``American Idol'' Features Billboard No. 1 Hits; Television's Runaway Hit Features Top Songs Chosen from the Last Five Decades

Business Wire, April 8, 2003

Entertainment Editors/Music Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2003

Every artist dreams of performing a Billboard No. 1 song live for an audience of millions. This week, "American Idol" finalists will do just that as the FOX hit presents the top songs from Billboard's venerated Hot 100 singles chart. For almost 50 years, the Billboard Hot 100 has recorded the most popular tracks in the country, as determined by single sales and radio airplay.

"American Idol" finalists will choose No. 1 Billboard hits from Billboard contributor Fred Bronson's book, "The Billboard Book of Number One Hits."

The finalists spent the day at Billboard's Los Angeles office for a course in "Billboard 101," got a behind the scenes look at how the charts work, and learned that at least one of them will likely have their own No. 1 single. They had the opportunity to ask questions of the experts, as Billboard Director of Charts Geoff Mayfield, LA Bureau Chief Melinda Newman and Bronson shared their secrets.

"Our 'students' were very attentive and asked a lot of thoughtful questions about how the Billboard charts work, and what the chances were that their charity single, 'God Bless the U.S.A.,' will reach No. 1," said Bronson. "A lot of artists have visited the Billboard office, but this is the first time Geoff and I were able to explain to a recording artist how they can have a No. 1 song before they actually reached the top of the Hot 100."

Tune in to "American Idol" Tuesday, April 8 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) for live performances by the eight remaining finalists, and Wednesday, April 9 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) for the live results show on FOX.

About Billboard

Now in its 109th year, Billboard is the world's premier music industry publication. It is read weekly in 110 countries. Billboard is the flagship property for the Billboard Music Group, which also consists of Airplay Monitor, Amusement Business, Music & Media, Billboard Bulletin, Billboard.com and Billboard Licensing. The Group is a unit of VNU Business Media, a worldwide media company that provides specialized publications, electronically delivered data, expositions and marketing services and is owned by VNU Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Netherlands-based VNU, an international publishing and information company.