The First Billboard: All That Was ‘New, Bright & Interesting on the Boards’
Looking back at Nov. 1, 1894, when Billboard published its first issue, one that's vastly different from today's magazine and expanded platforms.
On November 1, 1894, Billboard published its inaugural issue, a stark contrast to the magazine it has evolved into over time. Initially, Billboard's primary focus was not on music, but rather on advertising and marketing. Its initial name, Billboard Advertising, reflected this venture. The first issue consisted of eight pages and was priced at 10 cents per copy or 99 cents per year.
The magazine's purpose was to compile information about the latest developments in advertising, poster printing, bill posting, advertising agencies, and fair secretaries.
The inaugural cover featured R.C. Campbell, who was at the time president of the Associated Bill Posters' Association. The magazine's editors lauded Campbell's "infinite resource, progressive ideas, and tireless industry," designating him as the "acknowledged leader, first, and foremost, and most eminent man in the field which we aim to cover."
Although more than a century later, Billboard's primary emphasis remains the music industry, the magazine has seen significant changes since its initial launch. The first national music chart, the 10-position National List of Best Selling Retail Records, debuted in the July 27, 1940, issue. Prior to that, Billboard had published lists of national sheet music best sellers, records most popular on music machines, and songs with the most radio plugs, sourced from various New York radio stations.
The National List of Best Selling Retail Records, however, marked a shift as it was the first to survey retailers across the country on record sales. Tommy Dorsey's "I'll Never Smile Again," featuring Frank Sinatra, topped the inaugural chart, remaining at the top for 12 weeks. This landmark paved the way for the industry-standard Billboard 200 albums chart, which became a weekly chart in March 1956, and the manifold data-based song and album rankings and surveys that Billboard offers today.
Additionally, the Hot 100 songs chart, which premiered on August 4, 1958, with Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" leading the pack, continues to present a weekly tally of chart-toppers, just as the magazine has kept its promise to report and analyze the entertainment industry since its inception.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
