In an earlier post, I listed the 35 acts that had the most singles hit the Top 40 on the Billboard R&B charts in the years 1976-85. So which act had the most R&B hits premiere in the Top 40 during that time period? Let's count down to the answer:
Number 6 (tie)
COMMODORES
20 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 227 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
6 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: Just to Be Close to You, Easy, Too Hot Ta Trot, Three Times a Lady, Still, Nightshift
EARTH, WIND & FIRE
20 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 221 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
5 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: Getaway, Serpentine Fire, Got to Get You Into My Life, September, Let's Groove
ARETHA FRANKLIN
20 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 200 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
5 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: Something He Can Feel, Break It to Me Gently, Jump to It, Get It Right, Freeway of Love
THE WHISPERS
20 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 209 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
1 Number One R&B Single, 1976-85: And the Beat Goes On
Number 4 (tie)
RICK JAMES
21 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 219 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
3 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: You and I, Give It to Me Baby, Cold Blooded
KOOL & THE GANG
21 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 277 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
6 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: Ladies Night, Celebration, Take My Heart, Joanna, Fresh, Cherish
Number 3
DIANA ROSS
23 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 249 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
4 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: Love Hangover, Upside Down, Endless Love, Missing You
Number 2
PEABO BRYSON
24 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 218 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
No Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85
Number 1
DONNA SUMMER
25 Top 40 R&B singles during 1976-85, a total of 209 weeks in the R&B Top 40.
2 Number One R&B Singles, 1976-85: Bad Girls, She Works Hard for the Money
Ah yes, Donna Summer - the undisputed Queen of Disco. This was her golden era indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark, for another fun series of posts.