27 Jul
Billboard Magazine Develops a New Strength
Billboard Magazine, created to support the billposting business in the late 19th century, developed a new strength in the 1930s, thanks largely to the jukebox business. The mechanical music machines began to flourish in this period and major jukebox manufacturers became big-time Billboard advertisers. This support left a powerful impression on Billboard’s management, who in turn committed more space to music coverage. On July 27, 1940, Billboard introduced the “Best Selling Retail Records” chart, which today is the “Hot 100″ chart. The first national number one? “I’ll Never Smile Again,” by Tommy Dorsey, with vocals by Frank Sinatra.