Blues & Soul Charts Project
 

Hi there, I'm new to the forum but just wished to post something which I am starting to put together - and one which will take a long time to complete.
As a lover of black music, I have always been frustrated that there has never been a UK equivalent of Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop singles book, and I am getting round to thinking that if no one else will do it I'll have a try:D
Probably the only constant and pertinent read from the mid-60s to the present day (apart from the time it ceased publication for a time a few years ago) is Blues & Soul magazine which has always carried charts, several of which appeared in each issue.
Each of these charts, plus the end of year poll results as well as the all-time readers' favourites which appeared in special issues, are of interest and I aim to compile them all. Who knows, one day, it might even get published in book form?
I am aware that the Collindale Library keeps a vast number of B&S copies on file and at some point during the next 12-18 months I will venture down. However, in the mean time, if any of you reading this thread has any old back issues - from any era - and has the time and patience to scan in the charts and send them to me I would be very grateful and come the day of the publication (!) you will of course be mentioned. I will also 'post' each chart submitted to me on here, giving credit.
Many thanks for your time.

To set the ball rolling, here is the very first chart from Issue 1 (when it was called Home of the Blues) in May 1966:

US TOP 50 R&B DISCS - MAY 1966
1. THIS OLD HEART OF MINE - ISLEY BROTHERS
2. 634-5789 - WILSON PICKETT
3. LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND - DEON JACKSON
4. BABY SCRATCH MY BACK - SLIM HARPO
5. GET READY - TEMPTATIONS
6. MESSAGE TO MICHAEL - DIONNE WARWICK
7. SATISFACTION - OTIS REDDING
8. I'LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU - GARNETT MIMMS
9. SEARCHING FOR MY LOVE - BOBBY MOORE & THE RHYTHM ACES
10. WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN - PERCY SLEDGE
11. ONE MORE HEARTACHE - MARVIN GAYE
12. SHAKE ME WAKE ME - FOUR TOPS
13. SHE BLEW A GOOD THING - POETS
14. DARLING BABY - ELGINS
15. THE LOVE YOU SAVE - JOE TEX
16. YOU GOT MY MIND DRESSED UP - JAMES CARR
17. REAL HUMDINGER - JJ BARNES
18. STOP HER ON SIGHT - EDWIN STARR
19. GOT MY MIND WORKING - JIMMY SMITH
20. NO MAN IS AN ISLAND - VAN ****S
21. COOL JERK - CAPITOLS
22. MY BABY LOVES ME - MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS
23. AIN'T THAT A GROOVE - JAMES BROWN
24. I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER - HOLIDAYS
25. TOO YOUNG - TOMMY VANN
26. I WANT SOMEONE - MAD LADS
27. WANG DANG DOODLE - KO KO TAYLOR
28. PHILLY DOG - MARKEYS
29. HELPLESS - KIM WESTON
30. GREETINGS - VALADIERS
31. TEACH ME - MANHATTANS
32. FOOL FOR YOU - GENE CHANDLER
33. TOGETHER AGAIN - RAY CHARLES
34. GOOD GOOD LOVIN' - BLOSSOMS
35. I CAN'T REST - FONTELLA BASS
36. PURPLE TEARDROPS - STEVIE WONDER
37. SHARING YOU - MITTY COLLIER
38. DEAR LOVER - MARY WELLS
39. FADING AWAY - TEMPTATIONS
40. BABY I NEED YOU - MANHATTANS
41. GET OUT OF MY LIFE WOMAN - LEE DORSEY
42. FOXY DEVIL - LUTHER INGRAM
43. ONLY TIME WILL TELL - ETTA JAMES
44. CANADIAN SUNSET - VIBRATIONS
45. I'M A PEACE LOVIN MAN - EMMANUEL LASKY
46. THINGS GET BETTER - EDDIE FLOYD
47. THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU SPEAK - AL KING
48. I SURRENDER - FONTELLA BASS
49. NOTHING IS TOO GOOD FOR MY BABY - STEVIE WONDER
50. DO YOU FEEL IT - LITTLE RICHARD

Love the way #20 self edits!