The Billboard Book of Number One Hits [Paperback]

Fred Bronson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Billboard Book of Number One Hits | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

Before MTV and VH1 . . . before books with “Stories Behind the Songs” of popular recording artists, there were Fred Bronson’s stories behind the top chart hits. Now in its 5th edition, The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits once again provides the inside scoop behind every song since 1955 known to reach the pinnacle of the legendary and most respected record chart in the world—Billboard’s Hot 100.

Entries include vivid anecdotes from the hit-making artists, songwriters, and producers; a brief history of the song; the chart entry date and position; the number of weeks on the chart; the date the song reached number one; and much more. Fascinating and engrossing, this reference is the ultimate music source for every rock fan!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA Songs which reached number one on the Billboard charts between July 1955 (Rock Around the Clock) and April 1985 (We Are the World) are covered. One page is devoted to each song, with a black-and-white photograph of the performer(s) (the same picture of the Bee Gees is used several times in different sizes and cropped differently), a short history of the song and performer(s) and a list of the top five songs for the week(s) it was number one. A "top 40" history of rock and pop during the last 30 years, not as complete as other rock encyclopedias or histories, but still useful as a supplement and a fun browsing item.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

All 605 singles to reach the top spot on Billboard 's pop charts during the rock era are profiled in this handsome reference work. Coverage begins July 9, 1955 with Bill Haley's ``Rock Around the Clock'' and ends April 13, 1985 with USA for Africa's ``We Are the World.'' Each full-page entry includes a picture of the artist(s) and lists label number, songwriter(s), producer(s), date first reached number one, weeks at top, and the top five hits for that first week. The accompanying essays give important background information on the songs and artists. Norm N. Nite's Rock On books are more comprehensive but not as detailed on the top hits and hitmakers as Bronson. Suitable for all but the smallest libraries and highly recommended as a worthy companion to Joel Whitburn's The Billboard Book of Top Forty Hits ( LJ 11/15/83). Thomas Jewell, Waltham P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Billboard Books; Fifth Edition edition (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823076776
• ISBN-13: 978-0823076772
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #870,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fred Bronson has been called "America's foremost chart journalist" by the editor of Billboard magazine and as an expert on music has guest-starred on "American Idol" four times. He was a guest judge, with Kristin Chenoweth, on the premiere episode of Nigel Lythgoe's new TV series, "CMT's Next Superstar." He is the author of five books: Dick Clark's American Bandstand (with Dick Clark), The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook, The Billboard Book of Number One Hits, Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits and The Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits (with Adam White).
Bronson writes the annual television specials The American Music Awards and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. His other TV writing credits include George Strait: The Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert, Brooks & Dunn's The Last Rodeo, Girls' Night Out: The Superstar Women of Country Music, The 40th Anniversary of the Academy of Country Music Awards, Motown 45, The Disco Ball, Live Aid, the syndicated TV series Your Big Break, two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and an episode of the animated Star Trek series. He has written the annual six-hour live holiday special for the PBS station in Los Angeles and the Spotlight Awards hosted by John Lithgow. He was head writer on NBC-TV's fund-raising special, Tsunami Aid, and co-producer of the Ovation TV music performance series, Notes from the Road.
He has been interviewed many times on CNN, the BBC, VH1 and the Biography channel as well as many other broadcast and cable networks around the world, including news programs in Portugal, Malta and Romania.
For SiriusXM Radio, he has interviewed Paul McCartney, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA and the cast of the "Mamma Mia!" motion picture.
He has programmed music channels for United Airlines and hosted his own series, Fred Bronson's Pop Goes the World, for Music Choice. With Dick Clark, he wrote the weekly comic strip, Dick Clark's Rock, Roll 'n' Remember.
Bronson is currently reporting news and conducting interviews for IdolsNow, an app for the iPhone that features all of the finalists from previous seasons of "American Idol." He also writes for Billboard and the Hollywood Reporter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Music Reference, October 16, 2003

By 

William J. Derby (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Paperback)

This book is enormous fun and a great reminder of past favorites. The revised edition has so many new entries it's like a whole new book. It's wonderful that it includes so many very recent hits and, amazingly, even Clay Aiken's big hit, "This is the Night."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Ain't Number One Till It's Number One in Billboard, October 15, 2001

By 

Scott N. Burton (Bridgeport,CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Paperback)

Fred Bronson has done a yeoman job of telling rock fans the stories behind the hits-The fourth edition stops in 1997,when Elton John topped the Billboard Hot 100 with "Candle In The Wind 1997"-Obviously,a fifth edition of this tome is forthcoming-When it will be released is anyone's guess-In the meantime,enjoy & savor the information presented within-By the way,I have to admit that the title of my review came from nationally syndicated air personality Don Imus-But you have to admit it makes sense.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Treasure!, October 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Paperback)

Fred Bronson's book is a real treasure! What a fabulous reference for all the number one Billboard hits! The book is engaging and engrossing - I took my copy to work where several folks who saw it now are ordering it as well.

From Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock to This is the Night by Clay Aiken - every number one hit is covered here. I'd love to meet Fred Bronson, he must be a walking encyclopedia of the music industry. This is a must have book for any music fan. Just superb! I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It is absolutely fascinating and well put together. THE definitive book on #1 hits, music history.