James Hamilton's Record Mirror Disco Column

[shootyourshot]

I mentioned somewhere before that the New York Public Library has Record Mirror on microfilm. So, I went and checked it out. The Record Mirror disco column began on September 21, 1974. Its disco chart started out with 10 places, and expanded to 20 on December 7. James Hamilton took over the column on June 28, 1975. Unfortunately, the library’s collection only starts where Record Mirror combined with Disc magazine to form “Record Mirror & Disc” on September 6, 1975. The title would revert to “Record Mirror” by 1977. I have made copies of the column and chart up to the end of 1983.

I think it would be fun to have these columns run alongside marky’s. It would provide a perspective on the disco movement very different from Moulton’s in the United States. In contrast to the industry-oriented Billboard, Record Mirror is clearly targeted towards young music buyers (I remember seeing LP reviews delivering verdicts like “the sort of record your mum would love” and “dishwashing music”). It also undergoes cosmetic changes at least once a year. Another difference is the presence of some pop and danceable rock records on the chart in the first few years.

RM’s disco chart data was presented in the following way:

9/6/75-8/13/77: Disco Top 20
8/20/77-3/18/78: Disco Top 50 + “Breakers” (usually 10 positions, sometimes less)
3/25/78-2/6/82: Disco Top 90 + “Breakers” (records simply listed in column rather than ranked; not always printed)
2/13/82-3/6/82: Disco Top 90 + Pop-Oriented Dance Top 75 + “Breakers”
3/13/82-5/29/82: Disco Top 90 + Pop-Oriented Dance Top 75 + Nightclubbing Top 10 (compiled by Paul Barron, resident DJ at Tiffanys in Rotterdam; synthpop and new wave-heavy) + “Breakers”
6/5/82-7/31/82: Disco 45s Top 90 (not sure why they attached the “45s”, as this chart is composed of 12” singles and LPs) + Nightclub Top 65 (similar in content to old Pop-Oriented Dance chart) + “Breakers”
8/7/82-9/4/82: Disco 45s Top 90 + Nightclub Top 65 + “Gay Top 20” (Hi-NRG) + “Breakers”
9/11/82-11/13/82: Disco Top 85 + Nightclub Top 65 + “Boystown Disco Top 20” (Hi-NRG) + “Breakers”
11/20/82-3/12/83: Disco Top 85 + Nightclub Top 40 + “Boystown Disco Top 30” + “Breakers”
3/19/83-9/10/83: Disco Top 85 + Nightclub Top 50 + “Boystown Disco Top 30” + “Breakers”
9/17/83-11/19/83: Disco Top 85 + Nightclub Top 30 + “Boystown Disco Top 30” + “Breakers”
11/26/83-: Disco Top 85 + Boystown Disco/Hi-NRG Top 30 + “Breakers”

Throughout, the newest UK releases (and from early ’79 on, the latest imports) are reviewed in the disco section. “Hammy” is nothing if not frank in his reviews, and as time goes on, he develops his own terminology in describing the music.

If I’m going to be doing this for the long-haul, I would prefer to keep it spartan. One thing I think might be interesting, however, would be to show, alongside a song’s review or chart entry, when (or if) it was first mentioned in Moulton’s column or first appeared in a Billboard chart. This would give a sense of how long it took the music to “cross the pond”.

I understand that British DJs were far more reluctant to take up mixing than their American counterparts, and were known as much for their personalities as they were for their musical selection. The disco section lists what records are catching on with specific DJs, and sometimes includes top-ten lists from British DJs playing everything from rockabilly to Northern soul to punk rock. I don’t think I will write these out.


Any suggestions/comments/questions?

[markydefad]

I think this is a great idea, Michael. You got the job. When can you start?

[shootyourshot]

I've already got the first few columns typed up. I'll post the first this weekend. I'm experimenting with some optical character recognition software right now. If it works, it will make my job a lot easier.

[markydefad]

Good news. I would think the Brits would be thrilled to have this material to read. James Hamilton's Record Mirror column has been mentioned here in reverential tones in the past. But no one has expressed any interest---thus far.

Is anyone out there? Anyone? Bueller??? Bueller???

Don't you understand that when a person tries, you say something nice?
Maybe once or twice.

[SandraDee]

I think it sounds a fab idea chaps! James Hamilton's page in RM was always my 'bible' back in the day (I'm so down with the kids with my terminology eh?). Yes, if you do this shootyourshot I will be on a 'fairytale high' (to carry on with the OUAT theme!)

[DannyBoy]

The "Mighty Chopper's" disco column in RM was my bible through the late 70's until the magazine folded in 91. When I bought Vince Aletti's "Disco Files" last year, I thought how brilliant it would be if something similar could be done with James' masterworks. I'll be interested to see your first post shootyourshot. It must be pretty mind blowing typing it all up. How's your spell checker coping with "zingy cymbal slurper" and the like?

[drlove]

Though I'm not overly familiar with Record Mirror's past columns ....the fact I'm an (1) avid chart watcher and (2) a big fan of UK music ..... I say "Bring It On", Michael !!! Thanks for undertaking this project !

[jamiej-80sdisco]

Through the mid 80's I was an avid reader of Record Mirror's charts, especially the Hi-NRG/Eurobeat/Boystown charts. At the time, this was the only source of finding out about this music. I have been searching the web for copies of them, so if you can post them - GREAT! However, by the mid 80's James Hamilton's charts - especially the Hi-NRG charts - didn't reflect what was being played in the clubs, but seemed to be a reflection of the returns certain record producers (more specifically one record producer/DJ), whose releases dominate the Hi-NRG/Eurobeat charts - I'll mention no names.....

[SandraDee]

However, by the mid 80's James Hamilton's charts - especially the Hi-NRG charts - didn't reflect what was being played in the clubs, but seemed to be a reflection of the returns certain record producers (more specifically one record producer/DJ), whose releases dominate the Hi-NRG/Eurobeat charts - I'll mention no names.....

I heard that this was the reason why the certain dj/producer was ousted from 'Heaven' disco in London - he was only playing his own productions.

[kdavid13]

RM was my bible,too. Bought my first issue in 1983.