Johnnie Taylor and The Manhattans
 |
The gold certified album containing
the platinum single "Disco Lady" |
Did
you know that Johnnie Taylor and The Manhattans were the first recording acts
in America to receive platinum certifications for their hit singles. Both singles
were also number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and the Billboard
Hot Soul Singles Chart. Johnnie Taylor’s single “Disco Lady” became the
certified-platinum single in history of the music industry, selling more than
two million copies in America. It was number one week-ending 13th
March 1976 (6 weeks) on the Billboard Hot Soul and R&B Singles Chart. This
was the first recording for CBS Records Black music division to obtain this
great benchmark achievement.
 |
The gold album featuring the platinum single
"Kiss and Say Goodbye" |
This
was later followed up by The Manhattans’ hit single “Kiss and Say Goodbye”
which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Soul Singled Chart week-ending 22nd
May 1976 (1 week). The song also peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Singles Chart week-ending 24th July 1976 (2 weeks). Before the
single receive the acquired a platinum certification for sales in excess of two
copies, it had already sold over one million copies in the black market across
America.
The group received the accolade in August 1976.The
single was also the first platinum certification to be recorded at the Sigma
Sound Studios in Philadelphia with the legendary Bobby Martin who was the main
arranger at PIR (Philadelphia International Records) during its golden era,
known as “The Sound of Philadelphia”. The album became a major success in the UK
receiving two silver certifications by
BPI for the singles “Kiss and Say Goodbye” and “Hurt”, with each single selling
in excess of quarter of million copies in 1976.
Researched and compiled by
Mr K Tomlin Music Historian
©Signaturesoundsonline2014-2015
