80 years ago today (7/27/40), Billboard released its first chart detailing what records had sold the most copies. The chart was titled as “National List of Best Selling Retail Records” and was a precursor to the Hot 100 and the first to count record sales which includes sheet music sales, jukebox play and radio plug along with Billboard polling record stores to discover whats been selling. As a sign of the times, the first chart in 1940 is dominated by big band hits, with “I’ll Never Smile Again” by Tommy Dorsey (featuring Frank Sinatra on vocals) at #1 and three songs by Glenn Miller in the Top 10. Let’s listen to the smooth sounds of I’ll Never Smile Again”””
