1961 in music


This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1961.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Bands formed

  • ''See :Category:Musical groups established in 1961''

Albums released

All the Way – Brenda LeeAll the Way – Frank SinatraThe Alvin Show – Alvin and the Chipmunks – Soundtrack

Biggest hit singles

The following singles achieved the highest in 1961.
#ArtistTitleYearCountryChart Entries
1Ben E KingStand By Me1961USUK 1 – Feb 1987, Ireland 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, Netherlands 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
2Del ShannonRunaway1961USUK 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 5 of 1961, POP 17 of 1961, South Africa 18 of 1961, Acclaimed 66, Scrobulate 96 of oldies, Rolling Stone 466
3Chubby CheckerLet's Twist Again1961USUK 2 – Dec 1961, Canada 2 – Jul 1961, Norway 2 – Feb 1962, US BB 3 of 1961, Netherlands 3 – Jan 1976, POP 3 of 1961, South Africa 6 of 1962, US BB 8 – Jul 1961, Sweden 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
4Elvis PresleySurrender1961USUK 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 – 1961, RYM 33 of 1961
5The MarcelsBlue Moon1961USUK 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

Published popular music

Other notable songs

Classical music

Compositions

Opera

Film

Musical theater

Carnival!. Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre on April 13 and ran for 719 performancesDo Re Mi London production opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on October 12 and ran for 169 performancesDonnybrook! Broadway production opened at the 46th Street Theatre on May 18 and ran for 68 performances.The Fantasticks London production opened on September 7 and ran for 44 performancesHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying 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 performancesMilk and Honey Broadway production opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 10 and ran for 543 performancesThe Music Man London production opened at the Adelphi Theatre on March 16. Starring Van Johnson, Patricia Lambert, Ruth Kettlewell and Dennis Waterman.Salad Days – London revival at Prince's TheatreSail Away Broadway production opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 3 and ran for 167 performances

Musical films

101 Dalmatians Walt Disney animated filmAmorina Argentine black-and-white musical filmBabes in Toyland Walt Disney live action film starring Ray BolgerBlue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury and Pamela Austin. Directed by Norman Taurog.Flower Drum Song starring Nancy Kwan and James ShigetaGunga Jumna, Bollywood film starring Dilip Kumar and VyjayanthimalaJagadeka Veeruni Katha, Telugu film starring N.T. Rama RaoSeason in Salzburg Austrian musical comedy filmWest Side Story starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, and Richard BeymerUne femme est une femme, directed by Jean-Luc Godard with music by Michel LegrandThe Young Ones British musical starring Cliff Richard

Births

Deaths

Awards

Grammy Awards

Eurovision Song Contest