The conclusion of a 2-part spotlight...

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. Artists that made it to #1 as member of groups before doing it as soloists (eg. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie) are excluded.

1973

            THE O’JAYS Love Train

           BILLY PRESTON Will It Go Round In Circles

            GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS

                Midnight Train To Georgia

 

1974

            AL WILSON Show And Tell

             HUES CORPORATION Rock The Boat

           GEORGE McCRAE Rock Your Baby

            BARRY WHITE

                Can’t Get Enough Of  Your Love, Babe

           DIONNE WARWICK & THE SPINNERS

                Then Came You

            CARL DOUGLAS Kung Fu Fighting

1975

            OHIO PLAYERS Fire

            LABELLE Lady Marmalade

           MINNIE RIPERTON Lovin’ You

            EARTH, WIND & FIRE Shining Star

            VAN McCOY The Hustle

1976

            JOHNNIE TAYLOR Disco Lady

            THE SYLVERS Boogie Fever

           THE MANHATTANS Kiss And Say Goodbye

1977

            ROSE ROYCE Car Wash

           THELMA HOUSTON Don’t Leave Me This Way

            THE EMOTIONS Best Of My Love

1978

            JOHNNY MATHIS & DENIECE WILLIAMS

               Too Much, Too Little, Too Late

           COMMDORES Three Times A Lady

            A TASTE OF HONEY Boogie Oogie Oogie

            DONNA SUMMER MacArthur Park

            CHIC Le Freak

1979

            GLORIA GAYNOR I Will Survive

           AMII STEWART Knock On Wood

            PEACHES & HERB Reunited

            ANITA WARD Ring My Bell 

1981

            KOOL & THE GANG Celebration

1983

            PATTI AUSTIN & JAMES INGRAM

               Baby, Come To Me

            IRENE CARA Flashdance.. What A Feeling

1984

            PRINCE When Doves Cry

           RAY PARKER JR. Ghostbusters

            TINA TURNER What’s Love Got To Do With It

            BILLY OCEAN

               Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)

1985

            READY FOR THE WORLD Oh Sheila

            WHITNEY HOUSTON  

                   Saving All My Love For You

1986

            JANET JACKSON When I Think Of You

1987

            GREGORY ABBOTT Shake You Down

           CLUB NOUVEAU Lean On Me

            ATLANTIC STARR Always

            SEIDAH GARRETT  

                  I Just Can’t Stop Loving You {with Michael Jackson}

1988

             TERENCE TRENT D’ARBY Wishing Well

            BOBBY McFERRIN Don’t Worry, Be Happy

1989

            BOBBY BROWN My Prerogative

1990

            MAXI PRIEST Close To You

  

1991

            SURFACE The First Time