TRACING POPULAR TASTES : US #1 SINGLES LEADERBOARD.  

This post: 1955-79. More: tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè traces the shifts in popular music through the decades:

-THE LEADERBOARD-

The Rock Era is said to have commenced in July 1955, when “Rock Around The Clock” became the first rock ‘n’ roll disc to reach #1 on Billboard’s Singles Chart. Since then, rock music has spawned countless genres and sub-genres, including: soul, new wave, folk rock, punk, grunge, funk, disco, hip hop, garage, crunk and psychedelic soul. 

This series charts the changes in trends and how they have impacted the chart statistics from the US perspective.

Every single that reached #1 in America since mid-1955 to the present is taken into account. Acts are ranked according to how many chart-topping singles they have achieved and separated by weeks in the top position. Each instalment lists only the leading performers and represents a major impact on the leaderboard.

By 1970, The Beatles had replaced Elvis at the top. To date, no other act has surpassed the Fab Four’s total of #1 singles. They have remained at #1 since, but there has been much change within the lower ranks over subsequent decades.

Disco records began to top the chart by the mid-1970s, culminating in a chart domination by The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, KC & The Sunshine Band and many one-hit wonders. So popular was disco, that acts not associated with dance music- including Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones and Barbra Streisand- joined the bandwagon and scored #1 hits.

PART SEVEN:

July 1955- 1979

1.          THE BEATLES                                                           20         59

2.          ELVIS PRESLEY                                                        17         77

3.          THE SUPREMES                                                        12         22

4.          THE BEE GEES                                                            9          27

5.          THE ROLLING STONES                                               8          17

6.          ELTON JOHN                                                               5          11

7.          PAUL McCARTNEY / WINGS                                       5           9

8.          THE 4 SEASONS                                                         4          15

9.          DONNA SUMMER                                                       4          13

10.     BOBBY VINTON                                                           4          12

11.     THE JACKSON 5                                                          4          10

12.     CHER*                                                                         4          8

13.     DIANA ROSS                                                               4*         7

14.     THE TEMPTATIONS                                                      4          6

15.     STEVIE WONDER                                                         4          6

16.     JOHN DENVER                                                             4          5

17.     SIMON & GARFUNKEL                                                 3*       11

18.     THE BEACH BOYS                                                        3          8

19.     CARPENTERS                                                              3          7

20.     BARBRA STREISAND                                                   3          7