As adjuncts to our highly popular “America’s Greatest Hits” series of collections for each calendar year in the 50s and early ‘60s, we have already produced collections based on landmark moments in the Billboard charts – “The First Top 100 Nov. 1955” (ACQCD7062), “The First Hot 100 Aug. 1958” (ACQCD7083), “The First Hot 100 of the '60s” (ACQCD7097), “The 'Heartbreak Hotel' Top 100” (ACQCD7122)and “The Day The Music Died - Feb 3rd 1959 Hot 100” (ACQCD7134), “The 'Telstar' Hot 100 December 22nd 1962” (ACQCD7144), “The Twist” Hot 100 Jan. 25th 1962”, “The 1000th Billboard Chart 7th September 1959”(ACQCD7164), and “The American Bandstand Us Top 100 5th Aug. 1957”.

This collection homes in on a landmark date in recent US history, as we present records from the Billboard Hot 100 for the date of the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in January 1961. Whatever one’s political persuasions, just about everyone recognises the impact that JFK had on both the external and internal perceptions of the values and character of the USA, and the eloquent phrases from his inauguration address still resonate today. This collection features every record from the Hot 100 of 20th January, apart from a few titles which are unfortunately unavailable for copyright reasons.  It provides a fascinating and evocative snapshot of the music scene at what was a dynamic and exciting time as the rock ‘n’ roll and teen era gave way to emerging new sounds of the 1960s.  As always with these chart collections, it includes a number of unfamiliar names and recordings towards the bottom of the chart, of which even seasoned pop enthusiasts may not be too aware, and which will be welcome additions to their collections. It contains a 12,000+ word booklet featuring background notes on every record as well as full discographical and chart information.