List of Hot R&B Sides number ones of 1959

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs is a chart published by Billboard that ranks the top-performing songs in the United States in African-American-oriented musical genres; the chart has undergone various name changes since its launch in 1942 to reflect the evolution of such genres. In 1959, it was published under the title Hot R&B Sides, reflecting the fact that rhythm and blues was the dominant genre. During that year, 17 different singles topped the chart, based on playlists submitted by radio stations and surveys of retail sales outlets.[1]

Lloyd Price (pictured in later life) was one of two artists to achieve three number ones in 1959.

In the issue of Billboard dated January 5, Jackie Wilson occupied the number-one position with "Lonely Teardrops", the song's fourth week in the top spot.[2] The song remained atop the chart through the issue dated January 26; the following week it was displaced by "Try Me" by James Brown and the Famous Flames. This was the first number one for Brown,[3] who would go on to become one of the most successful and influential artists in the history of black American music and to be regarded as one of the all-time greats across all genres.[4] Brown is among a number of the year's chart-topping acts to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of their success and influence; Jackie Wilson, Lloyd Price, the Drifters, Ray Charles, Fats Domino and the Coasters have all been inducted into the Hall of Fame.[5]

Two vocalists achieved multiple number ones in 1959, each taking three singles to the peak position. Lloyd Price reached the top spot with "Stagger Lee", "Personality" and "I'm Gonna Get Married". Although not his most successful song, "Personality" would become Price's signature song and lead to the nickname "Mr. Personality", which would be referenced in the titles of several of his albums.[6] "Stagger Lee" was one of two songs to top the R&B chart and also the all-genre Hot 100 listing, along with "Kansas City" by Wilbert Harrison.[7] Brook Benton also achieved three R&B chart-toppers, spending time at number one with "It's Just a Matter of Time", "Thank You Pretty Baby" and "So Many Ways". The first of the three had the year's longest unbroken run at number one, spending nine weeks in the top spot, and Benton's cumulative total of 16 weeks atop the chart was the most by any act. The year's final chart-topper was "The Clouds", an instrumental by the Spacemen, an ensemble led by pianist and bandleader Sammy Benskin.[8] Despite reaching number one, it would prove to be the only chart entry credited to the Spacemen.[9]