The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Paperback)

by Fred Bronson (Author) "THE typical record industry executive picking up the July 9, 1955 issue of Billboard might have taken notice that the new number one single on..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Los Angeles, Elvis Presley (more...)

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.

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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: 9.1 x 7 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Reference for Music Lovers, November 1, 2003

By	Aaron Leavitt (Valparaiso, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

Fred Bronson's "The Billboard Book of #1 Hits" is a fabulous addition to any collection. It is full of information about every #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, starting from "Rock Around the Clock" in 1954 up until "This is the Night" from this past June. A great book to sit down with for an afternoon and relive your life through the songs that have topped the charts. Highly recommend it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Music Reference, October 17, 2003

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

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."

10 of 10 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.