Fifty years ago, in the August 4, 1958, issue, Billboard launched a revolutionary chart called the Hot 100. After nearly two decades of tracking songs distinctively by sales or plays (on jukeboxes and at radio), the Hot 100 was the first list to measure popularity by incorporating both radio play and sales.

Scoring the chart's inaugural No. 1 was Ricky Nelson with "Poor Little Fool." Billboard.com is celebrating this milestone in a big way. They have posted all kinds of Hot 100-based charts leading up to the newly-unveiled special All-Time Hot 100 chart and the commemorative Hot 100 Anniversary issue of Billboard Magazine.

Elton made it on #3 in the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists. The definitive list of the Hot 100's top 100 artists is based on all charting titles from August 1958 through July 2008.

(01) The Beatles
(02) Madonna
(03) Elton John
(04) Elvis Presley
(05) Stevie Wonder
(06) Mariah Carey
(07) Janet Jackson
(08) Michael Jackson
(09) Whitney Houston
(10) The Rolling Stones

In the Top Billboard Hot 100 Rock Songs, the hottest rock songs to appear on The Billboard Hot 100 during the chart's first 50 years, Elton is listed on three positions in the Top 50:

(01) "Smooth" - Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
(02) "Hey Jude" - The Beatles
(03) "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)" - Rod Stewart
(..)
(30) "Philadelphia Freedom" - Elton John
(..)
(32) "Crocodile Rock" - Elton John
(..)
(42) "Bennie And The Jets" - Elton John

A lot more fascinating stuff about Elton on the Billboard charts can be found at the Billboard website.

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