![]() ![]() ![]() The program was in response to rival station WDSU's The Top 20 at 1280 show. Yet, another etymology of Top 40 has Storz developing a radio program at his New Orleans station WTIX called Top 40 at 1450 immediately after acquiring it in 1953. Storz implemented this playlist at KOWH and the ratings improved drastically. Response, Stewart, based on the most-played records on the jukebox, developed a playlist of thirty songs. When one of the patrons was asked why, she plainly responded, "I like 'em." Inspired by her The story goes that Storz and his program director, Bill Stewart, were sitting in a bar in Omaha, when they became aware that patrons played the same jukebox selections repeatedly over the course of four hours. Most scholars of radio and disc jockey Dick Clark, however, give credence to Top 40 beginning at a bar in Omaha where in an interval of two years from 1953 to 1955, Todd Storz, operator of KOWH devised the format. Another story credits radio programmer Bill Gavin with having invented the Top 40 chart. In one instance, Top 40 began in the context of several bars in several cities, including Omaha, New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. The exact origin of the Top 40 is disputed and there are several explanations of its beginning. Top 40 became an expanded version of previous programs, including Your Hit Parade and Lucky Lager Dance Time, and was programmed over a full broadcast day with disc jockeys and local advertisements. In 1953, New Orleans radio station WDSU played the top 20. Americans listened to radio on a daily basis or at least once per week. In 1953, radio still held its own against television, with 96 percent of homes and 76 percent of cars having radios. Popular disc jockey Alan Freed produced the Moondog Rock and Roll Party in 1951 that introduced black music to a mostly white audience. By 1949, KOWH, an Omaha, Nebraska, radio station, featured a playlist of popular records. In 1941, Lucky Lager Dance Time, a Los Angeles radio program on KFAC, first aired playing hit records and a "Lucky Ten" countdown. In 1935, Your Hit Parade, a program on NBC, featured live performances of the most-liked songs based on sheet music, records, and airplay. While the Top 40 format originated in 1956, there were earlier developments in radio that helped in its formation. By 1958, Top 40 stations had spread from the Midwest to the rest of the country. The youth market gravitated to Top 40, and with the evolution of rock 'n' roll contributed to its early success. ![]() At first, Top 40 was not aimed at a teenage market instead disc jockeys, adhering to a playlist, entertained and did what was called "formula radio." But Top 40 soon became a bridge from adult-oriented music to rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues to other styles. The Top 40 format did not leave much room for personalities, and for that reason did not appeal to some disc jockeys. Disc jockeys were chosen on the basis of their voice, excitement, and sex appeal. From 1956 to the present, Top 40 has provided Americans, especially those born in the 1940s, a musical smorgasbord served up through their favorite disc jockey. Though Top 40 radio has undergone many changes in its 45-year history, it remains a viable format. Top 40 also is an AM radio format that consists of music, trivial talk, news, and promotions including services, money, and goods given to listeners. The listing is based on trade magazines including Gavin Report, Cashbox, and Billboard. Top 40 is a listing of the 40 most popular single records in the nation for a given week, and is derived from radio station playlists and retail sales. ![]()
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