1980 A Phenomenal Year for Quincy Jones Pt 1

Quincy Jones

In the year 1980, Quincy Jones was the only record producer to have three albums at number one on the Hip-Hop/R&B Billboard Albums Chart listing in America. Also each respective album had singles that reached the number one position on the Hip-Hop/R&B Billboard Singles Chart listing during that year. 

We start with Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” which began its reign at the top of the chart in 1979, week ending the 6^th October, and remained there for nine non-consecutive weeks. During that period Jones also produced another album that peaked at number-one, Rufus & Chaka’s fourth studio album, entitled “Masterjam” which peaked at the top position week ending the 22^nd December 1979 (2weeks). 

Rufus & Chaka

 The “Masterjam” album achieved a number-one single with “Do You Love What You Feel” week ending the 15^th December 1979 (3 weeks). It is very important to note that Jones actually closed the 1970s and began the 1980s with both number-one singles and albums at top of the Hip-Hop/R&B Billboard Albums and Singles charts in America.

Michael Jackson "Off The Wall" 
multi-platinum album.

Michael Jackson also began the 1980s with the chart-topping single “Rock with You” written by the top UK songwriter Rod Temperton (also responsible for blockbuster hit single “Thriller”. The single stayed at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart  for a total of four weeks, from week ending 19^th January 1980. The hit single also achieved the same level of success on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart, reaching the top position week ending the 5^th January 1980. The following release single which was the title track “Off the Wall” also achieved gold status in America for one million plus copies according to RIAA (Record Industry Association of America). The final single released on 19^th April 1980 was the ballad “She’s Out of My Life”, which also obtained gold certified status in America. 


  
                                                Researched and compiled by               
                                                Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
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