The early charts consisted mainly of solo acts (with a few exceptions). It was 1955 when Bill Haley and the Comets were the first Rock ’n’ Rollers to reach Number 1 with their offering “Rock Around The Clock”. Elvis Presley didn’t achieve a Number 1 slot until two years later (although he had 9 previous hits).
Cliff Richard sprung into life in 1959 and was destined to have a string of 14 Number 1 hits by the end of the century.
Beatlemania hit the masses in 1963 when the 4 lads from Liverpool stormed into the charts with their first of 17 Number 1 hits “From Me To You”. The Pop Group was now well and truly born - and here to stay. The following years saw The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Animals, The Kinks, The Honeycombs, Herman’s Hermits and many more catapult their way to fame, be it short or long-lasting.
Flower Power arrived in the late sixties bringing with it a new breed of followers. Artists such as The Flowerpot Men and Scott McKenzie graced the charts and “Love and Peace” and “Make Love Not War” were the slogans of the day. 1969 saw the infamous festival take place at Woodstock. It was also the time to open the floodgates for Tamla Motown and Soul music.
The 1970s saw Glam Rock come and go with Sweet, Gary Glitter and Slade; and by 1978 it was all change again to make way for Punk and Ska. The Boomtown Rats, The Specials, Adam and the Ants and The Jam all made their entrance.
The 1980s and 90s were to see a myriad of new acts emerge but nothing so profound and life-changing as the prior decades.
Beatlemania hit the masses in 1963 when the 4 lads from Liverpool stormed into the charts with their first of 17 Number 1 hits “From Me To You”. The Pop Group was now well and truly born - and here to stay. The following years saw The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Animals, The Kinks, The Honeycombs, Herman’s Hermits and many more catapult their way to fame, be it short or long-lasting.
Flower Power arrived in the late sixties bringing with it a new breed of followers. Artists such as The Flowerpot Men and Scott McKenzie graced the charts and “Love and Peace” and “Make Love Not War” were the slogans of the day. 1969 saw the infamous festival take place at Woodstock. It was also the time to open the floodgates for Tamla Motown and Soul music.
The 1970s saw Glam Rock come and go with Sweet, Gary Glitter and Slade; and by 1978 it was all change again to make way for Punk and Ska. The Boomtown Rats, The Specials, Adam and the Ants and The Jam all made their entrance.
The 1980s and 90s were to see a myriad of new acts emerge but nothing so profound and life-changing as the prior decades.