Compilers of the British Hit Singles music bible assembled the list depending on the number of weeks spent in the chart, taking into account chart positions if there are any ties. The upper reaches of the list barely change each year as they are dominated by classic artists with decades of hits from the days when songs stayed in the charts for months.The King furthered his lead with summer hit 'A Little Less Conversation', giving him an extra 12 weeks. His nearest rival, Sir Cliff Richard, would have to spend another 30 weeks on the chart to close the gap.
Top 100 artists of all time according to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles (last year’s position in brackets):
1 (1) Elvis Presley
2 (2) Cliff Richard
3 (3) The Shadows
4 (4) Elton John
5 (5) Madonna