TRACING POPULAR MUSIC TASTES (UK PERSPECTIVE). 

Today: 1955-2006. 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 millennium saw new chart champs emerge such as Oasis, Westlife and All Saints alongside favourites such as Elton John, U2, Madonna, Take That and Kylie Minogue. Re-issued Elvis Presley #1 singles returned to the top.

PART FOURTEEN

November 1955-2006

1.    ELVIS PRESLEY                                        18      80

2.    THE BEATLES*                                          17      69

3.    CLIFF RICHARD                                        14      46

4.    WESTLIFE*                                                 13      18

5.    THE SHADOWS*                                        12      44

6.    MADONNA                                                   12      25

7.    ABBA                                                              9       31

8.    TAKE THAT*                                                9       25

9.    SPICE GIRLS*                                              9       22

10.THE ROLLING STONES*                          8       18

11.OASIS                                                             8       8

12.GEORGE MICHAEL*                                 7       17

13.MICHAEL JACKSON*                               7       16

14.KYLIE MINOGUE                                      7       16

15.U2                                                                    7       8

16.QUEEN*                                                        6       21

17.ELTON JOHN*                                            6       20

18.SLADE                                                          6       20

19.ROD STEWART                                          6       18

20.BLONDIE                                                     6       13