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

1960 in music

In the year Kennedy won the White House, Elvis was discharged and hit the charts full steam. Ben E. King went solo. The Beatles make their Hamburg debut. Neil Young forms his first band at age 14.

#1 song:
It's Now Or Never by Elvis Presley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkMVscR5YOo



Other classics:

Are You Lonesome Tonight? by Elvis Presley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPjnE1WRMKo

Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OlDPqYBLw

Cathy’s Clown by The Everly Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXvKAWiU_cQ

Chain Gang by Sam Cooke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmZdvVnMXCc

El Paso by Marty Robbins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-y3DB0wLh4

Only the Lonely by Roy Orbison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjq4wYuwgxs

Shop Around by The Miracles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM

Walk, Don’t Run by The Ventures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW21rcHiVU0



Chubby Checker set off a major dance craze:

The Twist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im9XuJJXylw



and then this...

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge9Ou3-YyqU

Benny Benjamin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2003

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/benny-benjamin/bio/

Benny Benjamin was the drummer for Motown’s Funk Brothers.

His work:

Money  by Barrett Strong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5KU34DrrPI

Uptight by Stevie Wonder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZf3Byq8oLA

Going to a Go-Go by The Miracles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWt4Hz1KGcQ

 

Stevie Wonder: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1989

His career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

 http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder/bio/

Born: May 13, 1950
He went blind shortly after birth.
1961: He was discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles. He introduced Stevie Wonder to Berry Gordy, who was impressed and signed him.

Fingertips Pt 2 (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iioFz1wA1pY

Uptight (1966):

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

I Was Made to Love Her (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es

For Once in My Life (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxVyaYuGYE

Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inXC_lab-34

From 1972-1976: Stevie Wonder released some of the greatest albums of all time with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life.

Superstition (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE

Living for the City (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rid-xkNS67Q

You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyq4iqt6Go

Higher Ground (1973):

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

A shot at Richard Nixon...

You Haven’t Done Nothin’ w/the Jackson 5 (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2ma2mfyhU

I Wish (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYKYka-PNt0

Sir Duke (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH36ugGsy4M

Send One Your Love (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMvVYCV-d8E

Master Blaster (Jammin’) (1980):

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

Ebony and Ivory w/Paul McCartney (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmALA8miQY8

I Just Called to Say I Love You (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOU3bnuU0k&ob=av2e

Part Time Love (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6LLGePYwM

That’s What Friends Are For w/Elton John, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbnua2kSa8

My Eyes Don’t Cry (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgH2yswwywI

Fun Day (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uk5f8ZGz1o

Gotta Have You (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_-RfTmAl0

So What The Fuss (2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6dvy4m-LyE

Superbowl XL Pregame Show (2006):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvyZsIbX9jE

Obama Inaugural (2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTA_J37kKx4

Special Olympics in Greece (2011):

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

Smokey Robinson: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life and career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/smokey-robinson/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.smokeyrobinson.com/

The Miracles Official Site:

http://theoriginalmiracles.net/

Smokey met Berry Gordy in 1958 and entered the music business.

Got a Job (1958):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ7GltNmDbg

Shop Around (1960): Motown’s First #1 hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjy8HqrcYys

You Really Got A Hold of Me (1962):

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

While with the Miracles, Smokey wrote for other artists scoring hits for Mary Wells, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye.

My Guy (Mary Wells):

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

Ooh Baby Baby (1965): Written in the middle of a concert while on stage

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

The Tracks of My Tears (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coh7n6dYj5Y

Going to a Go-Go (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Tfm70dL5s

I Second That Emotion (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI_0tQdEA5k

Tears of a Clown (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2kxlZDOHeQ

In 1972, Smokey left the Miracles.

Sweet Harmony (1973): Dedicated to the Miracles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOuuCMXqU3w

Baby That’s Backatcha (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdZcklpO2X8

Cruisin’ (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlzY6cWpoMQ

Being With You (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkqlUaC-wPs

Smokey battled cocaine addiction in the mid-eighties. He re-emerged in 1987.

Just To See Her (1987):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5bvjUrVObk

One Heartbeat (1987):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A39xfn3K_Ps

Everything You Touch (1990):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFdogwFOoW4

In 2009, he released Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, which he produced himself.

Tears Of A Clown (Live at Daryl’s House): 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbHMK-fNlYw

Love Bath (2010):

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