Posted by Ronnie Allen on August 07, 2008 at 19:41:32:
I'm glad I saved my December 8, 1962 issue of Cash Box. I have it in front of me now.
On page 41, left side bottom, there is a most interesting article with the following headline:
"DJs Select 30 LP's in 'Basic' Teen Library."
The key word here "Teen."
I have my own thoughts on this (many!) but, rather than sharing any of them initially, would like to simply reprint the article without comment and solicit some of yours.
Keep in mind, this article came out the end of 1962.
Oh yes, I was still a teenager at the time, but barely! I still had seven months to go before reaching the next plateau!
~~~~~
NEW YORK--A group of 36 teen time-slot deejays, representing a disk advisory council, has selected 30 albums for a "Basic Pop Album Library for Teenagers."
The deejays, polled by Ingenue, the teen mag, made their choices on the basis of "enduring enjoyment."
Columbia Records and its affiliated label, Epic, led with a total of nine albums, while the runner-up was Capitol with seven packages.
First place album winner in the male vocalist category was Elvis Presley with his "Elvis's Golden Records" (RCA Victor) LP; tops in the femme vocalist posititon was Connie Francis' Greatest Hits" (MGM); leading vocal team was the Kingston Trio with its LP, "The Kingston Trio" (Capitol); Ray Conniff led the orcehstral division with "'S Continental" (Columbia) while "West Side Story" (Columbia) was the top soundtrack package in the show and film category.
[My note: in the list below, there are several tied positions and technically some subsequent rankings should be lower. For instance, with Williams and Vinton tied at #5 in the Male Vocalists category, the Anka and Mathis LPs should technically rank at #7 rather than their listed position of #6. However, I am presenting the article as-is, using the rankings that were printed therein.]
Here's the total line-up of the purposely limited list of 30 LPs:
MALE VOCALISTS
1. "Elvis's Golden Records," Elvis Presley (RCA Victor)
2. "Songs For Swingin' Lovers," Frank Sinatra (Capitol)
3. "Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music," Ray Charles (ABC Paramount)
4. "Pat's Great Hits," Pat Boone (Dot)
5. "Moon River," Andy Williams (Columbia)
5. "Roses Are Red," Bobby Vinton (Epic)
6. "Paul Anka Sings His Big 15," Paul Anka (ABC Paramount)
6. "Johnny's Greatest Hits," Johnny Mathis (Columbia)
7. "Your Twist Party," Chubby Checker (Parkway)
8. "Ramblin' Rose," Nat "King" Cole (Capitol)
FEMALE VOCALISTS
1. "Connie Francis' Greatest Hits," Connie Francis (MGM)
2. "Sincerely Brenda Lee," Brenda Lee (Decca)
2. "The Great Gershwin Song Book," Ella Fitzgerald (Verve)
3. "Judy At Carnegie Hall," Judy Garland (Capitol)
VOCAL GROUPS
1. "The Kingston Trio," The Kingston Trio (Capitol)
2. "A Song For Young Love," The Lettermen (Capitol)
3. "Something Wonderful," Ray Charles Singers (Command)
3. "Sing Along With Mitch," Mitch Miller (Columbia)
3. "Encore Of Golden Hits," The Platters (Mercury)
3. "Down By The Station," The Four Preps (Capitol)
ORCHESTRAL
1, "'S Continental," Ray Conniff (Columbia)
2. "Young World," Lawrence Welk (Dot)
3. "Happy Hunting," Hugo Winterhalter (RCA Victor)
3. "Goodies But Gassers," Jimmy Dorsey (Epic)
3. "If The Big Bands Were Here Today," Bernie Lowe (Cameo)
4. "Ooooo!," Jackie Gleason (Capitol)
SHOWS & FILMS
1. "West Side Story," Soundtrack (Columbia)
1. "Sound Of Music," Percy Faith (Columbia)
1. "Sound Pacific," Soundtrack (RCA Victor)
2. "My Fair Lady," Orig. Cast (Columbia)