Post by ASM on Nov 25, 2003 11:49:24 GMT
Dear Jeff (And all other readers)
When Top Of The Pops appearred (1st Jan 64) It's chart was compiled in the same manner as the long running "Pick Of the Pops" also on BBC (Light I think) Unlike "Pick Of The Pops" which had included "Record Mirrors" chart as well as NME and Melody Maker, TOTP used NME MM and DISC. Reasons? Firstly Disc didn't begin until 8th Feb 1958 when POTP was already well established. Secondly "Record Mirror" discontinued its own chart on 17th March 1962 and started printing "Record Retailers" So when TOTP appearred only Four major charts were operating.
As Record Retailers chart (And it's day of publication) differred from the others the BBC just used NME MM & DISC for their POTP & TOTP listings. Those BBC charts are still on file (Certain persons are referring them now for a comprehensive chart book) IF Record Retailers chart HAD been incorporated into the calculations NO Beatles single between Jan 64 to Dec 65 could have entered the POTP & TOTP charts (As they DID) at no 1. By 1966 with the RR chart having more prominence PLUS now bieng better distributed; the BBC was able to make use of it. So from Jan 66 FOUR charts were used up to 19th August 1967. On this date DISC merged some of it's chart survey with Melody Maker so that both papers could share the same chart (3/4 of it Melody Makers sample, the remainder DISC) So on 26th Aug 1967 the BBC were back to Three charts for their calculations. One point! TOTP was only a Top 20, where "Pick" was a Top 30. On August 31 1968, the inevitable happened - The BBC charts had THREE joint no 1's Beach Boys (Do It Again) Bee Gees (I've Gotta Get A Message To You) and Herb Alpert (This Guy's In Love With You) This was what led the BBC and British Phonograph Industry setting up the NEW INDEPENDANT CHART (Britsh Market Research Bureau) which commenced on 15th Feb 1969. Both NME and M.Maker were asked to come "On Board" but declined, so it was Record Retailers own sample which ceased in order to take the new chart. So from 15/2/69 Top Of The Pops was from a SINGLE compiled source. Finally - were their any other 60's charts which the BBC could have "Thrown" into the pot in order to lessen the chances of Tied Places? As far as i've found out, their were Two other Early/Mid 60's lists. Firstly "Pop Weekly" the A4 sized magazine; that when it became a weekly on 1st Sept 1962 ran it's own Top 30 (Based on 30 to 50 returns) it finally ceased on 12th Feb 1966 - so it could have been used for a few years. The second chart was "MerseyBears" It had started in 1961. I know by mid 1964 it ran a top 20; but by the end of 1964 it had expanded to a TOP 100! The paper changed title to "Music Echo" in March 1965 still running a top 100. By the start of 1966 it's chart was now a top 50. Finally on 16th April 1966 "Music Echo" ceased and was incorporated into DISC" (And Music Echo)
There was one extra chart in the late 60's that might have been used by the BBC. This was "Top Pop" A pop magazine set up by the Author Colin Bostock Smith. The paper set up an arrangement where it's top 30 was supplied soley by returns from branches nationwide from W.H Smith & Son. Any of these extra charts could have been useful to Top Of The Pops calculations. If anyone has extra data please feel free to contribute.
ASM
When Top Of The Pops appearred (1st Jan 64) It's chart was compiled in the same manner as the long running "Pick Of the Pops" also on BBC (Light I think) Unlike "Pick Of The Pops" which had included "Record Mirrors" chart as well as NME and Melody Maker, TOTP used NME MM and DISC. Reasons? Firstly Disc didn't begin until 8th Feb 1958 when POTP was already well established. Secondly "Record Mirror" discontinued its own chart on 17th March 1962 and started printing "Record Retailers" So when TOTP appearred only Four major charts were operating.
As Record Retailers chart (And it's day of publication) differred from the others the BBC just used NME MM & DISC for their POTP & TOTP listings. Those BBC charts are still on file (Certain persons are referring them now for a comprehensive chart book) IF Record Retailers chart HAD been incorporated into the calculations NO Beatles single between Jan 64 to Dec 65 could have entered the POTP & TOTP charts (As they DID) at no 1. By 1966 with the RR chart having more prominence PLUS now bieng better distributed; the BBC was able to make use of it. So from Jan 66 FOUR charts were used up to 19th August 1967. On this date DISC merged some of it's chart survey with Melody Maker so that both papers could share the same chart (3/4 of it Melody Makers sample, the remainder DISC) So on 26th Aug 1967 the BBC were back to Three charts for their calculations. One point! TOTP was only a Top 20, where "Pick" was a Top 30. On August 31 1968, the inevitable happened - The BBC charts had THREE joint no 1's Beach Boys (Do It Again) Bee Gees (I've Gotta Get A Message To You) and Herb Alpert (This Guy's In Love With You) This was what led the BBC and British Phonograph Industry setting up the NEW INDEPENDANT CHART (Britsh Market Research Bureau) which commenced on 15th Feb 1969. Both NME and M.Maker were asked to come "On Board" but declined, so it was Record Retailers own sample which ceased in order to take the new chart. So from 15/2/69 Top Of The Pops was from a SINGLE compiled source. Finally - were their any other 60's charts which the BBC could have "Thrown" into the pot in order to lessen the chances of Tied Places? As far as i've found out, their were Two other Early/Mid 60's lists. Firstly "Pop Weekly" the A4 sized magazine; that when it became a weekly on 1st Sept 1962 ran it's own Top 30 (Based on 30 to 50 returns) it finally ceased on 12th Feb 1966 - so it could have been used for a few years. The second chart was "MerseyBears" It had started in 1961. I know by mid 1964 it ran a top 20; but by the end of 1964 it had expanded to a TOP 100! The paper changed title to "Music Echo" in March 1965 still running a top 100. By the start of 1966 it's chart was now a top 50. Finally on 16th April 1966 "Music Echo" ceased and was incorporated into DISC" (And Music Echo)
There was one extra chart in the late 60's that might have been used by the BBC. This was "Top Pop" A pop magazine set up by the Author Colin Bostock Smith. The paper set up an arrangement where it's top 30 was supplied soley by returns from branches nationwide from W.H Smith & Son. Any of these extra charts could have been useful to Top Of The Pops calculations. If anyone has extra data please feel free to contribute.
ASM
