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  Programming jazz, blues & roots music for 21st century radio  
     
 
 

Many Fans Describe A Listening Experience Unlike Anything Else On Today's Radio

     
  In time, more topics will be added that will hopefully make using the BluesPlus Music Database easier and more enjoyable.  Get In Touch to request that a particular topic be addressed.  
     
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  Billboard Magazine's Music Charts  
  Elvis Presley - One Single's Complicated History  
   
  Billboard Magazine's Music Charts  
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  Researcher Joel Whitburn has done extensive research on the histories of Billboard's various charts and publishes a broad collection of books detailing this information. These books collect a fascinating wealth of music history and are an invaluable resource for both music industry professionals and casual fans alike.  
     
  Billboard is not the only trade publication to track the success of music releases.  On a national level, Cashbox and The Gavin Report are notable examples.  However, unless otherwise noted, chart information listed in The BluesPlus Music Calendar refers to Billboard's Music Charts and is taken from the following references published by Mr. Whitburn.  
 
  Top Pop Singles 1955-1999
  The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Hits1955 To The Present (6th edition; published 1996).
  Top R&B Singles 1942-1995
  Top Country Singles 1944-1993
 
     
  In addition to tracking various styles of music, at one time Billboard Magazine compiled multiple charts (Best Sellers, Disc Jockeys & Juke Box) regarding each category.  For singles which charted during a period with multiple charts, Billboard credits that single with most weeks on ANY ONE chart; highest peak on ANY ONE chart; & most weeks at peak on ANY ONE chart.   
     
   Billboard listed multiple charts as follows:  
     
 
  Pop Singles Charts
  Best Sellers: 1/1/1955 (beginning of Rock & Roll era) - 9/29/1958
  Disc Jockeys: 1/1/1955 (beginning of Rock & Roll era) - 7/28/1958
  Juke Box: 1/1/1955 (beginning of Rock & Roll era) - 6/17/1957
 
     
 
  R&B Singles Charts
  Best Sellers: 5/22/1948 - 10/13/1958
  Disc Jockeys:1/22/1955 - 10/13/1958
  Juke Box: 1/22/1955 - 6/17/1957
   
  Billboard discontinued its R&B Chart after 11/30/1963 and reinstated the chart 1/30/1965.
 
     
 
  Country Singles Charts
  Best Sellers; 5/15/1948 - 10/13/1958
  Disc Jockeys: 12/10/1949 - 10/13/1958
  Juke Box: 1/8/1944 - 6/17/1957
   
 
  In addition to publishing multiple charts for different categories of music, the categories themselves (especially R&B) have undergone various name changes over the years that reflected changes in public taste.  The BluesPlus Music Calendar does not attempt to keep up with these changes.  
     
  The number of chart positions followed by Billboard Magazine has greatly expanded over the years, as has the methodology of compiling the charts.  For more detail, Mr. Whitburn's work remains the best reference.  
   
  Elvis Presley - One Single's Complicated History  
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  Elvis Presley  
  Don't Be Cruel b/w Hound Dog  
     
  This 2-sided hit has a fascinating and complex history on Billboard Magazine's Music Charts.  
 
  Don't Be Cruel
 
  Pop Chart debut 8/11/1956; 27 weeks; peak #1 (8/18/1956; 11 weeks).
  R&B Chart debut 8/25/1956; 17 weeks; peak #1 (9/15/1956; 6 weeks).
  Country Chart debut 8/11/1956; 28 weeks; peak #1 (9/15/1956; 10 weeks).
   
  Hound Dog
 
  Pop Chart debut 8/4/1956; 28 weeks; peak #1 (8/18/1956; 11 weeks).
  R&B Chart debut 8/11/1956; 16 weeks; peak #1 (9/15/1956; 6 weeks).
  Country Chart debut 8/4/1956; 28 weeks; peak #1 (9/15/1956; 10 weeks).
   
  "Don't Be Cruel" had more weeks as the #1 A-side on the Pop Best Sellers and Pop Juke Box Charts.
  "Don't Be Cruel" spent 8 weeks at #1 on the Pop Disc Jockeys Chart; "Hound Dog" did not reach #1 on the Pop Disc Jockeys Chart.
  Billboard's Country Best Sellers and Country Juke Box Charts combined "Hound Dog" with "Don't Be Cruel" as one chart listing.
  "Don't Be Cruel" had more weeks as the #1 A-side on both Country Charts (Best Sellers and Juke Box).
  On Billboard's R&B Best Sellers Chart "Don't Be Cruel" was listed as the A-side.
  On Billboard's R&B Juke Box Chart "Hound Dog" spent 4 weeks as the A-side at #1 and 2 weeks as the B-side at #1
   
 
 

Many Fans Describe A Listening Experience Unlike Anything Else On Today's Radio

 

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