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Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits

Homecoming

Duration: 1 hour, 57 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 2Latest broadcast: on BBC Radio 2

Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades.

Each week, songs are played by artists who have been inducted into 'The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame'. Working alphabetically through the list, tonight Paul plays 'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes featuring drummer Hal Blaine, who was inducted in the 'Sideman' category. We also hear 'Call Me' by Bobby 'Blue' Bland', who was inducted in 'The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame' in 1992 .

In 'A Matter Of Life And Death' Paul celebrates the birthday in 1939 of Meco (Domenico Monardo), who scored an American number one in 1977 with the single 'Star Wars - Cantina Band'. We pay tribute to musician and TV producer Glen Larson, who has recently died, by playing one of the hits he made with The Four Preps, 'Big Man'. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'Bang Bang' by Cher and a recent number one with the same title by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. In the feature called 'Beyond The Sea', Paul plays tracks from the biggest selling albums by UK artists in America. Tonight, we hear songs from best selling LPs by Elton John and The Police. 'The Other Number Ones' highlights records that reached number one in the 'Cashbox' American chart, but not in the 'Billboard' Hot 100. Tonight's examples are by Bobby Hebb and Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield.

Our R&B number ones are from 1972 and this week by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and Sam Smith. We hear Country number ones from 1977 and now by Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood. This week's featured past and present Rock number ones are by The Cars and Hozier. The number one album in America for a third week is '1989' by Taylor Swift and she also has the best selling song of the week - 'Blank Space'. Show less

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