The U.K. 60s Singles & Albums Chart General Discussion Thread

And we once again come to the end of another anything-but-dull year in music, with the 4th quarter 1966 #1's from the three "others": New Musical Express, Melody Maker, and Disc and Music Echo. So as we've expounded on in the past . . . bold being a #1 on either publication that failed to top Record Retailer, bold underline when any two of these have a record at #1 but not Record Retailer, and bold italics for a #1 on all three but failing to reach the summit in Record Retailer, here we go:

New Musical Express #1's

29 Oct: "Reach Out I'll Be There" by the Four Tops
19 Nov: "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
3 Dec: "Green, Green Grass Of Home" by Tom Jones


Melody Maker #1's

8 Oct: "I'm A Boy" by The Who (RR #2, NME #2, D&ME #2)
22 Oct: "Reach Out I'll Be There" by the Four Tops
12 Nov: "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
3 Dec: "Green, Green Grass Of Home" by Tom Jones


Disc and Music Echo #1's

22 Oct: "Reach Out I'll Be There" by the Four Tops
19 Nov: "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
3 Dec: "Green, Green Grass Of Home" by Tom Jones
31 Dec: "Morningtown Ride" by The Seekers (RR #2, NME #2, MM #3)

Once the late Jim Reeves' "Distant Drums" (which was featured in our 3d quarter list) receded from the #1 spot in late October, three records then took their place atop Record Retailer thru December - as well as doing likewise in the other three.

It should be noted that with "I'm A Boy" topping Melody Maker's chart, The Who attained what turned out to be the only #1 they had on any UK chart.

 

And we shut the door on 1966 with these Record Retailer EP charts:

Week Ending 01 October 1966

21 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
16 - 02 - 02 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
12 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
12 - 04 - 04 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN
28 - 05 - 05 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
03 - 06 - 06 - Cilla Black - CILLA'S HITS
03 - 07 - 07 - The Animals - ANIMAL TRACKS
06 - 09 - 08 - Herman's Hermits - HOLD ON!
01 - NE - 09 - The Shadows - THOSE TALENTED SHADOWS
01 - NE - 10 - Jay And The Americans - LIVIN' WITH JAY AND THE AMERICANS


Week Ending 08 October 1966

17 - 02 - 01 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
22 - 01 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
13 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
13 - 04 - 04 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN
07 - 08 - 05 - Herman's Hermits - HOLD ON!
29 - 05 - 06 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
01 - NE - 07 - Jimmy Smith - FROM THE HEART (VOLUME 1)
04 - 06 - 08 - Cilla Black - CILLA'S HITS
02 - 09 - 09 - The Shadows - THOSE TALENTED SHADOWS
04 - 07 - 10 - The Animals - ANIMAL TRACKS


Week Ending 15 October 1966

18 - 01 - 01 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
23 - 02 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
14 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
08 - 05 - 04 - Herman's Hermits - HOLD ON!
01 - NE - 05 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
02 - 07 - 06 - Jimmy Smith - FROM THE HEART (VOLUME 1)
01 - NE - 07 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
01 - NE - 08 - The Byrds - EIGHT MILES HIGH
14 - 04 - 09 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN
30 - 06 - 10 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE


Week Ending 22 October 1966

19 - 01 - 01 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
24 - 02 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
15 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
02 - 07 - 04 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
09 - 04 - 05 - Herman's Hermits - HOLD ON!
02 - 05 - 06 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
15 - 09 - 07 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN
31 - 10 - 08 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
01 - NE - 09 - Rolf Harris - ROLF HARRIS AND SEAMUS O'SEAN THE LEPRECHAUN
01 - NE - 10 - Cher - THE HITS OF CHER


Week Ending 29 October 1966

25 - 02 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
20 - 01 - 02 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
16 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
03 - 06 - 04 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
03 - 04 - 05 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
10 - 05 - 06 - Herman's Hermits - HOLD ON!
32 - 08 - 07 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
16 - 07 - 08 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN
01 - NE - 09 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
02 - 09 - 10 - Rolf Harris - ROLF HARRIS AND SEAMUS O'SEAN THE LEPRECHAUN


Week Ending 05 November 1966

26 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
17 - 03 - 02 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
21 - 02 - 03 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
04 - 05 - 04 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
02 - 09 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
04 - 04 - 06 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
33 - 07 - 07 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
17 - 08 - 08 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN
05 - RE - 09 - Cilla Black - CILLA'S HITS
11 - 06 - 10 - Herman's Hermits - HOLD ON!


Week Ending 12 November 1966

27 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
18 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
03 - 05 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
05 - 04 - 04 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
22 - 03 - 05 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
01 - NE - 06 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
05 - 06 - 07 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
34 - 07 - 08 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
06 - 09 - 09 - Cilla Black - CILLA'S HITS
18 - 08 - 10 - The Beatles - NOWHERE MAN


Week Ending 19 November 1966

28 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
04 - 03 - 02 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
02 - 06 - 03 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
19 - 02 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
06 - 04 - 05 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
23 - 05 - 06 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
07 - 09 - 07 - Cilla Black - CILLA'S HITS
06 - 07 - 08 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
35 - 08 - 09 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE
01 - NE - 10 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!


Week Ending 26 November 1966

29 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
05 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
03 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
20 - 04 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
07 - 05 - 05 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
07 - 08 - 06 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN
01 - NE - 07 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
24 - 06 - 08 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
02 - 10 - 09 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
36 - 09 - 10 - Joan Baez - WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE


Week Ending 03 December 1966

30 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
06 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
02 - 07 - 03 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
21 - 04 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
04 - 03 - 05 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
03 - 09 - 06 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
01 - NE - 07 - Jim Reeves - A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM JIM
25 - 08 - 08 - The Walker Brothers - I NEED YOU
08 - 05 - 09 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS
08 - 06 - 10 - Bob Dylan - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN


Week Ending 10 December 1966

31 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
03 - 03 - 02 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
22 - 04 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
07 - 02 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
02 - 07 - 05 - Jim Reeves - A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM JIM
05 - 05 - 06 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
04 - 06 - 07 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
01 - NE - 08 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
01 - NE - 09 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
09 - 09 - 10 - Manfred Mann - ASWAS


Week Ending 17 December 1966

04 - 02 - 01 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
32 - 01 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
23 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
03 - 05 - 04 - Jim Reeves - A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM JIM
08 - 04 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
06 - 06 - 06 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
02 - 08 - 07 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
05 - 07 - 08 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
02 - 09 - 09 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
01 - NE - 10 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY


Week Ending 24 December 1966

05 - 01 - 01 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
33 - 02 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
04 - 04 - 03 - Jim Reeves - A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM JIM
24 - 03 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
09 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
07 - 06 - 06 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
02 - 10 - 07 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY
03 - 09 - 08 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
03 - 07 - 09 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
06 - 08 - 10 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!


Week Ending 31 December 1966

05 - 03 - 01 - Jim Reeves - A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM JIM
06 - 01 - 02 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
34 - 02 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
10 - 05 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
25 - 04 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
08 - 06 - 06 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
04 - 08 - 07 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
03 - 07 - 08 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY
07 - 10 - 09 - The Shadows - THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO!
04 - 09 - 10 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY

While the single of "God Only Knows" was the charted single, and hit, for The Beach Boys in Britain, apparently in the U.S. radio programmers were spooked by John Lennon's spring 1966 remarks to a radio interviewer that The Beatles were "bigger than Jesus" - and instead opted to play the flip, "Wouldn't It Be Nice," that became the California "surf and fun" quintet's U.S. hit prior to "Good Vibrations."

It should be noted also that two of The Beatles' EP's that charted in '66 were titled after songs that saw no UK single release, but were issued as such in the U.S. and became big hits - "Yesterday," one of the most covered in The Beatles' canon (including a Top 10 UK version by Matt Monro), made #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but after "We Can Work It Out" (only that side made #1; Billboard charted the flip, "Day Tripper," at #5), the next single after that, "Nowhere Man," could only reach #3 - thus putting an end to "interim" Beatles' singles in the States that were put out in-between those conformed to their UK Parlophone output.

 

Not only was The Stones "19th Nervous Breakdown" #1 on NME, Melody Maker, and Disc, and as well on the BBC average, it was #1 on all 4 of these charts FOR THREE WEEKS !! And only #2 on Record Retailer, ugh. How is this possible?

One could say this is even more of a grievance than was The Beatles "Please Please Me", which was #1 on NME, Melody Maker, and Disc for 2 weeks (with a tie at #1 in there somewhere), plus 3 weeks on the BBC average. #2 on RR, double ugh.

And the Small Faces also hit #1 on the BBC with "Sha-La-La-La-Lee", as well as the previously mentioned Melody Maker and Disc. Only #3 on Record Retailer. Chart guru Dave Taylor claimed to have discovered an error with Sha-La, that it actually hit #1 on RR as well, but the chart positions for it and Nancy Sinatra's "Boots" got switched one week by mistake, Sha-La at 6 and Boots at 1 should have been 1 and 6.

 

We have passed the point in the Disc era where RR was the only publication to chart a #1 without going there anywhere else, but there will be others in the future. But so far, these artists are known to have #1's in RR only without doing so elsewhere:
- Eddie Cochran
- Johnny Kidd And The Pirates
- Floyd Cramer
- Shirley Bassey
- The Bachelors
- Roger Miller
all of whom were "Please Please Me" / "19th Nervous Breakdown" etc. in reverse.
(Elvis' "Devil In Disguise" was the outlier in his chart trajectory, given all the others by Mr. Presley that made the top of most if not all of the charts including the Official Charts Company's "official" chart for nine years beginning in 1960.)

But I have to ask, who at RR would've been the equivalent of the infamous Bill Wardlow of Billboard? (Given what Mr. Taylor pointed out about the Small Faces' record.) I think back to 1978 and how Wardlow robbed Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street" out of the #1 spot on the Hot 100 so his favorite label, RSO, could have another #1 with Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing." Maybe Lee Hazlewood (the producer of "Boots") had some pull with whoever put together RR's chart?

 

Now for 1967, and the first quarter's worth of #1's from the three major competitors to the then-ant which got inflated retrospectively to "official" status, Record Retailer. Again, a record that was #1 on one of the "other" charts that didn't reach there in Record Retailer is in bold; one that makes the top of any two without doing so in Record Retailer is in bold underline; and any #1 on all three charts but not Record Retailer is in bold italics. So, with that in mind . . .

New Musical Express #1's

21 Jan: "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees
18 Feb: "This Is My Song" by Petula Clark
4 Mar: "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck


Melody Maker #1's

21 Jan: "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees
18 Feb: "This Is My Song" by Petula Clark
25 Feb: "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck
4 Mar: "Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever" by The Beatles (RR #2, NME #2, D&ME #2)


Disc and Music Echo #1's

21 Jan: "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees
18 Feb: "This Is My Song" by Petula Clark
4 Mar: "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck

Between January and March, all of three records topped Record Retailer's chart - and also got there in New Musical Express, Melody Maker (which contributed the only "extra" #1 in this quarter, which we will examine below), and Disc and Music Echo.

With The Beatles, it was "Please Please Me" in reverse, only their latest - "Penny Lane" / "Strawberry Fields Forever" - only topped the MM chart, and for three weeks, not only cutting into half the amount of time "Release Me" was at the top there compared with all the other charts, but also ensuring that record's run would be non-consecutive - unlike with the other three including RR.

 

And now for the 1st quarter 1967 EP charts from the Official Charts Company's "official chart" for this period, Record Retailer:

Week Ending 07 January 1967

07 - 02 - 01 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
35 - 03 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
26 - 05 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
05 - 07 - 04 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
09 - 06 - 05 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
11 - 04 - 06 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
05 - 10 - 07 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
01 - NE - 08 - Ken Dodd - DIDDYNESS
04 - 08 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY
01 - NE - 10 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT


Week Ending 14 January 1967

08 - 01 - 01 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
36 - 02 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
27 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
10 - 05 - 04 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
06 - 04 - 05 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
02 - 10 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
12 - 06 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
06 - 07 - 08 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
26 - RE - 09 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
01 - NE - 10 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS


Week Ending 21 January 1967

37 - 02 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
09 - 01 - 02 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
28 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
11 - 04 - 04 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
03 - 06 - 05 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
13 - 07 - 06 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
07 - 05 - 07 - John Walker / Scott Walker - SOLO JOHN / SOLO SCOTT
27 - 09 - 08 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
07 - 08 - 09 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
05 - RE - 10 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY


Week Ending 28 January 1967

38 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
10 - 02 - 02 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
29 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
12 - 04 - 04 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
14 - 06 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
04 - 05 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
06 - 10 - 07 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY
02 - RE - 08 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
28 - 08 - 09 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
08 - 09 - 10 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY


Week Ending 04 February 1967

39 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
30 - 03 - 02 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
11 - 02 - 03 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
15 - 05 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
13 - 04 - 05 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
05 - 06 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
09 - 10 - 07 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
07 - 07 - 08 - Georgie Fame - GETAWAY
29 - 09 - 09 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
01 - NE - 10 - Geno Washington - HI!


Week Ending 11 February 1967

40 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
31 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
16 - 04 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
12 - 03 - 04 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
06 - 06 - 05 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
14 - 05 - 06 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
30 - 09 - 07 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
10 - 07 - 08 - The Singing Postman - FIRST DELIVERY
03 - RE - 09 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
01 - NE - 10 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE


Week Ending 18 February 1967

41 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
17 - 03 - 02 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
07 - 05 - 03 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
32 - 02 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
13 - 04 - 05 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
31 - 07 - 06 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
02 - 10 - 07 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
01 - NE - 08 - The Temptations - IT'S THE TEMPTATIONS
15 - 06 - 09 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
04 - 09 - 10 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS


Week Ending 25 February 1967

42 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
33 - 04 - 02 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
08 - 03 - 03 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
18 - 02 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
03 - 07 - 05 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
14 - 05 - 06 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
32 - 06 - 07 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
05 - 10 - 08 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
02 - 08 - 09 - The Temptations - IT'S THE TEMPTATIONS
16 - 09 - 10 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS


Week Ending 04 March 1967

43 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
04 - 05 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
09 - 03 - 03 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
34 - 02 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
19 - 04 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
33 - 07 - 06 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
15 - 06 - 07 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
06 - 08 - 08 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
17 - 10 - 09 - The Beach Boys - GOD ONLY KNOWS
01 - NE - 10 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - LOOS OF ENGLAND


Week Ending 11 March 1967

05 - 02 - 01 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
01 - NE - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
44 - 01 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
35 - 04 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
20 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
10 - 03 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
34 - 06 - 07 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
07 - 08 - 08 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
02 - 10 - 09 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - LOOS OF ENGLAND
16 - 07 - 10 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO


Week Ending 18 March 1967

02 - 02 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
06 - 01 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
45 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
36 - 04 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
21 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
17 - 10 - 06 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
35 - 07 - 07 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
03 - 09 - 08 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - LOOS OF ENGLAND
11 - 06 - 09 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
08 - 08 - 10 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS


Week Ending 25 March 1967

03 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
07 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
37 - 04 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
46 - 03 - 04 - The Beach Boys - HITS
22 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
36- 07 - 06 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
18 - 06 - 07 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
12 - 09 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
01 - NE - 09 - The Troggs - TROGG TOPS 1
09 - 10 - 10 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS

 

Now on to the second quarter of 1967 and the #1's accrued in that period by New Musical Express, Melody Maker, and Disc and Music Echo, with designations for #1's of one, any two or all three "other" charts that didn't make such a grade in Record Retailer holding - for now:

New Musical Express #1's

15 Apr: "Somethin' Stupid" by Nancy Sinatra And Frank Sinatra
22 Apr: "Puppet On A String" by Sandie Shaw
20 May: "Silence Is Golden" by The Tremeloes
10 Jun: "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum


Melody Maker #1's

8 Apr: "Somethin' Stupid" by Nancy Sinatra And Frank Sinatra
22 Apr: "Puppet On A String" by Sandie Shaw
20 May: "Silence Is Golden" by The Tremeloes
10 Jun: "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum


Disc and Music Echo #1's

8 Apr: "This Is My Song" by Harry Secombe (RR #2, NME #2, MM #2)
15 Apr: "Somethin' Stupid" by Nancy Sinatra And Frank Sinatra
29 Apr: "Puppet On A String" by Sandie Shaw
20 May: "Silence Is Golden" by The Tremeloes
10 Jun: "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum

And so Record Retailer scored four #1's during April, May and June; ditto for New Musical Express, Melody Maker, and Disc and Music Echo (the last named of which contributed the only "unique" #1 among the other three; the significance of which will be listed in the next paragraph).

The cover version by the onetime "Neddy Seagoon" of The Goon Show, of a song that as by Petula Clark was still in the Top 10 at the time, had the distinction of being the last record that only made #1 on the D&ME chart. Their own independently-compiled chart will come to an end midway through the next quarter, as will be detailed when we get there.

 

Next up, the April-June Record Retailer EP charts:

Week Ending 01 April 1967

04 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
08 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
38 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
23 - 05 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
47 - 04 - 05 - The Beach Boys - HITS
37 - 06 - 06 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
13 - 08 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
02 - 09 - 08 - The Troggs - TROGG TOPS 1
10 - 10 - 09 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
19 - 07 - 10 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO


Week Ending 08 April 1967

05 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
09 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
39 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
48 - 05 - 04 - The Beach Boys - HITS
24 - 04 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
38 - 06 - 06 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
14 - 07 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
20 - 10 - 08 - The Who - READY STEADY WHO
03 - 08 - 09 - The Troggs - TROGG TOPS 1
11 - 09 - 10 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS


Week Ending 15 April 1967

06 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
10 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
40 - 03 - 03 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
49 - 04 - 04 - The Beach Boys - HITS
25 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
39 - 06 - 06 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
15 - 07 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
12 - 10 - 08 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
01 - NE - 09 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE
04 - 09 - 10 - The Troggs - TROGG TOPS 1


Week Ending 22 April 1967

07 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
11 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
02 - 09 - 03 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE
50 - 04 - 04 - The Beach Boys - HITS
41 - 03 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
13 - 08 - 06 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
26 - 05 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
16 - 07 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
40 - 06 - 09 - Val Doonican - THE GREEN SHADES OF VAL DOONICAN
01 - NE - 10 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS


Week Ending 29 April 1967

08 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
12 - 02 - 02 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
51 - 04 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
03 - 03 - 04 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE
42 - 05 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
27 - 07 - 06 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
14 - 06 - 07 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS
02 - 10 - 08 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
17 - 08 - 09 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
01 - NE - 10 - Petula Clark - THIS IS MY SONG


Week Ending 06 May 1967

09 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
52 - 03 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
13 - 02 - 03 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
43 - 05 - 04 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
03 - 08 - 05 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
02 - 10 - 06 - Petula Clark - THIS IS MY SONG
04 - 04 - 07 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE
28 - 06 - 08 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
01 - NE - 09 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
15 - 07 - 10 - Andy Williams - ANDY'S NEWEST HITS


Week Ending 13 May 1967

10 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
53 - 02 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
02 - 09 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
14 - 03 - 04 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
04 - 05 - 05 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
44 - 04 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
29 - 08 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
03 - 06 - 08 - Petula Clark - THIS IS MY SONG
05 - 07 - 09 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE
18 - RE - 10 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT


Week Ending 20 May 1967

11 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
03 - 03 - 02 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
54 - 02 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
05 - 05 - 04 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
15 - 04 - 05 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
45 - 06 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
30 - 07 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
19 - 10 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
04 - 08 - 09 - Petula Clark - THIS IS MY SONG
06 - 09 - 10 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE


Week Ending 27 May 1967

04 - 02 - 01 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
12 - 01 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
55 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
06 - 04 - 04 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
31 - 07 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
16 - 05 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
46 - 06 - 07 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
20 - 08 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
05 - 09 - 09 - Petula Clark - THIS IS MY SONG
07 - 10 - 10 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE


Week Ending 03 June 1967

05 - 01 - 01 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
13 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
56 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
17 - 06 - 04 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
32 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
07 - 04 - 06 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
47 - 07 - 07 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
21 - 08 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
06 - 09 - 09 - Petula Clark - THIS IS MY SONG
08 - 10 - 10 - Marvin Gaye - ORIGINALS FROM MARVIN GAYE


Week Ending 10 June 1967

06 - 01 - 01 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
14 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
57 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
18 - 04 - 04 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
33 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
01 - NE - 06 - Spurs F.C. - THE SPURS GO MARCHING ON
48 - 07 - 07 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
08 - 06 - 08 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
22 - 08 - 09 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
01 - NE - 10 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME


Week Ending 17 June 1967

15 - 02 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
07 - 01 - 02 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
58 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
19 - 04 - 04 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
34 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
23 - 09 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
02 - 10 - 07 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
49 - 07 - 08 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
02 - 06 - 09 - Spurs F.C. - THE SPURS GO MARCHING ON
09 - 08 - 10 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS


Week Ending 24 June 1967

16 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
08 - 02 - 02 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
59 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
03 - 07 - 04 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
35 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
20 - 04 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
24 - 06 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
50 - 08 - 08 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
10 - 10 - 09 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
03 - 09 - 10 - Spurs F.C. - THE SPURS GO MARCHING ON

 

We go now to the first of two major turning points in UK chart history in this year with this look at the third quarter of 1967 (a.k.a. the "Summer of Love"). At the outset, it's still a look at the #1's of New Musical Express, Melody Maker, and Disc and Music Echo. However, 19 August was the last stand-alone chart ever compiled by D&ME; effective with the 26 August issue they began carrying MM's chart up to the publication's own demise in August 1975 (ironically, afterwards it would be acquired by, and subsumed into, Record Mirror which was the first to abandon its own chart back in March 1962, and reprint first RR's and then, after 1969, the "official" chart). For the most part, from then until June 1988 - except when it became three charts again for a brief period between May 1968 and February 1971 - the usual rule will be bold for a #1 on either chart that failed to top (as before February 1969) Record Retailer, and bold italics for when a record tops both charts without doing so there (or, after February 1969, "officially"). So now, without further adieu . . .

New Musical Express #1's

15 Jul: "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles
12 Aug: "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie
9 Sep: "The Last Waltz" by Engelbert Humperdinck


Melody Maker #1's

15 Jul: "Alternate Title" by The Monkees (RR #2, NME #2, D&ME #2 - the last "other" #1 from during the existence of D&ME's own chart)
22 Jul: "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles
12 Aug: "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie
2 Sep: "The Last Waltz" by Engelbert Humperdinck


Disc and Music Echo #1's (last own chart 19 August)

22 Jul: "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles
5 Aug: "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie (the last #1 of their own chart; it was still #1 26 August when they began reprinting MM's chart)

Up to 19 August, two #1's charted in Record Retailer - and New Musical Express, Melody Maker, and Disc and Music Echo all agreed they were #1; in this period was the last "unique" #1 (noted below) logged in during the existence of the last-named publication's own unique chart. Following the demise of D&ME's own chart, one more single topped not only RR but also the two others left standing, NME and MM.

"Alternate Title," the only other Monkees' single to top any UK chart (in this case, only MM), truly was an alternate title; the original, "Randy Scouse Git" (from their LP Headquarters) was deemed by UK RCA to be "rude to British audiences" and changed accordingly. It was never issued as a single by their U.S. label, Colgems (during that period, the single that charted in the States from Micky, Davy, Mike and Peter was "Pleasant Valley Sunday" - which would later peak at #11 in RR).

 

And the last full quarter of Record Retailer's EP chart, with all the weeks in question accounted for, for the last time:

Week Ending 01 July 1967

17 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
09 - 02 - 02 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
60 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
04 - 04 - 04 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
25 - 07 - 05 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
21 - 06 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
36 - 05 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
01 - NE - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
11 - 09 - 09 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
51 - 08 - 10 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS


Week Ending 08 July 1967

18 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
10 - 02 - 02 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
61 - 03 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
05 - 04 - 04 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
26 - 05 - 05 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
22 - 06 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
37 - 07 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
02 - 08 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
12 - 09 - 09 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
52 - 10 - 10 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS


Week Ending 15 July 1967

19 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
11 - 02 - 02 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
06 - 04 - 03 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
03 - 08 - 04 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
27 - 05 - 05 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
62 - 03 - 06 - The Beach Boys - HITS
38 - 07 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
13 - 09 - 08 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
23 - 06 - 09 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
53 - 10 - 10 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS


Week Ending 22 July 1967

04 - 04 - 01 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
07 - 03 - 02 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
20 - 01 - 03 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
12 - 02 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
63 - 06 - 05 - The Beach Boys - HITS
28 - 05 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
39 - 07 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
54 - 10 - 08 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
02 - RE - 09 - Geno Washington - HI!
24 - 09 - 10 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE


Week Ending 29 July 1967

05 - 01 - 01 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
64 - 05 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
21 - 03 - 03 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
08 - 02 - 04 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
13 - 04 - 05 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
29 - 06 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
40 - 07 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
55 - 08 - 08 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
14 - RE - 09 - Sandie Shaw - TELL THE BOYS
25 - 10 - 10 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE


Week Ending 05 August 1967

06 - 01 - 01 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
65 - 02 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
14 - 05 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
30 - 06 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
22 - 03 - 05 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
09 - 04 - 06 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
03 - RE - 07 - Geno Washington - HI!
41 - 07 - 08 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
56 - 08 - 09 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
26 - 10 - 10 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE


Week Ending 12 August 1967

66 - 02 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
23 - 05 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
07 - 01 - 03 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
10 - 06 - 04 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
57 - 09 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
42 - 08 - 06 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
15 - 03 - 07 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
31 - 04 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
27 - 10 - 09 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
01 - NE - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 19 August 1967

67 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
11 - 04 - 02 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
16 - 07 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
08 - 03 - 04 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
24 - 02 - 05 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
58 - 05 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
43 - 06 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
32 - 08 - 08 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
02 - 10 - 09 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU
28 - 09 - 10 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE


Week Ending 26 August 1967

68 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
25 - 05 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
09 - 04 - 03 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
44 - 07 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
59 - 06 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
12 - 02 - 06 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
33 - 08 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
17 - 03 - 08 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
29 - 10 - 09 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
03 - 09 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 02 September 1967

69 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
10 - 03 - 02 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
26 - 02 - 03 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
18 - 08 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
45 - 04 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
34 - 07 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
13 - 06 - 07 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
30 - 09 - 08 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
60 - 05 - 09 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
04 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 09 September 1967

70 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
27 - 03 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
19 - 04 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
14 - 07 - 04 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
11 - 02 - 05 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
46 - 05 - 06 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
35 - 06 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
31 - 08 - 08 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
61 - 09 - 09 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
05 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 16 September 1967

71 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
28 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
20 - 03 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
36 - 07 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
12 - 05 - 05 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
62 - 09 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
47 - 06 - 07 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
15 - 04 - 08 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
32 - 08 - 09 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
06 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 23 September 1967

29 - 02 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
72 - 01 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
21 - 03 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
37 - 04 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
48 - 07 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
13 - 05 - 06 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
16 - 08 - 07 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
33 - 09 - 08 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
63 - 06 - 09 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
07 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 30 September 1967

73 - 02 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
30 - 01 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
38 - 04 - 03 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
22 - 03 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
49 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
14 - 06 - 06 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
64 - 09 - 07 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
17 - 07 - 08 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
34 - 08 - 09 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
08 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU

 

And now, with it just being New Musical Express and Melody Maker vs. Record Retailer, here are the 4th quarter #1's from the first two, with any record making #1 on either one but not the last-named in bold and those that topped both without going through the eye of the RR needle in bold italics:

New Musical Express #1's

21 Oct: "Massachusetts" by The Bee Gees
11 Nov: "Baby, Now That I've Found You" by The Foundations
2 Dec: "Let The Heartaches Begin" by Long John Baldry
9 Dec: "Hello Goodbye" by The Beatles


Melody Maker #1's

21 Oct: "Massachusetts" by The Bee Gees
11 Nov: "Baby, Now That I've Found You" by The Foundations
25 Nov: "Let The Heartaches Begin" by Long John Baldry
9 Dec: "Hello Goodbye" by The Beatles

During the months of October, November and December, Record Retailer scored a total of four Number Ones. Its two remaining competitors concurred and had all four finish in the same spot.

 

And now for the last weeks of the Record Retailer EP chart that, along with its Top 50 singles chart, dated back to 12 March 1960. RR's last-published such chart was on 2 December; Record Mirror, which reprinted RR's charts, carried on with the EP's until 16 December, which is the point at which this saga finally concludes. (Similar to RM continuing to print the EP as a Top 20 chart for 2 weeks after RR reduced it to a Top 10 in April 1966.) And so, for the last time . . .

Week Ending 07 October 1967

31 - 02 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
74 - 01 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
39 - 03 - 03 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
23 - 04 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
50 - 05 - 05 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
15 - 06 - 06 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
65 - 07 - 07 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
35 - 09 - 08 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
18 - 08 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
09 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 14 October 1967

75 - 02 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
32 - 01 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
51 - 05 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
24 - 04 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
16 - 06 - 05 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
66 - 07 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
40 - 03 - 07 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
36 - 08 - 08 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
19 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
10 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 21 October 1967

33 - 02 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
76 - 01 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
52 - 03 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
25 - 04 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
37 - 08 - 05 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
41 - 07 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
67 - 06 - 07 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
17 - 05 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
20 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
11 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 28 October 1967

34 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
53 - 03 - 02 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
77 - 02 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
26 - 04 - 04 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
68 - 07 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
42 - 06 - 06 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
38 - 05 - 07 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
18 - 08 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
21 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
12 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 04 November 1967

35 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
43 - 06 - 02 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
27 - 04 - 03 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
78 - 03 - 04 - The Beach Boys - HITS
69 - 05 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
39 - 07 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
19 - 08 - 07 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
54 - 02 - 08 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
22 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
13 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 11 November 1967

36 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
70 - 05 - 02 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
79 - 04 - 03 - The Beach Boys - HITS
55 - 08 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
44 - 02 - 05 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
40 - 06 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
28 - 03 - 07 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
20 - 07 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
23 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
14 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 18 November 1967

37 - 01 - 01 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
80 - 03 - 02 - The Beach Boys - HITS
56 - 04 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
45 - 05 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
29 - 07 - 05 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
71 - 02 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
21 - 08 - 07 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
41 - 06 - 08 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
24 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
15 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 25 November 1967

81 - 02 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
38 - 01 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
46 - 04 - 03 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
57 - 03 - 04 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
22 - 07 - 05 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
72 - 06 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
30 - 05 - 07 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
25 - 09 - 08 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
42 - 08 - 09 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
16 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 02 December 1967

82 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
39 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
58 - 04 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
47 - 03 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
73 - 06 - 05 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
43 - 09 - 06 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
31 - 07 - 07 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
23 - 05 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
26 - 08 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
17 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 09 December 1967

83 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
40 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
59 - 03 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
48 - 04 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
44 - 06 - 05 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
74 - 05 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
32 - 07 - 07 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
24 - 08 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
27 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
18 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU


Week Ending 16 December 1967 - LAST EP CHART -

84 - 01 - 01 - The Beach Boys - HITS
41 - 02 - 02 - Four Tops - FOUR TOP HITS
60 - 03 - 03 - Four Tops - THE FOUR TOPS
49 - 04 - 04 - Tony Bennett - THE BEST OF BENNETT
45 - 05 - 05 - The Seekers - MORNINGTOWN RIDE
75 - 06 - 06 - The Seekers - HITS FROM THE SEEKERS
33 - 07 - 07 - Paul Jones - PRIVILEGE
25 - 08 - 08 - Elvis Presley - EASY COME, EASY GO
28 - 09 - 09 - Georgie Fame - GEORGIE FAME
19 - 10 - 10 - Mireille Mathieu - MIREILLE MATHIEU

A little comment: Here is what symbolised the end of the Extended Play format (which first came forth in the U.S. in the fall of 1952) as a viable one worthy of its own chart. The last new entry had been way back on 12 August, with Mireille Mathieu's self-titled EP; in those last weeks it was almost like rearranging the deck chairs of the Titanic week after week after week. The second-newest, Elvis' Easy Come, Easy Go, had first appeared on the chart on 1 July. Hits by The Beach Boys was the proverbial "old man" in this lineup, with Hits From The Seekers being the second-oldest in terms of weeks on chart logged.

Notice which made no effort to break on through to this chart in its final weeks: The Beatles' two-record double-EP Magical Mystery Tour. In the U.S., where EP's were dead to the water - and the group's U.S. label, Capitol, knew this - it was ish'd as a regular LP, with the tracks from this same-titled de facto home movie on Side 1, and five sides from their 1967 singles (beginning with "Hello Goodbye") on Side 2.

So from here on out, it'll only be the #1's on those singles charts that competed against what, since 2001-02, the Official (only in their feverish dreams) Charts Company has insisted is "official" for between 1960 and 1969.

 

We now go to 1968. In this, at first, streamlined field, it is now the #1's of New Musical Express and Melody Maker only, with bold signifying a record that reached the top of either chart but not Record Retailer, and bold italics one that topped both but not Record Retailer. So, with that in mind, the first quarter:

New Musical Express #1's

2o Jan: "The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde" by Georgie Fame
27 Jan: "Everlasting Love" by The Love Affair
17 Feb: "The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)" by Manfred Mann
2 Mar: "Cinderella Rockafella" by Esther And Abi Ofarim
30 Mar: "Lady Madonna" by The Beatles (MM #2)


Melody Maker #1's

13 Jan: Magical Mystery Tour (EP) by The Beatles (RR #2, NME #2)
2o Jan: "The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde" by Georgie Fame
27 Jan: "Everlasting Love" by The Love Affair
17 Feb: "The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo)" by Manfred Mann
2 Mar: "Cinderella Rockafella" by Esther And Abi Ofarim
30 Mar: "Delilah" by Tom Jones (RR #2, NME #2)

Between January and March, six Number Ones came and went in Record Retailer. Five of them topped the New Musical Express chart, and only four reached the summit in Melody Maker, which contributed this period's "other" #1's.

For the first time since 1965, we have a #1 from RR that failed to also go there on any of the other charts: "The Legend Of Xanadu" by Dave Dee. Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich, relegated to #2 in both NME and MM. This was the eighth record (and ninth song) to so have this distinction in this decade. And speaking of the latter publication, The Beatles had highs and lows within this period: a second MM-only #1 (the Magical Mystery Tour EP, this after "Penny Lane" / "Strawberry Fields Forever" the prior year), then the indignity of being blocked from the top spot there by, of all singles, Tom Jones' melodramatic "Delilah" (which sat at the summit for all of two weeks, just as The Beatles' latest sat atop RR's and NME's charts).

In the next quarter, we will see resumption of three-way competition to RR, albeit from a new, out-of-left-field source.

 

And now we go to the second quarter of 1968. For all of the first month in this quarter and most of the second it's still New Musical Express and Melody Maker. However, on 25 May, new competition comes in the form of a Top 30 chart started up by a then year-old publication, Top Pops. Its chart is, if anything, even more narrowly sampled than even Record Retailer, with only 12 shops sampled - all from within the W.H. Smith & Son chain. (In 1970, after it was retooled as Music Now, the sample pool was extended to 30 Smith's stores.) At the start of its chart, TP was a biweekly, and its first two charts were from that status - 25 May and 8 June. Incredibly, the week after that last date - 15 June - was their first issue as a weekly. For a variety of reasons this "new kid on the block" was totally ignored by the BBC when they compiled their "averaged" chart for use on their radio countdowns and weekly Top Of The Pops series - just as Record Retailer had been up until Record Mirror began carrying their little chart back in '62. The weekly singles and albums charts (those which have been able to be dredged up) can be found here:
Top Pops and Music Now Weekly Charts - UKMIX Forums

But just as Guinness' chart books elevated Record Retailer to an "important chart" status because their 1960-69 charts were cited albeit solely "for the purpose of [these books]," followed by the infamous OCC decision of 2001-02 to retroactively and retrospectively enshrine them as the "official" chart for those nine years, so did the Internet (via UKMix forums and, most important, Wikipedia), serve to elevate Top Pops' chart to a status equal to all those charts that existed in the UK over the years. It is especially odd Wikipedia has listed that this publication's #1's over its short history, as up until 2020 the total #1 lists of two key publications whose charts were cited by the BBC for their "averaged chart" - Melody Maker and Disc (and Music Echo) - were not on Wikipedia.

So, starting in late May / early June, once again the rules as in place up until the 1967 demise of D&ME's chart once again hold: bold if a record makes #1 on one of the charts without doing so in Record Retailer, bold underline for those which topped any two charts but not Record Retailer; and bold italics for a #1 from all three that did not make the summit of Record Retailer.

New Musical Express #1's

13 Apr: "Congratulations" by Cliff Richard (MM #2)
20 Apr: "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong (B side "Cabaret" - NME did not chart, MM did not chart)
18 May: "Young Girl" by The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
22 Jun: "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones


Melody Maker #1's

13 Apr: "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
18 May: "Young Girl" by The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
15 Jun: "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones


Top Pops #1's (first chart 25 May)

25 May: "Young Girl" by The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett
22 Jun: "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones

Up to the start-up of Top Pops' chart, three records made the top of the Record Retailer chart, with all three doing so in New Musical Express and two topping Melody Maker. (Only in RR did "Satchmo" have a double-sided hit, as neither NME nor MM charted "Cabaret.") "Young Girl" was in its second week at #1 in NME and MM - and had just begun its run at the top of the RR chart - when it became the first #1 of TP's chart. After this upstart's start-up, RR subsequently scored another #1 single that all its three competitors agreed was likewise #1.

And thus is our look at "the scene" from April-June.

 

We turn now to the 3d quarter of 1968, the first full one of newcomer Top Pops whose #1's, along with those of old hands New Musical Express and Melody Maker. As from 1962 to 1967 between the demise of Record Mirror's chart and that of Disc (and Music Echo), the protocols of #1's for either, any two, or all three that didn't top RR are once again in place. (No spoilers, though in this case it is RR that would provide same.)

New Musical Express #1's

6 Jul: "Baby Come Back" by The Equals
27 Jul: "Mony Mony" by Tommy James And The Shondells
24 Aug: "Help Yourself" by Tom Jones (RR #5, MM #3, TP #2)
7 Sep: "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" by The Bee Gees (MM #2)
14 Sep: "Hey Jude" by The Beatles


Melody Maker #1's

6 Jul: "Baby Come Back" by The Equals
27 Jul: "Mony Mony" by Tommy James And The Shondells
31 Aug: "This Guy's In Love With You" by Herb Alpert (RR #3, NME #3, TP #2)
7 Sep: "Hey Jude" by The Beatles


Top Pops #1's

13 Jul: "Baby Come Back" by The Equals
27 Jul: "Mony Mony" by Tommy James And The Shondells
10 Aug: "Fire" by The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown (NME #2, MM #2)
31 Aug: "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" by The Bee Gees
7 Sep: "Hey Jude" by The Beatles


In this busy period, eight different records took turns reaching #1 in Record Retailer between July and September; the last of which wouldn't reach the top of the three other charts until the next quarter. Of those that did reach the top in these three months, five of them also got there in Top Pops', and from there it was one less: four in New Musical Express, three in Melody Maker. NME and MM each contributed a "unique" #1 in this quarter, with special mention to Tom Jones' "Help Yourself," as it was probably one of the first times that an artist had back-to-back records where each made #1 on a different "other" chart without doing so in RR (and thus, "officially") - this, nearly five months after his "Delilah" topped MM's. Even more interesting, "Help Yourself" sat atop NME's chart for two weeks - same as "Delilah" in MM. Those two were the last where Mr. Jones would make #1 on any UK chart to date. (The next time this happened was when one ex-Beatle and his band of the time scored a different #1 on each "other" chart with back-to-back singles eight years later.)

And for this quarter, we have two #1's from RR which are therefore deemed "official," that failed to reach the top of any of the other charts: "I Pretend" by Des O'Connor, which peaked at #2 in MM, but could get no higher than #3 in both NME and TP; and "Do It Again" by The Beach Boys, which got as high as #2 in NME and MM but stalled at #3 in TP - the last two in the nearly nine years between the start of RR's chart and the establishment of the "official" chart (10 records and 11 songs, in total). And here is where the inclusion of TP's charts makes a big difference, as "Fire" would also have been on the list of "official only" #1's (11th record, 12th song) as "OCC's" it ("OC - Sees it," get it?), but for the fact that it also reached the summit in TP.

And nowhere in the 1960-69 history of British charts was there any greater example of how out-of-step RR was with its competitors (again, per the comments in various places by @Finchingfield) than The Beatles' first on their new Apple label, "Hey Jude." It debuted all the way at #1 on the MM and TP charts, and #3 in NME - but RR launched its chart run at the lowly position of #21. MM's and TP's duration of "Hey Jude" at the top was also the longest - four weeks apiece, with NME at 3 weeks and RR at a mere two. Disregarding TP for a moment, the combined weeks of three of the publications would have equalled the number of weeks - 9 - that "Hey Jude" sat atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (and in the process, be deemed the #1 song of 1968 in the States).

 

Now we get to the last quarter of 1968, and the #1's that passed through New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Top Pops. This was the last full quarter for the stand-alone chart of Record Retailer before a momentous change in the chart landscape that would transpire within the second month of the next year, but for now the rules still hold on any record that topped one, any two or all three charts without doing so in Record Retailer . . .

New Musical Express #1's

5 Oct: "Those Were The Days" by Mary Hopkin
9 Nov: "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker
16 Nov: "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro, His Orchestra And Chorus
23 Nov: "Eloise" by Barry Ryan (RR #2, TP #2)
7 Dec: "Lily The Pink" by The Scaffold


Melody Maker #1's

5 Oct: "Those Were The Days" by Mary Hopkin
9 Nov: "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker
16 Nov: "Eloise" by Barry Ryan
23 Nov: "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro, His Orchestra And Chorus
14 Dec: "Lily The Pink" by The Scaffold


Top Pops #1's

5 Oct: "Those Were The Days" by Mary Hopkin
9 Nov: "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker
23 Nov: "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro, His Orchestra And Chorus
7 Dec: "Lily The Pink" by The Scaffold

"Those Were The Days" first hit #1 on Record Retailer's chart on 28 September, but it was not included in the 3Q list as it did not reach the top of the other three publications until the start of this quarter, as well as remaining at the top all through October and at the outset of November. After this, from then until the end of December three more records topped RR, and all three also reached the summit of New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Top Pops.

"Eloise" is yet another example of the difference the Top Pops chart makes. If only RR, NME and MM were figured in, this record would have been indicated in bold italics; the fact that it also missed the top of TP's chart meant it would be shown in bold underline.

Next up: 1969 - the year that changed everything for British charts.

 

On "Hey Jude," there was one other tidbit I forgot to mention: It wasn't just with its competitors that Record Retailer was in disagreement with over which chart position it debuted. Even its U.S. parent Billboard, where on its Hot 100 the record debuted at #10. (Its competitors' debut positions and weeks at #1 were as follows: Cash Box #38, 7 weeks at #1; Record World debuted at #70 as double-sided with flip "Revolution," but both were separated by the time "Hey Jude" got to #1, with "Revolution" at #2 and thereafter going down; the former spent 4 weeks at #1 - same amount as UK Melody Maker and Top Pops; both they and CB also made room for Ms. Hopkin's "Those Were The Days" to be #1, unlike on BB where it was kept at #2 by The Beatles' opus.)

 

And now for the 1st quarter of 1969, and the #1's of New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Top Pops.

8 February marked an important turning point in the history of British music charts: the last independently-compiled chart of Record Retailer, ending a run dating back to 12 March 1960 when it was merely a subscription-only periodical of, by and for independent record shops; over the years it had evolved into something resembling an entire industry trade publication, and was even acquired back in 1966 by Billboard. But . . .

. . . in wild contrast to the rampant retrospective revisionism since 2001-02, RR was just one of several publications with charts around back then in the UK; true, Record Mirror's own chart ended in 1962, and Disc (and Music Echo)'s in 1967, but there was still "the competition" of NME, MM, and now TP. All charts had their sets of #1's, either one publication, or any two or three, or all of the above would have a record at #1 for varying periods of time. This, B.T.W., was RR's status when they and the BBC joined together to contract with a firm that'd been around a few years at that point, the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB), to compile what would come to be called an "official" national singles and albums chart that would be printed in RR (and reprinted in RM) and used by "the Beeb" for their chart countdowns and Top Of The Pops TV series. (This new "official" chart also brought to an end the BBC's "averaged" chart which had lasted about a decade.) Ideally, the amount of stores sampled would be 300 - 10 times the pool of RR when they first started out, a shade under four times the 85 stores RR sampled over the last five years (but still much, much less than those NME and MM sampled), but the early "official" charts were lucky to get up to 60 for one chart, and ties galore were the rule. The first such chart would be published 15 February. The veneration of RR by use in Guinness chart books, coupled with its elevation to "official" status for 1960-69 by the Official (so they keep saying they are) Charts Company - all that came much later, along with 41 #1's from other publications (dating back to Dean Martin's RM-only #1 from 1955, "The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane," and the last being Barry Ryan's recent NME and MM topper "Eloise") that were suddenly stripped of that status by that fateful and deservedly controversial decision by OCC.

So there is therefore a delineating line. The old rules hold for up to 8 February, but after 15 February, any #1 from one of the "other" publications that failed to reach the top "officially" is what's in bold, a #1 from any two that didn't go all the way "officially" is bold underline, and one where all three agree is #1 but not "officially" is in bold italics. Here we go now:

New Musical Express #1's

11 Jan: "Ob-La-Di Ob-La Da" by The Marmalade
25 Jan: "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac
15 Feb: "Blackberry Way" by The Move (last #1 of RR's own chart; TP #2)
22 Feb: "(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice" by Amen Corner (first "Official" #1)
1 Mar: "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" by Peter Sarstedt
29 Mar: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye


Melody Maker #1's

11 Jan: "Ob-La-Di Ob-La Da" by The Marmalade
1 Feb: "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac
15 Feb: "Blackberry Way" by The Move
22 Feb: "(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice" by Amen Corner
8 Mar: "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" by Peter Sarstedt
5 Apr: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye


Top Pops #1's

11 Jan: "Ob-La-Di Ob-La Da" by The Marmalade
25 Jan: "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac
22 Feb: "(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice" by Amen Corner
8 Mar: "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" by Peter Sarstedt
22 Mar: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye

In the last six weeks of Record Retailer's stand-alone chart, three records took turns at #1; whilst all three topped New Musical Express and Melody Maker, only two reached the summit of Top Pops (which bypassed completely the last of that lot). In the first seven weeks of what would come to be called the "Official" chart, another three would peak at #1 - and all three competitors had these likewise.

 

Ewe Kay wtf ?

 

We now turn to the 2d quarter of 1969, and the #1's accrued in that time period by New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Top Pops. As usual in this period, bold signifies when a record makes #1 on one of these charts but not that which was now "compiled for Record Retailer, Billboard and BBC from a panel of 300 record shops by British Market Research Bureau"; bold underline is when any two has a record at #1 but not the said chart of which the above quote holds; and bold italics indicates a #1 on all three but failed to make the top of what would come to be called the "Official" chart.

New Musical Express #1's

19 Apr: "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker And The Aces
3 May: "Get Back" by The Beatles With Billy Preston
7 Jun: "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe
21 Jun: "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" by The Beatles


Melody Maker #1's

26 Apr: "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker And The Aces
3 May: "Get Back" by The Beatles With Billy Preston
7 Jun: "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe
21 Jun: "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" by The Beatles


Top Pops #1's

19 Apr: "Israelites" by Desmond Dekker And The Aces
3 May: "Get Back" by The Beatles With Billy Preston
24 May: "My Sentimental Friend" by Herman's Hermits (BMRB #2, NME #3, MM #2)
7 Jun: "Dizzy" by Tommy Roe
21 Jun: "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" by The Beatles

For the period April-June 1969, the "Official" chart in its first full quarter netted a total of four new #1's - every one of which also made the three other publications' summit.

Two things stand out:
a) Only over two months old, and the "Official" chart has already achieved something - for both the first and last time - that Record Retailer could never do: debut a Beatles' single at #1. (This was, however, the reverse of such early records as "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "Can't Buy Me Love," as "Get Back" which saw them share credit with American keyboardist Billy Preston got progressively lower with each "other" chart in terms of its debut position: MM #2, NME #3, and TP #7.) It was also in this quarter that the Fab Four had what turned out to be their last UK #1 on any chart with "The Ballad Of John And Yoko."
b) This quarter saw the first of a total of six #1's unique to Top Pops, that is they did not reach the summit on any of the other three charts including the "Official" one. This would be the only other Hermits' hit (after "I'm Into Something Good") to top any UK chart - and their last.

 

One other tidbit for those who may not know: although the goal of the BMRB chart was to sample 300 record shops for actual record sales starting in Feb 1969, according to Alan Smith's research they came nowhere close to this number for YEARS !! BMRB did publish and send out periodic stat sheets of chart data, and how many actual shops got their returns in on time per week. For example, we have the data from May 8, 1976 as published in the book "The Pop Industry Inside Out" by Michael Cable, and the data for that week shows only 158 record shop sales tallies were received in time to calculate the chart. Another 112 tallies were received but alas too late. It is also stated that the effective sample size was 299 shops. Now, was that the total number of shops who were asked to turn in a tally? Or, was the data from the 158 shops massaged to account for missing shops in certain geographic areas? This massaging was eventually done, but I don't know at what point in time. But see what we have here, or rather do not have: 7 years after the beginning of the new 'official' actual sales based BMRB chart, and they only have 158 of 299 reporting record shops getting their data in on time !!

So, when BMRB started out in Feb 1969, things were pretty disorganized, as stated above (per Alan Smith) they probably were only receiving data from 60 shops, and had a lot of tied positions. How are ties possible when you are recording actual sales ?? So in the early days, the BMRB chart had even fewer samples than Record Retailer had at the end of their run, 75-85 per week. Very ironic that... Meanwhile, NME and Melody Maker were still choogling along with around 200 shops plus or minus in Feb 1969, before they began to decrease their sample size over the next 2 years or so.

Other BMRB data stat sheets have surfaced, I think I've seen 2 more on UKMix, and they too were from the 1970s I believe, and were low samples, less than 200 shops if my memory is correct. These BMRB sheets are not widely circulated, though they are supposedly being stored somewhere in a secure facility or library, not open to the public. Although rumors are going around that someone might be on the verge of procuring and releasing them. That would be good !!

 

One of the supremest ironies, indeed.

But would I be correct in my assessment that the elevation of Top Pops / Music Now to status equal to the others was largely Internet-driven over the last two decades, given that it was basically a publication sold at Smith's stores as were the records which sales from which stores were sampled therein? Several of the findings unearthed so far are indeed game-changers.

 

Now on to the third quarter of 1969, and the songs that made #1 over in New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Top Pops - the last named of which, on 27 September, would change its name to Top Pops & Music Now. The protocols as explained for those that topped one, any two or all three of these charts without doing so over on the chart compiled, however spottily, by the BMRB, are still in place.

New Musical Express #1's

5 Jul: "Something In The Air" by Thunderclap Newman
19 Jul: "In The Ghetto" by Elvis Presley (BMRB #2)
26 Jul: "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones
30 Aug: "In The Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus)" by Zager And Evans
20 Sep: "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (TP #2)


Melody Maker #1's

12 Jul: "Something In The Air" by Thunderclap Newman
19 Jul: "In The Ghetto" by Elvis Presley
26 Jul: "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones
30 Aug: "In The Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus)" by Zager And Evans
20 Sep: "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival


Top Pops #1's (becomes Top Pops & Music Now effective 27 September)

5 Jul: "Oh Happy Day" by The Edwin Hawkins Singers (BMRB #2, NME #2, MM #2)
12 Jul: "In The Ghetto" by Elvis Presley
19 Jul: "Something In The Air" by Thunderclap Newman
26 Jul: "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones
9 Aug: "Saved By The Bell" by Robin Gibb (BMRB #2, NME #3, MM #2)
23 Aug: "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder (BMRB #4, NME #3, MM #3)
30 Aug: "In The Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus)" by Zager And Evans (last #1 under TP name)
27 Sep: "Don't Forget To Remember" by The Bee Gees (1st #1 as TP&MN; BMRB #2, NME #2, MM #2)

As with the second quarter, the BMRB determined four records made #1 between July and September. Every one of them also got there in New Musical Express and Melody Maker, but only three did same in Top Pops (& Music Now).

More observations:
- The chart trajectory of Elvis' big comeback hit pretty much held in the U.S. as well: It had reached the top of Cash Box and Record World, but in Billboard it could get no higher than #3. Here in the UK, it was the first time since The Rolling Stones' "19th Nervous Breakdown" in 1966, the first time in the "Official" era, and the only time in this decade after the establishment of same, that a record would make #1 everywhere but. (As far as MM was concerned, this was one of two "other" #1's they had in this year - all that made one or more "other" charts.)
- By contrast, the trajectory of Creedence Clearwater Revival's big hit was the reverse of the U.S.: It had topped the Record World "100 Top Pops" chart, but stalled at #2 in both Billboard and Cash Box. Over on BB, the record that blocked it from the top was "Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet" by Henry Mancini, His Orchestra And Chorus - which failed to make any of the four UK charts. ("Get Back" blocked this in Cash Box.) But for TP's #2 finish, this would have been an across-the-board #1 here.
- Four of the six #1's unique to Top Pops (& Music Now) were in this quarter alone.
- All three U.S. charts had positions for "My Cherie Amour" similar to in the UK: #4 in Billboard, #3 in both Cash Box and Record World. Unlike the UK however, there wasn't a fourth music chart to declare it #1 (as one or two of the "others" did with some of Mr. Wonder's singles in this period; despite his hit streak, he wouldn't have a #1 in Billboard between "Fingertips - Pt 2" in 1963 and "Superstition" in early 1973).

 

I don't know that I would say the Top Pops/Music Now charts are accorded equal status to the others, as of right now. They are definitely ascending, thanks to the charts you've posted on UKMix, your article on Wiki, and being included in more discussions in all things chart related on other chart sites. More and more chart freaks are and will be learning about them. I do hope they get to equal status, they are of high importance to a lot of us already.

I didn't know that Top Pops/Music Now the 'music paper' was mostly sold at WH Smith's stores. That could be the case, I just hadn't heard that before. According to Alan Smith, TP/MN the 'music paper' had existed a year before they started producing their charts, calculated from WHS record sales. Alan says they made a deal, TP/MN would give WHS free ads if WHS would provide their sales data to TP/MN so they could construct a chart.

But yeah, lots of interesting results on the TP/MN charts for sure. I do consider them all very important. I hope one day we can find all of the full LP charts to finish your work on UKMix !!

 

I didn't do the TP/MN #1's page on Wiki, it was already there, and that was why I ended up creating Wiki pages for all the MM and Disc #1's - and the 1969-88 chart comparisons in the "Official" era up to the point NME and MM threw in the towel.

Interestingly, I trawl eBay for any ish's for affected missing or incomplete charts, as some sellers have thankfully put up photos or scans of pages where the charts were. It is more complete now than it started out on the UKMix thread of TP/MN's weekly charts, but as you'd say, there's still a lot to go. (Same goes with at least two weeks of 45 charts - 21 July 1968 and one of the weeks in March 1969.) But we now know that up until its 1970 reboot as Music Now, they carried a portion of U.S. Record World's charts, the only known music paper in Britain to do so.

At least one Briton has said he lived there "at the time" and didn't even know TP/MN the 'music paper' even existed. You may know his handle on YouTube - '666msg666'. On singles from May 1968 to the "Official" launch, singles debuts on TP are left out while RR's, NME's and MM's are all there.