Maybe you did know this but I didn't, I did a search for the singer "Christine Cooper" and a result came up from Google Books, turned out to be a one line mention in a 1965 edition of Billboard. So I did a few different ones, for instance, a search for singer RODDIE JOY bought up this edition

(link doesn't work so removed it, but go to Google, click on MORE and choose books then search)

and inside it is a small review of a Roddie Joy single but tons of interesting material, showing things like Tamla Motown expanding into the UK, adverts for singles, breaking tunes like The Uniques, so there must be countless editions of Billboard online which people could use to gather interesting memorabilia.

Edited March 30, 201114 yr by Pete S

As far as I'm aware the complete back catalogue of Billboard magazine is available and searchable through Google Books. Have been using for a couple of years and have found it immensely useful in digging up stuff.

One tip - if you have a Google Account, then you can save pages for future reference within your Google Library!

Good post Pete.

Got told by Craig Butler, early part of last year or before, about being able to read old issues of Billboard online - great news I thought!

And just like Pete says it's packed full of fascinating information about current/new releases, background info on record companies, what's hot and what's not, the list is endless.

It's like reading a time capsule;

if you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time to America in the sixties and read about music being then currently released - now you can.

Just read Billboard online.

But I did and fell into a black hole where I emerged about 3 hours later hahaha.

It scared me so much I dare not go back to Billboard online as it sucked all my life away (smile).

Be aware.

derek x

  On 30/03/2011 at 13:30, Derek Pearson said:

Good post Pete.

Just read Billboard online.

But I did and fell into a black hole where I emerged about 3 hours later hahaha.

It scared me so much I dare not go back to Billboard online as it sucked all my life away (smile).

Be aware.

derek x

Crikey, you could spend some time there alright

Interesting stuff Pete

yeah, they've been up for a while, fascinating stuff, a lot of people use them for getting release dates on records. The pics are great.

The source of some of the pics of 'questionable' white artists that I've used in the old Sunday quiz over the last year or so

I'm sure they have added a load more recently - there were some big gaps at one time.

If you want you can go in via the Billboard website.

https://www.billboard.com/#/archive

e.g. you can click on 1960 - and it will bring up all the individual issues for 1960 thru 1964.

Or you can search across the whole archive or an individual issue.

BRILLIANT RESOURCE!!

MB

  On 30/03/2011 at 19:31, Kris Holmes said:

yeah, they've been up for a while, fascinating stuff, a lot of people use them for getting release dates on records. The pics are great.

Yep been up for a few years at least, been dipping in and out for some time and are a great resource.