Oldest Artists to reach #1 at AC (Billboard)

[jdanton2]

Cher reached #1 at AC this week at 77 years old which made me wonder if she was the oldest to do it and it looks like she is. Elton John in a collab with Ed Sheeran had the previous record two years ago with a Christmas song as well.third place also belongs to a Christmas song which was the previous record before that.Billboard started their AC chart in 1961 and there are a few others i found of artists over 60 .there is Louis Armstrong who had the Hot 100 record ,there a remake of a song that was popular in 1973 and became a a hit again with the original singer as a feature . also a singer that became popular in the 1940's and managed to have a #1 song in 1973. i also listed Tina Turner who was 53 . she had previously had a Hot 100 #1 at 44 but got an AC #1 nine years later. there might be others i am missing .if i get time i might add to the list or anyone else is free to add to this thread.

DJ Play a Christmas Song- Cher 77 years old 2023
Merry Christmas - Ed Sheeran and Elton John 74 years old 2022
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!- Rod Stewart 67 years old 2012
Hello Dolly - Louis Armstrong 63 years old 1964
Drift Away -Uncle Kracker featuring Dobie Gray 63 years old 2004
And I Love You So -Perry Como 61 years old 1973
I Don't Wanna Fight- Tina Turner 53 years old 1993

[johnm1120]

From the 90s-2023 that weren't listed yet:

60 Daryl Hall & 58 John Oates - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
58 Ron Isley (w/Rod Stewart) - This Old Heart of Mine
56 Daryl Hall & 54 John Oates - Do it For Love
55 Santana (w/Michelle Branch) - The Game of Love
53 Don Henley - Taking You Home
52 Seal - This Christmas
51 Eric Clapton - Change the World
51 Phil Collins - Can't Stop Loving You
50 Huey Lewis (w/Gwyneth Paltrow) - Cruisin'
50 Elton John - Something About the Way You Look Tonight
50 Bill Champlin (Chicago) - Here in My Heart
50 Righteous Brothers (Bill Medley & Bobby Hatfield) - Unchained Melody
49 Kenny Loggins - For the First Time
49 Aaron Neville (w/Linda Ronstadt) - All My Life
48 Peter Cetera - Restless Heart

[dawhite76]

Who is the oldest artist to appear on the AC chart at any position, not just #1? Did Barry Manilow claim the honor by charting with his version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You?"

[jdanton2]

Dec 4, 2023 17:22:39 GMT -5 dawhite76 said:

Who is the oldest artist to appear on the AC chart at any position, not just #1? Did Barry Manilow claim the honor by charting with his version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You?"

Barry Manilow is 80 but he is tied with at least one artist. Tony Bennett reached the AC chart in 2006 when he was 80 in a collab with Michael Buble with the song Just In Time which reached #22.


edit


Louis Armstrong would have been 98 years old when he hit the AC chart in 1999 with a version of his song What A Wonderful World with Kenny G.. however he died in 1971 so he would not count.

[balletgirlmom]

For Cher to hit #1 with a NEW and SOLO song not "feat" a younger performer, or a duet with someone hot like Dua, or anyone who can chart easily, is amazing.  She is doing a new Pop album in 2024, so I bet she does it again and charts again on AC and maybe CHR again at age 78.  Cher began charting on the Hot 100, Bubbling Under charts in 1964 and 1965 but not on AC until 1971.  She has her #1 in 2023 and knowing her, she will do it again at some point.  

[jdanton2]

Billy Joel debuts at #9 on his first day with his new single Turn The Lights Back On . he is 74 years old .