Pick a Day

Music History Events: Charts

November 2, 1963 The female UK duo The Caravelles reach the Hot 100 at #84 with "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry," starting a run of 38 years when at least one British act is on the American chart.

August 3, 1963 The Beatles show up on a Billboard chart for the first time when "From Me to You" bubbles under on the Hot 100, reaching a peak of #116 the following week. Their US breakthrough doesn't happen until January 1964, when "I Want To Hold Your Hand" rises up the chart, hitting #1 in February.

April 28, 1963 Cliff Richard and The Shadows are #1 on the UK albums chart for the 14th week with the soundtrack to the movie Summer Holiday. It's the last time an artist other than The Beatles or The Rolling Stones tops the chart for two years.

January 26, 1963 Dionne Warwick lands her first solo hit when her debut single, "Don't Make Me Over," peaks at #21 on the Hot 100. It also marks the beginning of her longtime collaboration with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

May 25, 1962 The West Side Story soundtrack goes to #1 in the US, where it stays for a record 54 (non-consecutive) weeks.

January 23, 1961 Nina Simone's "Trouble in Mind" peaks at #92, where it will stay for one week.

September 12, 1960 Nina Simone's "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out" peaks at #93, where it will stay for one week.

October 5, 1959 Nina Simone's debut single, "I Loves You Porgy," peaks at #18 on the Hot 100, the highest she will ever place on the chart.

April 30, 1959 Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (written by Paul Anka) goes to #1 in the UK nearly three months after his death. It's his only UK #1.

November 28, 1957 Harry Belafonte becomes the first black man to hit #1 in the UK when "Mary's Boy Child" tops the chart. The single stays at #1 for seven weeks and becomes a Christmas favorite.

March 24, 1956 Billboard makes their periodic albums chart a weekly feature, with Belafonte by Harry Belafonte. at #1 The chart lists anywhere from 15-30 spots, but is gradually expanded, and in 1967 it grows to 200. The chart goes through several name changes before settling on The Billboard 200 in 1992.