What was the first stereophonic 45rpm single record to enter the UK Top 40 Chart? |
Request for Question Clarification by
denco-ga
on
31 Aug 2003 13:11 PDT
Howdy robertsyrett,
You might want to review my comment below and see if it
suffices as an answer to your question.
Looking Forward, denco-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
robertsyrett-ga
on
01 Sep 2003 09:55 PDT
Hello Denco
The only information I have is in the question. Stereophonic records
(vinyl with 2 tracks) first appeared early in 1958 (March I think).
They soon became the norm. I am looking for the first one to enter the
UK Top 40 Chart -regardless of the position in the chart. Yakety Yak
might have been the first stereo record to reach number one in the USA
but that does not help me. Hope this is of some assistance.
Please keep trying
Thanks
Bob
|
Request for Question Clarification by
markj-ga
on
01 Sep 2003 12:14 PDT
robertsyrett --
After much research, I have not been able to find a supportable
statement to the effect that "'Record X' was the first stereo 45rpm
single to hit the UK Top 40." Indeed, I have not found such a
supportable statement with regard to the US Top 40.
However, I have deduced an answer that I am pretty confident is
correct. (It is not Yakety Yak, since the stereo version of that
recording was apparently not released until much later than the mono
version.)
The key assumption I have made is that none of the few 45rpm singles
that may have been released *only* or even *first* in a stereo version
would have made the charts in either country until well into the 1960s
because early stereo recordings were not promoted as playable on mono
equipment.
I can identify for you the first 45rpm single that was released in
stereo and monaural pressings concurrently in 1960 and that almost
immediately reached the Top-40 chart in the UK.
If you would consider this to be the answer you are seeking, let me
know, and I will post an answer with a fuller explanation of my line
of reasoning.
markj-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
denco-ga
on
01 Sep 2003 16:21 PDT
Howdy robertsyrett,
My research shows (perhaps not that clearly presented in my comment) that
the stereo single version of "Yakety Yak" was released in July of 1958,
and then reached the number 12 spot on the UK charts in August of 1958.
Logic follows that it was the stereo single version that charted in the UK.
Looking Forward, denco-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
denco-ga
on
03 Sep 2003 17:50 PDT
Howdy robertsyrett,
I agree totally with markj's comment below. It is doubtful
that anyone could ascertain which 45 stereo single, that is,
a 45 single that was available substantively in stereo form,
charted on the UK Top 40.
I also have to withdraw the possibility that "Yakety Yak" by
the Coasters was available in stereo in 1958, as I have been
unable to find any references, such as a release number, etc.
that substantiates my referenced claims that it was indeed a
stereo release.
That said, on markj's (most welcomed) proddings, I found a
45 stereo single (with a release number, etc.) that was in
release in both stereo and mono format, and charted the UK
Top 40 as early as 1959. This is (I believe) the earliest
such 45 stereo single that we have been able to find to date.
Apologies on any confusion, etc.
Looking Forward, denco-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
robertsyrett-ga
on
04 Sep 2003 08:15 PDT
To Denco and Markj
Thanks for your efforts but the only information I have is in the
question itself and I have every reason to believe that there is a
single answer. I need to be sure and would be reluctant to accept
either "Almost certainly identify" or "This is (I believe ...)
Bob
|
Request for Question Clarification by
markj-ga
on
04 Sep 2003 12:30 PDT
bob --
Thanks for your clarification.
From the research that I and denco-ga have done, I think it is clear
that 45s that were released in stereo between the late 1950s to the
mid-60s and made the Top 40 during that period would have done so
based largely on sales of the mono version that was released at or
about the same time as the stereo version. Of course, as the 60s
progressed, the sales of stereo versions must have gradually increased
as a percentage of total sales, until mono versions were eventually
phased out.
Are you specifically looking for a record could authoritatively be
determined to have made the UK Top-40 on the basis of sales of stereo
copies alone? Or, are you looking for the first record that made the
UK Top-40 that was made and sold in both mono and stereo versions,
even if relatively few stereo versions were sold?
markj-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
robertsyrett-ga
on
09 Sep 2003 13:21 PDT
Hello Markj
You requested clarification on September 4. In error I posted this as
a comment and wonder whether you are aware of it (this is the first
time I have used Google Answers). Hope you can give an answer.
Bob
|
Request for Question Clarification by
markj-ga
on
09 Sep 2003 14:14 PDT
bob --
From your comment, I infer that you would be most interested in
knowing the first single that made the UK Top-40 on the basis of sales
of a stereo version. I have not looked into that and I would be happy
to do so. As I noted, that would likely have occurred in the late
1960s.
As for the first Top-40 hit that came out in both stereo and mono
versions (even if the stereo version sold only a very small number of
copies), denco-ga has come up with the earliest reference to such a
record so far (1959), and I would like to give him the first chance to
post that information as an answer if I can't come up with an answer
to the first question.
markj-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
denco-ga
on
10 Sep 2003 12:47 PDT
Howdy robertsyrett (and fellow conspirator markj)!
Addictive question, indeed!
The answer might still be ambiguous and nondefinitive, but
the (current) earliest UK Top 40 charting I have found of
a stereo single 45 had the music written by the former (and
long deceased) Vice President of the United States, Charles
Gales Dawes, who served under Calvin Coolidge!
The Guitar Guy website has some background, the lyrics and
chords for "It's All In The Game" recorded by Tommy Edwards.
http://www.theguitarguy.com/itsallin.htm
"It's All In The Game
Words & Music by Carl Sigman (1951) & Charles Dawes* (1912)
Recorded by Tommy Edwards, 1958 (#1)
...
*Charles Gales Dawes was Vice President of the United
States under Calvin Coolidge."
The MGM Album Discography, Part 17 on the "Both Sides Now
Publications" website, lists the early MGM stereo singles.
"Stereo Singles and Little LPs By Mike Callahan"
http://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/mgmstereo.html
"STEREO SINGLES, 1958:
...
SK-50104 - Tommy Edwards - It's All In The Game/Love Is All We Need"
The everyHit.com - UK Top 40 Hit Database website has "It's All
In The Game" not only appearing on the UK Top 40 chart, but also
hitting the Number 1 slot in October 1958!
http://www.everyhit.co.uk
To look up the following, you need to enter "Tommy" (without the
quote) in the "Name of artist" box, and set the "Earliest date to
show" to something like January 1958 and the "Latest date to show"
to a date such as December 1958 and hit your "Enter" key.
"[Position] 1 Tommy Edwards It's All In The Game Oct 1958"
Whew!
Thanks to markj for everything!
Looking Forward, denco-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
robertsyrett-ga
on
11 Sep 2003 07:11 PDT
Hello Denco (and Markj)
Fascinating - a song in the charts written by a Vice President of the
USA! I wonder whether he appreciated it at the time? (If he was still
alive). I will accept "It's All The Game" as an answer but if it is
possible, without too much trouble, I would like to know the first
record in the UK Top 40 Charts issued only in stereo.
Thank you for your patience.
Bob
|
Request for Question Clarification by
denco-ga
on
11 Sep 2003 15:00 PDT
Howdy robertsyrett,
It appears we have to wait 10 years until a "stereo only" single hits
the UK Top 40 charts.
If we go back to "MGM Album Discography, Part 17" on the "Both Sides
Now Publications" website, they mention an early "stereo only" single.
http://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/mgmstereo.html
"Stereo Singles and Little LPs By Mike Callahan"
...
"MGM was one of the first labels to issue a 'stereo only' commercial
single in 1968, when the industry began switching over to all stereo,
about 10 years after the initial stereo craze. The first MGM commercial
stereo single was Eric Burdon & the Animals' 'Sky Pilot,' which was
issued as Parts 1 & 2 on the 45."
The everyHit.com - UK Top 40 Hit Database website has "Sky Pilot" on
the UK Top 40 chart, in the number 40 slot, in February 1968.
http://www.everyhit.co.uk
"[Position] 40 Eric Burdon & The Animals Sky Pilot Feb 1968"
Again, this is not definitive, but at least it doesn't appear to be
ambiguous. The earliest one I could find.
Looking Forward, denco-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
robertsyrett-ga
on
12 Sep 2003 13:14 PDT
Hello Denco
Summarizing the efforts of markj and yourself it appears that "It's
All In The Game" was the first stereo in the UK Top 40 charts based on
the combined sales of the mono and stereo issues while "Sky Pilot" was
almost certainly, but not definitely, the first that entered the Top
40 of those issued in stereo only.
If you agree with this I will let you and markj get on with your
lives.
I will wait for your answer before signing off.
Bob (robertsyrett-ga)
|
Howdy robertsyrett,
To the question of what was the first [available in stereo as
well as mono] stereophonic 45rpm single record to enter the UK
Top 40 Chart, the answer, to the best efforts of two Google
Answer Researchers, is "It's All In The Game" with words by
Carl Sigman (1951), music by Charles Dawes (1912), and recorded
by Tommy Edwards (1958).
The MGM Album Discography, Part 17 on the "Both Sides Now
Publications" website, lists the early MGM stereo singles.
"Stereo Singles and Little LPs By Mike Callahan"
http://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/mgmstereo.html
"STEREO SINGLES, 1958:
...
SK-50104 - Tommy Edwards - It's All In The Game/Love Is All We Need"
The everyHit.com - UK Top 40 Hit Database website has "It's All
In The Game" not only appearing on the UK Top 40 chart, but also
hitting the Number 1 slot in October 1958!
http://www.everyhit.co.uk
To look up the following, you need to enter "Tommy" (without the
quotes) in the "Name of artist" box, and set the "Earliest date to
show" to something like January 1958 and the "Latest date to show"
to a date such as December 1958 and hit your "Enter" key.
"[Position] 1 Tommy Edwards It's All In The Game Oct 1958"
Strangely enough, Charles G. Dawes, the man who wrote the music,
was Vice President of the United States, serving under Calvin
Coolidge. The music was originally (and simply, as pointed out
by markj-ga) titled "Melody in A."
The Guitar Guy website has some background, the lyrics and chords
for "It's All In The Game."
http://www.theguitarguy.com/itsallin.htm
It appears we have to wait 10 years until a "stereo only" single
hits the UK Top 40 charts.
If we go back to "MGM Album Discography, Part 17" on the "Both Sides
Now Publications" website, they mention an early "stereo only" single.
http://www.bsnpubs.com/mgm/mgmstereo.html
"Stereo Singles and Little LPs By Mike Callahan"
...
"MGM was one of the first labels to issue a 'stereo only' commercial
single in 1968, when the industry began switching over to all stereo,
about 10 years after the initial stereo craze. The first MGM commercial
stereo single was Eric Burdon & the Animals' 'Sky Pilot,' which was
issued as Parts 1 & 2 on the 45."
The everyHit.com - UK Top 40 Hit Database website has "Sky Pilot"
barely making the UK Top 40 chart, showing in the number 40 slot,
in February 1968.
http://www.everyhit.co.uk/
To look up the following, you need to enter "Eric" (without the
quotes) in the "Name of artist" box, and set the "Earliest date to
show" to something like January 1968 and the "Latest date to show"
to a date such as December 1968 and hit your "Enter" key.
"[Position] 40 Eric Burdon & The Animals Sky Pilot Feb 1968"
This is the earliest "stereo only" release charting I found.
If you need any clarification, feel free to ask.
Search Strategy:
Many Google searches on combinations of words/phrases:
first
45
stereo
only
release
UK
"top 40"
"in stereo only"
"in stereo only"
"only in stereo"
The "Both Sides Now Publications" (for record history), and the
"everyHit.com" (for the UK charts) websites both contain material
that helped immensely in the research.
"Both Sides Now Publications" - http://www.bsnpubs.com/
everyHit.com - http://www.everyhit.co.uk/
The above could not have been done without the support, help and
comradery of fellow Google Answers Researcher markj-ga. Much,
much thanks for making my 100th Google Answer possible.
Looking Forward, denco-ga |
