'II' IS 1: At 85 years and two months old, Tony Bennett enjoys his first view from the Billboard 200 summit, as "Duets II" arrives at No. 1.

Due to the star quality on the collaborative set, however, Bennett isn't the only artist enjoying a maiden voyage to the chart's top spot.

"With his 'Duets II' at No. 1, the octogenarian helps more than one other artist appear atop the chart for the first time: Amy Winehouse," writes Chart Beat reader Pablo Nelson of Berkeley, Calif. On her own, the late singer rose as high as No. 2 with "Back to Black" in 2008. Bennett and Winehouse teamed for "Body and Soul," which, by debuting last week at No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, made the icon the oldest living artist ever to appear on the survey.

"k.d. lang is another artist at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 courtesy of Bennett without having previously reigned by herself," Nelson continues. The pair duets on "Blue Velvet." lang reached a highpoint of No. 8 with 2008's "Watershed," her first Billboard 200 top 10.

And, notes Nelson, "Aretha Franklin, 16 years Bennett's junior, joins in this week's No. 1 fun thanks to her duet, 'How Do You Keep the Music Playing'. While the Queen of Soul has ruled the roost on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, No. 2 has marked her best Billboard 200 peak on her own." She reached the runner-up spot with 1967's "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" and 1968's "Aretha: Lady Soul."

Other artists that Bennett brings to No. 1 who have never led the Billboard 200 with their own projects: Sheryl Crow, who has peaked at No. 2 four times; Willie Nelson, whose top peak by himself, after charting on the list since 1975, is also No. 2; Queen Latifah, who has climbed as high as No. 11 with her own "Trav'lin' Light" in 2007; Andrea Bocelli (personal best: "My Christmas," No. 2, 2009); and, Latin star Alejandro Sanz, for whom No. 66 marks his highest lead solo rank.

Artists on "Duets II" for whom No. 1 on the Billboard 200 is old hat? Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Josh Groban, Natalie Cole, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Mariah Carey.

"By the way," adds Nelson, "I'm predicting (perhaps an obvious prediction) that the Grammy folks will give Bennett the Award for best traditional pop vocal album." With 10, Bennett already claims the record for most wins in the category.

"And, perhaps Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera will receive best pop duo/group performance honors at next year's Grammy Awards for 'Moves Like Jagger'."

Speaking of Mick ...


DEBUTS EXACTLY LIKE JAGGER: As his tribute song rules the Hot 100 for a fourth frame, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger bows on the Billboard 200 as a member of rock supergroup SuperHeavy. The act's self-titled debut album starts up at No. 26.

Damian Marley, A. R. Rahman, Dave Stewart and Joss Stone join Jagger in the quintet.

With the Rolling Stones, Jagger has charted 47 titles on the Billboard 200 dating to 1964, when "England's Newest Hit Makers/the Rolling Stones" arrived on the way to a No. 11 peak.

Solo, Jagger has reached the Billboard 200 five times, with 1993's "Wandering Spirit" (No. 11) having rolled the highest.


BRINGING 'SEXY' BACK: LMFAO roars 25-10 on the Hot 100 with "Sexy and I Know It." The duo not only returns to the chart's top tier, but it also brings a "sexy" title back to the region.

Here is an updated list of the all-time "sexy"-iest Hot 100 hits:

No. 1 (seven weeks), "SexyBack," Justin Timberlake, 2006
No. 1 (four weeks), "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?," Rod Stewart, 1979
No. 1 (three weeks), "I'm Too Sexy," Right*Said*Fred, 1992
No. 3, "Sexy Can I," Ray J & Yung Berg, 2008
No. 3, "You Sexy Thing," Hot Chocolate, 1976
No. 5, "Sexy Chick," David Guetta featuring Akon, 2010
No. 5, "Sexy Eyes," Dr. Hook, 1980
No. 5, "(She's) Sexy + 17," Stray Cats, 1983
No. 7, "Sexy Love," Ne-Yo, 2006
No. 10 (to-date), "Sexy and I Know It," LMFAO, 2011

As "Sexy" rises 4-2 on Dance/Electronic Digital Songs, LMFAO claims the chart's top two titles. Prior single "Party Rock Anthem" spends a 19th week at No. 1.

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