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In the 1950's "Cashbox Magazine" was the main competitor with Billboard for the music trade. In 1956 the rankings expanded to a top 50 and then to a top 75 in 1957 and became a top 100 in 1958. Publicaton of the magazine ended in 1996.
"Are You Lonesome Tonight" by Elvis Presey was actually a number one song for Elvis in 1960, but its success carried over into 1961. "Cashbox" awarded it the #6 position.
Bert Kaempfert was the rare example of a foreign artist who had considerable success on the American charts in the 1960's. The German conductor's "Wonderland by Night" was ranked #5 for the year by "Cashbox"
"The Highwaymen" made the folk song, "Michael," a #1 hit on September 4th, 1961 and "Cashbox" ranked it as the #8 song of the year."
Roy Orbison placed two records in the "Cashbox" top 40, "Running Scared" (#21) and "Crying" (#28).
Connie Francis had four songs in the "Cashbox" 100 for 1961: "Where the Boys Are" (#29), "Many Tears Ago" (#55), "Breaking In a Brand New Broken Heart" (#65) and "Together" (#67).
Ben E. King left The Drifters in 1961 and had two successful solo records that made the "Cashbo" top 100 -- "Stand By Me" (#43) and "Spanish Harlem" (#90).
"Exodus" by Ferante & Teicher was "Cashbox" pick for the top song of 1961 -- "Billboard" had it no higher than #17.
Brenda Lee placed three songs in the "Cashbox" year end 100: "Dum Dum" (#48), "Emotions" (#70) and "You Can Depend On Me" (#74).
Brook Benton had the highest ranking record of his career in 1961 -- "Cashbox" ranked "The Boll Weevil Song" at #12 for the year.
