Caffè  Lattè looks back on:

 

THE FIRST 100

BLACK ACTS

TO TOP THE US CHART

in The Rock Era

The Rock Era began in July 1955 when “Rock Around The Clock” became the first rock ‘n’ roll single to top the American Pop Chart. In the early years, few black acts managed to crossover to the more lucrative mainstream market. With a domination of the top position by white males, success was even more difficult to achieve for black females. This improved as R&B acts began to appeal to white record buyers. Motown helped and in the decade after, disco opened the floodgates for black acts.

This is a look back on the first 100 pioneering artists to reach the chart summit in America, according to Billboard Magazine. These soloists and groups are 100% black and listed in order of their first chart-topping disc.

1956

            THE PLATTERS My Prayer

1957

            SAM COOKE You Send Me

1958

            TOMMY EDWARDS It’s All In The Game

1959

            LLOYD PRICE Stagger Lee

            DAVE “BABY” CORTEZ The Happy Organ

            WILBERT HARRISON Kansas City

 

1960

           CHUBBY CHECKER The Twist

           THE DRIFTERS Save The Last Dance For Me

           RAY CHARLES Georgia On My Mind

           MAURICE WILLIAMS & THE ZODIUACS Stay

1961

            THE SHIRELLES Will You Love Me Tomorrow

           THE MARCELS Blue Moon

            ERNIE K-DOE Mother -In- Law

           GARY U.S. BONDS Quarter To Three

            BOBBY LEWIS Tossin’ And Turnin’

           THE MARVELETTES Please Mr. Postman

1962

            GENE CHANDLER Duke Of Earl

           LITTLE EVA The Loco-Motion

            THE CRYSTALS He’s A Rebel

1963

            RUBY & THE ROMANTICS Our Day Will Come

           THE CHIFFONS He’s So Fine

            JIMMY SOUL If You Wanna Be Happy

            THE TYMES So Much In Love

           STEVIE WONDER Fingertips (Pt. II)

1964

            LOUIS ARMSTRONG Hello, Dolly!

            MARY WELLS My Guy

           THE DIXIE CUPS Chapel Of Love

            THE SUPREMES Where Did Our Love Go

1965

           THE TEMPTATIONS My Girl

           THE FOUR TOPS

              I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)

1966

            PERCY SLEDGE When A Man Loves A Woman

1967

            ARETHA FRANKLIN Respect

1968

           OTIS REDDING (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay

            ARCHE BELL & THE DRELLS Tighten Up

            HUGH MASAKELA Grazing In The Grass

            MARVIN GAYE I Heard It Through The Grapevine

1969

            SLY & THE FAMILY STONE Everyday People

           THE FIFTH DIMENSION

                Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In

1970

            THE JACKSON 5 I Want You Back

            EDWIN STARR War

            SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES

                The Tears Of A Clown

1971

           THE HONEY CONE Want Ads

           ISAAC HAYES Theme From ‘Shaft’

1972

            AL GREEN Let’s Stay Together

            ROBERTA FLACK

                 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

           THE CHI-LITES Oh Girl

           THE STAPLE SINGERS I’ll Take You There

           SAMMY DAVIS JR. Candy Man

           BILL WITHERS Lean On Me

           CHUCK BERRY My Ding-A-Ling

           JOHNNY NASH I Can See Clearly Now

           BILLY PAUL Me And Mrs. Jones

     

Concludes tomorrow