This Week in Billboard Chart History: In 1987, Bon Jovi Celebrated Valentine’s Day at No. 1 on the Hot 100
Plus, remembering feats by Katy Perry, Whitney Houston & Wham!
Your weekly recap celebrating significant milestones from more than seven decades of Billboard chart history.
Feb. 11, 2012
Katy Perry made history, as “The One That Got Away” became the record-extending sixth No. 1 on the Pop Songs airplay chart from her album Teenage Dream. The set had previously made its mark by tying Michael Jackson’s Bad (in 1987-88) as the only albums to generate five No. 1s apiece on the Billboard Hot 100.
Feb. 12, 1972
One of the all-time slow jams, Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” grooved to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Feb. 13, 1999
20 years ago: Whitney Houston notched her eighth and final No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as “Heartbreak Hotel,” featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price, began a seven-week domination.
Feb. 14, 1987
Bon Jovi enjoyed a rockin’ Valentine’s Day, as “Livin’ on a Prayer” … rose … to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Feb. 15, 1986
More Whitney Houston: she scored the second of her 11 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s with “How Will I Know.”
Feb. 16, 1985
After arriving with the uptempo Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” Wham! ruled again with ballad “Careless Whisper.”
Feb. 17, 1996
The Beatles topped Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart … as part of a title, anyway: “Bigger Than the Beatles,” by Joe Diffie, became the chart’s fab new No. 1.