Record Research opens preorders for new '70s, '80s and '90s chart books

Record Research is taking preorders for three new decade-focused editions in its Across the Charts series, covering the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The books expand the company's chart-reference lineup with cross-genre data drawn from Billboard and other industry publications, and they will move into production once each edition hits its preorder goal.

Why it matters: - Record Research is widening a chart-history product line that music fans, journalists, researchers and industry professionals use to track how songs performed across decades and genres. - The new editions add another layer to Joel Whitburn’s reference work by pulling together hits data from multiple major charts in one place. - The books are available now for preorder at Record Research at $49.95 each, with a 10% promotional discount currently offered.

What happened: - Record Research announced three new titles: Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts: The 1970s, Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts: The 1980s and Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts: The 1990s. - The company is accepting preorders now, and each title will move into production once it reaches its preorder goal. - Books will be printed and shipped to customers after each edition clears that threshold.

The details: - The new books build on the existing ’60s edition. - Each title will include every song and artist that reached the Top 40 on the major music charts of that decade. - The data set combines chart information from Billboard and other major music industry publications. - Source charts include Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Country, Billboard R&B and Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles. - The books also draw from Billboard Mainstream (Album) Rock beginning in 1981 and Billboard Modern (Alternative) Rock beginning in 1988. - Additional sources include Cash Box Pop, Record World Pop through 1982, Record World Country through 1982, Radio & Records Pop and Gavin Report Pop. - Each edition will include Song Title indexes. - Each edition will also rank the artists who had the most success across the included charts.

Between the lines: - Record Research is leaning into cross-chart aggregation, which gives users a broader view of how songs traveled across radio formats and trade publications. - The preorder-based production model suggests the company is testing demand before printing, which lowers inventory risk and helps gauge interest in niche reference books. - Chris Molanphy, a music historian and journalist, said Record Research remains central to chart scholarship and to preserving Joel Whitburn’s legacy. - Vinnie Freda, Record Research CEO, said the expanded series should give fans and researchers a deeper way to explore the data and revisit the decades.

What's next: - Record Research will produce and ship each edition after it reaches its preorder goal. - The company is continuing to expand the Across the Charts series beyond the original ’60s book. - More information is available at Record Research.

The bottom line: - Record Research is turning its chart archives into new decade-by-decade reference books, with preorders now open for the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s editions.