(Saturday, September 15, 1945) — “Till the End of Time” by Perry Como was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for ten consecutive weeks (Sep. 15/22/29, Oct. 6/13/20/27, Nov. 3/10/17, 1945; tied with “Chickery Chick” by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra on Nov. 17, 1945).
Category Archives: Popular Music 1940s
‘On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe’ by Johnny Mercer peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (July 28 1945)
(Saturday, July 28, 1945) — “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” by Johnny Mercer (with backing vocals by The Pied Pipers) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for seven consecutive weeks (July 28, Aug. 4/11/18/25, Sept. 1/8, 1945).
‘Sentimental Journey’ by Les Brown Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (June 2 1945)
(Saturday, June 2, 1945) — “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown and His Orchestra (vocal by Doris Day) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for nine consecutive weeks (June 2/9/16/23/30, July 7/14/21/28, Aug. 4, 1945).
It was the second consecutive #1 hit for the Brown/Day team (the first being “My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time”) for a total of 19 consecutive weeks in the top spot.
‘My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time’ by Les Brown Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Apr 7 1945)
(Saturday, April 7, 1945) — “My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time” by the Les Brown Orchestra (with a vocal by Doris Day) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for seven consecutive weeks (Apr. 7/14/21/28, May 5/12/19, 1945).
‘Going My Way’ wins Best Picture at 17th Academy Awards 70 years ago this hour (Mar 15 1945)
Video: '1944 Oscar Winners'
(Thursday, March 15, 1945, 8:00 p.m. PST) — Going My Way won seven Oscars tonight, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Leo McCarey) and Best Actor (Bing Crosby) at the 17th Academy Awards ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
Ingrid Bergman won the Best Actress award for Gaslight. The ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood were hosted by John Cromwell and Bob Hope.
‘Rum and Coca-Cola’ by The Andrews Sisters peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Feb 10 1945)
(Saturday, February 10, 1945) — “Rum and Coca-Cola” by The Andrews Sisters was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for eight consecutive weeks (Feb. 10/17/24, March 3/10/17/24/31, 1945).
Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded ‘Opus No. 1’ 70 years ago today (Nov 14 1944)
Video: 'Opus One-Tommy Dorsey'
(Tuesday, November 14, 1944) — Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded “Opus No. 1” today in Los Angeles for RCA Victor.
Bing Crosby, Andrews Sisters record ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ in Los Angeles 70 years ago today (July 25 1944)
Video: 'Bing Crosby - Don't Fence Me In [Song by Cole Porter]'
(Tuesday, July 25, 1944) — Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” today in Los Angeles for Decca Records.
Bing Crosby records ‘Swinging on a Star’ in Los Angeles 70 years ago today (1944)
(Monday, February 7, 1944) — Bing Crosby and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded “Swinging on a Star” today for Decca Records in Los Angeles. It would appear in the film Going My Way.
Leonard Bernstein debuts as Philharmonic conductor 70 years ago this hour (1943)
Video: 'Strauss Don Quixote op.35 - Bernstein - NYP 1943'
(Sunday, November 14, 1943, 3:00 p.m. EWT) — Leonard Bernstein, 25, made his public debut today as conductor of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Bernstein filled in at the last minute for Bruno Walter, who became sick prior to a nationally broadcast concert on CBS radio.