Thirty Years Ago, January 1st, 1980, the weekly 1050 Chum top 30 chart is clogged with pop rock tunes with the one-off new wave tune making it in by mistake. It's just under 2 years from new wave/pop hits pushing out the classic rock from the charts. The city is Toronto. There is no internet. Computers are called Pets. The concept of an import record is rare. Vinyl and Cassette tapes are the medium. Radio dominates what we listen too. For us, illegal downloading is taping songs off the radio onto maxell cassette tapes. I'm nine years old and haven't even discovered what music is. It won't be until about 1981 that a punk rock chick named Joan Jett belts out I Love Rock and Roll on a friends portable cassette player as we play ball hockey on the street. This will be the beginning of me being sucked into pop music culture and discovering the historic 1050 Chum chart. Which then led to trips to Sam the Record Man, A&As, and Music World to track down the latest 7 Inch record or the full length cassette tape. The chart has been around for years but for me this is about the eighties. Follow along as we see the likes of the Thompson Twins, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Culture Club, Naked Eyes, OMD, Men At Work, Howard Jones, Michael Jackson, Men Without Hats, Duran Duran, Wham, Split Enz and Madonna dominate the charts. This is the 80s.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday September 24, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Michael Sembello holds off the Eurythmics and keeps the number 1 spot for a 4th week. Wow. Alittle bit of a surprise. The top 5 doesn't change much this week with Billy Joel moving into the 5th spot with Tell Her About It and bumps Bonnie Tyler down the chart. Will Eurythmics take the number one spot next week?

Monday, September 23, 2013

Talking Heads - Burning Down The House Saturday September 24, 1983 Entry 3/3

Third of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 24, 1983 at number 28. Talking Heads with Burning Down The House. Taken from the album Speaking In Tongues. Hold Tight!!!

Video:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8D4AsLzlM0

Lionel Richie - All Night Long September 24, 1983 Entry 2/3

Second of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 24, 1983 at number 29. Lionel Richie with All Night Long. Taken from the album Can't Slow Down. Party, Karamu, Fiesta, Forever

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqAvFx3NxUM

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Big Country - In A Big Country Saturday September 24, 1983 Entry 1/3

One of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 24, 1983 at number 30. Big Country with In A Big Country. Taken from the album The Crossing. Shock!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poPts_aUyJc

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday September 17, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Top 5 doesn't change this week. Michael Sembello holds onto the top spot for at least one more week and everyone else shifts up one. Bonnie Tyler starts her descent from the top of the charts and lands in at number 5.

Monday, September 16, 2013

David Bowie - Modern Love Saturday September 17, 1983 Entry 3/3

Third of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 17, 1983 at number 28. David Bowie with Modern Love. Taken from the album Let's Dance. Never wave bye bye.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hDbpF4Mvkw

The Kinks - Don't Forget To Dance September 17, 1983 Entry 2/3

Second of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 17, 1983 at number 29. The Kinks - Don't Forget To Dance. Taken from the album State Of Confusion.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucI59W4vWN0

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Tic Toc - Twenty Questions Saturday September 17, 1983 Entry 1/3

One of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 17, 1983 at number 30. Tic Toc with Twenty Questions. Taken from the album Where The Picnic Was.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET68tvKOkuU

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday September 10, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Michael Sembello holds onto the top spot for a second week with Maniac. Eurythmics rush into the top 5 landing at number 3. ELO go to number 5 with Rock N Roll King. Will Michael hold onto top spot next week? Bowie and the Kinks start their descent off the chart. I have a feeling we will see them again soon though.

Monday, September 9, 2013

The Fixx - One Thing Leads To Another Saturday September 10, 1983 Entry 3/3

Third of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 10, 1983 at number 28. The Fixx with One Thing Leads To Another. Taken from the album Reach The Beach. New Wave!!!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHYIGy1dyd8

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Spandau Ballet - True September 10, 1983 Entry 2/3

Second of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 10, 1983 at number 29. Spandau Ballet with True. Taken from the album True.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR8D2yqgQ1U

Rod Stewart - What Am I Gonna Do (I'm So In Love With You) Saturday September 10, 1983 Entry 1/3

One of three songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 10, 1983 at number 30. Rod Stewart with What Am I Gonna Do (I'm So In Love With You). Taken from the album Body Wishes.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqUJ9rfp4iI

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday September 3, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Michael Sembello definitely knocks out Bonnie this week with the classic track Maniac from Flashdance going to number 1. Asia floats into the top 5 with their epic rock anthem Don't Cry. Otherwise everything stayed the same. Not sure Bowie has the strength to reach the number 1 spot. Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics are rolling up the charts and I assume we will see them shortly at the top. 

Monday, September 2, 2013

Stray Cats - (She's) Sexy & 17 September 3, 1983 Entry 2/2

Second of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 3, 1983 at number 29. The Stray Cats with (She's) Sexy & 17. Taken from the album Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats. Rockabilly!!!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZynIhCs27Xs

Moody Blues - Sitting At The Wheel September 3, 1983 Entry 1/2

One of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday September 3, 1983 at number 30. Moody Blues with Sitting At The Wheel. Taken from the album The Present.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_jFuHKraiE