TRACING POPULAR MUSIC TASTES (UK PERSPECTIVE). 

Today: 1955-97. 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.

Elton John captured the mood of the world as it came to terms with the death of Princess Diana with his tribute record “Candle In The Wind 1997”. Among the new acts accruing many #1 singles were Take That and The Spice Girls.

PART TWELVE

November 1955-1997

1.    ELVIS PRESLEY                                        17      73

2.    THE BEATLES*                                          17      69

3.    CLIFF RICHARD                                        13      43

4.    THE SHADOWS*                                        12      44

5.    ABBA                                                              9       31

6.    TAKE THAT*                                                8       21

7.    THE ROLLING STONES*                          8       18

8.    MADONNA                                                    7       18

9.    GEORGE MICHAEL*                                 7       17

10.MICHAEL JACKSON*                               7       16

11.SLADE                                                           6       20

12.ROD STEWART                                           6       18

     SPICE GIRLS                                               6       18

13.QUEEN*                                                        5       20

14.THE POLICE                                               5       13

     DAVID BOWIE                                            5       13

     BEE GEES                                                    5       13

15.BLONDIE                                                     5       12

16.THE EVERLY BROTHERS                      4       19

17.ELTON JOHN                                             4       18

18.PAUL McCARTNEY/ WINGS*                4       17

19.FRANK IFIELD                                          4       17

20.T. REX                                                          4       16

     WHITNEY HOUSTON                              4       16