Record Research Comparison Book

Billboard, Cash Box, or Record World/Music Vendor

I own a LOT of music books published by Record Research. A recent email reads in part:

“For more than half a century, Joel Whitburn’s Record Research has created the data trusted by history buffs and music preservationists worldwide.

“We’ve self-published 174 research books, authored the Billboard Top 40 Hits book series… [and] created the Billboard Hits series of music books… 

“What began as a one-man hobby in the mid-1960s, became a thriving small business.  By the early 1990s, we employed a healthy staff able to field a variety of projects.”

But with retirements and deaths, notably the passing of founder Joel Whitburn, “Record Research has a tremendous database, stock on several titles, and strong support from music lovers worldwide, like you, for which we are immensely grateful.  To move forward and initiate new projects requires an influx of capital from those with deep pockets who concurrently have a desire to take up the mantle and enjoy the myriad of possibilities awash within our goldmine of data.  If not, it looks as if the days of this mom ‘n pop shop are numbered.”

To keep the lights on, they are selling their books, DVD-ROMs, and T-shirts at 50% off a purchase of $200 or more with the MAYDAY code. I have nine of the 33 books currently for sale.

Comparison Book

I bought a few books and a couple of T-shirts. Most of the books were based on the Billboard charts, but the Comparison Book shows “BillboardCash Box, or Record World/Music Vendor: EVERY song that appeared on any of the main pop singles charts of the BIG 3, when these three periodicals existed together, from 1954-1982.”

Since most songs I’ve listed in this blog note the #1 songs from various Billboard charts, I thought I’d list the tunes that went to #1 on CB and/or RW/MV but NOT Billboard. The numbers represent the number of weeks at #1. This year I’ll concentrate on years ending in five. The songs with * I own in some physical form.

1955 

Melody of Love– Billy Vaughn and his orchestra (Dot), CB 7

The Crazy Otto – Johnny Maddox and the Rhythmasters, MV 3

1965

Love Potion #9 -The Searchers (Kapp), RW 1, a Leiber-Stoller song recorded by the Clovers in 1959 

*Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat – Herman’s Hermits (MGM), CB 1

Wooly Bully  – Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs (MGM), RW 1

*Like A Rolling Stone  – Bob Dylan, CB 1 – the source of the title for the movie A Complete Unknown

A Lover’s Concerto – The Toys (dynoVoice), CB 1, RW 2. Based on the Bach Minuet in G, which I wrote about here

1-2-3 – Len Berry (Decca), CB 1

*Let’s Hang On – The 4 Seasons (Philips), CB 1, RW 1

*Taste Of Honey – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, CB 1  – Herb just hit 90 and is still performing

As you can see, these are recognizable songs for the most part.

I should note that I have received no compensation for promoting the sale, only the joy of trying to help a company I’ve been enamored with for at least two decades.

Christmas in July, self-generated

Generally, I’m just not that acquisitive. But I admit that getting stuff in the mail gave me almost as much of a rush as seeing the actual items themselves.

There was a period in late May and early June when I was really able to crank out blog posts. The mind was really engaged. There was a point that I actually was ahead 30 posts. Which was, I suppose, a good thing. Because when it started getting hot, my blogging started to cool off. I might write 2 posts in 10 days. So I would be down to 22 posts.

Now, I suppose I should explain that they were not the next 30 days out. They were for whatever special day struck my fancy. So I have written, weeks ago, posts for September 2 and 25, November 17, for example. But not necessarily for three days hence.

I think I hit a patch of melancholia. I can usually tell because I often buy stuff. For instance, Mile High Comics had this 60% off sale, which I used to purchase some Marvel Masterworks, about $300 of books for only $120, with free shipping.

My buddy Alan was having an eBay sale, and I bid on two books, one of which I got, a bio of Krazy Kat creator George Herriman. (On the other, an autobiography of Joe Simon, someone outbid me at 1:39 pm and the bidding closed at 1:40.)

I decided to buy more music on Amazon and ordered $25 worth for free shipping. I was surprised and pleased to discover that I had some Amazon points somehow, so that the purchase, of Outkast, Neil Young, and Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) was free.

Oh, and I received my Top Pop Singles book I had ordered a few months earlier.

Generally, I’m just not that acquisitive. But I admit that getting stuff in the mail gave me almost as much of a rush as seeing the actual items themselves. It was peculiar.

Now I’ll spend time reading/listening to these items, which I hope will tide me over until the ACTUAL Christmas.

Ramblin' with Roger
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