Album compilation Now That’s What I Call Music is marking its 40th anniversary with a spectacular must-have collector’s record.
The series, which launched in 1983, spans 116 volumes and more than 2,400 of pop’s biggest stars.
It is marking its big birthday with a 43-track 3-LP or 5-CD edition, Now That’s What I Call 40 Years. It covers the first album to the present day, opening with 1983’s biggest selling single, Karma Chameleon, by Culture Club. Other hits include Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U and tracks from Elton John, Shakespears Sister and SNAP!
The final chapter opens with Sing, the first No1 for Ed Sheeran, plus stars including Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, Little Mix, Justin Bieber and George Ezra.
Robbie Williams has made 38 appearances across Now’s four decades – 32 as a solo artist and six with Take That.
DJs Calvin Harris and David Guetta have been on 36 numbered volumes.
Little Mix are the most featured group with 28 slots, ahead of Coldplay, U2 and Girls Aloud – which have the most consecutive appearances on 13 volumes.
Kylie Minogue’s Now hits span five different decades. The Aussie star made her first appearance on volume 11 in March 1988 with I Should Be So Lucky. Her 32nd claim to fame is Tension, which is on volume 116 this month.