1960s Timeline

May 31, 1962 - On sale in record stores now is “Peter, Paul and Mary,” the debut long-playing album by the eponymous folk music trio. The...

May 26, 1962 - Hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Stranger on the Shore,” a piece for clarinet written by Acker Bilk...

May 5, 1962 - Hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Soldier Boy,” by The Shirelles. The song’s lyrics are a profession of love...

Apr. 30, 1962 - On sale in local record stores today is “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music,” by pianist and singer Ray Charles....

Apr. 21, 1962 - Hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Good Luck Charm” by Elvis Presley. The song was written by Aaron...

Apr. 7, 1962 - Hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Johnny Angel,” by Shelley Fabares (right). Miss Fabares appears on...

Apr. 1, 1962 - RCA Victor today released Sam Cooke’s latest album, “Twistin’ the Night Away,” the 31-year-old singer’s eighth studio...

Mar. 31, 1962 - Taking the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” by Connie Francis. Miss...

Mar. 19, 1962 - For sale in local record stores today is “Bob Dylan,” the debut album by the folk singer-songwriter. The album was...

Mar. 10, 1962 - Hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel. The song features well-known...

Feb. 17, 1962 - Hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Duke of Earl” by Gene Chandler (top). The song originated from...

Jan. 30, 1962 - A criminal case against Ray Charles (pictured in court today), the blind singer-pianist, was dismissed in Indianapolis...

Jan. 28, 1962 - The Twist dance craze appears to have taken firm hold at Columbia Pictures. Producer Sam Katzman, responsible for the...

Jan. 27, 1962 - Replacing Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” today as No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 is “Peppermint Twist” by Joey Dee and...

Jan. 13, 1962 - Taking the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and setting a new record today is “The Twist” by Chubby Checker. Last year,...

Jan. 8, 1962 - Leonard Bernstein (pictured left), conductor of the New York Philharmonic, played an original composition on the piano...

Dec. 18, 1961 - Reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” by the Tokens. The doo-wop-style group was...

Dec. 11, 1961 - Reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Please Mr. Postman,” by the Marvelettes. The recording features lead...

Nov. 24, 1961 - Here are some of the things that happened in almost total darkness at Carnegie Recital Hall today, all in the name of...

Nov. 14, 1961 - Ray Charles, one of the country’s leading popular singers and pianists, was arrested on a narcotics charge today in his...