Tag Archives: Joel Whitburn

#257 – Paul Haney – Billboard Comparison Book

How many #1 hits did the Beatles have?  How long did Thriller stay on the album charts?  Did Milli Vanilli really have that many charting singles?  These are all questions that have been answered thanks to the staff of Record Research.  Joel Whitburn began compiling the chart data of Billboard magazine back in the early Seventies.  Since then, his company has released hundreds of books, covering the pop, soul, and country charts, even delving into the Big Band era.  But, their latest book is a real find – it’s called The Comparison Book, and for the first time, the chart data from the top three music magazines – Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World, have been compiled in one handy reference book.  We talk to one of the men who helped put this together – from Record Research, Paul Haney.

#103 – Joel Whitburn – Top Ten Pop Hits: A 70-Year History of Every Top Ten Hit 1940-2010

Joel Whitburn - Top Ten Pop Hits: A 70-Year History of Every Top Ten Hit 1940-2010

Any time anyone mentions “#1 hit,” they’re using his research

Joel Whitburn is the undisputed expert on hit singles.  His extensive research of the Billboard charts has been used by DJs and music fans all over the world.  He’s compiled over 200 books, from pop and rock to R&B, country and big band chart data.  His latest book, Top Ten Pop Hits: A 70-Year History of Every Top Ten Hit 1940-2010, is the first to cover the entire history of the singles chart, from the 1940’s big band era, to the pop music of today.  Icon Fetch talks to the avid record collector about his new book, how he got started chronicling hit songs, and the upcoming release of his latest edition of Top Pop Singles, which is in its 13th edition.