Music lover’s collection of every UK No1 single is worth a staggering amount
MUSIC lover Dave Watson has a copy of every UK No1 single since the charts started in 1952.
He reckons that it is the country’s only full collection of more than 1,700 hits — and is worth a head-spinning £35,000 at least.
The furniture store worker, who also collects and repairs Bubble Cars from the 1950s, has gone public to mark the chart’s 70th anniversary next Monday.
Dave, 55, said: “I started in 1988 after I was given a copy of Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles.
“But I had no idea then what an epic challenge it would prove to be.
“Back then, there was no internet so finding missing records was a real grind.
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“It involved writing out lists and rummaging round old shops.
“The first single I bought was Don’t Turn Around by Aswad and it took me 15 years to find what was the final one at the time — Lita Roza’s 1953 song (How Much is) That Doggie in the Window?”
His collection spans singles first made from shellac and then vinyl, through to CDs and downloads.
And his all-time favourite is 1979’s Video Killed the Radio Star, by The Buggles.
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Dave, who lives near Bedford, added: “It reminds me of when I was growing up and it’s a very catchy song.
“I love the classics — anything from the late 70s and 80s is my bread and butter.
“Obviously, I have downloaded Taylor Swift as a man has to keep up with the times, but it’s not really my thing.”
However, his least favourite is still 1980’s Christmas hit There’s No One Quite Like Grandma by St Winifred’s School Choir.
Dave went on: “The collection could be worth a lot of money but I have no interest in selling. For me, it is not about that.
“The chart has continuously reinvented itself over its history.
“As long as people are buying music, I see no reason why it won’t be here in another 70 years.”
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DAVE SINGLES OUT HIS FAVOURITES
