UK Singles Chart: 1969

Here we are in the final year of the 60s and I think the best way to describe 1969 is a big farewell party to the 60s.

The Beatles took the crown for most number ones off Elvis by scoring number ones with "Get Back" and "The Ballad of John and Yoko" bringing their total to 17. Of all the acts who debuted in 1962, they were the only ones to have a hit every year for the rest of the 60s. However, they would have no further number ones and their final single of the year "Something/Come Together" was the first official Beatles release since their debut "Love Me Do" that failed to reach the top 2, reaching number 4. We also saw John Lennon appear in the charts away from the Beatles for the first time reaching number 2 with "Give Peace a Chance" with the Plastic Ono Band. We now know that behind the scene the Beatles were just wrapping things up before going their separate ways, but they weren't quite finished yet.

Elvis came close to at least equalling the Beatles this year by scoring two number 2 hits with "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds". He had a further two hits this year bringing his total to 69. Second placed Cliff Richard also had 4 hits this year bringing his total to 51. Lonnie Donegan remained third with 30 and then Nat 'King' Cole, Everly Brothers and Frankie Vaughan remained fourth on 29 but were now joined by Frank Sinatra who brought his total to 29 by having two hits this year.

Elvis and Cliff were also in first and second place for most consecutive years in the charts having had hits every year since 1956 and 1958 respectively. There were two more acts who had a hit every year in the 60s, both 1960 debutants. There was Jim Reeves who continued having hits despite the face he died in 1964. The other act was Roy Orbison. Whilst Elvis and Cliff would continue on the charts in years to come, Jim Reeves would have his final hit the following year whilst Roy Orbison wouldn't return to the charts for a further 20 years which incidentally was shortly after he died. We also had a 1961 debutant who had a hit every year for the rest of the 60s, Gene Pitney.

The Rolling Stones had their 8th and final number one this year with "Honky Tonk Women". It was also the year that band member Brian Jones died and ended their streak of hits every year since they debuted in 1963.

The Hollies were another band in transition with guitarist Graham Nash having left the band late the previous year. They were still going strongly on the charts though scoring a couple of number 3s with "Sorry Suzanne" and "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother". Meanwhile Graham Nash scored his only top 40 hit with his new band Crosby, Stills and Nash with "Marrakesh Express".

The year saw the end of the chart careers of a number of prolific 60s chart acts such as the Animals, Manfred Mann, Donovan and Small Faces, whilst Sandie Shaw would have her final hit prior to a brief chart comeback she made in 1984. We also had Dave Dee leave Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich effectively end the chart career of that band under that name.

Having broken up the previous year, we saw the end of Creams chart career this year too. Eric Clapton and Ginger Bakers new band Blind Faith failed to score any hits, but Eric Clapton would appear on the charts with Delaney, Bonnie and Friends with the hit "Coming Home".

It was revealed at the end of the year that Diana Ross was to leave the Supremes for a solo career, though they would have their final hit with Diana Ross early the following year.

Robin Gibb left the Bee Gees this year, the band would briefly continue without him as Bee Gees featuring Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb & Colin Peterson, whilst Robin Gibb would launch his solo career with the song "Saved By the Bell". As we know though, it wouldn't be long before the Gibb brothers would reunite to bring back the Bee Gees.

The year saw Creedence Clearwater Revival make their debut with "Proud Mary" followed up by the number one record "Bad Moon Rising". Its surprisingly late for a band I've always associated with the 60s make their debut, however there time in the charts was finished by 1971.

The year also saw a return to the charts for acts from Jamaica and with them came a new style of music for the charts, Reggae. First up was Desmond Dekker returning to the charts with the number one "Israelites" and following up with "It Miek". Then we had Max Romeo with "Wet Dream", Upsetters with "Return Of Django / Dollar In The Teeth", Pioneers with "Long Shot Kick De Bucket", Harry J Allstars with "Liquidator" and Jimmy Cliff with "Wonderful World Beautiful People".

We have a new country in the charts this year, Zaire with Troubadours Du Roi Baudouin charting with "Sanctus (Miss Luba)". They remain the only act from Zaire to have a UK hit at the time of writing.

So with all this music that very much represents the 60s, was there any music which implied the 70s was on its way given it was just round the corner?

Well yes, this year saw the debut of David Bowie with "Space Oddity". However, whilst this reached a respectable number 5 it would seem that the world wasn't quite ready for David Bowie yet as he wouldn't return to the charts until 1972. "Space Oddity" would get reissued in 1975 and give David Bowie his first number one.

So that is the end of the 60s. Will much 60s music survive into the 70s or will glam rock and disco kick off the 70s straight away?