Happy 85th Birthday to Billboard

The first Billboard singles chart was published on this day in 1940. It was 85 years ago that Billboard began compiling and publishing the National Best Selling Retail Records chart. It became the first official national music chart. Wiki says: Debuting in the issue dated July 27, it marked the beginning of the magazine’s nationwide tracking of record sales in the United States. Initially titled the “National List of Best Selling Retail Records”, the weekly ten-position chart was tabulated using sales figures received from a selection of merchants across the country. Prior to its introduction, The Billboard had produced lists ranking music by various metrics such as performance in vaudeville venues, jukebox plays, sheet music sales, and regional airplay.

The first number one single was “I’ll Never Smile Again” from the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. It featured the Pied Pipers and a singer who would go on to be a musical icon – Frank Sinatra. The song topped the chart for twelve consecutive weeks and elevated Sinatra to national popularity.

They performed the song together in the 1941 film Las Vegas Nights.

All these years later, Billboard is still ranking records/singles. Of course, the music from the past is a lot better that what is on the charts today. (My opinion – don’t be hating!)