Billboard Disco Compilation/Consensus Charts-Part 1:1974-75

[markydefad]

I searched for the Ronnie Walker record over at AMG and found it in a compilation..."Masterpieces of Modern Soul"...went to Amoba and bought it!!!

15. You've Got to Try Harder (Times Are Bad) performed by Ronnie Walker - 3:01

I haven't had time to listen yet. :oops:

They have no mention of the Gary Bonner record.

Barry,

I do agree about Barry Manilow's "It's A Miracle". Pure Technicolor pop delight...cheesy, but pleasantly so. In fact, I bought "Ultimate Manilow" just to get this track. When I first moved to SF this was a radio hit there...don't recall it being played in the clubs....but I guess Tom tried to influence some to do so. This title doesn't appear in the Billboard charts again. So I guess it might have failed to live up to the crossover potential hype.

This reminds me of the 2 Four Seasons hits "Who Love's You" and "December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)" from 1975. Whereas, Frankie Valli's "Swearin' To God" was considered a bonafide disco classic & a pop hit.... I just recall the 2 Four Seasons records as pop radio hits...but the disco influences on their production are very evident when listening to them today. According to AMG, "Who Loves You" was a disco hit. I don't recall this being played at Buzzby's in SF...but maybe, my mind's playing tricks on me again. :oops:

My point is that pop radio songs were starting to use the disco production (hi-hats and groovier beats) heard in the Barry White & Gloria Gaynor records released in 1974. Later, in 1989 after the Soul II Soul record was released in the U.S. -- suddenly everything sounded like "Back To Life" or "Keep On Movin". The sounds keep on a changin' and the copycats were on that, to quote Miss Clifford, "like white on rice".

[DISCODISK]

[quote="markydefad"]I searched for the Ronnie Walker record over at AMG and found it in a compilation..."Masterpieces of Modern Soul"...went to Amoba and bought it!!!

15. You've Got to Try Harder (Times Are Bad) performed by Ronnie Walker - 3:01

I haven't had time to listen yet. :oops: [quote]


hey MARKY were still waiting i saw this in the week and i was gonna do it, then i thought how do you describe that intro :-? ill let you try :lol:

[markydefad]

My computer is infected with some damn virus that I obtained getting those damn lyrics for that Sparks song---it's turned slow as sludge. :evil: :evil: :evil:

So I'm gonna try this on someone else's computer---never an easy task. :roll:

First off, I realized seeing the songs that were topping the Pop & R&B charts at this time might put the Disco charts into perspective. I've been amazed that some songs that were giant Pop & R&B songs that were also danceable haven't done much on the Disco chart ("When Will I See You Again" , "Kung Fu Fighting" for example).

So I'm gonna do a little catchup here....

October 26, 1974 (first Disco chart)

Disco #1:NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: HIGHER PLANE - Kool & The Gang

Pop #1: THEN CAME YOU - Dionne Warwick(e) & The Spinners
_______________________________________________

November 2, 1974

Disco #1: NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: LET'S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT - Latimore

Pop #1: YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN' - Stevie Wonder w/ The Jackson Five
_______________________________________________

November 9, 1974

Disco #1: YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING - Barry White (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: LET'S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT - Latimore

Pop #1: YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
_______________________________________________

November 16, 1974

Disco #1: DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: WOMAN TO WOMAN - Shirley Brown

Pop #1: WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT - John Lennon
_______________________________________________

November 23, 1974

Disco #1: DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: WOMAN TO WOMAN - Shirley Brown

Pop #1: I CAN HELP - Billy Swan
_______________________________________________

November 30, 1974

Disco #1:DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: I FEEL A SONG (IN MY HEART) - Gladys Knight & The Pips

Pop #1: I CAN HELP - Billy Swan
_______________________________________________

December 7, 1974

Disco #1: EXPRESS - B.T. Express (compilation consensus)

R&B #1: I FEEL A SONG (IN MY HEART) - Gladys Knight & The Pips

Pop #1: KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas
#2 I CAN HELP - Billy Swan
#3 WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - The Three Degrees
#4 DO IT ('TIL YOU'RE SATISFIED) - B.T. Express
#5 CAT'S IN THE CRADLE - Harry Chapin

OK, that catches us up.

[markydefad]

(Updated with new and/or corrected info 2/19/05)

December 14, 1974

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas (2nd week)

*(items in BOLD charted on the DISCO chart.)

Billboard Soul/R&B Chart #1:
1) YOU GOT THE LOVE - Rufus feat. Chaka Khan __________________________________________________ ___
DISCO ACTION:

A = Top 15 Audience Response Records (NYC Discos)
(#1: EXPRESS)
B= Best Sellers (Downstairs Records -NYC)
(#1: EXPRESS)
C = Best Sellers (Colony Records- NYC)
(#1: DOCTOR'S ORDERS)
D = Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island)
(#1 = YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING)

Four charts with 15 items apiece; 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15. Max points= 60.

(In case of ties: precedence for appearance on more than one chart; precedence for highest ranking on any chart (especially chart A); or alphabetical order by song title.)

Add them up and voila......


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 33
Chart #8: 12/14/74

1) DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas
(Midland Intl. 45) (54 total points / charts /ABCD) 9last week: #2)
2) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only) (52/ABCD) (#2)
3) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing
(Chess 45) (42/ABCD) (#3)
4) TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - Jimmy Ruffin
(Chess 45) (30/ABCD) (#4)
5) LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME - Sister Sledge
(Atco 45) (23/BC) (#9)
6) HEY GIRL, COME AND GET IT - The Stylistics
(Avco LP only) (21/AB) (#8.)
7) GET DANCIN' - Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes
((Chelsea 45) (21/AD) (#5)
8. YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING- Barry White
(20th Century 45) (20/AD) (#7)
9) YOU'VE GOT TO TRY HARDER - Ronnie Walker
(Event 45) (18/BC) (#32)
10) ONE DAY OF PEACE - Love Committee
(TSOP 45) 16/ABC) (#16)

11) ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW - Lalo Schifrin
(20th Century 45) (16/BC)(#17)
12) LADY MARMALADE/WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic 45/LP cut) (14/ABC) (#10/#34)
13) NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM 45) (14/AB) (#6)
14) SOON EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT - Third Time Around
(Denine 45) (13/BD)(#12)
15) (R) BERTHA BUTT BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic 45) (12/D) (RETURN)
16) HAPPY PEOPLE - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (11/BC) (#18.)
17) EACH MORNING I WAKE UP - Major Harris Boogie Blues Band
(Atlantic 45) (11/B) (#11)
18. (R) KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas
(20th Century 45) (11/D ONLY) (RETURN)
19) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP cut- not commercially available yet) (10/A) (#14)
20) (R) PARTY IS A GROOVY THING - People's Choice
(TSOP 45) (10/D) (RETURN)

21) ASK ME - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
(Roulette 45) (9/A) (#20)
22) LOOK ON THE GOOD SIDE - The Invitations
(Silver Blue 45) (8/BD) (#23)
23) I FEEL LOVE COMIN' ON - Jay & The Techniques
(Silver Blue 45) (8/C) (#13)
24) (R) BUMP YOUR BOOTY - Bobby Marchan
(Dial 45) (7/D) (RETURN)
25) WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE - Zulema
(RCA 45) (7/C) (#22)
26) * I DON'T KNOW - Bobby Womack
(UA 45) (5/C) (NEW)
27) WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - The Three Degrees
(Phila. Intl. 45) (5/D ONLY) (#26)
28. SUGAR PIE GUY - The Joneses
(Mercury 45) (4/A) (#25)
29) * THAT'S WHAT I WANT FOR YOU BABY - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only) (3/A) (NEW)
30) * FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT - The New Censations
(Pride 45) (2/C) (NEW)

31) * AFRICAN SYMPHONY - Van McCoy
(Avco Lp only) (1/A) (NEW)
32) * BUMP ME BABY - Dooley Silverspoon
(Cotton 45) (1/C) (NEW)
33) ROCKIN' SOUL - The Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) (1/D) (#21)
__________________________________________________ ___
STATS:

#9,11,14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 & 32 NOT in Joel Whitburn's Hot Disco/Dance (1974-2003) chart book.

* = Debut (5): #26, 29, 30, 31, 32
(R) = Re-entry to chart (4): #15, 18, 20, 24


Dropped off:

GUILTY - First Choice (was #15)
WHERE ARE ALL MY FRIENDS - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes(#19)
GIRLS - The Moments & Whatnauts(#24) *will be back
BABY, BABY LOVE IS WAITING - Gary Bonner (#27)
STOMP AND BUCK DANCE - The Crusaders (#28.) *
PHILADELPHIA - B.B. King (#29) *
TIME - Mighty Clouds of Joy (#30)
TRUSTING HEART - The Trammps (#31) *
IT'S A MIRACLE - Barry Manilow (#33)*



THE FINAL TALLY:

33 total items this week; 34 last week
+5 debuts + 4 returns /-9 dropoffs
4 records on all 4 charts
3 records on 3 charts
9 records on 2 charts
17 records on only 1 chart
__________________________________________________ ___


Disco Action by Tom Moulton
Column #8: 12/14/74

(New York) Barry Lederer (Tom's successor in writing this column, BTW) reports from Miami that the disco scene there has been going strong for some two-and-a half years now, having originally sprung from jukebox clubs to places with both disk jockeys and live bands.

One of the most popular places in the heart of Miami is Rumbottoms. Wayne Scott, who used to spin at the Alley in Queens, is the disk jockey there. The club has a 2,000 person capacity, and the disk jockey alternates with a live group, Calhoune, (Calhoon????) also originally from New York. On Weekends the club also books such top name disco acts as Ecstasy, Passion & Pain and Eddie Kendricks.

Another popular Miami spot is the Warehouse, which has a 3,000 person capacity. The main disk jockey there is Bill Kelly. (George Martinez alternates with him). The club doesn't have live entertainment, but does feature casual rooms and an outdoor deck for relaxing.

While the above clubs are the two most popular and the largest, there are several other discos in Miami with strong followings. Among them are the Ambassadors, where Doug DJ spins nightly, and Keiths. The sound systems at both clubs are close to New York standards.

As in a number of other disco cities, the complaints from disk jockeys in Miami are similar, mainly that they are having a difficult time getting some of the popular disco records.

The most difficult record to obtain in the Miami area now is Al Downing's "I'll Be Holding On," currently the No. 2 disco selection in New York this week. Miami disk jockeys also had a hard time getting Jimmy Ruffin's latest disco effort, although that problem has been recently alleviated.

Over-all, the top records in Miami are basically the same as in New York. There are a few exceptions, though. One of these would be You Are The Song I've Always Wanted To Sing" by Timmy Thomas (Glades). At the top of most disk jockey lists for being serviced with product in Miami is Gary Schaffer of T.K. Productions. He has the reputation for constantly keeping the clubs up-to-date with his product.

Turning back to the New York scene, RCA Records, getting more and more disco oriented, is set to release "Free & Easy" by Satyr. The disk will have the vocal version on one side and the instrumental on the other. Although the label has scheduled an early January release, most New York disk jockeys are already aware of the record and are hoping for an earlier release date.

Event Records is going to re-release "I Feel Love Comin' On" by Jay & The Techniques. The disk was deleted from Silver Blue Records a few months back, even though it's disco popularity has been maintained. Word is that Event will be going all out for this record.

Columbia Records will be releasing, within the next two weeks, "I Just Can't Say Goodbye" by the Philly Devotions. The record, which was going to be released several months ago but was held up because of contractual negotiations, has an instrumental version on the flip side.

[markydefad]

(Updated with new and/or corrected info 3/06/05)


December 21, 1974

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) CAT'S IN THE CRADLE - Harry Chapin
2) KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas
3) ANGIE BABY - Helen Reddy
4) WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - Three Degrees
5) YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING - Barry White

*(items in BOLD charted on the DISCO chart

Billboard R&B Chart #1:
1) SHE'S GONE - Tavares
__________________________________________________ ___

DISCO ACTION

12/21/1974
A= Audience Response (NYC Discos)
(#1= EXPRESS)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC)
(#1= LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME)
Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC)
(#1: DOCTOR'S ORDERS)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island)
(#1= MORE THAN ANYTHING, YOU'RE MY EVERYTHING)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15. 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 33
Chart #9: 12/21/74

1) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only) (46 total points/ charts ABCD) (last week: #2)
2) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing
(Chess 45) (45/ABCD) (#3)
3) DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas
(Midland Intl. 45) (38/ACD) (#1)
4) LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME - Sister Sledge
(Atco 45) (31/ABC) (#5)
5) ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW - Lalo Schifrin
(20th Century 45) (25/BC) (#11)
6) YOU'VE GOT TO TRY HARDER - Ronnie Walker
(Event 45) (24/BC) #9)
7) NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM 45) (23/ABC) (#13)
8. TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - Jimmy Ruffin
(Chess 45) (20/ABC) (#8.)
9) HAPPY PEOPLE - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (19/BCD) (#16)
10) LADY MARMALADE/WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic 45/LP cut) (18/ACD) (#12)

11) GET DANCIN' - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (18/AD) (#7)
12) HEY GIRL, COME AND GET IT - The Stylistics
(Avco LP cut only) (17/AB) (#6)
13) YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING/ b/w MORE THAN ANYTHING, YOU'RE MY EVERYTHING (Instrumental) - Barry White
(20th Century 45) (17/AD) (#8.)
14) KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas
(20th Century 45) (13/D ONLY) (#18.)
15) SOON EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT - Third Time Around
(Denine 45) (12/BC) (#14)
16) ONE DAY OF PEACE - Love Committee
(TSOP 45) (12/B) (#10)
17) WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - Three Degrees
(Phila. Intl. 45) (12/D ONLY) (#27)
18. ROCKIN' SOUL - Hues Corporation
(RCA 45) (11/D) (#33)
19) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP cut-NOT commercially available yet) (10/A) (#19)
20) I FEEL LOVE COMIN' ON - Jay & The Techniques
(Slver Blue 45) (9/C) (#23)

21) PARTY IS A GROOVY THING - People's Choice
(TSOP 45) (8/D) (#20)
22) ASK ME - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
(Roulette 45) (7/A) (#21)
23) BUMP ME BABY - Dooley Silverspoon
(Cotton 45) (6/C) (#32)
24) EACH MORNING I WAKE UP - Major Harris Boogie Blues Band
(Atlantic 45) (6/B) (#17)
25) (R) PICK UP THE PIECES - Average White Band
(Atlantic 45) (6/D) (RETURN)
26) (R) EVERLASTING LOVE - Carl Carlton
(Backbeat 45) (5/D) (RETURN)
27) THAT'S WHAT I WANT FOR YOU BABY - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only (5/A) (#29)
28. *UP IN A PUFF OF SMOKE - Polly Bown
(GTO Records: ABC/Dunhill) (4/BCD) (DEBUT)
29) *SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (4/BC) (DEBUT)
30) (R) PHILADELPHIA - B.B. King
(ABC/Dunhill 45) (3/D) (RETURN)

31) SUGAR PIE GUY - The Joneses
(Mercury 45) (3/A) (#28.)
32) LOOK ON THE GOOD SIDE - The Invitations
(Silver Blue 45) (2/B) (#22)
33) AFRICAN SYMPHONY - Van McCoy
(Avco LP only) (1/A) (#31)
__________________________________________________ __

STATS:

#5, 6, 9, 14, 15,17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28 & 32 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book

* = Debut (2): #28, 29 (UP IN A PUFF OF SMOKE/ SHAME, SHAME, SHAME)

(R) = Return/Re-entry (3): #25, 26, 30 (PICK UP THE PIECES/EVERLASTING LOVE/ PHILADELPHIA)


Dropped off chart:

BERTHA BUTT BOOGIE- Jimmy Castor Bunch (was #15)
BUMP YOUR BOOTY - Bobby Marchan (#24)
WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE - Zulema (#25)
I DON'T KNOW - Bobby Womack (#26)
FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT - New Censations (#30)

THE FINAL TALLY:

33 items on chart (same as last week)
2 new items + 3 returns/-5 drop-offs
2 records on all 4 charts
7 records on 3 charts
7 records on 2 charts
17 records on only 1 chart


Random Notes & Thoughts:

"EXPRESS" returns to #1 after slipping to #2 last week; but only has 46 points this week as opposed to 52 last week.
NOT MUCH CONSENSUS here: 1/2 chart (17 of 33 records are only on ONE CHART)
ONLY 2 RECORDS ON ALL 4 CHARTS!!!!!
Hey, it's almost Christmas--not much new stuff released this time of year.
__________________________________________________ ___

Disco Action by Tom Moulton
Column #9: 12/21/74

(New York) Bruce Kova, buyer for Colony Records here, says that "Dreams" by Nell Carter is selling well to out-of-state disk jockeys, as well as to visiting spinners from such countries as France, Germany and the U.K. The record has not caught on in New York, though, as it has in other parts of the country.

"African Symphony" is a cut from Van McCoy's "Love Is The Answer LP (Avco) which local players are hoping to have available as a single soon.

Gloria Gaynor and Carol Douglas have completed taping a "Midnight Special" show, now scheduled for airing Jan 3. Both singers were excited about the opportunity to do the show, as well as the actual taping in California.

"Crystal World" by Crystal Grass on the French Philips label has been known in the New York area for several months now. But, several disk jockeys who have heard and known about the record, have kept quiet about it until it's release here. They want to avoid a similar situation to the Jimmy Ruffin single in that, although dj's had copies, the public couldn't obtain them because several labels were trying to obtain the rights to the song at the same time.

Without a doubt, the most talked about record in New York this week is "Shame, Shame, Shame" by Shirley and Company. It's all about going to every discotheque in town and dancing all night. Spinners are also happy about the flip side having a 4:10 instrumental version of the song. The vocal side is 3:50 in length.

Ecstasy, Passion & Pain put on a fantastic show at the Sound Machine here Dec. 8. The group performed for more than an hour, showcasing such disco hits as "I Wouldn't Give You Up," "Good Things Don't Last Forever" and "Ask Me". As a self-contained group, they also played a number of instrumental disco selections. Judging from audience reaction to the show, there's a good chance the group will be back shortly, possibly during the New Year's holiday.

"Up In A Puff Of Smoke" by Polly Brown, sounding like an up-tempo, up-dated Diana Ross record, is already getting some store sales and disco play here. The disk is on ABC/Dunhill, distributed by GTO Records.

"Give Me Your Best Shot Baby" by Ebbtide (Sound Gems Records) is starting to break in Philadelphia discos. It's a local record, which is also starting to be picked up by New York clubs.

"Blue-Eyed Soul" on the Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting" LP is receiving strong audience response at Le Jardin and Hollywood here.

Buddah Records hosted a party for local disco spinners at the Levitcus Club here last week. The affair was coordinated by the label's Sharon Heyward. Steady Records has begun a weekly series of reggae shows at the Ipanema Club here. Radio station WWRL-FM disk jockey Jeff Barnes is hosting the affairs.
_______________________________________________

[markydefad]

[quote="DISCODISK"][quote="markydefad"]I searched for the Ronnie Walker record over at AMG and found it in a compilation..."Masterpieces of Modern Soul"...went to Amoba and bought it!!!

15. You've Got to Try Harder (Times Are Bad) performed by Ronnie Walker - 3:01

I haven't had time to listen yet. :oops:

hey MARKY were still waiting i saw this in the week and i was gonna do it, then i thought how do you describe that intro :-? ill let you try :lol:

"Girl don't make me wait" dept.; SORRY, I didn't have the cd with me before!!!! :lol:

Well, the opening is electronic...I sorta heard a cross between a space ship landing (Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" novelty) or the opening percolating electronic blips of Diana Ross & The Supremes' "Reflections"!!!!

Then it's a more straight-forward Spinners-sounding Philly soul number. The most memorable hook is the line "You'll surely succeed if you simply believe". Like it; don't recall if from back in tha olden days. :roll:

[DISCODISK]

[quote="markydefad"]

Well, the opening is electronic...I sorta heard a cross between a space ship landing (Sheb Wooley's "Purple People Eater" novelty) or the opening percolating electronic blips of Diana Ross & The Supremes' "Reflections"!!!!

HEY MARKY THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY :lol:
great record from a great singer he never cut a bad side,though he was more of a 60s artist.there was another event release for ronnie a cover of 'magics in the air'these were both monsters where i clubbed :P 'try' can be found but 'magics' rarely seen these days. for anyone who has the philly ear candy c.d they are both on there and magics in the air is a whole 8 minutes

[fabio]

Congratulation for coming up once again with some very useful information. I like the idea to compare the #1 disco and the #1 r&b since i often find it difficult to make a clear distinction between the two "genres".
I hope you'll be disciplined enough to carry on at least until the end of the 70's.
From this first list of #1 i can see how familiar i am with the disco tracks and how the r&b look completely alien to me. I better put on my roller skates and do some homework....

October 26, 1974 (first Disco chart)

Disco #1:NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:HIGHER PLANE - Kool & The Gang

Pop #1:THEN CAME YOU - Dionne Warwick(e) & The Spinners
_______________________________________________

November 2, 1974

Disco #1:NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE- Gloria Gaynor (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:LET'S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT- Latimore

Pop #1:YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN'- Stevie Wonder w/ The Jackson Five
_______________________________________________

November 9, 1974

Disco #1:YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING - Barry White (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:LET'S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT- Latimore

Pop #1:YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
_______________________________________________

November 16, 1974

Disco #1:DOCTOR'S ORDERS- Carol Douglas (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:WOMAN TO WOMAN - Shirley Brown

Pop #1:WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT - John Lennon
_______________________________________________

November 23, 1974

Disco #1:DOCTOR'S ORDERS- Carol Douglas (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:WOMAN TO WOMAN- Shirley Brown

Pop #1:I CAN HELP- Billy Swan
_______________________________________________

November 30, 1974

Disco #1:DOCTOR'S ORDERS- Carol Douglas (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:I FEEL A SONG (IN MY HEART) - Gladys Knight & The Pips

Pop #1:I CAN HELP- Billy Swan
_______________________________________________

December 7, 1974

Disco #1 - B.T. Express (compilation consensus)

R&B #1:I FEEL A SONG (IN MY HEART) - Gladys Knight & The Pips

Pop #1:KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas

[markydefad]

(Updated with new and/or corrected info 2/19/05)


December 28, 1974 (last chart of the year). DUH :oops:

Billboard Pop Chart Top 5:
1) ANGIE BABY - Helen Reddy
2) LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS - Elton John
3) YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING - Barry White
4) KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas
5) CAT'S IN THE CRADLE - Harry Chapin

*(items in BOLD charted on the DISCO chart.)

Billboard R&B Chart #1:
1) BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN - Stevie Wonder
_______________________________________________

DISCO ACTION
12/28/74

A= Audience Response (NYC Discos)
(#1= I'LL BE HOLDING ON)
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC)
(#1 = LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC)
(#1: ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island)
(#1= BLUE EYED SOUL)

4 charts with 15 items apiece. 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 60 points max. Add them up and voila!....


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 31
Chart #10: 12/28/75


1) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing
(Chess 45) (46 total points/charts ABCD) (last week: #2)
2) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only) (43/ABCD) (#1)
3) LOVE DON'T YOU GO THROUGH NO CHANGES ON ME - Sister Sledge
(Atco 45) (33/ABC) (#4)
4) DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas
(Midland Intl. 45) (32/ACD) (#3)
5) LADY MARMALADE/ WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle
(Epic 45/ LP cut) (24/ACD) (#10)
6) ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW - Lalo Schifrin
(20th Century 45) (24/BC) (#5)
7) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company
(Vibration 45) (22/ABCD) (#29)
8. NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor
(MGM 45) (22/ABC) (#7)
9) TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - Jimmy Ruffin
(Chess 45) (22/BCD) (#8.)
10) * BLUE EYED SOUL - Carl Douglas
(20th Century LP only) (22/AD) (DEBUT)

11) YOU'VE GOT TO TRY HARDER - Ronnie Walker
(Event 45) (22/BC) (#6)
12) * SATIN SOUL - (2 versions) 1) Love Unlimited Orchestra & 2) Gene Page
(1= 20th Century LP cut/2= Atlantic LP cut) (19/AC) (DEBUT)
13) UP IN A PUFF OF SMOKE - Polly Brown
(GTO Records: ABC/Dunhill) (17/BCD) (#28.)
14) HEY GIRL, COME AND GET IT - The Stylistics
(Avco LP only) (14/AB) (#12)
15) WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - Three Degrees
(Phila. Intl. 45) (14/D) (#17)
16) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch
(Atlantic LP cut -not commercially available yet) (13/A) (#19)
17) BUMP ME BABY - Dooley Silverspoon
(Cotton 45) (11/C) (#23)
18. PICK UP THE PIECES - Average White Band
(Atlantic 45) (11/D) (#25)
19) LOOK ON THE GOOD SIDE - The Invitations
(Silver Blue 45) (10/D) (#32)
20) GET DANCIN' - Disco Tex & His Sex-o-lettes
(Chelsea 45) (9/AD) (#11)

21) HAPPY PEOPLE - The Temptations
(Gordy 45) (9/BC) (#9)
22) EACH MORNING I WAKE UP - Major Harris Boogie Blues Band
(Atlantic 45) (8/B) (#24)
23) * JUST AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER - Gloria Scott
(Casablanca 45) (7/B) (DEBUT)
24) (R)GIRLS - The Moments & Whatnauts
(Stang 45) (5/D) (RETURN)
25) THAT'S WHAT I WANT FOR YOU BABY - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only) (5/A) (#27)
26) SOON EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT - Third Time Around
(Denine 45) (4/BD) (#15)
27) AFRICAN SYMPHONY - Van McCoy
(Avco LP only) (4/A) (#31)
28. ASK ME - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
(Roulette 45) (3/A) (#22)
29) * VOODOO MAGIC - The Rhodes Kids
(GRC 45) (3/C) (DEBUT)
30) * KUNG FU MAN - Ultrafunk
(Contempo 45) (1/B) (DEBUT)

31) (R) TRUSTING HEART - The Trammps
(Golden Fleece 45) (1/D) (RETURN)
__________________________________________________ ___
STATS:

#6, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 26, 29 & 30 NOT listed in Joel Whitburn's Hot Dance/Disco (1974-2003) book.


* = DEBUT (5): #10, 12, 23, 29, & 30
(R) = RE-ENTRY (2): #24 & 31


Dropped Off The Chart:

YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST MY EVERYTHING - Barry White (was #13) (now #3 POP)
KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas (#14) (now #4 Pop)
ONE DAY OF PEACE - Love Committee (#16)
ROCKIN' SOUL - Hues Corperation (#18.)
I FEEL LOVE COMIN' ON - Jay & The Techniques (#20) *will be back
PARTY IS A GROOVY THING - People's Choice (#21)
EVERLASTING LOVE - Carl Carlton (#26)
PHILADELPHIA - B.B. King (#30) *
SUGAR PIE GUY - The Joneses (#31)

THE FINAL TALLY:

31 items this week; 33 last week
+5 debuts + 2 returns/ -9 dropoffs
3 records on all 4 charts (up from 2 last week)
7 records on 3 charts
8 records on 2 charts
13 records on only 1 chart

RANDOM NOTES:

New #1 (but only 46 points out of a possible 60)
14 records on only 1 chart this week
Biggest Mover: SHAME, SHAME, SHAME
(up 22 points from it's debut at #29 last week to #7 this week; Can #1 be far away?)
Barry White, the producer hits the charts with Gloria Scott (is this the first Casablanca release?) & Love Unlimited Orchestra & Gene Page.
__________________________________________________ ___

DISCO ACTION by Tom Moulton

Column #10: 12/28/74

(New York) Al Downing's "I'll Be Holding On" is the top disco record in New York this week (by audience response). This is the B-side of the record and now Chess/Janus is going to re-serve the record to radio stations; WWRL, WNJR and WBLS-FM are already programming it. The commercial copies are 5:35 and the promotional copies will be 3:05, with the long version on the flip side.

"E-Man Boogie" by Jimmy Castor is in the top five this week and the album will be coming out the first week in January. The popularity of this record keeps on getting stronger and it is starting to spread outside of the city. Steve Santoro of the Dance Palace in Jersey City, N.J. says that "E-Man Boogie" is his biggest record.

Hollywood is getting strong reaction to "You Were Right On Time" by Ripple on GRC. The record, which is several months old, was not played when first released. Richie Kaznor started playing it about three weeks ago. Then Tony DJ, alternate DJ there, started to get a number of requests for play. Now it is a very popular record there and it looks like it may spread to other discos.

Album cuts are the big thing this week. Out of the top 15, there are nine album cuts being played. This might be partially due to the fact that record labels cut down on single releases in the month of December because of the holiday season.

One of the biggest disco records this year and now considered a "classic" is "Love Is The Message" by MFSB (also the title of their LP). It is played at least once a night in all the discos and is still in great demand by disco audiences.

Jim Walters reports from Los Angeles that the top records out there are: "Get Dancin'" by Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes, "Lady Marmalade"by Labelle and "One Day of Peace" by Love Committee. "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me" by Sister Sledge is getting very popular. "We're On The Right Track" by Ultra High Frequency on Scepter remains a strong record in LA discos. Although it was a top disco hit here in New York two years ago, it was not heard in LA until this summer and Scepter did press up copies to cover the LA market. "You Are The Song I've Always Wanted To Sing" by Timmie Thomas is also starting to get good reaction.

(TRUMPET FANFARE) :D Gloria Gaynor's album "Never Can Say Goodbye," will be released Jan 6 and one side of the LP is a disco side with six-minute versions of "Honey Bee" and "Never Can Say Goodbye" plus a new song all put together disco style. The total time on the side is about 20 minutes. The other side has five new songs and they are up-tempo as well.

(Take a bow, Mr. Moulton, for your ingenious idea!!! This changed EVERYTHING!!!!!!) :D


Ben Vereen, star of the Broadway show "Pippin", has a good disco single coming out on Buddah in January called, "Stop Your Half Steppin' Mama." It will have the vocal on one side and an instrumental (part 2) on the other. It is again the fine work of producers Tony Silvester & Bert Decoteaux.

[markydefad]

[quote="fabio"]Congratulation for coming up once again with some very useful information. I like the idea to compare the #1 disco and the #1 r&b since i often find it difficult to make a clear distinction between the two "genres".
I hope you'll be disciplined enough to carry on at least until the end of the 70's.
From this first list of #1 i can see how familiar i am with the disco tracks and how the r&b look completely alien to me. I better put on my roller skates and do some homework....

_____________________________________________

Fabio, in answer to your question....

This was the time (late 1974) that the Disco charts started to influence the R&B charts & the Pop charts. The songs will be discovered in the discos first and start crossing over to the R&B & Pop charts. Tom Moulton is urging radio stations to start playing these records, especially Gloria Gaynor, knowing that without radio play they will remain on the obscure side. This will start to happen soon.

The R&B charts are primarily different from the Disco charts in that they contain ballads and other records not necessarily designed for the dance floor. The Latimore & Shirley Brown & Gladys Knight & The Pips & Tavares records are ballads. The Kool & The Gang & Rufus records were funk.

Sometimes certain records only worked on one chart; who knows why?

Disco will be topping all of the charts in the near future. 1975 was the watershed year. :D

Lastly, I too hope I have the discipline to stick with this project. Technically, it should end mid 1976 when Billboard starts to publish a compilation chart of their own, but we'll see. That's a year and a half away at this point.