Who We Are

The first edition of The Book of British Hit Singles appeared in 1977. Three English chart watchers (Tim Rice, Jo Rice and Mike Read) and one American chart fanatic (Paul Gambaccini) had the brilliant idea to fill a gap in the reference book market by compiling pop music’s equivalent of cricket’s Wisden Almanack.

The current book, still published by Guinness World Records, now a HIT Entertainment company, is the 18th Edition, and now combines both charts as the Book of British Hit Singles & Albums. And what of the continued relevance of those charts? Well, against all the odds, the importance of great songs and albums remains the same.

Still the million-sellers keep coming; the teen market still largely dictates the shape and form of the Top 75; still those kids become adults and in years to come turn to our book to get a nostalgic buzz as they remember the tracks of their years.

David Roberts – Editor – British Hit Singles & Albums