1961 in Music

1961 provided a lull in rock music. Although Elvis returned, the pop scene focused on teen idols. However, change was coming. Motown began to move, Bob Dylan was a year away, and the seeds of the British Invasion were planted when The Beatles made their Cavern Club debut.

Motown scored it's first million seller with "Shop Around" and signed The Supremes. The Beach Boys release their initial single. Frank Sinatra starts Reprise Records. Judy Garland performed at Carnegie Hall. Patsy Cline is seriously injured in an auto accident.


Shop Around by The Miracles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM




I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuZTk1hdpMs




Judy Garland:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-i2uXjQZHs



#1 Song of 1961:


Stand By Me by Ben E. King:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZNL7QVJjE

Other important releases:



Runaway by Del Shannon

At Last by Etta James

Crazy by Patsy Cline

Crying by Roy Orbison

Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes

Runaround Sue by Dion

The Wanderer by Dion

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles
Other Hits:


Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker

Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis Presley

Calendar Girl by Neil Sedaka

Hello Mary Lou By Ricky Nelson

Spanish Harlem by Ben E. King

The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens

Dion: Runaround Sue (1961)

Dion broke from the Bellmonts to score chart success. "Runaround Sue" recounts the tale of an unfaithful girlfriend. The song ended up in a viral video featuring an 88-year-old woman in 2013. It also charted for Leif Garrett in 1978 and appeared on the Eddie and the Cruisers soundtrack in 1983.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oluTLUjSWVc

Del Shannon: Runaway (1961)

A man lost his girl and pines for her. That is the basis for Del Shannon's "Runaway." The song has a unique sound and hit #1 in 1961 after an appearance on American Bandstand. This is one of the great songs in the period between the end of the 50s and the British Invasion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S13mP_pfEc

894. Crying by Roy Orbison (1961)

Originally titled "I Am Crying" and written for Don Gibson, Roy Orbison decided to record the song himself.  "I Am Crying" was shortened to "Crying" to make it sound less country. Supposedly, Orbison wrote the song about an old girlfriend. Orbison's voice was perfect for "Crying" adding a layer of credibility to a great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07NMA51D46c

with KD Lang:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EiKPrAOHA