July 10, 1961 - Reaching no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is "Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis. Lewis was born in Indiana and raised in an orphanage. He learned to play the piano by age six, despite very poor eyesight. Adopted at age twelve, he moved to a foster home in Detroit, but ran away at the age of 14. Lewis began to build a musical career in the 1950s, initially working in carnival shows, and then as a singer with the Leo Hines Orchestra in Indianapolis. He moved to New York last year.
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