TRACING POPULAR MUSIC TASTES (UK PERSPECTIVE). 

Today: 1955-82. More: tomorrow.

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

-THE LEADERBOARD-

The Rock Era is said to have begun in 1955 when “Rock Around The Clock” became the first rock ‘n’ roll disc to reach #1 on Billboard’s Singles Chart. Later that year, the song climbed to the top in the UK. Rock ‘n’ roll was making its mark on both sides of the Atlantic. We’ve already traced the shifts in musical trends from the US perspective, now our focus is on the British Top 40 Chart.

British acts would soon thrive as rock music evolved, helping to elevate trends such as Merseybeat, Britpop, skiffle, punk, house, disco and many other sub-genres.

The new decade began with the announcement that The Beatles had split up. All 4 members launched solo careers. ABBA won Eurovision and proved to have enough talent to maintain success. In 1977, Elvis Presley died, resulting in a new #1 that placed The King back on top. In the 1980s, disco was out of favour as punk and new wave acts emerged such as Blondie, The Police and The Jam. John Lennon’s assassination saw him score 3 #1s in quick succession.

 

PART EIGHT

November 1955-1982

 

1.    ELVIS PRESLEY                                        17      73

2.    THE BEATLES*                                         17      69

3.    THE SHADOWS*                                        12      44

4.    CLIFF RICHARD                                        10      35

5.    ABBA                                                              9       31

6.    THE ROLLING STONES                            8       18

7.    SLADE                                                           6       20

8.    ROD STEWART                                           5       15

9.    BLONDIE                                                      5       12

10.THE EVERLY BROTHERS                        4       19

11.FRANK IFIELD                                            4       17

12.T. REX                                                            4       16

13.BEE GEES                                                     4       9

     THE POLICE                                                4       9

     THE JAM                                                       4       9

14.OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN                           3       18

15.LONNIE DONEGAN                                    3       11

     GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS                3       11

     ADAM ANT                                                   3       11

16.DONNY OSMOND                                       3       10

     MUD                                                               3       10

17.SANDIE SHAW                                            3       9

     GARY GLITTER                                        3       9

18.BROTHERHOOD OF MAN                      3       8

     SHAKIN’ STEVENS                                   3       8

19.JOHN LENNON*                                        3       7

20.ROY ORBISON                                           3       7

     MANFRED MANN                                      3       7