chart, together with 4 regional charts. By 1955 the charts had grown and Billboard launched a Top 100 and finally in August 1958 the Hot 100, still going strong today. This series will focus on those charts, and others, providing new insights and new ways to view the data. Subscribers get the full series, plus some free gifts, or whole decades can be purchased, or individual years. The first issue, 1940, launches on 8 August, so sign up now! Do please check out the sample pages, from numerous volumes, on the page above. And, of course, feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

For those who have not looked at my website recently, there have been quite a few new books added since I last updated this thread in 2020. https://www.thechartbook.co.uk Do please have a look, but some highlights include - Decade Series for Singles for each of the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's - A series focusing on the 70 Years of the UK Singles chart More are also coming soon, so please have a look as well at a recent blog post https://www.thechartbook.co.uk/2023/07/15/website-updates/ If you have any ideas for books then do please drop me a message and I'll see what I can come up with!

Yep, entirely missing from the archive... as if the week has been erased from history.....

Press the (i) button and data appears.

Yes I don't know if we ever published 2014 and 2015, but I do have that data. I know we had to buy it, so that's why we stopped as I think nobody was really interested once the OCC website started to give away the Top 100, which is largely all most wanted at the time. 2016 onwards we do not have, and I do not have. I am sure you can buy it from the OCC.