Category Archives: Popular Music 1940s

‘Till the End of Time’ by Perry Como peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Sep 15 1945)

(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).

‘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.

‘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.

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.