Q Who was the first female solo singer to have a number one hit? Claims have been made that it was Connie Francis, but I've also heard it was Alma Cogan. - Linda Karlsson, Whitley Bay.

A The UK pop charts began in January 1950 and were compiled and broadcast on Radio Luxembourg. The first ever UK number one was You're Breaking My Heart by the Inkspots. However, these early charts were based on the sale of sheet music rather than records.

The first female solo singer ever to reach number one in the sheet music charts was the US singer Dinah Shore in February 1950 with Dear Hearts and Gentle People.

Other female stars to make it to number one in the sheet music sales up until November 1952 included Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Anne Shelton, Patti Page, Anita O' Day, and Vera Lynn.

The British singer Alma Cogan did not reach number one in the sheet music charts until December 1952 with You Belong To Me, but Jo Stafford had simultaneously released this music so it was only a joint number one.

However, by this time a separate chart of record sales had begun and I suspect that your question relates to record sales rather than sheet music.

It was in the week ending November 14, 1952 that the UK charts of record sales were first compiled. The first UK number one was Here In My Heart by Al Martino, which stayed at number one over Christmas until it was replaced in January 1953 by a solo performance from the Californian female singer Jo Stafford with You Belong to Me.

Alma Cogan's first and only number one from record sales was not until July 1955 with Dreamboat.

American record charts were first compiled in 1955 and rock 'n' roll entered the UK charts for the first time with Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock.

The following year, in March, 1956 a song called Rock and Roll Waltz by the American singer Kay Starr reached number one, but it was not a rock 'n' roll Song.

It is the American singer Connie Francis who can claim to be the first female rock 'n' roll star to reach number one in the UK in September 1958 with Stupid Cupid. It was written by Neil Sedaka, although Connie had previously reached number one in May 1958 with a 1920s ballad Who's Sorry Now?

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Published: 02/06/2003