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Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits

26/09/2015

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 connected to members of 'The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame'. To mark the induction of songwriting team Gerry Goffin and Carole King, we hear one of their hits recorded by The Drifters - 'Up On The Roof'. We also feature 'Do You Love Me' by The Contours to celebrate the induction of Motown founder and songwriter Berry Gordy. In 'A Matter Of Life And Death', we celebrate the birthday on this date in 1918 of John Zacherle with his hit 'Dinner With Drac'. Paul pays tribute to songwriter Ernie Maresca, who has recently died, by playing his original hit version of 'Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)'. 'It's Not The Same Old Song' highlights 'Step By Step' by The Crests and a different song with the same title by New Kids On The Block.

In the feature called 'Beyond The Sea', Paul plays an item from a UK artist's biggest selling album in America. Tonight, we hear tracks from LPs by Pete Townshend and Slade. 'The Other Number Ones' are records that reached the top of the American chart in 'Cash Box' magazine, but not in the Hot 100 of the other US chart publication 'Billboard'. This week's examples are by The Diamonds and Celine Dion.

Our R&B number ones are from 1963 and now by Martha & The Vandellas and Janet Jackson & J. Cole. We hear Country number ones from 1995 and this week by Tim McGraw and Luke Bryan. Our featured past and present Rock number ones are by Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians and Elle King. The number one album is 'Got Your Six' by Five Finger Death Punch and the best-selling digital song for a second week is 'What Do You Mean?' by Justin Bieber. Show less

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