Top Rhythm & Blues Records
Top R&B Hits from the 25 classic years of Rhythm & Blues

Compiled by Claus Röhnisch  (from the website Those Hoodlum Friends)
Updated August 9, 2010

Top Rhythm & Blues Records on pdf.file



- more Rhythm & Blues Charts
- also check John Lee Hooker

In "Rock and Roll: An Unruly History", 1995, Robert Palmer defines "Rhythm & Blues" as a catchall rubric used to refer to any music that was made by and for black Americans. In "Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues", 1996, Chip Deffaa notes it as popular music that arose in black communities after the swing era and before the arrival of the Beatles, roughly between 1945 and 1960.

The Top R&B Records of each year below (listed in order of R&B popularity) are compiled through edited information from Big Al Pavlow ("The R&B Book", 1983 - from R&B & Pop trade magazines), Bill Daniels ("Dusty Charts" / Record Exchanger, 1970-1973 - from Billboard weekly R&B sales), Joel Whitburn (“Hot R&B Songs 1942-2010” - 6^th edition 2010; also "Top R&B Singles", 1988 & 2000 editions, “Top Rhythm & Blues Records 1949-1971” of 1973, plus "Top 40 R&B and Hip-Hop Hits", 2006 - from Billboard R&B charts), with additional information from original label credits, books and magazines on R&B music, and CD-covers.

Some of the records may have been issued the year before the "peak" year. That's why some songs are listed another year on several otherwise compiled top (or "best") charts. The charts here have tracks listed with original cumulative popularity. The Billboard year-end charts are listed with popularity December - November, and hence do not give accurate information on total popularity if a hit crossed the "year-end border". The Billboard "Rhythm and Blues" charts were introduced in June, 1949 (although short "Harlem Hit Parade", "Top Juke Box Race Records", and "Best Selling Race Records" charts preceded them, starting October, 1942).

Number 1 and  Number 2 hits noted with weeks at the position - and hits with top longevity on R&B chart also noted (23 weeks or more). Please also note that there were three national R&B Charts published in the Billboard up to 1958 (Best Seller, Juke Box, and Jockey). This means different titles could reach the #1 spot the same week and that there was "room" for more than 52 "top weeks" in a year (although a given title only is noted for total weeks on any of those charts). A record that mustered two hits (A- and B-side) is listed as one record.

Note: Several "pop" or "country" -charted hits also charted R&B but are not listed here (the criteria here used are the ones Big Al Pavlow chose for his great work).

1943
1. Don´t Cry, Baby  - Erskine Hawkins & his Orchestra, vocal refrain by Jimmy Mitchell (14w at #1 - 29 total w)

1944
1. Cherry Red Blues (aka Red Blues) - Cootie Williams & his Orchestra with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, vocals
(2w at #2 - 39 total w)
2. Straighten Up And Fly Right - The King Cole Trio (10w at #1 - 26 total w)
3. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall – Ink Spots & Ella Fitzgerald (11w at #1)


1945
1. The Honeydripper (Pts 1 & 2) - Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers (18w at #1 - 27 total w)
2. Caldonia - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five (7w at #1 - 26 total w)
3. Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well? - Lucky Millinder and his Orchestra, vocal Wynonie "Mr. Blues" Harris
(8w at #1)

1946
1. Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop - Lionel Hampton & his Orchestra (16w at #1 - 25 total w)
2. Choo Choo Ch' Booogie - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five (18w at #1 - 26 total w)
3. Stone Cold Dead In The Market (He Had It Coming) - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan
and his Tympany Five (5w at #1)
4. The Gypsy - Ink Spots (3w at #1) (also a Top Pop 1940s Hit)
5. R.M. Blues - Roy Milton & His Solid Senders (2w at #2 - 25 total w)

1947
1. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens / Let The Good Times Roll - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five
    (issued 1946, 17w at #1 - 27 total w / 4w at #2 - 23 total w)
2. Boogie Woogie Blue Plate - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five (14w at #1 - 24 total w)
3. I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You) - Savanna Churchill with the Sentimentalists (8w at #1 - 25 total w)
4. Jack, You're Dead - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five (7w at #1)
5. Old Maid Boogie / Kidney Stew Blues - Eddie "Mr. Cleanhead" Vinson & His Orchestra (2w at #1 - 23 total w / #5)  (editor's favorite flip)

1948
1. Long Gone (Pts 1 & 2) - Sonny Thompson with the Sharps and Flats starring Eddie Chamble (tenor sax)
(3w at #1 - 31 total w)
2. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris (1w at #1 - 25 total w)
3. Tomorrow Night - Lonnie Johnson (7w at #1 - 33 total w)
4. Pretty Mama Blues - Ivory Joe Hunter (3w at #1 - 25 total w)
5. I Can't Go On Without You - Bull Moose Jackson & his Buffalo Bearcats (8w at #1)

Top Pop Hits of the 1940s:
Near You - Francis Craig and his Orchestra, vocal Bob Lamm (1947)
In The Mood – Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (1940)
White Christmas – Bing Crosby (1942)

Editor's Favorite 1940s:
After Hours – Erskine Hawkins & his Orchestra feat. Avery Parrish, piano (1941) (#3 in 1946, recorded 1940) 
Drifting Blues - Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers, vocal Charles Brown (1946)  (1w at #2 - 23 total w)

Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday and her Orchestra (1940)
Floyd's Guitar Blues - Andy Kirk & His Clouds Of Joy, guitar solo by Floyd Smith (1940, recorded 1939)
T-Bone Blues - Les Hite and his Orchestra with T-Bone Walker, vocals (1940)
Stormy Monday Blues - Earl Hines and his Orchestra with Billy Eckstine, vocals (1942)
Mean Old World – T-Bone Walker w ith Freddie Slack and his piano (1942)

Hamp´s Boogie Woogie - Lionel Hampton & his Orchestra (1944) (6w at #1)
That´s The Stuff You Gotta Watch – Buddy Johnson & his Orchestra w Ella Johnson, vocals (1945) (2w at #2)
Harlem Nocturne / My Baby´s Business – Johnny Otis, his drums and his Orchestra  
/ flip w Jimmy Rushing, vocals (1945)
Beulah´s Boogie – Lionel Hampton & his Orchestra (1945) (4w at #2)
My Gal´s A Jockey - Joe Turner with Bill Moore´s Lucky Seven Band (1946) (#6)
Walk ´Em – Buddy Johnson & his Orchestra (1946)
Court Room Blues / My Baby Done Told Me - Johnny Otis Orchestra (1947)
(with Cathy Cooper / Four Bluebirds; vocals)
Blow-Top Blues - Lionel Hampton and his Septet w Dinah Washington, vocals (1947, recorded 1945) (#5)
Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad) - T-Bone Walker and His Guitar (1948) (#5)
Midnight In The Barrelhouse / Barrelhouse Stomp - Johnny Otis & His Orchestra (1948)
(featuring Pete Lewis, gtr)
Corn Bread - Hal Singer Sextette (1948) (4w at #1)

1949  
1.  The Huckle-Buck – Paul Williams & his Hucklebuckers (14w at #1 - 32 total w)
2.  Trouble Blues - Charles Brown Trio (15w at #1 - 27 total w)
3.  Saturday Night Fish Fry (Parts 1 & 2) - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five (12w at #1 - 23 total w)
4.  Chicken-Shack Boogie - Amos Milburn (rec 1947, 5w at #1 - 23 total w) (featuring Maxwell Davis, tenorsax)
5.  Ain't Nobody's Business (Pts 1 & 2) - Jimmy Witherspoon (1w at #1 - 34 total w) (featuring Jay McShann, piano)
6.  Boogie Chillen'  - John Lee Hooker & his Guitar (issued 1948, 1w at #1)
 
7.  Tell Me So – The Orioles (1w at #1 - 26 total w) (Sonny Til, lead vcl)
8.  Little Girl Don't Cry - Bull Moose Jackson & his Buffalo Bearcats (5w at #2)
9.  Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - "Stick" McGhee & his Buddies (4w at #2 - 23 total w)
10. Baby, Get Lost - Dinah Washington (2w at #1)
11. Bewildered - Red Miller Trio (issued 1948, 5w at #1)
12. Roomin' House Boogie - Amos Milburn (2w at #1)
13. Hold Me Baby - Amos Milburn (2w at #2)
14. Rockin' At Midnight - Roy Brown with his Mighty-Mighty Men (4w at #1)
 

Top Pop Hit:
Riders In The Sky - Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra

Editor´s Favorites:
T-Bone Shuffle - T-Bone Walker (#7)
Miss Fanny Brown - Roy Brown & His Mighty-Mighty Men (redubbed, #8)
Hamp´s Boogie Woogie, No. 2 - Lionel Hampton & his Orchestra (featuring Albert Ammons, pno)
D' Natural Blues - Lucky Millinder & his Orchestra (#4)

Top Artists:
Amos Milburn, The Orioles, Louis Jordan
Pioneer Profiles of the 1940s:
Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, Lionel Hampton, Erskine Hawkins

1950
1.  Pink Champagne - Joe Liggins & his Honeydrippers (13w at #1 - 25 total w)
2.  Double Crossing Blues - Johnny Otis Quintette, Vocals by The Robins and Little Esther (9w at #1)
(featuring Bobby Nunn, bass vcl)
3.  For You My Love - Larry Darnell (w. Paul Gayten orch)  (issued 1949, 8w at #1)
4.  Hard Luck Blues - Roy Brown & His Mighty-Mighty Men (3w at #1) (featuring the Griffin Brothers orchestra)
5.  Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere - Joe Morris & his Orchestra w. Laurie Tate, vocals (4w at #1)
6.  Blue Shadows - Lowell Fulson featuring Lloyd Glenn (4w at #1)
 
7.  Blue Light Boogie (Pts 1 & 2) - Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five  (7w at #1)
8.  I Almost Lost My Mind - Ivory Joe Hunter (5w at #1 - 24 total w)
9.  Mistrustin' Blues - Little Esther with Mel Walker & The Johnny Otis Orchestra (4w at #1)
10. Everyday I Have The Blues - Lowell Fulson's Combo featuring Lloyd Glenn at the "88" (#3 - 24 total w)
11. I Need You So - Ivory Joe Hunter (2w at #1)
12. Well Oh Well - Tiny Bradshaw (1w at #2)
13. Why Do Things Happen To Me - Roy Hawkins (2w at #2)
14. Cupid Boogie - Johnny Otis Orchestra with Little Esther & Mel Walker  (1w at #1)

Top Pop Hit:
The Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page

Editor´s Favorites:
The Fat Man - Fats Domino (1w at #2) (with the Dave Bartholomoew band)
I´m Not Falling In Love With You - Johnny Otis with Devonia Williams,vcl
3 x 7 = 21 - Jewel King (#4)
Sittin' On It All The Time - Wynonie Harris and His All Stars (#3)

Top Artists:
Roy Brown, and Johnny Otis (with the Robins and Little Esther)
Godfather of R&B: Johnny Otis
Pioneer Profiles of the Year: Roy Brown and Ruth Brown
Blues Profile of the Year: John Lee Hooker

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Joe Liggins - Pink Champagne
2. Johnny Otis/The Robins/Little Esther - Double Crossing Blues
3. Ivory Joe Hunter - I Need You So
4. Roy Brown - Hard Luck Blues
5. Johnny Otis/Little Esther/Mel Walker - Cupid Boogie

1951
1.  Sixty-Minute Man - The Dominoes (14w at #1 - 30 total w)  (featuring Bill Brown and Clyde McPhatter)
2.  Black Night - Charles Brown & his Band (14w at #1 - 24 total w) (featuring Maxwell Daivs, tenorsax)
3.  Teardrops From My Eyes - Ruth Brown with Budd Johnson's Orch. (issued 1950, 11w at #1 - 25 total w)
4.  Please Send Me Someone To Love - Percy Mayfield & Orchestra  (issued 1950, 2w at #1 - 27 total w)
(featuring Maxwell Davis, tenorsax)
5.  Fool, Fool, Fool - The Clovers (6w at #1) (Buddy Bailey, lead vcl)
6.  Chains Of Love - Joe Turner with Vann "Piano Man" Walls (4w at #2 - 25 total w)
 
7.  Rocket "88" - Jackie Brenston with his Delta Cats (5w at #1)  (featuring Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm)
8.  Don't You Know I Love You - The Clovers (2w at #1)  (Buddy Bailey, lead vcl)
9.  Bad, Bad Whiskey - Amos Milburn & his Aladdin Chickenshackers (3w at #1)
10. The Glory Of Love - The Five Keys (4w at #1) (also Doo Wop Favorite) (Rudy West, lead vcl)
11. Rockin' Blues - Johnny Otis Orchestra with Mel Walker (rec. 1950, 6w at #2)
12. I'm Waiting Just For You - Lucky Millinder and his Orchestra w. Annisteen Allen and John Carol (8w at #2)
 

Top Pop Hit:
Because Of You - Tony Bennett

Editor´s Favorites:
Long Distance Call - Muddy Waters (#8)
I´m In The Mood - John Lee Hooker  (4w at #1)
Doggin' Blues - Johnny Otis Orchestra with Linda Hopkins, vocal
How Many More Years / Moanin´ At Midnight - The Howlin´ Wolf (#4 / #10)

Top Artists:
Charles Brown, Percy Mayfield, The Dominoes
Pioneer Profiles of the Year:
The Dominoes, The Clovers and Ike Turner

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. The Dominoes – Sixty-Minute Man
2. Charles Brown - Black Night
3. Ruth Brown - Teardrops From My Eyes
4. Joe Turner - Chains Of Love
5. The Clovers - Don't You Know I Love You

1952   
1.  Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Lloyd Price & his Orchestra (7w at #1 - 26 total w)  (featuring Fats Domino, pno)
2.  Have Mercy Baby - The Dominoes (10w at #1)  (Clyde McPhatter, lead vcl)
3.  My Song - Johnny Ace with the Beale Streeters (9w at #1)
4.  One Mint Julep / Middle Of The Night - The Clovers (2w at #2 -18w  total/ #3 -8w total)
5.  Night Train - Jimmy Forest, tenor and all star combo (Jimmy Forrest) (7w at #1)
6.  3 O' Clock Blues - B. B. King (issued 1951, 5w at #1)
 
7.  5-10-15 Hours - Ruth Brown with Orchestra (7w at #1) (featuring Willis Jackson, tenorsax)
8.  Flamingo - Earl Bostic and his Orchestra (4w at #1)
9.  Goin' Home - Fats Domino (1w at #1)
10. You Know I Love You - B. B. King & his Orchestra (2w at #1)
11. Juke - Little Walter & his Night Cats (8w at #1)
12. Five Long Years - Eddie Boyd (7w at #1)
 

Top Pop Hit:
You Belong To Me - Joe Stafford

Editor´s Favorites:
Booted - Roscoe Gordon (1w at #1)
Street Walking Woman - T-Bone Walker
Sweet Sixteen - Joe Turner (#3)
Dust My Broom - Elmo James (rec 1951, #9) (featuring Sonny Boy Williamson, hca)
K. C. Loving  (later known as Kansas City) - Little Willie Littlefield (featuring Maxwell Davis, tenorsax)
The Lord's Gospel Train - Mary Deloatch (aka Marylin Scott)

Doo Wop Favorite:
Every Beat Of My Heart - The Royals (Charles Sutton, lead vcl)
The Best "Blue-Eyed" R&B Hit:
Cry - Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads (issued 1951, R&B 1w at #1) (also a Top Pop Hit)

Top Artists: B.B. King, The Dominoes, The Clovers
Pioneer Profile of the Year: Big Joe Turner
Blues Profile of the Year: Little Walter

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy
2. The Dominoes - Have Mercy Baby
3. Ruth Brown - 5-10-15 Hours
4. Fats Domino - Goin' Home
5. Jimmy Forrest - Night Train

1953
1.  Money Honey - Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (11w at #1)
2.  Shake A Hand - Faye Adams with the Joe Morris Orchestra (10w at #1)
3.  Honey Hush - Joe Turner & his Band (8w at #1 - 25 total w) (featuring Kathy Thomas, piano)
4.  Crying In The Chapel - The Orioles (5w at #1) (Sonny Til, lead vcl)
5.  Good Lovin´ - The Clovers (4w at #2)  (Charlie White, lead vcl)
6.  I Don't Know - Willie Mabon & his Combo (8w at #1)
 
7.  (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean - Ruth Brown with Orchestra (rec late 1952, 5w at #1)
8.  Baby Don´t Do It - The "5" Royales w Charlie Ferguson, his tenor and orchestra (issued 1952, 3w at #1) 
(Johnny Tanner, lead vcl)
9.  Hound Dog - Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton - Kansas City Bill & Orchestra (rec. 1952, 7w at #1)
(featuring Pete Lewis, gtr)
10. Help Me, Somebody - The "5" Royales (5w at #1)
11. The Clock - Johnny Ace with the Beale Streeters (5w at #1)
12. Please Love Me - B. B. King and his Orchestra (3w at #1)
 

Top Pop Hit:
Vaya Con Dios ((May God Be With You) - Les Paul and Mary Ford

Editor´s Favorites:
Please Don´t Leave Me - Fats Domino (#3)
Hittin' On Me - Buddy Johnson and his Orchestra w. Ella Johnson (#6)
Feelin' Good - Little Junior's Blue Flames (Junior Parker) (#5)
Mess Around - Ray Charles & his Orchestra
I Should Have Loved Her More - Jimmy Eager Trio (alias Tampa Red)

Doo Wop Favorites:
Gee - The Crows (2w at #2 in 1964)
Golden Teardrops  - The Flamingos (Sollie McElroy, lead vcl)
A Sunday Kind Of Love - The Harp-Tones, featuring Willie Winfield (issued 11/53)
Baby Please - The Moonglows with Red Holloway Orch. (Harvey Fuqua, lead vcl)

Top Artists:
The "5" Royales, The Clovers, Faye Adams
Pioneer Profile of theYear: Clyde McPhatter

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Ruth Brown - (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean
2. Faye Adams - Shake A Hand
3. Willie Mae Thornton - Hound Dog
4. The Orioles - Crying In The Chapel
5. Johnny Ace - The Clock

1954          
1.  Work With Me Annie - The Midnighters (7w at #1 - 26 total w) (Hank Ballard, lead vcl)
       - first pressings issued as The Royals; and then as The Midnighters (formerly known as the Royals)
2.  The Things That I Used To Do - Guitar Slim & his Band (issued 1953 - 14w at #1) 
      (featuring Ray Charles, arr. and pno)
3.  Shake, Rattle And Roll – Joe Turner & his Blues Kings (3w at #1 - 32 total w) (featuring Sam Taylor, tenorsax)
4.  Hearts Of Stone - The Charms (9w at #1)
5.  Honey Love - The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter (8w at #1 - 23 total w)
6.  You´ll Never Walk Alone - Roy Hamilton (8w at #1)
 
7.  Lovey Dovey / Little Mama - The Clovers  (5w at #2  /  #4)
8.  Oh What A Dream - Ruth Brown & her Rhythmakers (8w at #1)
9.  Hurts Me To My Heart - Faye Adams (5w at #1)
10. Sh-Boom - The Chords (2w at #2)
11. I Didn't Want To Do It / You' re The One - The Spiders (#3 / #8) (Chuck Carbo, lead vcl)
12. I'll Be True - Faye Adams with the Joe Morris Orch (1w at #1)
13. Sexy Ways - The Midnighters (formerly the Royals) (1w at #2)
14. Such A Night / Lucille - Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (3w at #2 / #7)

Top Pop Hit:
Little Things Mean A Lot - Kitty Kallen

Editor´s Favorites:
I´m Your Hoochie Cooche Man (Hoochie Coochie) - Muddy Waters & his Guitar (#3)
It Should Have Been Me - Ray Charles & his Orchestra (#5)
I Confess - The Clovers (Charlie White, lead vcl)
You Know I Love You - Joe Turner & his Blues Kings (featuring Edward Frank, pno)
Let Me Come Back Home - The "5" Royales (rec 1952) (Jimmy Moore, lead vcl)
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer - B. B. "Blues Boy" King & his Orchestra (#8)
Last Night - Little Walter and his Jukes (#6)
Riot In Cell Block # 9 - The Robins (Richard Berry or poss. Bobby Nunn, lead vcl)
´Bout The Break Of Day / Lord Lord - Junior Wells & His Eagle Rockers
Lucky All The Time – Roosevelt Sykes (this version only on LP)
Lonesome desert - Young Jessie (with the Flairs)

Top pop cover of an R&B hit:
The Crew Cuts´ version of Sh-Boom (The Chords)
Doo Wop Favorites:
Gloria - The Cadillacs (Earl Carroll, lead vcl)
Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite - The Spaniels (#5) (Pookie Hudson, lead vcl)

Top Artists:
The Midnighters, Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, and The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter
Rock Profile of the Year: Bill Haley
Teen Profile of the Year: Jesse Belvin
Blues Profile of the Year: Muddy Waters

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. The Midnighters - Work With Me Annie
2. Clyde McPhatter/The Drifters - Honey Love
3. Ruth Brown - Oh What A Dream
4. Roy Hamilton - You'll Never Walk Alone
5. Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle And Roll

1955
1.  Only You (And You Alone)  - The Platters (7w at #1 - 30 total w)  (Tony Williams, lead vcl)
2.  Ain´t It A Shame (Ain't That A Shame) - Fats Domino  (11w at #1)
3.  Maybellene - Chuck Berry & his Combo (11w at #1) (featuring Johnny Johnson, piano)
4.  Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) – The Penguins (issued 1954, 3w at #1) (also a Doo Wop Favorite)
     (Cleve Duncan, lead vcl; Curtis Williams, bridge vcl)
5.  Pledging My Love - Johnny Ace w Johnny Otis Orch  (issued 1954, 10w at #1)
6.  I´ve Got A Woman - Ray Charles & his Band (issued 1954, 1w at #1) (also a Soul Classic)
 
7.  My Babe - Little Walter & his Jukes (5w at #1)
8.  Unchained Melody - Roy Hamilton (3w at #1)
9.  Tweedlee Dee (Tweedle Dee) - LaVern Baker & The Gliders with Orchestra (issued 1954, #4)
10. Bo Diddley / I'm A Man - Bo Diddley (2w at #1)
11. Sincerely - The Moonglow's  (Moonglows) (issued 1954, 2w at #1) (also a Doo Wop Favorite) 
(Bobby Lester, lead vcl)
12. Feel So Good - Shirley & Lee (3w at #2 - 25 total w)
13. Hands Off - Jay McShann's Orchestra w. Priscilla Bowman (3w at #1)
14. The Wallflower  (Roll With Me Henry) - Etta James and "The Peaches" (4w at #1)

Top Pop Hit:
Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & his Comets

Editor´s Favorites:
Of Course I Do - LaVern Baker & the Gliders (album track for "LaVern")
Reconsider Baby - Lowell Fulson (issued 1954, #3)
One Little Blessing - Jesse Belvin w. the Bumps Blackwell Band
Those Lonely Lonely Nights - Johnny "Guitar" Watson (#10)
Walking The Blues - Willie Dixon and the Allstars (#6)
Smokey Joe´s Cafe / Just Like A Fool - The Robins (#10) (featuring Carl Gardner, lead vocals)
Woke Up Screamin´ - Bobby "Blue" Bland with the Bill Harvey Orch
Gloria - Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns (featuring Richard Berry)
Couldn’t Be A Dream – Jimmy McCracklin and His “Blues Blasters”
Need Your Love So Bad – Little Willie John (#5)

Top pop covers of R&B hits:
McGuire Sisters´ version of Sincerely (The Moonglows)
and Georgia Gibbs´ version of Tweedle Dee (LaVern Baker)

Doo-Wop Favorites:
Story Untold  - The Nutmegs (1w at #2) (Leroy Griffin, lead vcl)
Tonight Kathleen - The Valentines (issued 1954) (Richard Barrett, lead vcl)
At My Front Door - The El Dorados (1w at #1) (Pirkle Lee Moses, lead vcl)
The Door Is Still Open - The Cardinals (#5) (Ernie Warren, lead vcl)
Dreams Of Contentment - The Dells with Al Smith's Orch. (Johnny Funches, lead vcl)
Soul Classic:
What´cha Gonna Do - Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters  (rec. 1954, 2w at #2)

Top Artists:
Fats Domino, Ray Charles, The Platters, LaVern Baker
Rock Profile of the Year: Chuck Berry

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Johnny Ace - Pledging My Love
2. Fats Domino - Ain't That A Shame
3. Chuck Berry - Maybelline
4. The Penguins - Earth Angel
5. Ray Charles - I've Got A Woman

1956
1.  Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) - Bill Doggett (Combo) (13w at #1 - 28 total w)
2.  Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (endured into 1957, 11w at #1 - 23 total w )
3.  The Great Pretender  – The Platters (issued 1955, 11w at #1)
4.  Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard & his Band (issued 1955, 6w at #2 - 21 total w)
5.  Why Do Falls Fall In Love - The Teenagers, featuring Frankie Lymon (issued 1955, 5w at #1)
6.  Long Tall Sally - Little Richard & his Band (8w at #1)
 
7.  Fever - Little Willie John (5w at #1 - 23 total w)
8.  I'm In Love Again / My Blue Heaven - Fats Domino (9w at #1 / #5)
9.  Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry and his Combo (1w at #2)
10. Rip It Up / Ready Teddy - Little Richard & his Band (2w at #1 / #8)
11. My Prayer - The Platters (2w at #1)
12. Let The Good Times Roll - Shirley & Lee (3w at #1)
13. Speedoo (Speedo) - The Cadillacs with Jesse Powell Orch. (rec 1955, #3)  (Earl Carroll, lead vcl)
14. Drown In My Own Tears / Mary Ann - Ray Charles and his Band (2w at #1)

Top Pop Hit:
Don´t Be Cruel / Hound Dog - Elvis Presley (both hit R&B #1 for a total of 6w)
Together with "Searchin'"/"Young Blood" by The Coasters, this is the only record with both tracks hitting R&B #1.

Editor´s Favorites:
Jivin' Around (Parts 1 & 2) - The Ernie Freeman Combo (rec. 1955, #5)
(Freeman hit Pop in 1961 with Bumble Boogie as B. Bumble & the Stingers)
Dimples / Baby Lee - John Lee Hooker
Your Promise To Be Mine - The Drifters (Gerhart Thrasher, lead vcl)
Stranded In The Jungle - The Cadets (#4) (Will “Dub” Jones, lead vcl)
Dee's Boogie - Devonia Williams (w Johnny Watson) - orig unissued
The Vow - The Flamingos (featuring Nate Nelson, lead vcl)
Goodnight My Love (Pleasent Dreams) - Jesse Belvin (with Orchestra conducted by Maxwell Davis) (#7)
One Night - Smiley Lewis (#11)

Doo Wop Favorites:
In The Still Of The Nite - The Five Satins (#3) (Fred Parris, lead vcl)
Oh What A Nite - The Dells (#4) (Marvin Junior, lead vcl)
Finders Keepers  - The Crescendos (featuring Bobby Day, lead vocals)
Soul Classic:
Please, Please, Please - James Brown with the Famous Flames (#5)

Top Artists:
Fats Domino, Little Richard, The Platters
Rock Profiles of the Year:
Elvis Presley and Little Richard

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Bill Doggett - Honky Tonk
2. Fats Domino - I'm In Love Again
3. Little Richard - Long Tall Sally
4. Little Willie John - Fever
5. The Platters - The Great Pretender

1957  
1.  Searchin´ / Young Blood - The Coasters (12w at #1 / 1w at #1)
      (Billy Guy, Searchin; and Carl Gardner, Young Blood; lead vocals)
2.  Blue Monday - Fats Domino (rec 1955, 8w at #1)
3.  You Send Me - Sam Cooke (6w at #1) (also Top Pop R&B Hit)
4.  Send For Me - Nat "King" Cole (w. McCoy's Boys) (2w at #1)
5.  Since I Met You Baby - Ivory Joe Hunter w. Ray Ellis Orch. (3w at #1)
6.  I' m Walkin' - Fats Domino (6w at #1)
 
7.  Short Fat Fannie - Larry Williams & his Band (1w at #1)
8.  Jim Dandy / Tra La La - LaVerne Baker and The Gliders with Orchestra  (issued 1956, 1w at #1)
9.  School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell) - Chuck Berry (5w at #1)
10. Lucille / Send Me Some Lovin' - Little Richard & his Band (rec. 1956, 2w at #1 / #3)
11. Come Go With Me - The Dell-Vikings (1w at #2)
12. Love Is Strange - Mickey & Sylvia (issued 1956, 2w at #1)
13. C. C. Rider - Chuck Willis w. Jesse Stone Orch. (2w at #1)
14. Jenny Jenny / Miss Ann - Little Richard (rec. 1956, 2w at #2 / #6)

Top Pop Hits:
Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone
All Shook Up and Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley

Editor´s Favorites:
The Pick-Up - Etta "Miss Peaches" James (featuring Harold Battiste, tenorsax)
Star Dust - Billy Ward & his Dominoes (#5) (Gene Mumford, lead vcl)
Walking By Myself - Jimmy Rogers with his Rocking Four (rec. 1956, #14)
Just To Say Hello - Jesse Belvin
Say Boss Man - Bo Diddley (featuring vcl group support)
Baby Please Come Home - Lloyd Price (rec 1956)
Just Because - Lloyd Price & his Orchestra (#3)
Honest I Do - Jimmy Reed (#4)
Leavin´ It All Up To You - Don & Dewey
Drivin´ Home (pts 1 & 2) - Paul Gayten
The Monkey - Dave Bartholomew

Soul Classic:
Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson (only hit the Pop charts)
Uncharted R&B Classic:
Louie, Louie - Richard Berry & The Pharaohs (recorded April, 1956)

Top Artists:
Fats Domino, The Coasters
Rock Profiles of the Year:
Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock / Treat Me Nice
2. The Coasters - Searchin'  / Young Blood
3. Sam Cooke - You Send Me
4. Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie
5. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up

1958
1.  Yakety Yak - The Coasters (7w at #1)  (Carl Gardner and Billy Guy, dual lead vocals; King Curtis, tenorsax)
2.  Topsy (Parts 1 & 2) - Cozy Cole (6w at #1)
3.  It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards w. Leroy Holmes Orchestra (3w at #1) (also a Top Pop Hit)
4.  Get A Job - The Silhouettes (6w at #1)
5.  Rock-In Robin / Over And Over - Bobby Day (3w at #1)
6.  Twilight Time - The Platters (3w at #1)
 
7.  A Lover´s Question - Clyde McPhatter (1w at #1 - 23 total w)
8.  Sweet Little Sixteen - Chuck Berry (3w at #1) (featuring Johnny Johnson, piano)
9.  Looking Back - Nat "King" Cole w. Dave Cavanaugh Orch. (1w at #1)
10. What Am I Living For / Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes
       - Chuck Willis w. Reggie Obrecht Orch.  (1w at #1 / #9)
11. Nobody But You - Dee Clark (#3)
12. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters (#3)
13. Raunchy - Ernie Freeman (issued 1957, 2w at #1)
14. Tears On My Pillow - The Imperials (featuring Little Anthony) (1w at #2)

Top Pop Hit:
At The Hop - Danny & The Juniors

Editor's Favorites:
The Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Song of All-Times:
  Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry (2 weeks at #2, 12 weeks on R&B chart
  - later a true classic) (featuring Lafyaette Leake, piano)
The Best "Blue-Eyed" R&B Hit:
  Splish Splash - Bobby Darin (R&B #1 for 2w)
The Best "Blues Ballad":
  I'll Come Running Back To You - Sam Cooke (rec. 1956, 1w at #1)
The Best "Beach Music"
  Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart - The Coasters (featuring Will “Dub” Jones and Cornel Gunter)
The Best "Jazz Blues":
  My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone (LP track, rec 1957)
The Best "Cover":
  It's So Fine - LaVern Baker (& The Cookies) - cover from Jackie Wilson

Soul Classics:
The Right Time - Nappy Brown
For Your Precious Love - Jerry Butler & The Impressions (#3)

Top Artists:
Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, The Platters
Rock Profiles of the Year: The Coasters
Celebrating 20 years of Classic R&B: Buddy & Ella Johnson

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Chuck Willis - What Am I Living For / Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes
2. Bobby Day - Rock-In Robin
3. Elvis Presley - Don't / Beg Of You
4. Nat King Cole - Looking Back / Do I Like It
5. Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream

1959   
1.  Lonely Teardrops – Jackie Wilson w. Dick Jacobs Orch. (issued 1958, 7w at #1)
2.  It´ s Just A Matter Of Time - Brook Benton (recorded in NY 1955, issued 1958, 9w at #1)
3.  Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison (7w at #1)
4.  Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price w. Don Costa Orch. (issued 1958, 4w at #1) (also Top Pop R&B Hit)
5.  Try Me (I Need You) - James Brown & the Famous Flames (issued 1958, 1w at #1)
6.  Personality - Lloyd Price & his Orchestra (4w at #1)
 
7.  There Goes My Baby – The Drifters (1w at #1)  (Ben E. King, lead vcl)
8.  Poison Ivy – The Coasters  (4w at #1)  (Carl Gardner and Billy Guy, dual lead vocals)
9.  What´d I Say (Parts 1 & 2)  - Ray Charles & his Orchestra (1w at #1)
10. Thank You Pretty Baby - Brook Benton w. Belford Hendricks Orch. (4w at #1)
11. There Is Something On Your Mind - Big Jay McNeely and Band w. Little Sonny Warner, vocal (aka Sonny Ward) (#5 - 25 total w)
12. I Cried A Tear - LaVern Baker (issued 1958, 5w at #2)
13. You´re So Fine - The Falcons (3w at #2) (also a Soul Classic)  (Joe Stubbs, lead vcl)
14. I' m Gonna Get Married - Lloyd Price w. Don Costa Orch (3w at #1)

Top Pop Hit:
Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
 
Editor´s Favorites:
Sweet Thing - B. B. King & his Orchestra  (album track from "B. B. King Wails")
Say Man - Bo Diddley (recorded 1958, #3) (featuring Jerome Green)
I Want To Walk You Home - Fats Domino (1w at #1)
Back In The U.S.A / Memphis, Tennessee - Chuck Berry (#16)
I'll Be Seeing You - The Hollywood Flames  (rec. 1958) (Earl Nelson, lead vcl)
Soul Classic:
Shout (Parts 1 & 2) - The Isley Brothers

Top Artists:
Lloyd Price, The Coasters, Jackie Wilson
Rock Profile of the Year: Buddy Holly
Teen Profile: Bobby Darin
Soul Profile: Jackie Wilson

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Lloyd Price - Stagger Lee
2. Brook Benton - It's Just A Matter Of Time
3. Wilbert Harrison - Kansas City
4. Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops
5. Lloyd Price - Personality

1960
1. Baby (You´ve Got What It Takes) - Brook Benton & Dinah Washington (10w at #1)
2. Kiddio - Brook Benton (9w at #1)
3. He Will Break Your Heart - Jerry Butler (7w at #1)
4. The Twist - Chubby Checker (3w at #2)
5. Chain Gang - Sam Cooke (4w at #2)
6. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong (rec. 1959, 6w at #2)

Top Vocal Group Hits:
Save The Last Dance For Me – The Drifters (1w at #1) (Ben E. King, lead vcls)
Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go - Hank Ballard and The Midnighters (3w at#1)
Top Pop Hit:
Theme from A Summer Place - Percy Faith
 
Editor´s Favorites:
Shoppin´ For Clothes - The Coasters (featuring Billy Guy and Will “Dub” Jones)
No Shoes - John Lee Hooker (#21)
I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
Baby What You Want Me To Do - Jimmy Reed (#10)
The Sky Is Crying - Elmo James and his Broomdusters (rec. 1959, #15) (Elmore James)

Soul Classic:
A Fool In Love - Ike & Tina Turner (1w at #2, total 21w)
R&B Pop Classics:
Spanish Harlem - Ben E. King (#15 in 1961)
New Orleans - (Gary) U.S. Bonds (#5)

Top Artists: Brook Benton, The Drifters
Teen & Soul Profiles of the Year: Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Blues Profile of the Year: Jimmy Reed

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Brook Benton - Kiddio
2. Brook Benton/Dinah Washington - Baby (You've Got What It Takes)
3. Ike & Tina Turner - A Fool In Love
4. Chubby Checker - The Twist
5. Sam Cooke - Chain Gang

1961
1. Tossin´ And Turnin´ - Bobby Lewis with Joe Rene Orchestra  (10w at #1) (also Top Pop Hit)
2. Shop Around - The Miracles (rec 1960, 8w at #1)  (Smokey Robinson, lead vcl)
3. Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes (7w at #1 - 23 total w)
4. Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe (5w at #1) (featuring Benny Spellman, bass vcl)
5. Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles & his Orchestra (5w at #1) (with the Raelets)
6. It's Gonna Work Out Fine - Ike & Tina Turner (2w at #2)

Editor´s Favorites:
You're The Boss - LaVern Baker and Jimmy Ricks (rec 1960)
Mojo Hand - Lightnin' Hopkins
Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker (#16 in 1962)
Cuttin’ In / Broke And Lonely - Johnny “Guitar” Watson (#6 in 1962)
Driving Wheel - Little Junior Parker (#5)
Best Girl Group Song:
Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles (issued 1960, 4w at #2)

Soul Classics:
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (rec. 1960, 4w at #1)
At Last - Etta James (rec. 1960, 1w at #2)
Best Soul Jazz album:
"Genius + Soul = Jazz" - Ray Charles including two top tracks:
One Mint Julep (1w at #1) and I've Got News For You (#8)

Top Artist: Ray Charles
Teen Profile of the Year: Chubby Checker
R&B Profile of the Year: Hank Ballard
Soul Profile of the Year: Ray Charles

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Bobby Lewis - Tossin' And Turnin'
2. Ike & Tina Turner - It's Gonna Work Out Fine
3. Bobby Bland - Don't Cry No More
4. Freddy King - Hideaway
5. The Miracles - Shop Around

1962   
1. I Can´t Stop Loving You - Ray Charles  (10w at #1) (also Top Pop Hit)
2. Duke Of Earl - Gene Chandler (rec. 1961, 5w at #1) (featuring the Dukays)
3. I Know (You Don´t Love Me No More) - Barbara George (4w at #1)
4. Soul Twist - King Curtis & the Noble Knights (2w at #1 - 19w total)
5. Green Onions - Booker T. & the M.G.´s (4w at #1)

Top Vocal Group Hit:
Do You Love Me – The Contours (3w at #1) (Bill Gordon, lead vcl)

Editor´s Favorites:
I Found A Love - The Falcons & Band (#6) (Wilson Pickett, lead vcl)
You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover - Bo Diddley (#21)
At The Club - Ray Charles (#7)
Snap You Fingers - Joe Henderson (1w at #2)
I've Got A Woman - Jimmy McGriff (#5)
Stormy Monday Blues - Bobby Bland (#5)
 
Pop #1 Hit Second Time Around:
The Twist - Chubby Checker (also #1 in 1960 - 31 total w on R&B charts)
Best Pop Instrumental:
The Stripper - David Rose (rec 1958)
Classic "cover": Twist And Shout - The Isley Brothers (2w at #2, originally recorded by The Top Notes 1961)
Soul Classic: Nothing Can Change This Love - Sam Cooke (1w at #2)

Top Artist: Ray Charles
Teen Profiles of the Year: Bob Dylan and The Drifters

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. King Curtis - Soul Twist
2. Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
3. The Isley Brothers - Twist And Shout
4. Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home To Me
5. James Brown & The Famous Flames - Lost Someone

1963
1. Fingertips (Parts 1 &2) - Little Stevie Wonder (6w at #1)
2. Our Day Will Come – Ruby & The Romantics (2w at #1)
3. Baby Workout - Jackie Wilson (3w at #1)
4. Part Time Love - Little Johnny Taylor (1w at #1)
5. Mockingbird - Inez Foxx (with Charlie Foxx) (1w at #2)

Top Vocal Group Hits:
It's All Right - The Impressions (5w at #1) (Curtis Mayfield, lead vcl)
Heat Wave – Martha & The Vandellas (4w at #1)
You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles (rec 1962 1w at #1)
Top Pop Hit:
Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs

Editor´s Favorites:
Help Me - Sonny Boy Williamson
Birmingham Blues - John Lee Hooker
How Blue Can You Get - B. B. King (#21 in 1964 Cash Box)
(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry - Darlene Love (rec 1962)
The Dog - Rufus Thomas (#22)
Soul Classic:
Cry Baby - Garnet Mimms and The Enchanters (3w at #1)

Top Artist: Sam Cooke
Rock Profiles of the Year: The Beatles
Blues Profile of the Year: Sonny Boy Williamson

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Little Johnny Taylor - Part Time Love
2. Inez Foxx - Mockingbird
3. Jackie Wilson - Baby Workout
4. Little Stevie Wonder - Fingertips
5. Martha & The Vandellas - Heat Wave

1964
1. My Guy - Mary Wells (7w at #1 Cash Box)
2. Hi-Heel Sneakers - Tommy Tucker (3w at #1 Cash Box)
3. The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss) - Betty Everett (3w at #1 Cash Box)

Top Vocal Group Hits:
Baby Love – The Supremes (3w at #1 Cash Box) (Diana Ross, lead vcl)
Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas (#8 Cash Box)
The Way You Do The Things You Do - The Temptations (1w at #1 Cash Box) (featuring Eddie Kendricks, lead vcl)
Top Pop Hit:
I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

Editor´s Favorites:
Out Of Sight - James Brown and his Orchestra (#5 Cash Box)
Killing Floor - Howlin´  Wolf
Groovin'  (and almost all other tracks) - Jackie Wilson (from the LP "Somethin' Else")
Oh Baby Don't You Weep - James Brown & the Famous Flames (#4 Cash Box)
Soul Classic: Dont Cry, Baby - James Brown (from the LP "Showtime")
- recorded with same arranger - Sammy Lowe - by Erskine Hawkins Orchestra w. Jimmy Mitchell May 27, 1942 (14w at #1 - 29 total w, 1943)

Top Artists: The Supremes
Rock Profiles of the Year: The Rolling Stones
Blues Profile of the Year: Howlin'  Wolf

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
- no chart published in 1964

1965
1. I Can´t Help Myself – The Four Tops (9w at #1) (featuring Levi Stubbs, lead vocal)
2. Papa´s Got a Brand New Bag (Parts 1 & 2) - James Brown & the Famous Flames  (8w at #1)
3. My Girl – The Temptations (6w at #1) (featuring David Ruffin, lead vocal)
4. I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown & the Famous Flames (6w at #1)
5. Shotgun - Jr Walker & The All Stars (4w at #1)
6. In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett (1w at #1)

Top Pop Hit:
(I Can´t Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones

Editor´s Favorites:
Tonight's The Night - Solomon Burke (3w at #2)
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show - Joe Tex (#20)

Top Artists: James Brown, Marvin Gaye
Soul Profiles of the Year: James Brown and B.B. King

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
2. Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour
3. Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun
4. Billy Stewart - I Do Love You
5. Barbara Mason - Yes, I' m Ready

1966
1. Ain´t Too Proud To Beg – The Temptations (8w at #1) (featuring David Ruffin, lead vocal)
2. 634-5789 - Wilson Pickett (7w at #1)
3. Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie Wonder (5w at #1)

Top Pop Hit:
I´m A Believer - The Monkees
 
Editor´s Favorites:
Tramp - Lowell Fulsom (Fulson) (#5 in 1967) 
Baby Scratch My Back - Slim Harpo (2w at #1)

Top Artists: The Temptations
Soul Profiles of the Year: The Temptations
Rock Profiles of the Year: The Beach Boys

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Sam & Dave - Hold On! I'm Comin'
2. The Capitols - Cool Jerk
3. Slim Harpo - Baby Scratch My Back
4. The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg
5. Robert Parker - Barefootin'

1967  
1. Respect - Aretha Franklin (8w at #1)
2. Soul Man - Sam & Dave (7w at #1)
3. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) - Aretha Franklin (7w at #1)
4. Cold Sweat - James Brown & The Famous Flames (3w at #1)

Top Vocal Group Hit:
I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Gladys Knight & The Pips (6w at #1)
Top Pop Hit:
To Sir With Love - Lulu

Top Artists: Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett
Soul Profiles of the Year: Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Aretha Franklin - Respect
2. Sam & Dave - Soul Man
3. Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
4. Betty Swann - Make Me Yours
5. Stevie Wonder - I Was Made To Love Her

1968
1. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye (rec. 1967, 7w at #1)
2. Say It Loud-I´m Black And I'm Proud - James Brown (6w at #1)
3. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding (3w at #1)

Top Vocal Group Hit:
Stay In My Corner – The Dells (3w at #1) (featuring Marvin Junior and Johnny Carter)
Top Pop Hit:
Hey Jude - The Beatles

Top Artist: Aretha Franklin
Soul Profile of the Year: Otis Redding

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. James Brown - Say It Loud-I'm Black And I'm Proud
2. Clarence Carter - Slip Away
3. Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
4. Hugh Masekela - Grazing In The Grass
5. Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need To Get By

1969
Top R&B Hit:
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye (6w at #1)

Top Vocal Group Hit:
I Can´t Get Next To You - The Temptations (5w at #1) (Dennis Edwards, lead vcl)
Top Pop Hit:
Aquarius - The Fifth Dimension

Top Artist: James Brown
Soul Profile of the Year: Marvin Gaye

Billboard's Year-End R&B Chart
1. Jr. Walker & The All Stars - What Does It Take To Win Your Love
2. The Temptations - I Can't Get Next To You
3. James Brown - Mother Popcorn
4. Marvin Gaye - Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
5. The Isley Brothers - It's Your Thing

1970
Top R&B Artists: The Jackson 5
Top Pop Hit: Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel

1971
Top R&B Artist: Marvin Gaye
Top Pop Hit: Joy To The World - Three Dog Night

Editor's Favorite R&B record:
Talkin' Loud & Sayin' Nothing (Parts 1 & 2) - James Brown
(recorded October 1, 1970 in Macon, Georgia with a.o. Bobby Byrd, second vcl; Cheese Martin, gtr; Bootsy Collins, bsg; Johnny Griggs, cga; and a horn section led by St.Clair Pinkney - issued on King in 1971, and reissued on Polydor in February, 1972 - hit R&B Chart #1 - issued on CD with 8:59 running time)

Top Rhythm & Blues Records on pdf.file

mail to the editor: Claus Röhnisch

Those Hoodlum Friends   - The Coasters Web Site
John Lee Hooker             - The World's Greatest Blues Singer

---

The definitive CD-series  www.rhythmandbluesrecords.co.uk
The History of Rhythm & Blues
* Part One 1925-1942   RANDB001  (4CDBox 97 tracks, 32-page booklet)
* Highlights from 1925-1942   RANDB002  (1CD 25 tracks, 28-page booklet)
* 1942-52   RANDB003  (4CDBox 101 tracks, 64-page booklet)
* 1952-1957  RANB011  (4CDBox 109 tracks, 68-page booklet)

From the inlays:
"Rhythm and Blues has become one of the most identifiable art-forms of the C20th, with an enormous influence on the development of both the sound and attitude of modern music. But it wasn't always that way. The History of Rhythm and Blues investigates the accidental synthesis of jazz, gospel, blues, ragtime, country and pop into a definable form of black music, which in turn would influence pretty well all popular music from the 1950s to the present.
The end of the 19th century was a period of major social upheaval for the black population in America. Musicians who had previously been maintained on plantations were no longer required, and took to the road begging, as the abolition of slavery led to huge numbers of itinerant workers. The hardships of segregation caused by the ensuing Jim Crow laws caused a cultural revolution within Afro-American society. New forms of music arose: spirituals, ragtime, barrelhouse, jazz, black ballad form. Over the years, these distinctive sounds would come to merge into a recognisably “new” musical style.

From its humble rural beginnings in the early 1900s as a method of self-expression in the southern states, the blues gradually became a form of public entertainment, initially for workers and drinkers, in lumber camps, barbeques and juke joints, picking up dance rhythms along the way. The blues, originally a slow dance, only evolved into the form we know today after the introduction of sound recording - the first blues record, Mamie Smith’s Crazy Blues, was released in 1921.
Between 1910 and 1970, nearly five million African Americans left the South, looking for higher wages, better homes and political rights. The route they took was determined largely by the price of the cheapest rail ticket. Chicago was the favoured destination from Mississippi, while those from the Eastern Seaboard left for New York. Attracted by the expansion of industrial production during and after World War II, they moved to California from states like Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

It was the move to the city, which brought the increase in popularity for the blues, and it was the technology of sound recording, which helped to define its structure. Wider dissemination came with the development of radio and the jukebox, but also through touring bands playing the new network of dance halls and ballrooms that were springing up throughout the States in the 1930s. It was in these ‘territory’ bands that the first major fusion of jazz, blues and boogie-woogie is to be found."
- Nick Duckett

Top 36 Super Hits/Artists of the 1950s
presented as  1. Top Record   2. Top Profile   3. Top Artist
with recording location and date - (day/month/year) original label and Pop charting
LA=Los Angeles, NY=New York City, N0=New Orleans, Cinc=Cincinnatti

1949
Amos Milburn - Chicken-Shack Boogie  (LA 19/11/47) Aladdin

1950
1.  Joe Liggins – Pink Champagne  (LA 20/1) Specialty P13

2.  Johnny Otis – Double Crossing Blues  (LA 1/12/49) Savoy
3.   Roy Brown – Hard Luck Blues  (Cinc 19/4) DeLuxe

1951
1.  The Dominoes – Sixty-Minute Man  (NY 30/12/50)  Federal P17
2.  Charles Brown – Black Night  (LA 21/12/50) Aladdin
3.  Ruth Brown - Teardrops From My Eyes (NY 9/50) Atlantic

1952
1.  Lloyd Price – Lawdy Miss Clawdy  (NO 13/3) Specialty
2.  The Clovers – One Mint Julep  (NY 17/12/51) Atlantic
3.  The Dominoes – Have Mercy Baby  (Cinc 28/1) Federal

1953
1.  Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters – Money Honey  (NY 9/8) Atlantic
2.  The “5” Royales - Baby Don’ t Do It  (NY 30/10/52) Apollo
3.  Faye Adams – Shake A Hand  (NY ca 6/53) Herald P22

1954
1.  The Midnighters – Work With Me Annie  (Cinc 14/1) Federal P22
2.  Guitar Slim - The Things That I Used To Do  (NO 27/10/53) Specialty P23
2.  LaVern Baker - Tweedlee Dee  (NY 20/10) Atlantic P14
3.  Joe Turner – Shake, Rattle And Roll  (NY 15/2) Atlantic P22

1955
1.  The Platters – Only You  (LA 26/4) Mercury P5
2.  The Penguins – Earth Angel  (LA 9/54) Dootone P8
2.  Ray Charles - I've Got A Woman  (Atlanta 18/11/54) Atlantic
3.  Fats Domino – Ain’t It A Shame  (LA 15/3) Imperial P10

1956
1.  Bill Doggett – Honky Tonk  (NY 19/6) King P2
2.  Fats Domino – Blueberry Hill  (LA 26/6) Imperial P2
3.  Little Richard - Tutti-Frutti  (NO 14/9/55) Specialty P17

1957
1.  The Coasters – Searchin’  (LA 15/2) Atco P3
2.  Sam Cooke - You Send Me  (LA 1/6) Keen P1
3.  Fats Domino – Blue Monday  (LA 30/3/55) Imperial P5
 
1958
1.  The Coasters – Yakety Yak  (NY 17/3) Atco P1
2.  Cozy Cole – Topsy  (NY ca 8/58) Love P3
2.  Bobby Day - Rock-In Robin  (LA ca 7/58) Class P2
3.  Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode  (Chicago 6/1) Chess P8

1959
1.  Jackie Wilson – Lonely Teardrops  (NY 15/10/58) Brunswick P7
2.  Brook Benton - It’s Just A Matter Of Time  (NY 1955, issued 1958) Mercury P3
2.  Wilbert Harrison - Kansas City (NY 2/59) Fury P1
3.  Lloyd Price – Stagger Lee  (NY ca 10/58) ABC-Paramount P1

1960
Hank Ballard and The Midnighters - Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go  (Cinc 26/7) King P6

Note: All three Domino entries actually recorded in Los Angeles (not New Orleans).