Record World magazine was one of the three main music industry trade magazines in the United States, along with Billboard and Cashbox. It was founded in 1946 under the name Music Vendor, but in 1964 it was changed to Record World, under the ownership of Sid Parnes and Bob Austin. It ceased publication on April 10, 1982. Many music industry personalities, writers, and critics began their careers there in the early 1970s to 1980s.
Record World has been considered[by whom?] the hipper, faster-moving music industry publication, in contrast to the stodgier Billboard and Cashbox, its sister magazine. Music Vendor, as it was then known, published its first music chart for the week ending October 4, 1954.
A weekly, like its competitors, it was housed in New York City at 1700 Broadway, at 53rd Street, just across the street from the Ed Sullivan Theater, and West Coast editorial offices in Los Angeles on Sunset and Vine.
Rock bands frequented Record World’s offices as part of their promotional tours, often leaving questionable promo items in their wake. The band Hot Rats, for instance, presented each writer with a freeze-dried and shrink-wrapped rat to remember them by.
Today Record World and its sister magazine Cashbox are at the forefront of today’s music industry.
Record World showed musical diversity by printing a “Non-Rock” survey, comparable to Billboard’s “Easy Listening” chart. This chart appeared 2/4/67 and disappeared essentially 5 years later, 3/4/72, having morphed to the name “The MOR Chart” by 1971. Several titles of interest appeared on this 40-position list without making the Billboard Easy Listening survey.
Record World’s peak years coincided with the Studio 54 era,[according to whom?] when disco was in full swing. Recording artists tottered through on platform heels, bedecked in rhinestones, often seriously impaired by the then-popular recreational drug cocaine.
Young writers laboured writing reviews of records, analyses of sales data and music-related current events. Staffers included Mike Sigman, editor-in-chief (who then went on to become publisher of the LA Weekly); Howie Levitt, managing editor (later of Billboard and BMI, the music royalty service); Pat Baird, who went on to key publicity positions at both RCA and BMI; Mike Vallone, editor, charts and statistics; charts editor Phil Lanks at the 200 W.57th street office who later worked for the SEC; associate editor Allen Levy, who went to become a public relations person for United Artists Records, ASCAP and A&M, and who is now a professor of mass communication at Chapman University.
Other staff included art directors Mitchell Kanner, who went on to become Director of Artist Development for Elektra/Asylum Records Records and later Art Director for PolyGram Records, and writers Vince Aletti (later of The New Yorker); Marc Kirkeby (he went on to CBS/Sony Records); Jeffrey Peisch (later of MTV and independent producing); Dave McGee (later of Rolling Stone); Laurie Lennard (later as a talent booker on The Late Show, then wife of comedian Larry David, and producer of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth); columnist Sophia Midas; and chart editor and assistant editor Fred Goodman (later editor of Cash Box and current managing editor of Pro Sound News and a songwriter/music publisher.
Record World’s collapse was the result of discord between the two owners, and a sudden downturn in record sales in the early 1980s.
However, the new owners and management have revived Record World once again as an online magazine and feature story magazine known as Record World Magazine.
In 1978, Record World changed the R&B title to Black-Oriented.
Here is a list of all the songs that reached #1 on the Music Vendor/Record World chart, obtained from the following cited sources. There were a total of 658 songs that reached #1 on the chart. In the early history of the chart, multiple versions of the same song charted as one entry, so the most successful recording of these songs is listed. An asterisk (*) denotes a non-consecutive run at #1.
“The Twist”, by Chubby Checker, is the only song to hit #1 in two different chart runs. The record holder for the most weeks at #1 is Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life”, which stayed on top for 13 weeks. “I Love Rock ‘n Roll”, by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, was the last song to top the chart before the magazine ceased publication.
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1974
01/05 – Singles 1969-1973 / Carpenters (2)
01/12 – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim / Jim Croce (+)
01/19 – I Got A Name / Jim Croce
01/26 – I Got A Name / Jim Croce (2) #2 BB #1 CB
02/02 – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim / Jim Croce
02/09 – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim / Jim Croce
02/16 – You Don’t Mess Around With Jim / Jim Croce (4)
02/23 – Planet Waves / Bob Dylan
03/02 – Planet Waves / Bob Dylan (2)
03/09 – Court And Spark / Joni Mitchell (1) #2 BB #1 CB
03/16 – The Way We Were / Barbra Streisand (1)
03/23 – Greatest Hits Volume I / John Denver
03/30 – Greatest Hits Volume I / John Denver
04/06 – Greatest Hits Volume I / John Denver (+)
04/13 – Band On The Run / Paul McCartney & Wings (+)
04/20 – Greatest Hits Volume I / John Denver (4)
04/27 – The Sting / Original Soundtrack
05/04 – The Sting / Original Soundtrack
05/11 – The Sting / Original Soundtrack
05/18 – The Sting / Original Soundtrack
05/25 – The Sting / Original Soundtrack (5)
06/01 – Band On The Run / Paul McCartney & Wings
06/08 – Band On The Run / Paul McCartney & Wings (+)
06/15 – Sundown / Gordon Lightfoot
06/22 – Sundown / Gordon Lightfoot (2)
06/29 – Band On The Run / Paul McCartney & Wings
07/06 – Band On The Run / Paul McCartney & Wings (5)
07/13 – Caribou / Elton John (+)
07/20 – Back Home Again / John Denver (+)
07/27 – Caribou / Elton John
08/03 – Caribou / Elton John (3)
08/10 – Back Home Again / John Denver (+)
08/17 – 461 Ocean Boulevard / Eric Clapton
08/24 – 461 Ocean Boulevard / Eric Clapton (2)
08/31 – Fulfillingness’ First Finale / Stevie Wonder
09/07 – Fulfillingness’ First Finale / Stevie Wonder (2)
09/14 – Back Home Again / John Denver
09/21 – Back Home Again / John Denver (4)
09/28 – Endless Summer / Beach Boys (1)
10/05 – Bad Company / Bad Company (1)
10/12 – If You Love Me (Let Me Know) / Olivia Newton-John (1)
10/19 – Not Fragile – Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1)
10/26 – Can’t Get Enough / Barry White (1)
11/02 – Photographs And Memories / Jim Croce
11/09 – Photographs And Memories / Jim Croce (2) #2 BB #3 CB
11/16 – Walls And Bridges / John Lennon (1)
11/23 – Cheech & Chong’s Wedding Album / Cheech & Chong (1) #5 BB #2 CB
11/30 – Wrap Around Joy / Carole King (1)
12/07 – It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll / Rolling Stones (1)
12/14 – Greatest Hits / Elton John
12/21 – Greatest Hits / Elton John
12/28 – Greatest Hits / Elton John
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1975
01/04 – Greatest Hits / Elton John
01/11 – Greatest Hits / Elton John
01/18 – Greatest Hits / Elton John
01/25 – Greatest Hits / Elton John (+)
02/01 – Fire / Ohio Players (1)
02/08 – Greatest Hits / Elton John (8)
02/15 – Heart Like A Wheel / Linda Ronstadt (1)
02/22 – Blood On The Tracks / Bob Dylan
03/01 – Blood On The Tracks / Bob Dylan
03/08 – Blood On The Tracks / Bob Dylan (3)
03/15 – Have You Never Been Mellow / Olivia Newton-John (+)
03/22 – Physical Graffiti / Led Zeppelin
03/29 – Physical Graffiti / Led Zeppelin
04/05 – Physical Graffiti / Led Zeppelin
04/12 – Physical Graffiti / Led Zeppelin (4)
04/19 – Have You Never Been Mellow / Olivia Newton-John (2)
04/26 – Chicago VIII / Chicago
05/03 – Chicago VIII / Chicago (2)
05/10 – That’s The Way Of The World / Earth, Wind & Fire
05/17 – That’s The Way Of The World / Earth, Wind & Fire
05/24 – That’s The Way Of The World / Earth, Wind & Fire
05/31 – That’s The Way Of The World / Earth, Wind & Fire (4)
06/07 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John
06/14 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John
06/21 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John
06/28 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John
07/05 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John (+)
07/12 – Venus And Mars / Paul McCartney & Wings (1)
07/19 – One Of These Nights / Eagles
07/26 – One Of These Nights / Eagles (+)
08/02 – The Heat Is On / Isley Brothers
08/09 – The Heat Is On / Isley Brothers (+)
08/16 – One Of These Nights / Eagles (+)
08/23 – The Heat Is On / Isley Brothers (3)
08/30 – One Of These Nights / Eagles (4)
09/06 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John (+)
09/13 – Red Octopus / Jefferson Starship (1)
09/20 – Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy / Elton John (7)
09/27 – Born To Run / Bruce Springsteen (1) #3 BB
10/04 – Wish You Were Here / Pink Floyd (1)
10/11 – Windsong / John Denver
10/18 – Windsong / John Denver
10/25 – Windsong / John Denver
11/01 – Windsong / John Denver
11/08 – Windsong / John Denver (5)
11/15 – Rock Of The Westies / Elton John
11/22 – Rock Of The Westies / Elton John
11/29 – Rock Of The Westies / Elton John (3)
12/06 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago
12/13 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago
12/20 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago
12/27 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago (4 >)
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1976
01/03 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago
01/10 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago
01/17 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago
01/24 – Chicago IX Greatest Hits / Chicago (8)
01/31 – Gratitude / Earth, Wind & Fire (1)
02/07 – Desire / Bob Dylan
02/14 – Desire / Bob Dylan
02/21 – Desire / Bob Dylan
02/28 – Desire / Bob Dylan (4)
03/06 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton (+)
03/13 – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 / Eagles
03/20 – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 / Eagles
03/27 – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 / Eagles
04/03 – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 / Eagles
04/10 – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 / Eagles
04/17 – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 / Eagles (6)
04/24 – Presence / Led Zeppelin
05/01 – Presence / Led Zeppelin
05/08 – Presence / Led Zeppelin
05/15 – Presence / Led Zeppelin
05/22 – Presence / Led Zeppelin (5)
05/29 – Black And Blue / Rolling Stones (1)
06/05 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
06/12 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton (+)
06/19 – Wings At The Speed Of Sound / Paul McCartney & Wings
06/26 – Wings At The Speed Of Sound / Paul McCartney & Wings
07/03 – Wings At The Speed Of Sound / Paul McCartney & Wings (3)
07/10 – Fleetwood Mac / Fleetwood Mac (1)
07/17 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
07/24 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
07/31 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
08/07 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
08/14 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
08/21 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
08/28 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
09/04 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
09/11 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
09/18 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
09/25 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
10/02 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
10/09 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton
10/16 – Frampton Comes Alive / Peter Frampton (17)
10/23 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
10/30 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
11/06 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
11/13 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
11/20 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
11/27 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
12/04 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
12/11 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
12/18 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder
12/25 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder (10 >)
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1977
01/01 – Songs In The Key Of Life / Stevie Wonder (11)
01/08 – Hotel California / Eagles
01/15 – Hotel California / Eagles
01/22 – Hotel California / Eagles
01/29 – Hotel California / Eagles (+)
02/05 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T.
02/12 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T.
02/19 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T.
02/26 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T.
03/05 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T.
03/12 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T.
03/19 – A Star Is Born / Barbra Streisand – O.S.T. (7)
03/26 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
04/02 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac (+)
04/09 – Hotel California / Eagles
04/16 – Hotel California / Eagles
04/23 – Hotel California / Eagles
04/30 – Hotel California / Eagles
05/07 – Hotel California / Eagles
05/14 – Hotel California / Eagles
05/21 – Hotel California / Eagles (11)
05/28 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
06/04 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
06/11 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
06/18 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
06/25 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
07/02 – Barry Manilow Live / Barry Manilow (1)
07/09 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
07/16 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
07/23 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
07/30 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
08/06 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
08/13 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
08/20 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
08/27 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
09/03 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
09/10 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
09/17 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
09/24 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
10/01 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
10/08 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
10/15 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
10/22 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
10/29 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
11/05 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
11/12 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
11/19 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
11/26 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
12/03 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
12/10 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
12/17 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
12/24 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac
12/31 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac (33 >)
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1978
01/07 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac (F)
01/14 – Rumours / Fleetwood Mac (35)
01/21 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
01/28 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
02/04 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
02/11 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
02/18 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
02/25 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
03/04 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
03/11 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
03/18 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
03/25 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
04/01 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
04/08 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
04/15 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
04/22 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
04/29 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
05/06 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
05/13 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
05/20 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
05/27 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
06/03 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
06/10 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
06/17 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
06/24 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
07/01 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T.
07/08 – Saturday Night Fever / O.S.T. (25)
07/15 – Some Girls / Rolling Stones (1)
07/22 – Grease / O.S.T.
07/29 – Grease / O.S.T.
08/05 – Grease / O.S.T.
08/12 – Grease / O.S.T.
08/19 – Grease / O.S.T.
08/26 – Grease / O.S.T.
09/02 – Grease / O.S.T.
09/09 – Grease / O.S.T.
09/16 – Grease / O.S.T.
09/23 – Grease / O.S.T.
09/30 – Grease / O.S.T.
10/07 – Grease / O.S.T.
10/14 – Grease / O.S.T.
10/21 – Grease / O.S.T.
10/28 – Grease / O.S.T.
11/04 – Grease / O.S.T. (16)
11/11 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel
11/18 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel
11/25 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel
12/02 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel
12/09 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel
12/16 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel (6 >)
12/23 – Greatest Hits Volume II / Barbra Streisand
12/30 – Greatest Hits Volume II / Barbra Streisand (2 >)
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1979
01/06 – Greatest Hits Volume II / Barbra Streisand (+)
01/13 – 52nd Street / Billy Joel
01/20 – 52nd street / Billy Joel (8)
01/27 – Greatest Hits Volume II / Barbra Streisand (4)
02/03 – Blondes Have More Fun / Rod Stewart
02/10 – Blondes Have More Fun / Rod Stewart
02/17 – Blondes Have More Fun / Rod Stewart (3)
02/24 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
03/03 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
03/10 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
03/17 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
03/24 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
03/31 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
04/07 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
04/14 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees (+)
04/21 – Minute By Minute / Doobie Brothers (1)
04/28 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees
05/05 – Spirits Having Flown / Bee Gees (10)
05/12 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
05/19 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
05/26 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
06/02 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
06/09 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp (+)
06/16 – Bad Girls / Donna Summer (+)
06/23 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
06/30 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
07/07 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp
07/14 – Breakfast In America / Supertramp (9)
07/21 – Bad Girls / Donna Summer
07/28 – Bad Girls / Donna Summer
08/04 – Bad Girls / Donna Summer (4)
08/11 – Get The Knack / The Knack
08/18 – Get The Knack / The Knack
08/25 – Get The Knack / The Knack
09/01 – Get The Knack / The Knack (4)
09/08 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin
09/15 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin
09/22 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin
09/29 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin
10/06 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin
10/13 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin
10/20 – In Through The Out Door / Led Zeppelin (7)
10/27 – The Long Run / Eagles
11/03 – The Long Run / Eagles
11/10 – The Long Run / Eagles
11/17 – The Long Run / Eagles
11/24 – The Long Run / Eagles
12/01 – The Long Run / Eagles
12/08 – The Long Run / Eagles
12/15 – The Long Run / Eagles
12/22 – On The Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II / Donna Summer (1)
12/29 – The Long Run / Eagles
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1980
01/05/80 – The Long Run / The Eagles (F)
01/12/80 – The Long Run / The Eagles (F)
01/19/80 – The Long Run / The Eagles
01/26/80 – The Long Run / The Eagles
02/02/80 – The Long Run / The Eagles (14)
02/09/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
02/16/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
02/23/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
03/01/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
03/08/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
03/15/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
03/22/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
03/29/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
04/05/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
04/12/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
04/19/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
04/26/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
05/03/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd
05/10/80 – The Wall / Pink Floyd (14)
05/17/80 – Against The Wind / Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
05/24/80 – Against The Wind / Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (2)
05/31/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
06/07/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
06/14/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
06/21/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
06/28/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
07/05/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
07/12/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
07/19/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
07/26/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel
08/02/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel (+)
08/09/80 – Emotional Rescue / Rolling Stones (1)
08/16/80 – Urban Cowboy / Original Soundtrack
08/23/80 – Urban Cowboy / Original Soundtrack
08/30/80 – Urban Cowboy / Original Soundtrack
09/06/80 – Urban Cowboy / Original Soundtrack (+)
09/13/80 – Glass Houses / Billy Joel (11)
09/20/80 – Urban Cowboy / Original Soundtrack (5) #3 BB
09/27/80 – Xanadu / Original Soundtrack (1) #4 BB
10/04/80 – The Game / Queen
10/11/80 – The Game / Queen (2)
10/18/80 – Guilty / Barbra Streisand
10/25/80 – Guilty / Barbra Streisand
11/01/80 – Guilty / Barbra Streisand (3)
11/08/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
11/15/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
11/22/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
11/29/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
12/06/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
12/13/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
12/20/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
12/27/80 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers (8 >)
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1981
01/03/81 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers (F)
01/10/81 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers (F)
01/17/81 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
01/24/81 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
01/31/81 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers
02/07/81 – Kenny Roger’s Greatest Hits / Kenny Rogers (14)
02/14/81 – Double Fantasy / John Lennon/Yoko Ono
02/21/81 – Double Fantasy / John Lennon/Yoko Ono (2)
02/28/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
03/07/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
03/14/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
03/21/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
03/28/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
04/04/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
04/11/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
04/18/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
04/25/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
05/02/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
05/09/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
05/16/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
05/23/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
05/30/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
06/06/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
06/13/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
06/20/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
06/27/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon
07/04/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon (+)
07/11/81 – Mistaken Identity / Kim Carnes (1)
07/18/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon (+)
07/25/81 – Long Distance Voyager / Moody Blues (1)
08/01/81 – Hi Infidelity / R.E.O. Speedwagon (21)
08/08/81 – Precious Time / Pat Benatar
08/15/81 – Precious Time / Pat Benatar (2)
08/22/81 – 4 / Foreigner
08/29/81 – 4 / Foreigner (+)
09/05/81 – Escape / Journey
09/12/81 – Escape / Journey
09/19/81 – Escape / Journey (+)
09/26/81 – Tattoo You / Rolling Stone
10/03/81 – Tattoo You / Rolling Stone
10/10/81 – Tattoo You / Rolling Stone (+)
10/17/81 – Escape / Journey (+) >
10/24/81 – Tattoo You / Rolling Stone
10/31/81 – Tattoo You / Rolling Stone (5)
11/07/81 – 4 / Foreigner
11/14/81 – 4 / Foreigner
11/21/81 – 4 / Foreigner
11/28/81 – 4 / Foreigner
12/05/81 – 4 / Foreigner
12/12/81 – 4 / Foreigner
12/19/81 – 4 / Foreigner
12/26/81 – 4 / Foreigner (10) >
RECORD WORLD #1 POP ALBUMS 1982
1/02/82 – 4 / Foreigner (F)
1/09/82 – 4 / Foreigner (F)
1/16/82 – 4 / Foreigner
1/23/82 – 4 / Foreigner
1/30/82 – 4 / Foreigner (15)
2/06/82 – Escape / Journey
2/13/82 – Escape / Journey (6)
2/20/82 – Freeze Frame / J. Geils Band (+)
2/27/82 – Hooked On Classics / Louis Clark Conducts Royal Philharmonica Orchestra #4 BB 3/06/82 – Freeze Frame / J. Geils Band
3/13/82 – Freeze Frame / J. Geils Band
3/20/82 – Freeze Frame / J. Geils Band
3/27/82 – Freeze Frame / J. Geils Band (5) (Unpublished Issue)
4/03/82 – Beauty and the Beat – The Go-Go’s
4/10/82 – Beauty and the Beat – The Go-Go’s (2)
