1961 in music

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List of years in music (Table)
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… 1958 ^. 1959 ^. 1960 – 1961 – 1962 ^. 1963 ^. 1964 … … 1930s ^. 1940s ^. 1950s – 1960s – 1970s ^. 1980s ^. 1990s … … 19th century – 20th century – 21st century …
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1 Events
2 Albums released
3 Biggest hit singles
4 Top hits on record
5 Published popular music
6 Classical music
7 Opera
8 Musical theater
9 Musical films
10 Births
11 Deaths
12 Awards
- 12.1 Grammy Awards
- 12.2 Eurovision Song Contest

[edit] Events

January 15 - Motown Records signs The Supremes
January 20 - Francis Poulenc's Gloria is premiered in Boston
February 12 - The Miracles' "Shop Around" becomes Motown's first million-selling single
February 13 - Frank Sinatra forms his own record label, Reprise Records, which would later release recordings by The Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald, The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix.
February 14 - The Platters file a lawsuit against Mercury Records for breach of contract after the record company refuses to accept recordings on which Tony Williams does not sing lead. The group's lawsuit contends that their contract does not require Williams to sing lead
March 21 - The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club for the first time
March 25 - Elvis Presley performs a benefit show at the Block Arena in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The show raised $62,000 for the U.S.S. Arizona memorial fund.
April 23 - Judy Garland's concert at Carnegie Hall.
April 29 - Luciano Pavarotti makes his operatic debut as Rodolfo in La Bohème.
June 14 - Patsy Cline is hospitalized from a head-on car collision. While in the hospital, the song "I Fall to Pieces" becomes a big Country/Pop crossover hit for Cline.
June 25 - The Bill Evans Trio completes a two-week stay at The Village Vanguard in New York. It was the last time this trio would play before virtuoso bassist Scott LaFaro's death 10 days later. The five sets they played on the 25th were recorded, and the resulting two albums, Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby are considered among the finest live jazz recordings ever.
December 8 - Beach Boys release their debut 45rpm single: Surfin'/Luau on the small California label Candix Records.
William Alwyn marries fellow-composer Doreen Carwithen, his former pupil.
Dalida receives the Music Oscar for Best Song with Charles Aznavour.
Bob Seger's musical career begins
The Temptations' musical career begins
The Beach Boys' musical career begins
Golden Earring's musical career begins

[edit] Albums released

All the Way - Frank Sinatra
Bikini Twist - Bill Haley & His Comets
Bright and Shiny - Doris Day
Carnaval começa com "C" De Capiba - Capiba
Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! - Ella Fitzgerald
Come Swing With Me - Frank Sinatra
Connie At The Copa - Connie Francis
Dance 'Till Quarter To Three - Gary U.S. Bonds
Runaround Sue - Dion
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook - Ella Fitzgerald
Ella in Hollywood - Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Returns to Berlin - Ella Fitzgerald
Emotions - Brenda Lee
Explorations - Bill Evans Trio
Garde-moi la dernière danse - Dalida
Goin' Places - The Kingston Trio
I Have Dreamed - Doris Day
I Remember Tommy - Frank Sinatra
It's Morrissey, Man! - Dick Morrissey
Joan Baez, Vol. 2 - Joan Baez
Judy at Carnegie Hall - Judy Garland
Loin de Moi - Dalida
Lonely and Blue - Roy Orbison
Ring-A-Ding-Ding - Frank Sinatra
Roy Orbison At The Rock House - Roy Orbison
A Scottish Soldier - Andy Stewart
Send for Me - Julie London
The Shadows- The Shadows
Sinatra Swings - Frank Sinatra
Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session!!! - Frank Sinatra
Sing to Me Mr. C - Perry Como
Someday My Prince Will Come - Miles Davis
Something for Everybody - Elvis Presley
Sunday at the Village Vanguard - Bill Evans Trio
Showcase With the Jordanaires - Patsy Cline
Twist - Bill Haley & His Comets
Whatever Julie Wants - Julie London

[edit] Biggest hit singles

The following singles achieved the highest chart positions in 1961.

#	Artist	Title	Year	Chart Entries
1	Ben E King	Stand By Me	1961	UK 1 - Feb 1987, Éire 1 - Feb 1987, DDD 1 of 1961, RYM 2 of 1961, Switzerland 3 - Mar 1987, US BB 4 - May 1961, Germany 4 - Mar 1987, US BB 7 of 1961, Holland 7 - Mar 1987, POP 7 of 1961, Norway 9 - Apr 1987, Scrobulate 14 of soul, Canada 16 - May 1961, Austria 17 - Apr 1987, RIAA 25, US CashBox 43 of 1961, Acclaimed 53, 95 in 2FM list, Italy 96 of 1962, Rolling Stone 121, Germany 235 of the 1980s, Party 269 of 1999, WXPN 746
2	Del Shannon	Runaway	1961	UK 1 - Apr 1961, US BB 1 - Mar 1961, Canada 1 - Mar 1961, Australia 1 for 6 weeks Oct 1960, RYM 1 of 1961, Norway 4 - Jun 1961, DDD 7 of 1961, US CashBox 9 of 1961, Australia Goset 12 - Oct 1967, Australia 15 of 1961, US BB 17 of 1961, POP 17 of 1961, South Africa 18 of 1961, Acclaimed 66, Scrobulate 96 of oldies, Rolling Stone 466
3	Chubby Checker	Let's Twist Again	1961	UK 2 - Dec 1961, Canada 2 - Jul 1961, Norway 2 - Feb 1962, US BB 3 of 1961, Holland 3 - Jan 1976, POP 3 of 1961, South Africa 6 of 1962, US BB 8 - Jul 1961, Sweden (alt) 10 - Feb 1976, Austria 11 - Apr 1976, Germany 12 - Mar 1962, RYM 16 of 1961, Italy 17 of 1962, Party 23 of 1999, US CashBox 62 of 1961, DDD 67 of 1961, Scrobulate 95 of oldies, Germany 396 of the 1960s
4	Elvis Presley	Surrender	1961	UK 1 - May 1961, US BB 1 - Feb 1961, Canada 1 - Mar 1961, Australia 1 for 2 weeks Sep 1960, Norway 2 - Apr 1961, Germany 6 - May 1961, South Africa 10 of 1961, US CashBox 32 of 1961, Global 33 (5 M sold) - 1961, RYM 33 of 1961
5	The Marcels	Blue Moon	1961	UK 1 - Apr 1961, US BB 1 - Mar 1961, Canada 1 - Mar 1961, Norway 4 - May 1961, US CashBox 11 of 1961, South Africa 11 of 1961, Germany 13 - Jun 1961, US BB 14 of 1961, DDD 14 of 1961, POP 14 of 1961, RYM 26 of 1961, Acclaimed 1034

[edit] Top hits on record

"Where the Boys Are" - Connie Francis
"Together" - Connie Francis
"Running Scared" - Roy Orbison
"Crying" - Roy Orbison
"(I Wanna) Love My Life Away" - Gene Pitney
"Town Without Pity" - Gene Pitney
"I Fall to Pieces" - Patsy Cline
"Crazy" - Patsy Cline
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - The Tokens
"Calcutta" - Lawrence Welk
"Runaround Sue" - Dion
"At Last" - Etta James
"Spanish Harlem" - Ben E. King
"Let's Go Trippin'" - Dick Dale's first local hit, regarded as first surf rock instrumental
"Tossin' and Turnin' " - Bobby Lewis
"Runaway" - Del Shannon
"Garde-moi la dernière danse" - Dalida
"Nuits d'Espagne" - Dalida
"Blue Moon" - The Marcels
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" - The Shirelles
"There's No Other Like My Baby" - The Crystals' first hit
"Please Mr Postman" - The Marvelettes
"Quarter To Three" - Gary U.S. Bonds
"Shop Around" - The Miracles
"Raindrops" - Dee Clark
"Travelin' Man" - Ricky Nelson
"Hello Mary Lou" - Ricky Nelson
"Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
"The Wanderer" - Dion
"The Mountain's High" - Dick and Deedee
"Big River, Big Man" - Claude King
"Calendar Girl" - Neil Sedaka
"The Comancheros" - Claude King
"Moody River" - Pat Boone
"Fool No. 1" - Brenda Lee
"I Love How You Love Me" - The Paris Sisters

See also: Hot 100 No. 1 Hits of 1961 (USA)

[edit] Published popular music

"Another Time, Another Place" w.m. Richard Adler from the musical Kwamina
"Baby Elephant Walk" m. Henry Mancini from the film Hatari!
"Big, Bad John" w.m. Jimmy Dean
"Blue Bayou" w.m. Joe Melson & Roy Orbison
"Breaking In A Brand New Broken Heart" w.m. Howard Greenfield & Jack Keller
"Brotherhood Of Man" w.m. Frank Loesser from the musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
"The Company Way" w.m. Frank Loesser from the musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
"Crazy" w.m. Willie Nelson
Cruella DeVil w.m. Mel Leven, from the Walt Disney animated film 101 Dalmatians
"Crying" w.m. Joe Melson & Roy Orbison
"Funny How Time Slips Away" w.m. Willie Nelson
"Hats Off to Larry" w.m. Del Shannon
"Hit the Road Jack" w.m. Percy Mayfield
"I Believe In You" w.m. Frank Loesser from the musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
"I Love How You Love Me" w.m. Barry Mann & Larry Kolber
"Let's Get Together" w.m. Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman from the film The Parent Trap
"Let's Twist Again" w.m. Dave Appell & Kal Mann
"Little Miss Stuck-up" w.m. Lee Pockriss & Paul Vance
"Love Makes the World Go 'Round" w.m. Bob Merrill from the film Carnival!
"Mister Ed theme song" w.m. Jay Livingston & Ray Evans
"Moon River" w. Johnny Mercer m. Henry Mancini from the film Breakfast at Tiffany's
"Multiplication" w.m. Bobby Darin. Introduced by Bobby Darin in the film Come September.
"My Kind Of Girl" w.m. Leslie Bricusse
"The Passenger's Always Right" w.m. Noel Coward from the musical Sail Away
"Pocketful Of Miracles" w. Sammy Cahn m. Jimmy Van Heusen from the film Pocketful of Miracles
"Running Scared" w.m. Joe Melson & Roy Orbison
"Speedy Gonzales" w.m David Hess, Buddy Kaye & Ethel Lee
"Ten Girls Ago" w. Diane Lampert m. Sammy Fain
"Tower of Strength" w. Bob Hilliard m. Burt Bacharach
"A Walk On The Wild Side" w. Mack David m. Elmer Bernstein
"When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart" w.m. Roy Bennett & Sid Tepper from the film The Young Ones
"Why Do The Wrong People Travel?" w.m. Noel Coward from the musical Sail Away
"The Young Ones" w. Roy Bennett m. Sid Tepper from the film The Young Ones

[edit] Classical music

Samuel Adler - Symphony No. 3
Niels Viggo Bentson - Concerto No. 2 for violin and orchestra
Earle Brown - Available Forms I
Mario Davidovsky - Electronic Study No. 1
Mario Davidovsky - Piano 1961 for orchestra
Alun Hoddinott - Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion
György Ligeti - Atmosphères for Orchestra
Luigi Nono - Intolleranza
Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 12 D minor, Op. 112 "The Year 1917"
Edgard Varèse - Nocturnal

[edit] Opera

Jean Françaix - La Princesse de Clèves
Vittorio Giannini - The Harvest
Robert Ward - The Crucible
Grace Williams - The Parlour

[edit] Musical theater

Carnival! (Music and Lyrics: Bob Merrill Book: Michael Stewart). Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre on April 13 and ran for 719 performances
Do-Re-Mi London production opened at the Prince Of Wales Theatre on October 12 and ran for 169 performances
Donnybrook! Broadway production opened at the 46th Street Theatre on May 18 and ran for 68 performances.
The Fantasticks London production opened at the Apollo Theatre on September 7 and ran for 44 performances
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Music and Lyrics: Frank Loesser Book: Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstein and Willie Gilbert) - Broadway production opened at the 46th Street Theatre on October 14 and ran for 1417 performances.
Kwamina Broadway production opened at the 54th Street Theatre on October 23 and ran for 32 performances
Milk and Honey Broadway production opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 10 and ran for 543 performances
The Music Man London production opened at the Adelphi Theatre on March 16. Starring Van Johnson, Patricia Lambert, Ruth Kettlewell and Denis Waterman.
Salad Days (Julian Slade) - London revival at Prince's Theatre
Sail Away Broadway production opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 3 and ran for 167n performances
The Sentimental Bloke (Music: Albert Arlen Lyrics: Nancy Brown, Albert Arlen, Lloyd Thomson and C. J. Dennis Book: Lloyd Thomson and Nancy Brown) Melbourne production opened at the Comedy Theatre on November 4.
The Sound Of Music (Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse) - London production opened at the Palace Theatre and ran for 2385 performances.
Stop the World - I Want to Get Off (Music, Lyrics and Book: Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse) -London production opened at the Queen's Theatre on July 20 and ran for 485 performances.
Subways Are for Sleeping ( Music: Jule Styne Lyrics and Book: Adolph Green & Betty Comden. Broadway production opened at the St. James Theatre on December 27 and ran for 205 performances.
Wildest Dreams London production opened at the Vaudeville Theatre on August 3 and ran for 76 performances

[edit] Musical films

Babes in Toyland
Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury and Pamela Austin. Directed by Norman Taurog.
Flower Drum Song
West Side Story
The Young Ones

[edit] Births

January 13 - Suggs, Madness
January 14 - Mike Tramp, White Lion
January 27 - Gillian Gilbert, New Order
January 29 - Eddie Jackson, Queensrÿche
January 31 - Lloyd Cole
February 8 - Vince Neil, Mötley Crüe
February 10 - Robbie Neville
February 13
- Henry Rollins, punk/rock vocalist and spoken word performer
- cEvin Key, musician
February 16 - Andy Taylor, Duran Duran
March 2 - Simone Young
March 20 - Slim Jim Phantom, The Stray Cats
April 1 - Mark White, ABC
April 2 - Keren Woodward, Bananarama
April 6 - Gene Eugene, actor, lead singer of Adam Again
April 28 - Roland Gift, Fine Young Cannibals
May 17 - Enya Eithne Ni Bhraonain
May 29 - Melissa Etheridge
June 4 - Eldra DeBarge, DeBarge
June 6 - Tom Araya, Slayer
June 14 - Boy George, Culture Club
June 18 - Alison Moyet
June 22 - Jimmy Somerville
June 24 - Curt Smith, Tears for Fears
June 26 - Terri Nunn, Berlin
June 27 - Margo Timmons, Cowboy Junkies
June 29 - Greg Hetson, Bad Religion
July 2 - Paul Geary, Extreme
July 22 - Keith Sweat, R&B/Soul singer
July 24 - Gary Cherone, Extreme
July 24 - Rob Dorn, Vocalist, Recording Artist, Performer
August 2
- Apollina
- Pete de Freitas, drum player of Liverpool's band Echo & The Bunnymen (m. 1989)
August 8
- Rikki Rockett, Poison
- The Edge, guitarist for the rock band U2
August 10 - Jon Farriss, INXS
August 22 - Roland Orzabal, Tears for Fears
August 23 - Dean DeLeo, Stone Temple Pilots
August 23 - Mark Bedford, Madness
September 6 - Pål Waaktaar, a-ha
September 7 - Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianist
September 12 - Mylène Farmer, Megastar in French and Europe
September 13 - Dave Mustaine, Megadeth
October 9 - Kurt Neumann, The BoDeans
October 10 - Martin Kemp, Spandau Ballet
October 18 - Wynton Marsalis
October 29 - Randy Jackson, The Jacksons
October 31 - Larry Mullen, drummer for the rock band U2
November 2 - k.d. lang
November 4 - Daron Hagen, classical and opera composer
November 5 - David Bryson, Counting Crows
November 8 - Leif Garrett
December 17 - Sarah Dallin, Bananarama
Christophe Rousset, harpsichordist

[edit] Deaths

January - Margaret Balfour, mezzo-soprano
January 13 - Blanche Ring, US singer and actress
February 4 - Alphonse Picou, jazz musician
February 7 - Noah Lewis, jug band musician
February 20 - Percy Grainger, pianist and composer
March 3 - Paul Wittgenstein, pianist
March 6 - George Formby, English Music hall comedian, singer & songwriter and ukulele player extraordinaire
March 8 - Sir Thomas Beecham, conductor
March 9 - Wilber Sweatman, jazz musician and composer
April 2 - Wallingford Riegger, composer
April 29
- Cisco Houston, folk singer
- Miff Mole, jazz trombonist and bandleader
May 29 - Uuno Klami, composer
June 6 - Art Gillham, songwriter
July 6 - Scott LaFaro, jazz bassist
August 15 - Stick McGhee, guitarist
August 24 - Clarice Vance, "the Southern singer"
September 26 - Bulbul, singer
September 27 - Peter Dawson, bass-baritone
October 11 - Chico Marx, comedian and pianist
October 13 - Maya Deren, dancer and choreographer
October 20 - Sylvia Rexach, singer and composer
November 1 - Joan McCracken, dancer
December 20 - Moss Hart, musical theatre librettist
date unknown - York Bowen, pianist and composer
date unknown - Maurice Delage, pianist and composer
date unknown - Elmer Diktonius, composer and poet
date unknown - Morton Harvey, vaudeville entertainer
date unknown - Ernest Ka'ai, ukulele virtuoso
date unknown - Méi Lánfāng, Chinese opera performer
date unknown - Marguerite Monnot, songwriter
date unknown - Heddle Nash, operatic tenor
date unknown - Boris Ord, organist and choirmaster