National U.K. AC broadcaster BBC Radio 2 will unveil a newly compiled chart of the most-heard recordings of the past 75 years in a three-hour special, “The People’s Chart,” on Easter Monday (April 13).
The survey has been conducted by licensing organization PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) to mark its 75th anniversary.
The chart has been compiled from PPL records, first on paper and more recently via its electronic database, of every licensed use of recorded music. This includes not only radio airplay but also usage in clubs, pubs, cafés, supermarkets, in films and commercials and on jukeboxes. It will reflect PPL’s full history, with recordings from each decade of its existence across a wide range of genres, embracing not only pop and rock but easy listening, big band, show tunes and Christmas hits.
The program will be hosted by entertainer Rob Brydon, recently at No. 1 in the U.K. singles chart as part of the Comic Relief charity song “Islands In The Stream,” in the guise of Bryn West, his character in the hit TV comedy series “Gavin and Stacey.”
“The People’s Chart” show was devised and produced by Billboard contributor Paul Sexton at London-based independent production company Wise Buddah.
