This Week in Billboard Chart History: In 1979, Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’ Hit No. 1
Debbie Harry of Blondie performs ‘Heart of Glass’ on the TV show Midnight Special that aired on January 19, 1979 in Los Angeles, California.
Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Thirty-six years ago, the rockers reigned on their first try. Plus, remembering chart feats by Rascal Flatts, Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys.
Your weekly recap celebrating significant milestones from more than seven decades of Billboard chart history.
April 27, 1963
Little Peggy March began a three-week reign on the Billboard Hot 100 with “To Know Him Is to Love Him.” She was 15 years and one month old when the song reached the summit, making her, to this day, the youngest female to ever notch a Hot 100 No. 1. “I am surprised that the record still stands,” March has marveled to Billboard. A lot of singers in the ’60s were teenagers; I was just the youngest. However, today the singers keep getting younger and younger. Having a No. 1 is an achievement which I am thankful for. I imagine that one day my record will be broken, and I will hand over the crown. I would love to be a part of the celebration when and if it happens.”
April 28, 1979
Blondie’s debut Billboard Hot 100 entry “Heart of Glass” becomes it first No. 1. The group would later lead with “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture.”
April 29, 2006
Rascal Flatts’ biggest pop crossover hit, “What Hurts the Most,” spends its fourth and final week atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
April 30, 1983
MJ-mania was in full effect 32 years ago today: a week after Dexy’s Midnight Runners ended Michael Jackson’s seven-week command of the Billboard Hot 100 with “Billie Jean,” the King of Pop returned to the throne with “Beat It,” which would lead for three weeks.
May 1, 2004
Alicia Keys added her third of eight No. 1s so far on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the smoldering piano ballad “If I Ain’t Got You.” The reign helped her earn the honor of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the 2000s.
May 2, 1987
British band Cutting Crew topped the Billboard Hot 100 on its first try with “(I Just) Died in Your Arms,” which flew 5-1. In other highlights that week, alt faves Psychedelic Furs landed their first (and only) top 40 hit with “Heartbreak Beat” (42-36), Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam’s “Head to Toe,” featuring Full Force, likewise entered the region (53-40) and T-Pau’s eventual top 10 “Heart and Soul” debuted at No. 91.
May 3, 2003
A key indicator that American Idol finalists could graduate to post-show sales success: Kelly Clarkson debuts atop the Billboard 200 with her first album, Thankful. She’s added six more top five sets since.
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Little Peggy March, Blondie, Rascal Flatts, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Cutting Crew, Kelly Clarkson
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