THE First 100 BILLBOARD DISCO CHART No. 1s. More: tomorrow.

Caffè  Lattè looks back on:

 

60 YEARS

OF THE

BILLBOARD

DISCO/DANCE

CHART

 

Billboard began ranking the top Disco and Dance tracks in 1974. Six decades of dancefloor favourites have kept us in discotheques and clubs to this day. This is a focus on the first 100 number ones on that chart which span the Disco Era:

 

THE FIRST 100 NUMBER ONE TRACKS

Oct. 26^th, 1974:         The Disco Chart debuts in Billboard.

 

31.

FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE {all cuts}

Donna Summer 6 weeks

At times, all of the tracks from an album were listed as #1 on the Disco Chart. The first LP to do so was Donna Summer’s fourth studio release 'Four Seasons Of Love', which included the cuts: “Spring Affair”, “Winter Melody”, “Autumn Changes” and “Summer Fever”. When it reached the top, it was the singer’s third #1 on the Chart: the most any act had achieved to that point.

32.

DON’T LEAVE ME THIS WAY / ANY WAY YOU LIKE IT

Thelma Houston 6 weeks

A Motown #1 on the Pop, Disco and Soul charts. “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was a remake of a Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes song and the last #1 of 1976 on the Disco Chart.

1977

33.

DISCO INFERNO / STARVIN’ / BODY CONTACT CONTRACT

The Trammps 6 weeks

The first Disco Chart #1 of 1977 was the third to top the listing for The Trammps. “Disco Inferno” enjoyed a resurgence in 1978 after being included on the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ movie soundtrack album.

34.

DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO

T-Connection 7 weeks

The only Disco Chart #1 from the black group from Nassau, Bahamas.

35.

I NEED A MAN

Grace Jones 2 weeks

Born Grace Mendoza in Jamaica, this was the first of her 4 Disco Chart #1s: “Slave To The Rhythm” (1986), “Love On Top Of Love-Killer Kiss” (1989) and “Sex Drive” (1993).

36.

GOT TO GIVE IT UP

Marvin Gaye 1 week

Only Disco Chart #1 for the Motown legend. In 1983 “Sexual Healing” peaked at #12.

37.

DEVIL’S GUN / WE GOT OUR OWN THING / SURE CAN’T GO TO THE MOON

C.J. & Company 5 weeks

The only Disco chart #1 from the Detroit, Michigan disco group. Its only other entry was “Deadeye Dick” {all cuts} which reached #18 in 1978.

38.

I REMEMBER YESTERDAY {all cuts}

Donna Summer 3 weeks

Donna Summer’s fourth visit to the top was with the tracks on her fifth studio LP ‘I Remember Yesterday'. The key cut was the groundbreaking “I Feel Love”.

39.

ACCIDENTAL LOVER / I FOUND LOVE (NOW THAT I FOUND YOU)

Love And Kisses 3 weeks

Disco studio group assembled by European producer Alec Costandinos. The two songs were on the self-titled debut album. In 1978, the act peaked at #5 with “How Much, How Much I Love You / Beauty And the Beast” before returning to the top as part of a medley.

40.

QUIET VILLAGE / AFRICAN QUEENS / SUMMER DANCE

The Ritchie Family 3 weeks

The third and final Disco Chart #1 for the disco trio. In 1980, The Ritchie Family charted with “Give Me A Break” from the film ‘Can’t Stop The Music’ which starred The Village People.