Throwback Thursday: Billboard Magazine Debuts the 1st Music Chart

Throwback Thursday: Billboard Magazine Debuts the 1st Music Chart

Share

On this day in 1936, Billboard Magazine debuted their “music hit parade,” the first-ever chart that ranked national record sales. Founded in 1894 as a trade publication for bill posters, by the early 20th century, the magazine shifted its focus to different aspects of the entertainment industry, such as circuses and burlesque shows. As music began to be more accessible through technological advancements like the phonograph, record player, radio and jukebox, Billboard began to cover more of the music industry. For their first “music hit parade” published on January 4, 1936, jazz violinist Joe Venuti took the Number 1 spot. In 1955, the Billboard Hot 100 chart of top-selling songs was introduced, followed later by the Billboard 200 for top-selling albums. To this day, the Billboard charts serve as the magazine’s “most enduring and influential” achievement.

Throwback Thursday: The Beatles’ “White Album” Hits #1

Throwback Thursday: The Beatles’ “White Album” Hits #1

Share

On this day in 1968, The Beatles’ ninth studio album, “The Beatles” (more commonly referred to as the “White Album” due to its plain white sleeve with no graphics) reached Number One on U.S. charts, remaining there for nine weeks. The four-sided album was released in late November of that year and featured celebrated songs such as “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “Dear Prudence,” and “Blackbird.” Critically and commercially, the album was a success, however, it was during these recording sessions that the band began to experience great tension. Fights over creative differences, drug use, and the presence of Yoko Ono plagued the making of the album, with Ringo Starr even briefly quitting the band in August. With tensions continuing to mount amongst the band members, The Beatles would ultimately break-up in April of 1970.

Throwback Thursday: Michael Jackson Releases “Thriller”

Throwback Thursday: Michael Jackson Releases “Thriller”

Share

On this day in 1982, Michael Jackson released his iconic sixth studio album, “Thriller.” Even before recording began, Jackson was looking to create an album where “every song was a killer,” and boy, did he succeed! Featuring hit singles like “Billie Jean,” Beat It,” and “Thriller,” it remains the world’s best-selling album of all time, with over 105 million copies sold globally. “Thriller” won Album of the Year and seven other awards at the Grammy Awards in 1984. “Thriller” was an international success due to Jackson’s overwhelming star quality, it’s excellent songwriting and it’s combination of several musical genres, including pop, rock and funk. In 2003, Rolling Stone placed “Thriller” at number 20 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” Not only that, the music video for the song “Thriller” is credited as transforming the medium of music video from a promotional tool used by studios to sell records, into an art form.

Throwback Thursday: “Under Pressure” Debuts in the U.K.

Throwback Thursday: “Under Pressure” Debuts in the U.K.

Share

On this day in 1981, legendary British rock band, Queen, released their single, “Under Pressure,” in the U.K. The song, which was written and recorded in collaboration with David Bowie, evolved from a jam session, as evidenced by the scat singing heard throughout the piece. The song reached number one of the UK Singles Chart, the band’s second number one hit in the U.K. (the first was 1975’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”) “Under Pressure” was played live at every Queen concert from 1981 until the end of Queen’s touring career in 1986.

Throwback Thursday: Radiohead Releases  “Creep”

Throwback Thursday: Radiohead Releases “Creep”

Share

On this day in 1992, Radiohead released their debut single, “Creep,” written by the band’s lead singer, Thom Yorke, while he attended University in the late 1980’s. Radiohead performed the song for their producers during rehearsals for their first album, “Pablo Honey.” After a successful single take recording, their producers decided to make “Creep” the band’s debut single. “Creep” met little success in the UK and the US, receiving very little airtime on the radio because many DJs found the song “too depressing.” The single initially sold only 6,000 copies. It wasn’t until the release of “Pablo Honey” in February 1993 that “Creep” became a worldwide hit and eventually, one of Radiohead’s best known songs.