Billboard Book of Number One Rhythm and Blues Hits

by Fred Bronson and Adam White

Book Overview

Similar in format to the "Billboard Book of Number One Hits" and "The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits", this book traces the history of soul and R & B music by focusing on the songs that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823082857
• ISBN13: 9780823082858
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Billboard Books
• Length: 505 Pages
• Weight: 1.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The story behind 25 years of hit singles.

"Being With You," the highest charting hit of Smokey Robinson's solo career, was originally written for pop singer Kim Carnes, who had recently scored a hit cover of the Miracles' "More Love." However, when Smokey presented the song to Carnes' producer, George Tobin, he learned that Tobin was no longer acting in that capacity. Tobin, however, saw a hit and in an attempt to show Smokey his good faith in the song, agreed to pay for the recording sessions.Upon release, "Being With You" shot to the top of both the R & B and Hot 100 charts, achieving the top spot in the R & B category. However, the song failed to reach the top spot on the Hot 100 and stalled at number two. What song kept it from reaching number one? Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes."Such behind the scene details form the backbone of THE BILLBOARD BOOK OF NUMBER ONE RHYTHM AND BLUES HITS. From smooth Motown soul to gritty Memphis funk, this book tells the fascinating stories behind twenty-five years of hit singles on the Billboard Charts. More than a mere collection of music business anecdotes, this book also serves as a very readable history of some of the most memorable pop music of this century. Highly recommended.