Time to look at Billboard’s 50th Anniversary List of Top #1 Hits by Artist
20 – The Beatles First No. 1: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1964)
18 – Mariah Carey First No. 1: “Vision of Love” (1990)
13 – Michael Jackson First No. 1: “Ben” (1972)
12 – Madonna First No. 1: “Like a Virgin” (1984)
12 – The Supremes First No. 1: “Where Did Our Love Go” (1964)
11 – Whitney Houston First No. 1: “Saving All My Love for You” (1985)
10 – Janet Jackson First No. 1: “When I Think of You” (1986)
10 – Stevie Wonder First No. 1: “Fingertips – Pt. 2” (1963)
9 – Bee Gees First No. 1: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (1971)
9 – Elton John First No. 1: “Crocodile Rock” (1973)
9 – Paul McCartney & Wings First No. 1: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (1973)
8 – The Rolling Stones First No. 1: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
8 – Usher First No. 1: “Nice and Slow” (1998)
I am not surprised The Beatles are on top, Michael Jackson #3 or Madonna #4 but was not expecting Mariah Carey to be #2, 18 #1 hits is incredible! Really the rest of the list are all legends except Usher. Artists known throughout the world among many ages, genres and cultures. If you integrate The Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, solo and other collaborations Paul’s collective accomplishments, he is totaling 33 #1 hits. I remember my father bringing home the ’45’ of “I Want To Hold Your Hand”. The B side in The UK was “This Boy” but in The USA it was “I Saw Her Standing There”, the copy I quickly ruined through overplay and youthful exuberance..
Half the top 8 were Motown artists; Michael & Janet Jackson, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. It is interesting to view The Bee Gees as one recording artist since they experienced two completely separate ‘careers’ starting with the Folk Rock Hits beginning with “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” and reformed in the late 70’s with their Disco hits like “Night Fever” and Stayin’ Alive”.
It never would have occurred to me “Crocodile Rock” was Elton’s first #1 Billboard hit. I did some research and Honkey Chateau made it #1 in the album charts but no #1 single till “Crocodile Rock”.
Where is Elvis you ask? Good question! Elvis had 20 #1 hits but Billboard was celebrating their 50th Anniversary of The HOT 100, which was established in 1958, and he had 13 of those #1’s before The HOT 100 existed.
Which artists are you surprised are on the list and which did you think would be but aren’t?