A Progressive History of J.W.'s Pop Memories (1890-1954)

[WolfSpear]

Long ago before Elvis Presley and the Beatles, we had talented songwriter/musicians, comedians and performers that paved the way from the start of the recording industry till the birth of rock 'n' roll. From George J. Gaskin to Arthur Collins to Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby and more, this project will attempt to construct a history of the industry prior to 1955 with the help of Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories (1890-1954). I've always been amazed with history and music, so this happy marriage will bring forth a new undertaking, one that had been in mind for some time. Since the majority of this data predates Billboard's first "Best Sellers" chart in 1940, a variety of sources (i.e. Phonogram, Talking Machine World, ASCAP etc.) have been used to fill in these gaps. I can attest, with Joel Whitburn's expertise, this is the most accurate rendering of the times and a fascinating book to own. Hope you all will enjoy this trip through time as much as I have!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
POP MEMORIES (1890-1899)
POP MEMORIES (1890-1909)
POP MEMORIES (1890-1919)
POP MEMORIES (1890-1929)
POP MEMORIES (1890-1939)
POP MEMORIES (1890-1949)
POP MEMORIES (1890-1954)

BONUS SECTIONS
PRE-HOT 100 (1940-1949)
BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS (1945-1949)
PRE-HOT 100 (1940-1954)
BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS (1945-1956)

1890-1899

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
17: George J. Gaskin (1891-1899)
16: Dan Quinn (1892-1899)
13: Len Spencer (1891-1899)
7: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1897)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
8 YRS, 3 MO: Len Spencer (1891-1899)
Little 'Liza Loves You - Hello! Ma Baby

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Arthur Collins (1899)
Kiss Me, Honey, Do
When You Ain't Go No More Money, Well, You Needn't Come Around
I Guess I'll Have To Telegraph My Baby
Hello, Ma Baby
I'd Leave My Happy Home For You

4: George J. Gaskin (1896)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)
Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me A Bow-Wow
The Bowery
Daisy Bell
Lindley, Does You Love Me?
My Pearl Is A Bowery Girl
And Her Golden Hair Was Hanging Down Her Back
The Sidewalks Of New York
The Band Played On
The Little Lost Child
In The Baggage Coach Ahead
A Hot Time In The Old Town
My Mother Was A Lady

5: Len Spencer (1891-1893)
5: George J. Gaskin (1893-1894)
5: Arthur Collins (1899)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
Kiss Me, Honey, Do
When You Ain't Go No More Money, Well, You Needn't Come Around
I Guess I'll Have To Telegraph My Baby
Hello, Ma Baby


3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
10: The Laughing Song - George Washington Johnson (1891)
10: After The Ball - George J. Gaskin (1893)
10: The Band Played On - Dan Quinn (1895)
10: On The Banks Of The Wabash - George J. Gaskin (1897-1898)
10: My Old New Hampshire Home - George J. Gaskin (1898-1899)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
24: George J. Gaskin (1893)
19: George J. Gaskin (1896)
16: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
16: Len Spencer (1892)
16: Arthur Collins (1899)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
105: George J. Gaskin (1891-1899)
95: Dan Quinn (1892-1899)
56: Len Spencer (1891-1899)
39: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1897)
21: Russell Hunting (1891-1894)
16: Arthur Collins (1899)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
27: George J. Gaskin (1891-1899)
27: Len Spencer (1891-1899)
19: Dan Quinn (1892-1899)
13: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1899)
11: Cal Stewart (1898-1899)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
27: George J. Gaskin (1891-1899)
27: Len Spencer (1891-1899)
19: Dan Quinn (1892-1899)
13: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1899)
11: Cal Stewart (1898-1899)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
27: George J. Gaskin (1891-1899)
27: Len Spencer (1891-1899)
19: Dan Quinn (1892-1899)
13: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1899)
11: Cal Stewart (1898-1899)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
7: Cal Stewart (1898)
6: Len Spencer (1897)
6: Len Spencer (1899)
5: George J. Gaskin (1896)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
15: Sweet Rosie O'Grady - George J. Gaskin (1897)
14: My Wild Irish Rose - George J. Gaskin (1899)
12: Hello! Ma Baby - Len Spencer (1899)

[neel]

Music existed in the 1800s?! 😮

[WolfSpear]

1890-1909

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
19: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
18: Billy Murray (1904-1908)
17: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
16: Arthur Collins (1899-1909)
15: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
15: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1909)
11: Haydn Quartet (1900-1909)
9: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1903)
9: Harry Macdonough (1901-1909)
8: Ada Jones (1907-1909)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
12 YRS, 9 MO: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1903)
Semper Fidelis - In The Good Old Summer Time

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Arthur Collins (1899)
5: Billy Murray (1908)
Under Any Old Flag At All
Wouldn't You Like To Have Me For A Sweetheart? (with Ada Jones)
When We Are M-A-Double-R-I-E-D (with Ada Jones)
Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine (with Ada Jones)
Take Me Out To The Ball Game (with Haydn Quartet)

4: George J. Gaskin (1896)
4: Billy Murray (1905)
4: Byron G. Harlan (1907)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)
7: Arthur Collins (1899-1900)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)
3: Arthur Collins (1903)
3: Billy Murray (1908)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
11: Arkansaw Traveler - Len Spencer (1902)
11: The Preacher And The Bear - Arthur Collins (1905)
11: School Days (When We Were A Couple Of Kids) - Byron G. Harlon (1907)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
26: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
25: Billy Murray (1908)
24: George J. Gaskin (1893)
20: Billy Murray (1904)
20: Billy Murray (1905)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
116: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
99: Billy Murray (1904-1908)
98: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
80: Arthur Collins (1899-1909)
75: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1909)
72: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
51: Haydn Quartet (1900-1909)
46: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890-1903)
39: Ada Jones (1905-1909)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
99: Billy Murray (1903-1909)
80: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1909)
78: Harry Macdonough (1899-1909)
69: Arthur Collins (1899-1909)
68: Ada Jones (1905-1909)
63: Len Spencer (1891-1909)
51: Haydn Quartet (1898-1909)
48: Frank Stanley (1899-1909)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
99: Billy Murray (1903-1909)
80: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1909)
78: Harry Macdonough (1899-1909)
69: Arthur Collins (1899-1909)
68: Ada Jones (1905-1909)
63: Len Spencer (1891-1909)
51: Haydn Quartet (1898-1909)
48: Frank Stanley (1899-1909)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
99: Billy Murray (1903-1909)
80: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1909)
78: Harry Macdonough (1899-1909)
69: Arthur Collins (1899-1909)
68: Ada Jones (1905-1909)
63: Len Spencer (1891-1909)
51: Haydn Quartet (1898-1909)
48: Frank Stanley (1899-1909)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
24: Billy Murray (1907)
23: Billy Murray (1908)
15: Billy Murray (1909)
14: Ada Jones (1909)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
17: Sweet Adeline (You're The Flower Of My Heart) - The Haydn Quartet (1904-1905)
17: Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie - Byron G. Harlan (1907)
16: School Days (When Were A Couple Of Kids) - Byron G. Harlan (1907)
16: Take Me Out To The Ball Game - Billy Murray & The Haydn Quartet (1908)
15: Sweet Rosie O'Grady - George J. Gaskin (1897)
15: The Grand Old Rag - Billy Murray (1906)

[WolfSpear]

1890-1919

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
24: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
24: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
23: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
23: Billy Murray (1904-1916)
19: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
17: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
15: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
15: Harry Macdonough (1901-1916)
13: Ada Jones (1907-1914)
12: Haydn Quartet (1900-1910)
12: American Quartet (1910-1917)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
19 YRS, 2 MO: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
Kiss Me, Honey, Do - Down Town Strutters' Ball (with Byron G. Harlan)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Arthur Collins (1899)
5: Billy Murray (1908)
4: George J. Gaskin (1896)
4: Billy Murray (1905)
4: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
4: Billy Murray (1910)
4: Henry Burr (1919)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)
3: Arthur Collins (1903)
3: Billy Murray (1908)
3: Billy Murray (1910)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
11: Arkansaw Traveler - Len Spencer (1902)
11: The Preacher And The Bear - Arthur Collins (1905)
11: School Days (When We Were A Couple Of Kids) - Byron G. Harlon (1907)
11: Casey Jones - Billy Murray & The American Quartet (1910)
11: Just A Baby's Prayer At Twilight (For Her Daddy Over There) - Henry Burr (1918)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
26: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
25: Billy Murray (1908)
24: George J. Gaskin (1893)
24: Billy Murray (1910)
24: Henry Burr (1919)
20: Billy Murray (1904)
20: Billy Murray (1905)
20: Arthur Collins (1911)
20: Byron G. Harlan (1911)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
124: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
116: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
114: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
112: Billy Murray (1904-1916)
110: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
98: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
72: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
71: Harry Macdonough (1901-1916)
68: Haydn Quartet (1900-1910)
56: Ada Jones (1905-1914)
55: American Quartet (1910-1917)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
127: Ada Jones (1905-1919)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
92: Peerless Quartet (1904-1919)
71: Prince's Orchestra (1905-1919)
65: Len Spencer (1891-1910)
62: Haydn Quartet (1898-1914)
60: American Quartet (1910-1919)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
127: Ada Jones (1905-1919)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
92: Peerless Quartet (1904-1919)
71: Prince's Orchestra (1905-1919)
65: Len Spencer (1891-1910)
62: Haydn Quartet (1898-1914)
60: American Quartet (1910-1919)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
127: Ada Jones (1905-1919)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
92: Peerless Quartet (1904-1919)
71: Prince's Orchestra (1905-1919)
65: Len Spencer (1891-1910)
62: Haydn Quartet (1898-1914)
60: American Quartet (1910-1919)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
24: Billy Murray (1907)
23: Billy Murray (1908)
17: Billy Murray (1910)
15: Billy Murray (1909)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
22: Last Night Was The End Of The World - Henry Burr (1913)
18: Down By The Old Mill Stream - Harry Macdonough (1912)
18: Over There - The American Quartet (1917-1918)
17: Sweet Adeline (You're The Flower Of My Heart) - The Haydn Quartet (1904-1905)
17: Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie - Byron G. Harlan (1907)
17: Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet - The Haydn Quartet (1909-1910)
17: Casey Jones - The American Quartet (1910)
17: By The Light Of The Silvery Moon - Billy Murray & The Haydn Quartet (1910)
17: Alexander's Ragtime Band - Arthur Collins & Byron G. Harlan (1911)
17: Let Me Call You Sweetheart - The Peerless Quartet (1911)

[renfield75]

Imagine 19th century stans. "Arthur Collins ended George J. Gaskin"..."Byron G. Floplan coming with another miss"..."Looks like the Peerless Quartet's payola ran out"

[WolfSpear]

Blows my mind that the Beatles’ six #1 hits in 1964 exceeds the most for a single year… even in the pre-rock era. On top of that, the Beatles were competing a larger market than Billy Murray and Henry Burr.

[WolfSpear]

Welcome to "The Jazz Age," an era that's defined by the birth of jazz music and the rise of record sales across the industry. Paul Whiteman is highly regarded to be "The King Of Jazz," but only in the sense that his recordings are popular amongst the masses. Louis Armstrong, King Oliver and Sidney Bechet are the true pioneers of this artform, despite their lack of chart success during this time. In the 1920's, we all see the breakthrough of "hillbilly records" when Vernon Dalhart's "The Prisoner's Song" sells over 7 million records by the decade's end.  Lastly, the switch from acoustic to electrical recordings allows for crooners such as Gene Austin, Rudy Vallee and Bing Crosby to infiltrate the market. Bing Crosby will begin his career as part of Paul Whiteman's Orchestra before pursuing a solo career in the 1930's. 

1890-1929

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
28: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1929)
24: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
24: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
24: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
24: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
23: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
19: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
17: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
15: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
15: Harry Macdonough (1901-1916)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
19 YRS, 10 MO: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
Bedelia - That Old Gang Of Mine (with Ed Smalle)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
6: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
Whispering
Wang Wang Blues
My Mammy
Cherie
Song Of India
Say It With Music

5: Arthur Collins (1899)
5: Billy Murray (1908)
5: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
4: George J. Gaskin (1896)
4: Billy Murray (1905)
4: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
4: Billy Murray (1910)
4: Henry Burr (1919)
4: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1922)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
4: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
Among My Souvenirs
Together
Ol' Man River
Ramona

3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)
3: Arthur Collins (1903)
3: Billy Murray (1908)
3: Billy Murray (1910)
3: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1921)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
13: Dardanella - Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1920)
13: My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin (1927-1928)
12: The Prisoner's Song - Vernon Dalhart (1925-1926)
12: Sonny Boy - Al Jolson (1928-1929)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
30: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
26: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
25: Billy Murray (1908)
24: George J. Gaskin (1893)
24: Billy Murray (1910)
24: Henry Burr (1919)
20: Billy Murray (1904)
20: Billy Murray (1905)
20: Arthur Collins (1911)
20: Byron G. Harlan (1911)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
129: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1929)
125: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
118: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
116: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
114: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
112: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
110: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
98: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
72: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
71: Harry Macdonough (1901-1916)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
200: Billy Murray (1903-1926)
166: Henry Burr (1903-1927)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1929)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
98: Peerless Quartet (1904-1922)
81: Prince's Orchestra (1905-1923)
79: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
65: Len Spencer (1891-1910)
64: American Quartet (1910-1923)
62: Haydn Quartet (1898-1914)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
93: Peerless Quartet (1904-1920)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
213: Billy Murray (1903-1927)
176: Henry Burr (1903-1928)
159: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1929)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
136: Arthur Collins (1899-1920)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
108: Peerless Quartet (1904-1926)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
82: Prince's Orchestra (1905-1923)
82: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
78: Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1919-1929)
66: American Quartet (1910-1924)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
24: Billy Murray (1907)
23: Billy Murray (1908)
23: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1929)
22: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
19: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1922)
18: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1924)
18: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1927)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
32: The Prisoner's Song - Vernon Dalhart (1925-1926)
26: My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin (1927-1928)
24: Dardanella - Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1920)
22: Last Night Was The End Of The World - Henry Burr (1913)
20: Whispering - Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1921)
20: Three O'Clock In The Morning - Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1922-1923)
20: It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' - Wendell Hall (1924)

[WolfSpear]

You could say the recording industry was in 'full swing' as band leaders like Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller and the Dorsey brothers all achieved massive success during the era. The biggest star during the 30's and the Great Depression was none of than Bing Crosby, former vocalist from Paul Whiteman's band. Crosby signed on Decca Records in 1931 and instantly became the face of the new label. Not only would h become the #1 artist of this decade but also the 1940's, making him the only act to ever repeat that feat. While the Roaring Twenties brought forth a boom in the industry, the Great Depression saw a massive plummet in overall sales and the near extinct of the industry itself. Fortunately, the market's fate would turn around during the onset of WWII, and from this began an era centering on the vocalist.  

1890-1939

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
32: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1934)
24: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
24: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
24: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
24: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
23: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
23: Bing Crosby (1931-1938)
21: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1939)
19: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
17: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
15: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
15: Harry Macdonough (1901-1916)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
19 YRS, 10 MO: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
Bedelia - That Old Gang Of Mine (with Ed Smalle)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
6: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
6: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
Wishing (Will Make It So)
Stairway To The Stars
Moon Love
Over The Rainbow
The Man With The Mandolin
Blue Orchids

5: Arthur Collins (1899)
5: Billy Murray (1908)
5: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
5: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1936)
5: Bing Crosby (1937)
5: Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra (1937)
5: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1937)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
4: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)
3: Arthur Collins (1903)
3: Billy Murray (1908)
3: Billy Murray (1910)
3: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1921)
3: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939) x2

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
13: Dardanella - Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1920)
13: My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin (1927-1928)
12: The Prisoner's Song - Vernon Dalhart (1925-1926)
12: Sonny Boy - Al Jolson (1928-1929)
[11: Cheek To Cheek - Fred Astaire (1935)*]
*Most weeks at #1 between 1930 and 1939

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
30: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
26: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
25: Billy Murray (1908)
24: George J. Gaskin (1893)
24: Billy Murray (1910)
24: Henry Burr (1919)
23: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
146: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1934)
125: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
118: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
116: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
114: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
112: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
110: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
98: Dan Quinn (1892-1901)
84: Bing Crosby (1931-1938)
72: Len Spencer (1891-1902)
71: Harry Macdonough (1901-1916)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
200: Billy Murray (1903-1926)
166: Henry Burr (1903-1927)
165: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1939)
145: Bing Crosby (1931-1939)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
98: Peerless Quartet (1904-1922)
93: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1939)
82: Al Jolson (1912-1930)
81: Prince's Orchestra (1905-1923)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
93: Peerless Quartet (1904-1920)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
217: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1939)
213: Billy Murray (1903-1927)
176: Henry Burr (1903-1928)
156: Bing Crosby (1931-1939)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
138: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1939)
136: Arthur Collins (1899-1920)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
108: Peerless Quartet (1904-1926)
107: Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1919-1934)
102: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1931-1939)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
94: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1935-1939)
86: Al Jolson (1912-1933)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
28: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1937)
27: Bing Crosby (1939)
26: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1938)
24: Billy Murray (1907)
24: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1938)
24: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
23: Billy Murray (1908)
23: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1929)
23: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1939)
22: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
22: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1936)
21: Bing Crosby (1933)
20: Bing Crosby (1937)
20: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1935)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
32: The Prisoner's Song - Vernon Dalhart (1925-1926)
28: The Peanut Vendor (El Manicero) - Don Azpiazu & His Havana Casino Orchestra (1931)
26: My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin (1927-1928)
25: Sweet Leilani - Bing Crosby (1937)
24: Dardanella - Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1920)
24: The Last Round Up - George Olson & His Music (1934-1935)
23: When I Grow To Old To Dream - Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra (1935)

[WolfSpear]

Throughout the 1940's, the swing bands continued to rule the market with Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" becoming a staple of the boom in 1940. If you look through the statistics, you'll notice that Miller & His Orchestra accumulated 23 chart-topping hits in only 5 years! His overall chart performance in 1940 is unmatched by any recording artist before or since. Keep in mind, the stats from the 1940's are coming from various sources apart from Billboard Magazine, whose first published charts did not appear until July 1940. I'll be creating a section that's exclusive to the Billboard era and adding it as Bonus Sections to this work. In those sections, I'll be covering the LP's from 1945-1956, prior to what has become the weekly Billboard 200.

1890-1949

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
38: Bing Crosby (1931-1948)
32: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1934)
25: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1947)
24: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
24: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
24: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
24: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
23: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
23: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939-1943)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
19 YRS, 10 MO: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
Bedelia - That Old Gang Of Mine (with Ed Smalle)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
8: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
Careless
In The Mood
When You Wish Upon A Star
Tuxedo Junction
The Woodpecker Song
Imagination
Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)
Blueberry Hill

7: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
6: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
6: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
6: Bing Crosby (1944)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
4: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
4: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
When You Wish Upon A Star
Tuxedo Junction
The Woodpecker Song
Imagination

3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)
3: Arthur Collins (1903)
3: Billy Murray (1908)
3: Billy Murray (1910)
3: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1921)
3: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
3: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
3: Bing Crosby (1945)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
17: Near You - Francis Craig & His Orchestra (1947)
14: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942/1945/1947)
13: Dardanella - Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1920)
13: My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin (1927-1928)
13: In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939-1940)
13: Frenesi - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (1940-1941)
13: I've Heard That Song Before - Harry James & His Orchestra (1943)
13: The Gypsy - The Ink Spots (1946)
13: Heartaches - Ted Weems & His Orchestra (1947)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
43: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
32: Bing Crosby (1944)
30: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
27: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
26: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
25: Billy Murray (1908)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
172: Bing Crosby (1931-1948)
146: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1934)
125: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
118: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
116: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
114: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
112: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
110: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
103: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939-1943)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
200: Billy Murray (1903-1926)
177: Bing Crosby (1931-1949)
166: Henry Burr (1903-1927)
165: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1939)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
115: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1949)
101: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1935-1949)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
98: Peerless Quartet (1904-1922)
83: Al Jolson (1912-1948)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
93: Peerless Quartet (1904-1920)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
291: Bing Crosby (1931-1949)
219: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1943)
213: Billy Murray (1903-1927)
192: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1949)
185: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1935-1949)
176: Henry Burr (1903-1928)
158: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1931-1949)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
136: Arthur Collins (1899-1920)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
125: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1935-1948)
108: Peerless Quartet (1904-1926)
107: Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1919-1934)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
45: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
28: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1937)
27: Bing Crosby (1939)
26: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1938)
24: Billy Murray (1907)
24: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1938)
24: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
24: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1941)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
47: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942-1949)
37: Paper Doll - The Mills Brothers (1942-1944)
34: Pistol Packin' Mama - Al Dexter & His Troopers (1943)
33: You Always Hurt The One You Love - The Mills Brothers (1944-1945)
32: The Prisoner's Song - Vernon Dalhart (1925-1926)
32: Twelfth Street Rag - Pee Wee Hunt & His Orchestra (1948-1949)
31: In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
30: Maybe You'll Be There - Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (1948)
30: My Happiness - Jon & Sondra Steele (1948)

[WolfSpear]

This is the final chapter assessing Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories. The lead vocalist takes center stage following World War II, as Perry Como and Frank Sinatra lead the way as the industry's biggest names prior to start of the rock era. Sinatra's tenure with Columbia Records was only the start of an outstanding career; his commercial success would continue well into the rock era, pushing the boundaries of longevity within the music industry. As for his contemporaries, some would garner hits into the 1960's and 70's, but none have established a legacy like Ol' Blue Eyes himself. As I wrap up the Pop Memories portion of this thread, I will note that some of the numbers from the 1940's and early 50's differ from Billboard's statistics; keep in mind that Whitburn is also referencing other sources. As promised, I'll create sections for Billboard's 1940-1955 within the upcoming weeks to compare and contrast.

1890-1954

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
38: Bing Crosby (1931-1948)
32: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1934)
26: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1950)
24: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
24: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
24: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
24: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
23: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
23: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939-1943)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
22 YRS, 10 MO: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1950)
Charmaine! - The Third Man Theme

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
8: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
7: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
6: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
6: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
6: Bing Crosby (1944)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
12: Dan Quinn (1892-1897)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
4: Arthur Collins (1899)
4: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1928)
4: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
3: John Philip Sousa/U.S. Marine Band (1890)
3: Len Spencer (1897)
3: Arthur Collins (1903)
3: Billy Murray (1908)
3: Billy Murray (1910)
3: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1921)
3: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
3: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
3: Bing Crosby (1945)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
17: Near You - Francis Craig & His Orchestra (1947)
14: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942/1945/1947)
13: Dardanella - Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1920)
13: My Blue Heaven - Gene Austin (1927-1928)
13: In The Mood - Glenn Miller (1939-1940)
13: Frenesi - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (1940-1941)
13: I've Heard That Song Before - Harry James & His Orchestra (1943)
13: The Gypsy - The Ink Spots (1946)
13: Heartaches - Ted Weems & His Orchestra (1947)
13: Goodnight, Irene - The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (1950)
13: The Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page (1950-1951)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
43: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
32: Bing Crosby (1944)
30: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1921)
27: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
26: Byron G. Harlan (1907)
25: Billy Murray (1908)
[16: Tony Bennett (1951)*]
*Most between 1950 and 1954

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
172: Bing Crosby (1931-1948)
146: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1934)
125: Henry Burr (1903-1922)
118: Billy Murray (1904-1923)
116: George J. Gaskin (1891-1901)
114: Arthur Collins (1899-1918)
112: Al Jolson (1912-1929)
110: Byron G. Harlan (1901-1918)
103: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939-1943)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
200: Billy Murray (1903-1926)
184: Bing Crosby (1931-1951)
166: Henry Burr (1903-1927)
165: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1939)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
122: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1952)
101: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1935-1949)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
98: Peerless Quartet (1904-1922)
83: Al Jolson (1912-1948)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
182: Billy Murray (1903-1919)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
135: Arthur Collins (1899-1919)
134: Henry Burr (1903-1919)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
99: Harry Macdonough (1899-1918)
93: Peerless Quartet (1904-1920)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
324: Bing Crosby (1931-1954)
220: Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra (1920-1954)
218: Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (1927-1954)
213: Billy Murray (1903-1927)
186: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1935-1953)
176: Henry Burr (1903-1928)
162: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1931-1953)
143: Byron G. Harlan (1899-1919)
136: Arthur Collins (1899-1920)
128: Ada Jones (1905-1922)
125: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1935-1948)
108: Peerless Quartet (1904-1926)
107: Ben Selvin & His Orchestra (1919-1934)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
45: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
28: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1937)
27: Bing Crosby (1939)
26: Benny Goodman & His Orchestra (1938)
24: Billy Murray (1907)
24: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1938)
24: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939)
24: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1941)
[15: Eddie Fisher (1952)*]
*Most between 1950 and 1954

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
61: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942-1954)
38: Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson & His "Pops" Concert Orchestra (1951-1952)
37: Paper Doll - The Mills Brothers (1942-1944)
34: Pistol Packin' Mama - Al Dexter & His Troopers (1943)
34: Be My Love - Mario Lanza (1950-1951)
34: The Loveliest Night Of The Year - Mario Lanza (1951)

[jdanton2]

no other artist came close to Bing Crosby's amount of #1's and probably never will.as for Glenn Miller he could have had more #1's but left music in 1943 to serve in WW2 and then died in a plane crash in December of 1944.

[WolfSpear]

On February 19, 1938, Billboard published its first chart, the Record Buying Guide, a precursor to the 'Most Played In Juke Boxes' chart that debuted in 1944. The chart ranked the top songs that were most profitable to jukebox dealers across the country. Sometimes the songs were listed and left unranked; other times, the songs featured a list of the "notable recordings available" to purchase. It wasn't until July 27, 1940, that Billboard published its first "Best Sellers" chart. The "Best Sellers" chart not only ranked the top 10 records on a national level, it also featured sub-rankings for different territories: East Coast, Midwest, South and West Coast. The territorial rankings would expand into a city by city breakout map by the 1950's. The Juke Box chart would return in 1944 and shortly after, the very first Disc Jockey chart would also make its debut. The size of these charts would fluctuate, but everything would remain the same until the birth of the Top 100 in 1955.  

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Record Buying Guide: January 6, 1940 - July 20, 1940 [10]
Best Selling Popular Retail Singles/Best Sellers In Stores (BS): July 27, 1940 - December 31, 1949  [10-30]
Most Played In Juke Boxes (JB): January 8, 1944 - December 31, 1949  [20-30]
Most Played By Jockeys (DJ): January 27, 1945 - December 31, 1949 [20-30]

1940-1949

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
15: Bing Crosby (1940-1948)
10: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1943)
8: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1944)
6: Harry James & His Orchestra (1942-1945)
6: Perry Como (1945-1949)
5: Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (1945-1949)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
7 YRS, 7 MO: Bing Crosby (1940-1948)
Sierra Sue - Now Is The Hour (Maori Farewell Song)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
6: Bing Crosby (1944)
San Fernando Valley
I Love You
I'll Be Seeing You
Swinging On A Star
(There'll Be A) Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin (When The Yanks Go Marching In) (with the Andrews Sisters)
Don't Fence Me In (with the Andrews Sisters)

5: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
4: Bing Crosby (1943-1944*)
San Fernando Valley
I Love You
I'll Be Seeing You
Swinging On A Star
*Does not include B-sides

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
3: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
In The Mood
Tuxedo Junction
The Woodpecker Song

3: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)
My Sister & I
Marie Elena

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
17: Near You - Francis Craig & His Orchestra (1947)
14: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942/1945/1947)
13: In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1939-1940)
13: Frenesi - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (1940-1941)
13: I've Heard That Song Before - Harry James & His Orchestra (1943)
13: The Gypsy - The Ink Spots (1946)
13: Heartaches - Ted Weems & His Orchestra (1947)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
32: Bing Crosby (1944)
26: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
25: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
82: Bing Crosby (1940-1948)
58: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1943)
35: Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (1945-1949)
33: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1944)
33: The Andrews Sisters (1942-1945)
30: Harry James & His Orchestra (1942-1945)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
64: Bing Crosby (1940-1949)
54: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1947)
36: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1949)
34: Sammy Kaye (1940-1949)
32: Frank Sinatra (1943-1949)
30: The Andrews Sisters (1940-1949)
29: Dinah Shore (1941-1949)
28: Harry James & His Orchestra (1941-1947)
27: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1948)
25: Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra (1940-1949)
25: Perry Como (1944-1949)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
17: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)

MOST CONCURRENT/SIMULTANEOUS TOP 10's: ARTIST - Single Week
5: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (August 10, 1940)
5: Jimmy Dorsey (May 31, 1941 & July 19, 1941)
5: Frank Sinatra (October 9, 1943)
5: The Song Spinners (July 31, 1943)
5: Bing Crosby (December 11, 1943*)
*Occurred on 6 different weeks in 1943 and 1944

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
98: Bing Crosby (1940-1949)
82: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1948)
67: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1949)
59: The Andrews Sisters (1940-1949)
54: Sammy Kaye (1940-1949)
53: Harry James & His Orchestra (1941-1947)
53: Frank Sinatra (1942-1949)
51: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1948)
49: Perry Como (1943-1949)
47: Dinah Shore (1940-1949)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
29: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)

MOST CONCURRENT/SIMULTANEOUS ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Week
6: Perry Como (July 9, 1949)
 2. Some Enchanted Evening
 5. Bali Ha'i
 7. Forever And Ever
 12. I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore
 15. "A" You're Adorable (with the Fontaine Sisters)
 24. Just One Way To Say I Love You
 
MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
34: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942-1949)
30: Paper Doll - The Mills Brothers (1943-1944)
28: In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
28: You Always Hurt The One You Love - The Mills Brothers (1944-1945)
27: Sentimental Journey - Les Brown & His Orchestra featuring Doris Day (1945)
25: Near You - Francis Craig & His Orchestra (1947-1948)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
40: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942-1949)
33: You Always Hurt The One You Love - The Mills Brothers (1944-1945)
32: Twelfth Street Rag - Pee Wee Hunt & His Orchestra (1948-1949)
30: Paper Doll - The Mills Brothers (1943-1944)
30: Maybe You'll Be There - Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (1948)
30: My Happiness - Jon & Sondra Steele (1948)

[WolfSpear]

Prior to the Billboard 200, there was a weekly album chart entitled "Best Selling Popular Record Albums" that existed from 1945 to 1956. Before the creation of the modern day LP, albums were a collection of 78 rpm records that were bundled together similar to photo album. The format was common for cast recordings, film scores and classical music, but pop stars of the day followed suit. Al Jolson released 4 albums of re-recordings after signing on to Decca Records in the mid-40's, and those albums were extremely successful on the market. RCA Victor reissued Glenn Miller recordings as packaged albums after his disappearance in WWII; these albums continued to sell into the 50's and established what we know today as a "greatest hits" album. 

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Best Selling Popular Record Albums (March 24, 1945 - December 31, 1949) [5-10]

1945-1949

MOST #1's: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
4: Bing Crosby (1945-1949)
3: Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (1945-1949)
3: Al Jolson (1947-1948)
2: The King Cole Trio (1945-1946)
2: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1948)
2: Perry Como (1946-1948)
2: Dorothy Shay (1947-1948)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS - Single Year
2: Bing Crosby (1945)
Going My Way
Merry Christmas

2: Al Jolson (1947)
In Songs He Made Famous
Souvenir Album

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ALBUM - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
33: Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby (1945-1949)
29: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949)
25: In Songs He Made Famous - Al Jolson (1947-1948)
16: Glenn Miller - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1947)
14: Volume Three - Al Jolson (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS - Single Year
34: Al Jolson (1947)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
49: Al Jolson (1947-1948)
43: Bing Crosby (1945-1949)
22: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1948)
16: The King Cole Trio (1945-1946)
14: Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (1945-1949)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
12: Bing Crosby (1945-1949)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
12: Bing Crosby (1945-1949)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS - Single Year
6: Bing Crosby (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: ALBUM - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
123: Glenn Miller - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1949)
53: In Songs He Made Famous - Al Jolson (1947-1949)
35: The King Cole Trio - The King Cole Trio (1945-1946)
35: Dorothy Shay Sings - Dorothy Shay (1947-1948)
32: Masterpieces - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1947-1949)
32: Roses In Rhythm - Frankie Carle with Rhythm Section (1948-1949)

MOST WEEKS ON THE CHART: ALBUM - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
123: Glenn Miller - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1949)
53: In Songs He Made Famous - Al Jolson (1947-1949)
35: The King Cole Trio - The King Cole Trio (1945-1946)
35: Dorothy Shay Sings - Dorothy Shay (1947-1948)
32: Masterpieces - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1947-1949)
32: Roses In Rhythm - Frankie Carle with Rhythm Section (1948-1949)

LONGEST CLIMB TO #1: BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
11: Dorothy Shay Goes To Town - Dorothy Shay (1947)

BIGGEST JUMPS TO #1: BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
5-1: Song Of Norway - Original Cast (April 14, 1945)

BIGGEST DROPS FROM #1: BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
1-OFF: Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby x3
1-OFF: St. Patrick's Day - Bing Crosby (April 3, 1948)
1-5: Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby (January 11, 1947)

LONGEST CHART SPANS: ALBUMS DEBUTING 1945-1949 (Pre-Nielsen, Post-Nielsen):
[Excluding Holiday titles]

POST: 78 YRS: Merry Christmas/White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1945/2024)
PRE: 17 YRS: Merry Christmas/White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1945/1962)
[13 YRS, 4 MO: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949/1962)]

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Record Buying Guide: January 6, 1940 - July 20, 1940 [10]
Best Sellers In Stores (BS): July 27, 1940 - December 25, 1954 [10-30]
Most Played In Juke Boxes (JB): January 8, 1944 - December 25, 1954 [20-30]
Most Played By Jockeys (DJ): January 27, 1945 - December 25, 1954 [20-30]

1940-1954

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
15: Bing Crosby (1940-1948)
11: Perry Como (1945-1954)
10: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1943)
8: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1944)
6: Harry James & His Orchestra (1942-1945)
6: The Andrews Sisters (1944-1950)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
9 YRS, 1 MO: Jo Stafford (1945-1954)
Candy (with Johnny Mercer) - Make Love To Me!

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
6: Bing Crosby (1944)
5: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
4: Bing Crosby (1943-1944*)
*Does not include B-sides

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
3: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
3: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
[2: Tony Bennett (1952)
2: Rosemary Clooney (1954)*]
*Most between 1950 and 1954

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
17: Near You - Francis Craig & His Orchestra (1947)
14: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942/1945/1947)
13: In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
13: Frenesi - Artie Shaw & His Orchestra (1940-1941)
13: I've Heard That Song Before - Harry James & His Orchestra (1943)
13: The Gypsy - The Ink Spots (1946)
13: Heartaches - Ted Weems & His Orchestra (1947)
13: Goodnight Irene - The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (1950)
13: The Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page (1950-1951)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
32: Bing Crosby (1944)
26: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
25: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1941)
[16: Tony Bennett (1951)*]
*Most between 1950 and 1954

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
82: Bing Crosby (1940-1948)
58: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1943)
51: Perry Como (1945-1954)
40: The Andrews Sisters (1944-1950)
36: Patti Page (1950-1953)
35: Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (1945-1949)
33: Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1944)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
71: Bing Crosby (1940-1951)
54: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1947)
39: Frank Sinatra (1943-1954)
38: Perry Como (1944-1954)
37: Sammy Kaye (1940-1951)
36: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1949)
36: Jo Stafford (1944-1954)
33: The Andrews Sisters (1940-1951)
33: Dinah Shore (1941-1951) 
31: Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra (1940-1952)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
17: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)

MOST CONCURRENT/SIMULTANEOUS TOP 10's: ARTIST - Single Week
5: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (August 10, 1940)
5: Jimmy Dorsey (May 31, 1941 & July 19, 1941)
5: Frank Sinatra (October 9, 1943)
5: The Song Spinners (July 31, 1943)
5: Bing Crosby (December 11, 1943*)
*Occurred on 6 different weeks in 1943 and 1944

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
124: Bing Crosby (1940-1954)
84: Perry Como (1943-1954)
82: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940-1948)
76: Frank Sinatra (1942-1954)
72: Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra (1940-1954)
71: Jo Stafford (1944-1954)
69: The Andrews Sisters (1940-1951)
67: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1940-1949)
64: Sammy Kaye (1940-1953)
62: Dinah Shore (1940-1954)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
29: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
[13: Eddie Fisher (1952)*]
*Most between 1950 and 1954

MOST CONCURRENT/SIMULTANEOUS ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Week
6: Perry Como (July 9, 1949)
[5: Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (July 8, 1950)
5: Eddie Fisher (May 10, 1952)
5: Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads (April 12, 1952*)]
*Most concurrent entries in a single week between 1950 and 1954

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
35: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942-1950)
30: Paper Doll - The Mills Brothers (1943-1944)
28: In The Mood - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1940)
28: You Always Hurt The One You Love - The Mills Brothers (1944-1945)
27: Sentimental Journey - Les Brown & His Orchestra featuring Doris Day (1945)
27: You You You - The Ames Brothers (1953)
26: Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson & His Orchestra (1952)
26: Vaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford (1953)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
52: White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1942-1954)
38: Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson & His "Pops" Concert Orchestra (1951-1952)
34: Be My Love - Mario Lanza (1950-1951)
34: The Loveliest Night Of The Year - Mario Lanza (1951)
33: You Always Hurt The One You Love - The Mills Brothers (1944-1945)
32: Twelfth Street Rag - Pee Wee Hunt & His Orchestra (1948-1949)
32: Because Of You - Tony Bennett (1951-1952)

[WolfSpear]

The history of Billboard's Popular Albums chart hasn't always been clear-cut and dry; this chart underwent a number of changes before its weekly publication in March 1956. At the start of the vinyl era in 1949, Columbia and RCA were marketing "packaged record albums" under different formats: the 10" (later 12") 33 1/3 rpm  and the 7" 45rpm album. It's during this time between 1950 and 1953 that Billboard published different charts to reflect the format differences. Some albums were only available on one or the other, depending on the record label. Eventually the score was settled and the 33 1/3 became the standard for Long-Play albums, and the 45 would become the standard for singles and Extended-Play albums. The EP chart was axed with the December 3, 1955 issue but the format (and the chart) experienced a slight comeback during the rock era before phasing out. 

There were also several weeks where Billboard didn't publish the chart at all. The gaps lasted from 3-4 weeks to 3 months (in 1953), and historians like Joel Whitburn have treated these as frozen charts. It may not be a perfect fix, but this often why we don't merge chart histories. Comparing this to the modern Billboard 200 is like comparing apples to oranges, but it's still a fascinating look at then *new* pop album market. 

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Best Selling Popular Albums* (March 24, 1945 - March 17, 1956) [5-15]
*Best Selling 33 1/3 (LP) & Best Selling 45 (EP) RPM charts between July 22, 1950 and November 26, 1955

1945-1956

MOST #1's: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS
5: Mario Lanza (1951-1955)
4: Bing Crosby (1945-1951)
4: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1954)
4: Doris Day (1950-1955)
4: Jackie Gleason (1953-1955)
3: Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra (1945-1949)
3: Al Jolson (1947-1948)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
9 YRS, 2 MO: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1954)
Glenn Miller - Plays Selections From "The Glenn Miller Story"

MOST #1's: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS - Single Year
3: Mario Lanza (1951)
The Toast Of New Orleans
The Great Caruso
Sings Christmas Songs

3: Jackie Gleason (1954)
Music For Lovers Only
Tawny
Music, Memories & Martinis

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION
2: Eddie Fisher (1952-1953) [45 RPM]
 1. I'm In The Mood For Love
 2. Christmas With Eddie Fisher

2: Jackie Gleason (1954)
 1. Music For Lovers Only
 2. Tawny

2: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1954)
 1. The Glenn Miller Story
 2. Plays Selections From "The Glenn Miller Story"

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ALBUM - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS
69: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949-1951)
42: The Student Prince & Other Great Musical Comedies - Mario Lanza (1954-1955)
38: Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby (1945-1951)
25: In Songs He Made Famous - Al Jolson (1947-1948)
25: With A Song In My Heart - Jane Froman (1952-1953)
23: Music For Lovers Only - Jackie Gleason (1953-1954)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS - Single Year
34: Al Jolson (1947)
[25: Jane Froman (1952)*]
*Most between 1950 and 1956

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
65: Mario Lanza (1951-1955)
49: Al Jolson (1947-1948)
48: Bing Crosby (1945-1951)
43: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1954)
38: Doris Day (1950-1955)
30: Jackie Gleason (1953-1955)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS
19: Bing Crosby (1945-1954)
10: Frankie Carle (1945-1952)
10: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1954)

MOST CONCURRENT/SIMULTANEOUS TOP 10's: ARTIST - Single Week
3: Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra (July 29, 1950) [33 1/3 RPM]
 7. Silver Jubilee
 8. Twin Piano (Vol. II)
 9. Lombardoland

3: Liberace (December 26, 1953) [33 1/3 RPM]
 5. Liberace By Candlelight
 7. Concertos For You
 10. Liberace At The Piano

3: Jackie Gleason (February 20, 1954*) [45 RPM & 33 1/3 RPM]
 1. Music For Lovers Only
 4. Tawny
 8. Music To Make You Misty
*Occurred on a total of 36 different weeks

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS
19: Bing Crosby (1945-1954)
10: Frankie Carle (1945-1952)
10: Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1954)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS - Single Year
6: Bing Crosby (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: ALBUM - BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
170: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949-1953*)
130: Glenn Miller - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1952)
124: Music For Lovers Only - Jackie Gleason (1953-1956)
76: Student Prince & Other Great Musical Comedies - Mario Lanza (1954-1956)
75: Show Boat - Original Cast (1951-1953)
66: Plays Selections From "The Glenn Miller Story" - Glenn Miller (1954-1955)
*194: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949-1959)

MOST WEEKS ON THE CHART: ALBUM - BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS
170: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949-1953*)
133: Music For Lovers Only - Jackie Gleason (1953-1956)
130: Glenn Miller - Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1945-1952)
76: Student Prince & Other Great Musical Comedies - Mario Lanza (1954-1956)
75: Show Boat - Original Cast (1951-1953)
66: Plays Selections From "The Glenn Miller Story" - Glenn Miller (1954-1955)
*400: South Pacific - Original Cast (1949-1962)

LONGEST CLIMB TO #1: BEST SELLING POPULAR ALBUMS
26: Voice Of Xtbay - Yma Sumac (1951)

BIGGEST JUMPS TO #1: BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
5-1: Song Of Norway - Original Cast (April 14, 1945)

BIGGEST DROPS FROM #1: BEST SELLING POPULAR RECORD ALBUMS
1-OFF: Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby x3
1-OFF: St. Patrick's Day - Bing Crosby (April 3, 1948)
1-OFF: Sings Christmas Songs - Mario Lanza (January 12, 1952)
1-OFF: Christmas With Arthur Godfrey - Arthur Godfrey (January 23, 1954)
1-5: Merry Christmas - Bing Crosby (January 11, 1947)

LONGEST CHART SPANS: ALBUMS DEBUTING 1950-1956 (Pre-Nielsen, Post-Nielsen):
POST: 8 YRS, 9 MO: Oklahoma! - Soundtrack (1955/1964)
PRE: 8 YRS, 9 MO: Oklahoma! - Soundtrack (1955/1964)