60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
1/11/64 – "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles charts for the first time in America on a national chart ... but in this case, the Cash Box pop singles chart only. It debuts at #80.
We will follow its national breakthrough next week when it also premiers in Billboard and Music Vendor / Record World.
Speaking of the charts, also on 1/11, Billboard Magazine publishes its first-ever Top Country Albums Chart.
The very first #1 Country LP?
"Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash." ("Ring Of Fire had been a #1 Country Hit the previous year, topping Billboard's Country Singles Chart for seven weeks ... and charting for six months! It also crossed over to their pop singles chart, where it peaked at #17.
And, in other chart action, "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen starts the first of its two-week run atop the Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles Chart. (It had previously topped the Music Vendor Chart as well.) Only Billboard failed to recognize it as a #1 Hit. (Because of its inconsistent popularity spread over the three major trade publications, our Super Chart never ranked it at #1 either. Instead, two middle-of-the-road singles, "Dominique" by The Singing Nun and "There, I've Said It Again" by Bobby Vinton ruled the roost until The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" took over the top position.)
Also on 1/11, the first official US Surgeon General report is filed by Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous to your health
Also on 1/11, Roger Miller records his first two big hit records, “Dang Me” and “Chug-A-Lug”
