Various Artists - R&B Jukebox Hits 1942

Facts Billboard magazine first inaugurated a popularity chart exclusively for sales amongst the Black population in their edition of the week ending Oct. 24th, 1942. The chart was "The Harlem Hit Parade" and initially was compiled from a tiny sample of shops and jukeboxes situated in Harlem. In 1942, the racial lines were much less defined when it came to popular music, and Southern Blacks were as equally fond of country and hillbilly music. By contrast, the comparatively sophisticated residents of Harlem were equally happy to drop a coin in the slot to listen to Frank Sinatra singing with the Dorsey Band or buying the platter in such quantities that it was able to climb as high as #2 alongside more down home sides from Chicago based artists like Tampa Red and Lil Green. Acrobat. 2005.