In December 1964, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones made remarkable chart movements on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard 200. The Beatles’ “I Feel Fine” soared to number 5, surpassing The Rolling Stones’ “Time Is on My Side.” Simultaneously, The Rolling Stones’ album “12 x 5” leaped into the top 10 of the Billboard 200, joining The Beatles’ “Something New.” This was a historic moment as both bands shared the top 10 spots for the first time.
Fast forward nearly 59 years, and these iconic bands are again sharing the top 10, this time on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart. The Beatles’ newly released “Now and Then,” a posthumously completed song featuring John Lennon’s 1977 demo and George Harrison’s guitar, debuted at number 9. Meanwhile, The Rolling Stones’ “Angry,” from their latest album “Hackney Diamonds,” climbed to number 6.
“Angry” is notable as it comes from The Rolling Stones‘ first album of new material since 2005, produced by Don Was and Andrew Watt. This album marks their 38th top 10 on the Billboard 200, showcasing their enduring appeal.
In 1964, alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, other notable artists like The Beach Boys, The Supremes, and Elvis Presley were also charting. In contrast, the recent Adult Alternative Airplay chart includes a mix of established artists like U2, Foo Fighters, and Wilco, alongside rising acts like boygenius and Tyler Childers.
Radio stations like KINK Portland and WTTS Indianapolis have added both “Now and Then” and “Angry” to their rotations. These stations acknowledge the cross-generational appeal of these legendary bands. Music Choice’s Adult Alternative channel also recognizes the significance of these new releases from such iconic artists at this stage in their careers, highlighting the continuous impact and evolution of their music.
