Ray Charles Arrested on Narcotics Charge
Nov. 14, 1961 - Ray Charles, one of the country’s leading popular singers and pianists, was arrested on a narcotics charge today in his...
top of page
1960s Timeline
Politics | Culture | Entertainment | Sports
Search
Nov 6, 2021
"Big Bad John" Hits No. 1 on Billboard Charts
Nov. 6, 1961 - “Big Bad John," a recording by Jimmy Dean (pictured), hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart today. The song is about...
Oct 29, 2021
The Limeliters Play New York’s Town Hall
Oct. 29, 1961 - The Limeliters, a trio that sells cigarettes on television and records to its fans, gave a concert at New York’s Town...
Oct 24, 2021
“The Twist” Banned at New York’s Roseland
Oct. 24, 1961 - The new dance called the Twist has been banned at New York’s Roseland Dance City, 239 West 52nd Street. “It is not a...
Oct 23, 2021
Music: Dion’s “Runaround Sue” Hits Top of the Charts
Oct. 23, 1961 - Reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Runaround Sue,” a rock and roll song in a modified doo-wop style,...
Oct 19, 2021
Café Society Embraces “The Twist”
Oct. 19, 1961 - Café society, having ignored rock ’n’ roll for years, has suddenly embraced the teenage craze. The elite of the social...
Oct 17, 2021
President and Mrs. Kennedy Attend National Symphony Concert
Oct. 17, 1961 - President and Mrs. Kennedy tonight attended half the opening performance of the National Symphony Orchestra’s concert...
Oct 16, 2021
Monument to Ragtime King Scott Joplin Erected in Sedalia, Mo.
Oct. 16, 1961 - A monument to ragtime music and its pioneer, Scott Joplin, was erected today in a parking lot in Sedalia, Mo., where the...
Oct 9, 2021
Music: “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles Hits #1
Oct. 9, 1961 - "Hit the Road Jack," a recording by Ray Charles, has hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, written by...
Oct 3, 2021
Keely Smith and Louis Prima Divorce
Oct. 3, 1961 - Keely Smith (right), the singer, today divorced Louis Prima (left) in the breakup of one of the best-known teams of...
Sep 30, 2021
Ravi Shankar, Indian Sitar Virtuoso, to Tour U.S.
Sept. 30, 1961 - Ravi Shankar, an Indian virtuoso of the sitar, a gourd-and-teakwood stringed instrument that has evolved over many...
Sep 28, 2021
Music: Bob Dylan, 20, Plays Gerde's Folk City
Sept. 28, 1961 - A bright new face in folk music is appearing at New York's Gerde's Folk City. Although only 20 years old, Bob Dylan is...
Sep 18, 2021
Bobby Vee’s "Take Good Care of My Baby” Tops Charts
Sept. 18, 1961 - Reaching the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 today is "Take Good Care of My Baby, performed by Bobby Vee (pictured)....
Sep 4, 2021
"Michael Row the Boat Ashore" No. 1 on Billboard Chart
Sept. 4, 1961 - Reaching no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" by the Highwaymen. The song is an old Negro...
Aug 18, 2021
Josephine Baker Decorated as Chevalier of French Legion of Honor
Aug. 18, 1961 - Josephine Baker, American-born music-hall star, was decorated today as a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for her...
Aug 17, 2021
TV: Sinatra and Martin to Appear with Garland on CBS Special
Aug. 17, 1961 - Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin will appear with Judy Garland on her special television show March 11 over the Columbia...
Aug 10, 2021
Guy Lombardo to Present Weather Forecast on WPIX-TV
Aug. 10, 1961 - Guy Lombardo (pictured in 1955) has been provided equal time to present his own weather forecast over New York TV station...
Jul 30, 2021
Folk Singer Bob Dylan Heard on Radio Marathon
July 30, 1961 - A marathon program of folk music was run on Saturday to initiate the live music project of New York City's newest FM...
Jul 25, 2021
Aretha Franklin, 18, Has Bright Future as Pop Singer
July 25, 1961 - A recent gospel graduate, 18-year-old Aretha Franklin, is winning ovations at New York's Village Gate with the sort of...
Jul 25, 2021
Negro Opera Singer Hailed in Bayreuth after Wagner Performance
July 25, 1961 - Grace Bumbry, American Negro singer, was hailed today in Bayreuth for her performance as Venus in Wagner's "Tannhäuser"...
bottom of page