Last December when asked what I wanted for Christmas I realised that my favourite book, The Book, was due a new edition. After I went to the website I saw that Jim Barnes, one of the editors and co-compilers, had died. I was genuinely devastated as I’d gifted my 10th edition to a radio colleague.
This week I got a totally unexpected email from Steve Scanes, the other editor, researcher and co-compiler, saying that the 11th edition, pictured, is at the printers currently and ready to fill this year’s Xmas stocking.
When I think back on stations I worked at I can still vividly see what colour cover their copy of The Book had, and where it was located in the building. I personally have five (plus two David Kent Chart books), including the below that Steve is thinking of reviving in a few new varieties too. I like how Jim was going by the name Jimmy in the 80s which I’m sure led to some confusion!
I caught up with Steve about the 11th edition, what’s old, what’s new and why The Book still matters.
Steve: A couple of things. Firstly, as a tribute to the legacy that Jim has left, I thought it was the right thing to do. The Book is a chronicle of pop music history in Australia and should be continued. Secondly, I have managed to get access to a lot more National chart information in the last 5 years and I wanted to incorporate that into The Book, which I have been able to do with this new Edition.
How much has the decrease in tangible music affected the charts? Are you surprised at how many songs re-chart?
Honestly, it hasn’t affected it at all really, as there has always been something to “chart” no matter the format – so everything from sheet music, 78s, 45s, EPs, 12″ singles, cassingles (thankful for a very short time), CD singles and now downloads. The effect on the charts is that they look different, much more volatility and multiple entries when big name artists release new material. In the main, re-charting doesn’t feature much as the download charts change every 20 minutes and songs from the past rarely hit the Top 40 – there are some exceptions, like Kate Bush Running Up That Hill from 2022 via the Stranger Things association.
70 years of music in this edition! Do you still get a buzz finding those little gems of trivia The Book provides?
Sure do, finding the biographical stuff can be exciting forensic work, and keeping up with Rock and Roll R.I.P.s is a big job. Finding charts from all around the country is also a buzz.
Who buys The Book? I imagine you are getting some unexpected purchasers beyond radio stations now?
It’s always been about a 50/50 split between industry and private individuals who are into pop music history, but trending towards 30/70. The biggest support in radio comes from community stations. And there are always new customers who have only just stumbled upon the existence of The Book, that % is around 15 per issue. Surprisingly, around 5% of the purchases are from overseas customers, including one already for the new Edition.
What’s the record (besides yourself) for the most amount of books that anyone owns?
A couple of customers have been there since Edition 1 (which was 1958-1977). My first involvement was with the 2nd Edition.
Have you ever received any memorable feedback from an artist within or the like?
I have rubbed shoulders with a few artists in the past who have been impressed, a short list that I’ve had conversation with is Ray Burgess and Dave Faulkner; and Jim with Col Joye and Frank Ifield.
There will be just 400 copies released of The Book Top 40 Research Vol 11, with 10% of them already sold in the first week (thanks Santa!). The cost, including postage and handling within Australia, is just $98, for a limited time. You can preorder your copy via the website: http://www.top40book.com.au/