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, November 26, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday November 26, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Another week for Lionel Richie at the top of the chart. Talking Heads can't push forward past Spandau Ballet. Billy Joel and Big Country crash into the top 5 though. David Bowie and the Fixx start their decent off the chart. The Fixx especially who get booted from number 5 to 14.


The Police - Synchronicity II November 26, 1983 Entry 2/2

Two of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 26, 1983 at number 29. The Police with Synchronicity II. Taken from the album Synchronicity.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buadfz2qcbY

Monday, November 25, 2013

Peter Schilling - Major Tom (Coming Home) November 26, 1983 Entry 1/2

One of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 26, 1983 at number 30. Peter Schilling with Major Tom (Coming Home). Taken from the album Error In The System.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVPfg07q6A

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday November 19, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Lionel Richie knocks Spandau Ballet out of the number one spot. No new entries into the top 5 this week. Burning Down The House will try to knock Lionel out next week but I have a feeling Lionel won't let that happen.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Rolling Stones - Undercover Of The Night November 19, 1983 Entry 4/4

Fourth of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 25. Rolling Stones with Undercover Of The Night. Taken from the album Undercover.

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVJkfXeTs9Q

Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart November 19, 1983 Entry 3/4

Third of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 28. Yes with Owner Of A Lonely Heart. Taken from the album 90125.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vV_L7OQtU0

Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Stray Cats - I Won't Stand In Your Way November 19, 1983 Entry 2/4

Second of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 29. The Stray Cats with I Won't Stand In Your Way. Taken from the album Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS3YZcietNU

Irene Cara - Why Me November 19, 1983 Entry 1/4

One of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 19, 1983 at number 30. Irene Cara with Why Me. Taken from the album What A Feelin'.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUasG027hY

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday November 12, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Wow....fourth week for Spandau Ballet at the top of the charts. The Police can't topple the Truesters. I have a feeling that Lionel Richie will soon knock them out as All Night Long lands in the second spot this week. Only other change in the top 5 is the Talking Heads climbing into the top 5 with Burning Down The House.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Huey Lewis And The News - Heart And Soul November 12, 1983 Entry 2/2

Two of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 12, 1983 at number 29. Huey Lewis with Heart And Soul. Taken from the album Sports.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TdaXhpjHws

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield November 12, 1983 Entry 1/2

One of two songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 12, 1983 at number 30. Pat Benatar with Love Is A Battlefield. Taken from the album Live from Earth.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGVZOLV9SPo

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

1050 Chum Chart Saturday November 5, 1983 Thirty Years Later

Spandau Ballet holds onto the top spot for a third week in a row denying the Police a second number 1 hit from their album Synchronicity. The chart remains pretty static this week with only David Bowie entering the top 5 with his single Modern Love. The Parachute Club drop out of the top 5 and start their decent down the chart.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Duran Duran - Union Of The Snake November 5, 1983 Entry 4/4

Fourth of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 5, 1983 at number 27. Duran Duran with Union Of The Snake. Taken from the album Seven And The Ragged Tiger.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6p5Q6_JBes

Hall And Oates - Say It Isn't So November 5, 1983 Entry 3/4

Third of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 5, 1983 at number 28. Hall And Oates with Say It Isn't So. Taken from the Compilation Rock 'N Soul Part 1.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6tvXq6-Eak

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Spoons - Old Emotions November 5, 1983 Entry 2/4

Second of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 5, 1983 at number 29. Spoons with Old Emotions. Taken from the album Talk Back.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o68K3xsL56k

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize November 5, 1983 Entry 1/4

One of four songs to enter the 1050 Chum Charts on Saturday November 5, 1983 at number 30. Quiet Riot with Cum On Feel The Noize. Taken from the album Metal Health.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2A6ItHeFus