                 News and AnnouncementsPicksGalleryOut Of The VaultCurrent NewsFabulous 40!03-Feb-2010 "Your research is done. Now what? Are you going to get a real job?" Those were common comments I heard after I first published my research of Billboard magazine's pop singles chart as a book titled Record Research, back in 1970. The majority of the research project had consumed the better part of five years of nights and weekends, while I worked as a salesman for Campbell's soup during the day. In order to focus my attention on finishing and selling the book, I quit my 9-5 -- pretty risky for a man with a family and a mortgage. It's a move I advise with great caution and one that's certain to draw the well-meaning comments of others. Absolutely thrilled when I was able to draw a very modest income, 40 years of continuing this labor of love would have been too great a dream. In those early years, I was fortunate to have the meticulous research assistance of my retired parents, from whom I got my passion for detail and documentation. It was not until my third year of full-time research when it looked as if this business of Record Researching turned a corner. I was able to hire a part-time employee, then a full-time hire, and so on. Over the decades, I've been very proud of the individuals who have chosen to be part of the Record Research staff. They are and have been my extended family. My staff of today have been around for decades: Paul Haney and Jeanne Olynick for over two, Brent Olynick (brother-in-law to Jeanne, not husband) for more than three, and my daughter, Kim, since she was able to sort records and zip codes. And, for the duration, my wife, Fran, who has been my biggest and most loyal support. Of course, turning 40 would not have been possible without the enduring support of music history lovers, like you. Getting to hear from those who also share 'a heart for the charts' has been one of the greatest encouragements of this business. Thank You! Today, I'm very excited about the four new products that we're releasing this year: Top Pop Albums 1955-2009 book, The Tracks Of The Top Pop Albums 1955-2009 DVD-ROM, The Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The 2000s limited edition book, and The Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The 2000s DVD-ROM. So, when am I going to get a real job? Not likely, any time soon! Time to get back to the research.... Joel Whitburn
Joel's PicksOn This Date: 40 Years Apart Joe Simon
"Yours Love" Nicki Minaj
"Your Love" The "Hot 100" chart dated September 5, 1970 sported new artists such as Bread, Carpenters, Anne Murray, Dawn, and War, and "Yours Love" by Joe Simon was a week away from peaking at #78. Forty years later, on the "Hot 100" chart dated September 4, 2010, the only similarity to be found is the title "Your Love" by Nicki Minaj which peaked at #14 on August 14, 2010. No artist on that chart 40 years ago is still on the charts. The hot new artists of today's charts are Mike Posner, Bruno Mars, B.O.B. and Ke$ha. Back to Top
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