1960s Timeline

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Nov 14, 2021

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...

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"...