Post by Courage on Jul 18, 2011 15:05:42 GMT -5
This weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the first published Adult Contemporary Chart in Billboard magazine.
The chart was originally called "Easy Listening" and focused on radio stations that were interested in playing hits, but was not interested in the new "rock and roll" sound that had dominated the charts. The Easy Listening format became home to more established artists such as Pat Boone, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.
The chart format was simple. It used the Hot 100 format, but removed songs that were considered "Rock," and later in the 60s when the British Invasion took over the pop charts, EL steered clear except for the occasional ballads. The very first #1 on the Easy Listening Chart was "The Bell Weevil Song" by Brook Benton, which was #1 for 3 weeks.
The chart used this format until 1965, when it begun using the charting method of other genres.
During the mid-60s the chart underwent several name changes including "Middle of the Road Singles" and "Pop Standards." The chart returned to use the name "Easy Listening" until April 1979, when it officially was changed to "Adult Contemporary."
1961 also saw the first double digit #1 on the chart. "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean was #1 for the last 10 weeks of the year. In 1968 Paul Mauriat broke the record for longest run at #1 when "Love is Blue was #1 for 11 weeks.
By the 1970s, Easy Listening and Pop were becoming more similar. During this time, EL also saw its highest turnover rate. In 1975 there was an unprecedented 42 songs hit #1 on the chart, and between 1974 until November 1976, no song spent more than 3 weeks at #1. The song to end that streak was Captain & Tennille's "Muskrat Love" which logged a 4th week. Even pop powerhouses like Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" were only able to hold the top spot for a single week. Only 1 song in the 70s managed double digit week at #1, it was Al Stewart's "Time Passages" which was #1 for 10 weeks in 1978.
2 of AC's most powerful forces brokethrough in the 70s, Elton John and The Carpenters. To date, Elton has topped the chart 14 times, more than any other artist, and The Carpenters have more #1s than any other duo or group. Other artists who had their EL breakthroughs in the 70s included Anne Murray. Helen Reddy, Barry Manilow, Olivia newton-John, Carole King, Carly Simon, James Taylor, among many others. Between 1975 and 1976, Captain & Tennille logged 5 #1 hits.
By the late 70s as rock was considered taboo in the 60s, EL became more of the anti-disco format as very few disco artists and songs made the chart, although many of them have become format staples today.
On April 7, 1979 the Easy Listening chart officially became the Adult Contemporary chart, which still stands today. The first #1 under the new name was "Crazy Love" by Poco.
In 1979, Maxine Nightingale spent 7 weeks at #1 with lead me on. No song would get a 7th week at #1 on the chart throughout the 80s. The next song to do so was Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do I Do it For You" which logged 8 weeks in 1991.
More coming soon!
The chart was originally called "Easy Listening" and focused on radio stations that were interested in playing hits, but was not interested in the new "rock and roll" sound that had dominated the charts. The Easy Listening format became home to more established artists such as Pat Boone, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.
The chart format was simple. It used the Hot 100 format, but removed songs that were considered "Rock," and later in the 60s when the British Invasion took over the pop charts, EL steered clear except for the occasional ballads. The very first #1 on the Easy Listening Chart was "The Bell Weevil Song" by Brook Benton, which was #1 for 3 weeks.
The chart used this format until 1965, when it begun using the charting method of other genres.
During the mid-60s the chart underwent several name changes including "Middle of the Road Singles" and "Pop Standards." The chart returned to use the name "Easy Listening" until April 1979, when it officially was changed to "Adult Contemporary."
1961 also saw the first double digit #1 on the chart. "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean was #1 for the last 10 weeks of the year. In 1968 Paul Mauriat broke the record for longest run at #1 when "Love is Blue was #1 for 11 weeks.
By the 1970s, Easy Listening and Pop were becoming more similar. During this time, EL also saw its highest turnover rate. In 1975 there was an unprecedented 42 songs hit #1 on the chart, and between 1974 until November 1976, no song spent more than 3 weeks at #1. The song to end that streak was Captain & Tennille's "Muskrat Love" which logged a 4th week. Even pop powerhouses like Elton John's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" were only able to hold the top spot for a single week. Only 1 song in the 70s managed double digit week at #1, it was Al Stewart's "Time Passages" which was #1 for 10 weeks in 1978.
2 of AC's most powerful forces brokethrough in the 70s, Elton John and The Carpenters. To date, Elton has topped the chart 14 times, more than any other artist, and The Carpenters have more #1s than any other duo or group. Other artists who had their EL breakthroughs in the 70s included Anne Murray. Helen Reddy, Barry Manilow, Olivia newton-John, Carole King, Carly Simon, James Taylor, among many others. Between 1975 and 1976, Captain & Tennille logged 5 #1 hits.
By the late 70s as rock was considered taboo in the 60s, EL became more of the anti-disco format as very few disco artists and songs made the chart, although many of them have become format staples today.
On April 7, 1979 the Easy Listening chart officially became the Adult Contemporary chart, which still stands today. The first #1 under the new name was "Crazy Love" by Poco.
In 1979, Maxine Nightingale spent 7 weeks at #1 with lead me on. No song would get a 7th week at #1 on the chart throughout the 80s. The next song to do so was Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do I Do it For You" which logged 8 weeks in 1991.
More coming soon!