From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1965
‘BEATLES ’65’ GOES FROM 98 TO NO. 1 ON BILLBOARD CHARTS
NEW YORK — The recently released “Beatles ’65” on Capitol which was No. 98 on Billboard’s LP charts two weeks ago, soared to top position in the album charts last week. No album in the history of Billboard’s charts has ever scored such an advance in a single week. The LP has just been certified by RIAA as a million-selling LP. “The Beatles Story,” on Capitol, also was certified. Their current single is a winner on the singles chart, as well.
To solidify their position in the pop record field, the Beatles also are holding down the top spot in the singles charts for the second consecutive week with “I Fell Fine.”
This isn’t the first time an album hit the top spot within a week after getting on the chart. “The Beatles Second Album” hit at No. 16 and jumped to No. 1 the following week. Another Beatles’ album, the United Artists “Hard Days Night” album soundtrack, hit at No. 12 and topped the list a week later.
And in 1962, “The First Family” (JFK parody LP; Vaughn Meader) made its debut at No. 11 and was No. 1 seven days later.
The Beatles now have six albums on the charts, three in the top 10. Five of the six disks are on the Capitol label; one is on United Artists. During 1964, the Beatles held the top album position for 30 of 52 weeks. “A Hard Day’s Night” held the top position 14 of these weeks, and “Meet The Beatles” led for 11 weeks. “The Beatles Second Album” was No. 1 for five weeks.
The album charts showed relatively few changes in the top positions. Only eight LP’s during the course of the year held the No. 1 position overall.
In addition o the Beatles’ album, other top LP’s were the “Hello Dolly” original cast version on RCA Victor, Louis Armstrong’s “Hello Dolly” on Kapp Records, Barbara Streisand’s “People” on Columbia, “The Beach Boy’s Concert” on Capitol, and “The Singing Nun” on the Philips label. END
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(Information and news source: Billboard; January 16, 1965)
