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

Specific locations

1961 in British music This is a summary of 1961 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year. Summary Popular music in the UK was still dominated by American acts. Skiffle and traditional jazz were still popular. Events *9 February ...

* 1961 in Norwegian music

Specific genres

* 1961 in country music * 1961 in jazz

Events

January 15 Events Pre-1600 * 69 – Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaiming himself Emperor of Rome, beginning a reign of only three months. * 1541 – King Francis I of France gives Jean-François Roberval a commission to settle the province of ...

–

Motown Records Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmant ...

signs

The Supremes The Supremes were an American girl group and a premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s. Founded as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful ...

. *

January 20 Events Pre-1600 * 250 – Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution. * 649 – King Chindasuinth, at the urging of bishop Braulio of Zaragoza, crowns his son Recceswinth as co-ruler of the Visigothic Kingdom. * 1156 &ndas ...

–

Francis Poulenc Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc (; 7 January 189930 January 1963) was a French composer and pianist. His compositions include songs, solo piano works, chamber music, choral pieces, operas, ballets, and orchestral concert music. Among the best-kno ...

's ''

Gloria Gloria may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music Christian liturgy and music * Gloria in excelsis Deo, the Greater Doxology, a hymn of praise * Gloria Patri, the Lesser Doxology, a short hymn of praise ** Gloria (Handel) ** Gloria (Jenkins) ...

'' receives its premiėre in Boston, USA. *

February 9 Events Pre-1600 * 474 – Zeno is crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. * 1003 – Boleslaus III is restored to authority with armed support from Bolesław I the Brave of Poland. * 1539 – The first recorded race is hel ...

– The Beatles at The Cavern Club:

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

, at this juncture

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

Paul Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) *Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chris ...

George George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presid ...

and

Pete Pete or Petes or ''variation'', may refer to: People * Pete (given name) * Pete (nickname) * Pete (surname) Fictional characters * Pete (Disney), a cartoon character in the ''Mickey Mouse'' universe * Pete the Pup (a.k.a. 'Petey'), a character ...

, perform under this name at

The Cavern Club The Cavern Club is a nightclub on Mathew Street, Liverpool, England. The Cavern Club opened in 1957 as a jazz club, later becoming a centre of the rock and roll scene in Liverpool in the late 50s and early 1960s. The club became closely assoc ...

for the first time following their December return to

Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a popul ...

from

Hamburg (male), (female) en, Hamburger(s), Hamburgian(s) , timezone1 = Central (CET) , utc_offset1 = +1 , timezone1_DST = Central (CEST) , utc_offset1_DST = +2 , postal ...

. Beginning with this lunchtime session, the group would go on to make almost 300 appearances here in total. *

February 12 Events Pre-1600 *1404 – The Italian professor Galeazzo di Santa Sophie performed the first post-mortem autopsy for the purposes of teaching and demonstration at the Heiligen–Geist Spital in Vienna. *1429 – English forces under ...

–

The Miracles The Miracles (also known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American vocal group that was the first successful recording act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records, and one of the most important and most influential groups ...

' "Shop Around" becomes

Motown Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of ''moto ...

's first million-selling single. *

February 13 Events Pre-1600 * 962 – Emperor Otto I and Pope John XII co-sign the ''Diploma Ottonianum'', recognizing John as ruler of Rome. *1322 – The central tower of Ely Cathedral falls on the night of 12th–13th. *1462 – The ...

–

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...

forms his own

record label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produ ...

Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels. Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Enya, Michael ...

, which will later release recordings by

The Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American Rock music, rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian Wilson, Brian, Dennis Wilson, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and frie ...

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhythm ...

and

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...

. *

February 14 Events Pre-1600 * 748 – Abbasid Revolution: The Hashimi rebels under Abu Muslim Khorasani take Merv, capital of the Umayyad province Khorasan, marking the consolidation of the Abbasid revolt. * 842 – Charles the Bald and Louis ...

–

The Platters The Platters was an American vocal group formed in 1952. They are one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound bridges the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the new burgeoning genre. The ac ...

file a lawsuit against

Mercury Records Mercury Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It had significant success as an independent operation in the 1940s and 1950s. Smash Records and Fontana Records were sub labels of Mercury. In the United States, it is ...

for breach of contract after the record company refuses to accept recordings on which Tony Williams does not sing lead. The group's lawsuit contends that their contract does not require this. *

March 18 Events Pre-1600 * 37 – Roman Senate annuls Tiberius' will and proclaims Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ''(aka Caligula = Little Boots)'' emperor.Tacitus, ''Annals'' V.10. * 1068 – An earthquake in the Levant and the Ara ...

– The 6th Eurovision Song Contest, held at

Palais des Festivals et des Congrès The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (''Palace of Festivals and Conferences'') is a convention centre in Cannes, France, the venue for the Cannes Film Festival, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and the NRJ Music Award. Th ...

Cannes Cannes ( , , ; oc, Canas) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a communes of France, commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions I ...

, is won by

Luxembourg Luxembourg ( ; lb, Lëtzebuerg ; french: link=no, Luxembourg; german: link=no, Luxemburg), officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, ; french: link=no, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ; german: link=no, Großherzogtum Luxemburg is a small lan ...

with the song "

Nous les amoureux "Nous les amoureux" (; "We, the Lovers" or "Us Lovers") was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1961, performed in French for by French singer Jean-Claude Pascal. The song was performed fourteenth on the night (following 's Dario ...

", sung by

Jean-Claude Pascal Jean-Claude Villeminot (24 October 1927 – 5 May 1992), better known as Jean-Claude Pascal (), was a French comedian, actor, singer and writer. Early life He was born in Paris into a family of wealthy textile manufacturers. His mother, ...

. *

March 21 Events Pre-1600 * 537 – Siege of Rome: King Vitiges attempts to assault the northern and eastern city walls, but is repulsed at the Praenestine Gate, known as the ''Vivarium'', by the defenders under the Byzantine generals Bessas an ...

– The Beatles at The Cavern Club:

play the first of nearly 300 regular performances at

. * March 25 –

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

performs a benefit show at the Block Arena in

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Pearl Harbor is an American lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu, Hawaii, Honolulu. It was often visited by the Naval fleet of the United States, before it was acquired from the Hawaiian Kingdom by the U.S. with the ...

. The show raises $62,000 for the USS ''Arizona'' Memorial fund. *

April 13 Events Pre-1600 *1111 – Henry V is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. * 1204 – Constantinople falls to the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, temporarily ending the Byzantine Empire. 1601–1900 *1612 – In one of the epic samurai ...

**''

Intolleranza 1960 ''Intolleranza 1960'' (''Intolerance 1960'') is a one-act opera in two parts (''azione scenica in due tempi'') by Luigi Nono, and is dedicated to his father-in-law, Arnold Schoenberg. The Italian libretto was written by Nono from an idea by Angelo ...

'' by

Luigi Nono Luigi Nono (; 29 January 1924 – 8 May 1990) was an Italian avant-garde composer of classical music. Biography Early years Nono, born in Venice, was a member of a wealthy artistic family; his grandfather was a notable painter. Nono beg ...

, his first opera, premières at

La Fenice Teatro La Fenice (, "The Phoenix") is an opera house in Venice, Italy. It is one of "the most famous and renowned landmarks in the history of Italian theatre" and in the history of opera as a whole. Especially in the 19th century, La Fenice beca ...

in Venice. **The 3rd Annual Grammy Awards are held in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, hosted by actor

Lloyd Bridges Lloyd Vernet Bridges Jr. (January 15, 1913 – March 10, 1998) was an American film, stage and television actor who starred in a number of television series and appeared in more than 150 feature films. He was the father of four children, includi ...

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

wins the most awards with four.

Bob Newhart George Robert Newhart (born September 5, 1929) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his deadpan and slightly stammering delivery style. Newhart came to prominence in 1960 when his album of comedic monologues, ''The Button-Down Mi ...

's ''

The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart ''The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart'' is a 1960 live album by comedian Bob Newhart. Recorded at the Tidelands Club in Houston, Texas by recording engineer Bill Holford, Newhart's debut album reached #1 on the '' Billboard'' Mono Action Album ...

'' wins Album of the Year,

Percy Faith Percy Faith (April 7, 1908 – February 9, 1976) was a Canadian-American bandleader, orchestrator, composer and conductor, known for his lush arrangements of pop and Christmas standards. He is often credited with popularizing the "easy listenin ...

's version of the "

theme from A Summer Place "Theme from ''A Summer Place''" is a song with lyrics by Mack Discant and music by Max Steiner, written for the 1959 film ''A Summer Place'', which starred Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. It was recorded for the film as an instrumental by Hugo W ...

" wins

Record of the Year The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without reg ...

and Ernest Gold's "

Theme from Exodus Theme or themes may refer to: * Theme (arts), the unifying subject or idea of the type of visual work * Theme (Byzantine district), an administrative district in the Byzantine Empire governed by a Strategos * Theme (computing), a custom graphical ...

" wins Song of the Year. Newhart also wins

Best New Artist The Grammy Award for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1959. Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for records released in the previous year. The award was not presented in 1967. The official guidelines are as ...

. *

April 17 Events Pre-1600 *1080 – Harald III of Denmark dies and is succeeded by Canute IV, who would later be the first Dane to be canonized. *1349 – The rule of the Bavand dynasty in Mazandaran is brought to an end by the murder of Hasan ...

–

Dalida Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti (; 17 January 1933 – 3 May 1987), professionally known as Dalida, was an Italian-French singer and actress born in Egypt. She sang in eleven languages and sold millions of records internationally. Her best known son ...

and

Charles Aznavour Charles Aznavour ( , ; born Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian, hy, Շահնուր Վաղինակ Ազնավուրեան, ; 22 May 1924 – 1 October 2018) was a French-Armenian singer, lyricist, actor and diplomat. Aznavour was known for his dist ...

receive Radio Monte Carlo Oscar Awards for Best Song. * April 23 –

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

's concert at

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhatta ...

in New York City. *

April 29 Events Pre-1600 * 1091 – Battle of Levounion: The Pechenegs are defeated by Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. * 1386 – Battle of the Vikhra River: The Principality of Smolensk is defeated by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and b ...

– Italian tenor

Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (, , ; 12 October 19356 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed tenors of all time. He made numerou ...

makes his operatic debut as Rodolfo in ''

La Bohème ''La bohème'' (; ) is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions ''quadri'', ''tableaux'' or "images", rather than ''atti'' (acts). composed by Giacomo Puccini between 1893 and 1895 to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe G ...

'' at the

Teatro Municipale (Reggio Emilia) The Teatro Municipale (also since the 1980s called the Teatro Municipale Valli due to being named after the actor Romolo Valli) is a theatre in Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy. Following the destruction by fire of the 1741 Teatro Cittadella in April ...

. *

May 1 Events Pre-1600 * 305 – Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman emperor. * 880 – The Nea Ekklesia is inaugurated in Constantinople, setting the model for all later cross-in-square Orthodox churches. *1169 – N ...

– The

Pulitzer Prize for Music The Pulitzer Prize for Music is one of seven Pulitzer Prizes awarded annually in Letters, Drama, and Music. It was first given in 1943. Joseph Pulitzer arranged for a music scholarship to be awarded each year, and this was eventually converted i ...

is awarded to

Walter Piston Walter Hamor Piston, Jr. (January 20, 1894 – November 12, 1976), was an American composer of classical music, music theorist, and professor of music at Harvard University. Life Piston was born in Rockland, Maine at 15 Ocean Street to Walter Ha ...

for his Symphony No. 7. *

June 14 Events Pre-1600 * 1158 – The city of Munich is founded by Henry the Lion on the banks of the river Isar. *1216 – First Barons' War: Prince Louis of France takes the city of Winchester, abandoned by John, King of England, and soo ...

–

Patsy Cline Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among I ...

is hospitalized as a result of a head-on car collision. While she is in hospital, the song "

I Fall to Pieces "I Fall to Pieces" is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Released as a single in 1961 via Decca Records, it topped the country charts, crossed over onto the pop charts and became among C ...

" becomes a big Country/Pop crossover hit for her. *

June 25 Events Pre-1600 * 524 – The Franks are defeated by the Burgundians in the Battle of Vézeronce. * 841 – In the Battle of Fontenay-en-Puisaye, forces led by Charles the Bald and Louis the German defeat the armies of Lothair I of ...

– The

Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...

Trio completes a two-week stay at

The Village Vanguard The Village Vanguard is a jazz club at Seventh Avenue South in Greenwich Village, New York City. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. Originally, the club presented folk music and beat poetry, but it became primarily a jazz ...

in New York. It is the last time this trio will play before virtuoso bassist

Scott LaFaro Rocco Scott LaFaro (April 3, 1936 – July 6, 1961) was an American jazz double bassist known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio. LaFaro broke new ground on the instrument, developing a countermelodic style of accompaniment rather than playing ...

's death 10 days later. The five sets they play on the 25th are recorded, resulting in two albums, ''

Sunday at the Village Vanguard ''Sunday at the Village Vanguard'' is a live album by jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans and his Trio consisting of Evans, bassist Scott LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian. Released in 1961, the album is routinely ranked as one of the best live jaz ...

'' and '' Waltz for Debby''. *June–July –

Stu Sutcliffe Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe (23 June 1940 – 10 April 1962) was a Scottish painter and musician best known as the original bass guitarist of the English rock band the Beatles. Sutcliffe left the band to pursue his career as a paint ...

leaves

to resume his art studies in

Hamburg (male), (female) en, Hamburger(s), Hamburgian(s) , timezone1 = Central (CET) , utc_offset1 = +1 , timezone1_DST = Central (CEST) , utc_offset1_DST = +2 , postal ...

. *

July 1 Events Pre-1600 * 69 – Tiberius Julius Alexander orders his Roman legions in Alexandria to swear allegiance to Vespasian as Emperor. * 552 – Battle of Taginae: Byzantine forces under Narses defeat the Ostrogoths in Italy, and the ...

– French composer

Olivier Messiaen Olivier Eugène Prosper Charles Messiaen (, ; ; 10 December 1908 – 27 April 1992) was a French composer, organist, and ornithologist who was one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex; harmonically ...

marries pianist

Yvonne Loriod Yvonne Louise Georgette Loriod-Messiaen (; 20 January 1924 – 17 May 2010) was a French pianist, teacher, and composer, and the second wife of composer Olivier Messiaen. Her sister was the Ondes Martenot player Jeanne Loriod. Biography Loriod ...

privately in Paris. *

July 17 Events Pre-1600 * 180 – Twelve inhabitants of Scillium (near Kasserine, modern-day Tunisia) in North Africa are executed for being Christians. This is the earliest record of Christianity in that part of the world. * 1048 – Damas ...

– ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' magazine first publishes an "Easy Listening" chart, listing songs that the magazine determines are not rock & roll records. The first #1 song on this chart is "

The Boll Weevil Song ''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite ...

" by

Brook Benton Benjamin Franklin Peay (September 19, 1931 – April 9, 1988), better known as Brook Benton, was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960 ...

. This chart will be renamed a number of times, becoming the

Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine and lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary radio stations in the United States. The chart is compiled based on airplay data submitted to ''Billboard'' by stat ...

chart. *October –

John Cage John Milton Cage Jr. (September 5, 1912 – August 12, 1992) was an American composer and music theorist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading fi ...

's book '' Silence: Lectures and Writings'' is published in the United States. *

October 17 Events Pre-1600 * 690 – Empress Wu Zetian establishes the Zhou Dynasty of China. *1091 – London tornado of 1091: A tornado thought to be of strength T8/F4 strikes the heart of London. *1346 – The English capture King Davi ...

– Former schoolfriends

Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English singer and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of the rock band the Rolling Stones. His ongoing songwriting partnershi ...

and

Keith Richards Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943), often referred to during the 1960s and 1970s as "Keith Richard", is an English musician and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the co-founder, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-princi ...

, later of

The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically d ...

, meet each other again by chance on

Dartford railway station Dartford railway station serves the town of Dartford in Kent, England. It is down the line from . Train services from the station are operated by Southeastern and Thameslink. Southeastern also manages the station. Dartford is a major interchan ...

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

, England, on the way to their respective colleges and discover their mutual taste for rock and roll. * November 9 – The Beatles at The Cavern Club: Future manager

Brian Epstein Brian Samuel Epstein (; 19 September 1934 – 27 August 1967) was a British music entrepreneur who managed the Beatles from 1962 until his death in 1967. Epstein was born into a family of successful retailers in Liverpool, who put him i ...

first sees

. *

December 8 Events Pre-1600 * 395 – Later Yan is defeated by its former vassal Northern Wei at the Battle of Canhe Slope. * 757 – The poet Du Fu returns to Chang'an as a member of Emperor Xuanzong's court, after having escaped the city durin ...

–

release their debut 45rpm single: " Surfin'"/"Luau" on the small California label

Candix Records Candix Records was an independent American record label known primarily for releasing the Beach Boys' first single, " Surfin'. Prior to releasing their first single on Candix, the Beach Boys were briefly known as the Surfers, the name included on ...

. *

December 9 Events Pre-1600 * 536 – Gothic War: The Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome unopposed; the Gothic garrison flees the capital. * 730 – Battle of Marj Ardabil: The Khazars annihilate an Umayyad army and kill its commander, al- ...

–

play their first gig in the south of England, at

Aldershot Aldershot () is a town in Hampshire, England. It lies on heathland in the extreme northeast corner of the county, southwest of London. The area is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council. The town has a population of 37,131, while the Alders ...

. Due to an advertising failure, only 18 people turn up. In the early hours of the following morning they play an impromptu set at a London club. *

William Alwyn William Alwyn (born William Alwyn Smith; 7 November 1905 – 11 September 1985), was an English composer, conductor, and music teacher. Life and music William Alwyn was born William Alwyn Smith in Northampton, the son of Ada Tyler (Tompkins ...

sets up home with fellow-composer

Doreen Carwithen Doreen Mary Carwithen (15 November 19225 January 2003) was a British composer of classical and film music. She was also known as Mary Alwyn following her marriage to William Alwyn. Biography Doreen Carwithen was born at 8, High Street, Haddenham, ...

, his former pupil, at

Blythburgh Blythburgh is a village and civil parish in the East Suffolk district of the English county of Suffolk. It is west of Southwold and south-east of Halesworth and lies on the River Blyth. The A12 road runs through the village which is split ...

in England. *The Leeds International Pianoforte Competition is founded in the north of England by Marion, Countess of Harewood and Fanny Waterman. *

Bob Seger Robert Clark Seger ( ; born May 6, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and The Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s, break ...

's musical career begins. *Indian tabla player

Keshav Sathe Keshav Sathe (31 January 1928 – 18 January 2012) was an Indian tabla player, best known for his contributions to the Indo-jazz fusion genre. Among his significant collaborations are the ones with Joe Harriott and John Mayer in 1965–70; Ire ...

and sitar player Bhaskar Chandavarkar perform with

Larry Adler Lawrence Cecil Adler (February 10, 1914 – August 6, 2001) was an American harmonica player. Known for playing major works, he played compositions by George Gershwin, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Malcolm Arnold, Darius Milhaud and Arthur Benjamin. ...

. *The

Country Music Association The Country Music Association (CMA) was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre. The objectives of the organization are to guide and enha ...

(CMA) creates the

Country Music Hall of Fame The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the world's largest museums and research centers dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American vernacular music. Chartered in 1964, the museum has amass ...

and inducts,

Jimmie Rodgers James Charles Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "the Father of Country Music", he is best known for his distinctive rhythmi ...

, Fred Rose and

Hank Williams Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams; September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, he reco ...

as the first three members. *The score of Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1 is discovered by musicologist Oldřich Pulkert in the Prague National Museum.

Bands formed

*''See :Musical groups established in 1961''

Albums released

* ''

All the Way All the Way may refer to: Film and television * ''All the Way'', an Australian film of 1998 directed by Marque Owen * ''All the Way'' (2001 film), a film directed by Shi Runjiu * ''All the Way'' (film), a 2016 adaptation of Robert Schenkkan's p ...

'' –

Brenda Lee Brenda Mae Tarpley (born December 11, 1944), known professionally as Brenda Lee, is an American singer. Performing rockabilly, pop and country music, she had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s and is ranked fourth in that decade, surpassed only ...

* ''

'' –

* ''Bikini Twist'' –

Bill Haley & His Comets Bill Haley & His Comets were an American rock and roll band founded in 1947 that continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band was also known as Bill Haley and the Comets and Bill Haley's Comets. From late 1954 to late 1956, the group record ...

* '' Blue Hawaii'' (OST) –

* '' The Blues and the Abstract Truth'' –

Oliver Nelson Oliver Edward Nelson (June 4, 1932 – October 28, 1975) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. His 1961 Impulse! album '' The Blues and the Abstract Truth'' (1961) is regarded as one of the most signifi ...

* '' The Bobby Darin Story'' –

Bobby Darin Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Cassotto; May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was an American musician and actor. He performed jazz, Pop music, pop, rock and roll, Folk music, folk, Swing music, swing, and country music. He started his car ...

* ''Bo Diddley Is a Lover'' –

Bo Diddley Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates; December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, incl ...

* '' Bright and Shiny'' –

Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...

* ''

Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! ''Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie!'' is a 1961 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, with a jazz quartet led by Lou Levy. The painting on the cover is by Jean Dubuffet. The liner notes are by Benny Green of the London Observer. Track listing For ...

'' –

* '' Come Swing with Me'' –

* ''Connie At The Copa'' –

Connie Francis Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born December 12, 1937), known professionally as Connie Francis, is an American pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Called the “First Lady of Rock & Roll” ...

* ''Dance 'Till Quarter To Three'' – Gary U.S. Bonds * ''Runaround Sue'' – Dion * ''

An Electrifying Evening with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet ''An Electrifying Evening with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet'' is a 1961 live album by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, recorded at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Track listing # "Kush" ( Dizzy Gillespie) – 11:01 # " Salt Peanuts" (Kenny ...

'' –

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

* ''

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book'' is a 1961 (see 1961 in music) album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, with a studio orchestra conducted and arranged by Billy May. This album marked the only time that Fitzgerald w ...

'' –

* ''

Ella in Hollywood ''Ella in Hollywood'' is a live 1961 (see 1961 in music) album by Ella Fitzgerald, with a jazz quartet led by Lou Levy, recorded in Hollywood, Los Angeles. This album features Ella at the height of her vocal powers, one month before the recordi ...

'' –

* ''

Ella Returns to Berlin ''Ella Returns to Berlin'' is a 1961 (see 1961 in music) live album by Ella Fitzgerald, with a trio led by the pianist Lou Levy, and also featuring the Oscar Peterson trio. The album's title refers to Fitzgerald's more famous concert in Berlin ...

'' – Ella Fitzgerald (recorded, released 1991) * ''

Emotions Emotions are mental states brought on by neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. There is currently no scientific consensus on a definition. ...

'' –

* '' Explorations'' – Bill Evans Trio * ''

Garde-moi la dernière danse ''Dalida internationale'' is the eighth album by Dalida, released in 1961. Several of the singles were hits. Track listing Barclay Records, Barclay – 80144 Ⓜ, 065 521-0: References Sources

* ''L'argus Dalida: Discographie mo ...

'' –

* ''

The Genius Sings the Blues ''The Genius Sings the Blues'' is an album by Ray Charles, released in October 1961 on Atlantic Records. The album was his last release for Atlantic, compiling twelve blues songs from various sessions during his tenure for the label. The album s ...

'' –

* '' Goin' Places'' –

The Kingston Trio The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to the late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, ...

(including "

It Was a Very Good Year "It Was a Very Good Year" is a song composed by Ervin Drake in 1961 and originally recorded by Bob Shane with the Kingston Trio. It was made famous by Frank Sinatra's version in D minor, which won the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance ...

") * '' The Greatest Horn in the World'' –

Al Hirt Alois Maxwell "Al" Hirt (November 7, 1922 – April 27, 1999) was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He is best remembered for his million-selling recordings of "Java" and the accompanying album '' Honey in the Horn'' (1963), and for the them ...

* ''

He's the King and His Band ''He's the King and His Band'' is the first album by Al Hirt to be released by RCA Records, RCA Victor. The album was recorded at RCA Victor's Studio A in New York City. The album reached No. 61 on the Billboard 200, ''Billboard'' Top LPs chart ...

'' –

* '' I Have Dreamed'' –

* ''

I Remember Tommy ''I Remember Tommy...'' is an album by Frank Sinatra, released in 1961. It was recorded as a tribute to bandleader Tommy Dorsey, and consists of re-recorded versions of songs that Sinatra had first performed or recorded with Dorsey earlier in h ...

'' –

* '' It's Morrissey, Man!'' –

Dick Morrissey Richard Edwin Morrissey (9 May 1940 – 8 November 2000) was a British jazz musician and composer. He played the tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and flute. Biography Background He was born in Horley, Surrey, England. Dick Morrissey emerg ...

* ''

Jewels of the Sea ''Jewels of the Sea'' is a 1961 orchestral exotica album by American composer Les Baxter. The album was inspired by fantasy ideas of the ocean from pop culture, such as mermaids and sea nymphs, sunken ships, and legendary underwater cities such ...

'' – Les Baxter * ''Joan Baez, Vol. 2'' – Joan Baez * ''Judy at Carnegie Hall'' –

* ''Listen to Cliff!'' – Cliff Richard * ''Loin de moi'' –

* ''Lonely and Blue'' – Roy Orbison * ''The Lure of the Grand Canyon'' – Johnny Cash * ''Make Way (The Kingston Trio album), Make Way'' –

* ''More Soul'' – Hank Crawford * ''My Favorite Things (John Coltrane album), My Favorite Things'' – John Coltrane * ''New Juke Box Hits'' – Chuck Berry * ''Now Here's Johnny Cash'' – Johnny Cash * ''Out of the Cool'' – The Gil Evans Orchestra * ''Patsy Cline Showcase'' –

* ''Sergei Rachmaninoff, Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 (Rachmaninoff), Piano Concerto No. 3'' – Byron Janis, Antal Dorati conducts the London Symphony Orchestra * ''Rah!'' – Mark Murphy (singer), Mark Murphy * ''Ring-a-Ding-Ding!'' –

* ''Rick Is 21'' – Ricky Nelson * ''Roy Orbison at the Rock House'' – Roy Orbison * ''A Scottish Soldier'' – Andy Stewart (musician), Andy Stewart * ''Send for Me'' – Julie London * ''The Shadows (album), The Shadows'' – The Shadows * ''Shirley Bassey (album), Shirley Bassey'' – Shirley Bassey * ''Sinatra Swings'' –

* ''Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!!'' –

* ''Sing to Me Mr. C'' – Perry Como * ''Someday My Prince Will Come (Miles Davis album), Someday My Prince Will Come'' – Miles Davis * ''Something for Everybody'' –

* ''The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner'' – Ike & Tina Turner * ''Straight Ahead (Oliver Nelson album), Straight Ahead'' –

* ''Stranger on the Shore'' – Acker Bilk * ''

'' – Bill Evans Trio * ''The Swingin's Mutual!'' – Nancy Wilson (singer), Nancy Wilson with the George Shearing quintet * ''Time Further Out'' – Dave Brubeck * ''21 Today'' – Cliff Richard * ''Twist'' –

* ''West Side Story (Cal Tjader album), West Side Story'' – Cal Tjader * ''West Side Story (1961 soundtrack), West Side Story'' – Original Soundtrack * ''Whatever Julie Wants'' – Julie London * ''The Young Ones (album), The Young Ones'' – Cliff Richard and The Shadows

Biggest hit singles

The following singles achieved the highes
chart positions
in 1961.

Top hits on record

Published popular music

* "Another Time, Another Place" w.m. Richard Adler from the musical ''Kwamina'' * "Baby Elephant Walk" m. Henry Mancini from the film ''Hatari!'' * "Big, Bad John" w.m. Jimmy Dean * "Blue Bayou" w.m. Joe Melson & Roy Orbison * "Breaking In A Brand New Broken Heart" w.m. Howard Greenfield & Jack Keller * "Crazy (Willie Nelson song), Crazy" w.m. Willie Nelson * ''Cruella DeVil'' w.m. Mel Leven, from the Walt Disney animated film ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians, 101 Dalmatians'' * "Crying (Roy Orbison song), Crying" w.m. Joe Melson & Roy Orbison * "Funny How Time Slips Away" w.m. Willie Nelson * "Hats Off to Larry" w.m. Del Shannon * "Hit the Road Jack" w.m. Percy Mayfield * "I Love How You Love Me" w.m. Barry Mann & Larry Kolber * "Let's Get Together (Hayley Mills song), Let's Get Together" w.m. Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman from the film ''The Parent Trap (1961 film), The Parent Trap'' * "Let's Twist Again" w.m. Dave Appell & Kal Mann * "Little Miss Stuck-up" w.m. Lee Pockriss & Paul Vance * "Love Makes the World Go 'Round (1961 song), Love Makes the World Go 'Round" w.m. Bob Merrill from the film ''Carnival!'' * "Mister Ed theme song" w.m. Jay Livingston & Ray Evans * "Moon River" w. Johnny Mercer m. Henry Mancini from the film ''Breakfast at Tiffany's (film), Breakfast at Tiffany's'' * "Multiplication" w.m.

. Introduced by Bobby Darin in the film ''Come September''. * "My Kind of Girl" w.m. Leslie Bricusse * "The Passenger's Always Right" w.m. Noël Coward from the musical ''Sail Away (musical), Sail Away'' * "Pocketful Of Miracles" w. Sammy Cahn m. Jimmy Van Heusen from the film ''Pocketful of Miracles'' * "Running Scared (Roy Orbison song), Running Scared" w.m. Joe Melson & Roy Orbison * "Speedy Gonzales" w.m David Hess, Buddy Kaye & Ethel Lee * "Ten Girls Ago" w. Diane Lampert m. Sammy Fain * "Tender Is the Night" w. Paul Francis Webster m. Sammy Fain. Theme from the film ''Tender Is the Night (film), Tender Is the Night'' * "Tower of Strength (Gene McDaniels song), Tower of Strength" w. Bob Hilliard m. Burt Bacharach * "A Walk On The Wild Side" w. Mack David m. Elmer Bernstein * "When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart" w.m. Roy Bennett (songwriter), Roy Bennett & Sid Tepper from the soundtrack album ''The Young Ones (album), The Young Ones'' * "Why Do The Wrong People Travel?" w.m. Noël Coward from the musical ''Sail Away (musical), Sail Away'' * "The Young Ones (song), The Young Ones" w. Roy Bennett (songwriter), Roy Bennett m. Sid Tepper from soundtrack album ''The Young Ones (album), The Young Ones''

Other notable songs

*"Buliao qing (song), Buliao qing" m. Wong Fuk Ling w. Tao Tseon, sung by Koo Mei *":it:Cunto 'e lampare/N'ata dummeneca, Cunto 'e lampare" – Mario Trevi *":it:Mare verde, Mare verde" – Mario Trevi *"

" by

*"Santiano (song), Santiano" by Hugues Aufray *":it:Settembre cu mme/Vicino a tte, Settembre cu mme" – Mario Trevi

Classical music

Premieres

Compositions

*Samuel Adler (composer), Samuel Adler – Symphony No. 3 *Malcolm Arnold – Symphony No. 5 (Arnold), Symphony No. 5 *Milton Babbitt – ''Vision and Prayer'' *Henk Badings **Symphony No. 10 **''Te Deum'' for men choir and orchestra **''Toccata I & II,'' electronic music *Niels Viggo Bentzon – Concerto No. 2 for violin and orchestra *Harrison Birtwistle – ''The World Is Discovered: Six Instrumental Movements after Heinrich Isaac'', for chamber ensemble *Havergal Brian – Symphony No. 19 *Benjamin Britten – Cello Sonata *Earle Brown – ''Available Forms I'' *Elliott Carter – **Double Concerto (1959–61) **''Holiday Overture'' (revision) *Carlos Chávez – ''Soli II'', for wind quintet *Mario Davidovsky – **''Electronic Study No. 1'' **''Piano 1961'' for orchestra *Edison Denisov – String Quartet No. 2 *Petr Eben – Piano Concerto *Morton Feldman **''Durations 3'', for violin, tuba, and piano **''Durations 4'', for vibraphone, violin, and cello **''Durations 5'', for horn, vibraphone, harp, piano or celesta, violin, and cello **''Two Pieces for Clarinet and String Quartet'' **''The Straits of Magellan'', flute, horn, trumpet, harp, electric guitar, piano, and double bass *Alun Hoddinott – Concerto for Piano, Winds and Percussion *Vagn Holmboe – String Quartet No. 6, Op. 78 *Jānis Ivanovs – String Quartet No. 3 *Wojciech Kilar – balet ''The Masque of the Red Death'' *Yuri Levitin – Concertino for Cello and Orchestra, opus 54 *György Ligeti – ''Atmosphères'' for Orchestra *Witold Lutosławski – ''Jéux vénitiéns'' for Orchestra *William Mathias – Second Piano Concerto *Einojuhani Rautavaara – Symphony No. 3 (Rautavaara), Symphony No. 3 *Alan Rawsthorne – Concerto for Ten Instruments *Dmitri Shostakovich – Symphony No. 12 (Shostakovich), Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112 "The Year 1917" *Karlheinz Stockhausen – ''Originale'', musical theatre, Nr. 12⅔ *Toru Takemitsu **''Music of Trees'', for orchestra **''Ring'', for flute, terz guitar and lute **''Bad Boy'', for 3 guitars **''Piano Distance'', for piano *Edgard Varèse – ''Nocturnal'' *Mieczysław Weinberg – Concerto for flute and orchestra in D minor, op. 75 *Isang Yun – Third String Quartet (1959–61)Notes to Recording of Third String Quartet on cpo.

Opera

*Vittorio Giannini – ''The Harvest'' *

– ''

'', 13 April 1961, Venice, Teatro La Fenice *Robert Ward (composer), Robert Ward – ''The Crucible (opera), The Crucible'' *Grace Williams – ''The Parlour'' *Hans Werner Henze – ''Elegy for Young Lovers'', libretto by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman.

Jazz

Musical theater

* ''Carnival!'' (Music and Lyrics: Bob Merrill Book: Michael Stewart (playwright), Michael Stewart). Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theatre on April 13 and ran for 719 performances * ''Do Re Mi (musical), Do Re Mi'' London production opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on October 12 and ran for 169 performances * ''Donnybrook!'' 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 performances * ''How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (musical), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'' (Music and Lyrics: Frank Loesser Book: Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstein and Willie Gilbert) 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 performances * ''Milk and Honey (musical), Milk and Honey'' Broadway production opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 10 and ran for 543 performances * ''The Music Man'' London production opened at the Adelphi Theatre on March 16. Starring Van Johnson, Patricia Lambert, Ruth Kettlewell and Dennis Waterman. * ''Salad Days (musical), Salad Days'' (Julian Slade) – London revival at Prince's Theatre * ''Sail Away (musical), Sail Away'' Broadway production opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 3 and ran for 167 performances *''The Sentimental Bloke (musical), The Sentimental Bloke'' (Music: Albert Arlen Lyrics: Nancy Brown, Albert Arlen, Lloyd Thomson and C. J. Dennis Book: Lloyd Thomson and Nancy Brown). Premiered at the Albert Hall, Canberra, March. Melbourne production opened at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Comedy Theatre on November 4. * ''The Sound of Music, The Sound Of Music'' (Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse) – London production opened at the Palace Theatre, London, Palace Theatre and ran for 2385 performances. * ''Stop the World – I Want to Get Off'' (Music, Lyrics and Book: Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse) - London production opened at the Sondheim Theatre, Queen's Theatre on July 20 and ran for 485 performances. * ''Subways Are For Sleeping'' (Music: Jule Styne Lyrics and Book: Adolph Green & Betty Comden) Broadway production opened at the St. James Theatre on December 27 and ran for 205 performances. * ''Wildest Dreams (musical), Wildest Dreams'' (by Julian Slade) London production opened at the Vaudeville Theatre on August 3 and ran for 76 performances

Musical films

* ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians, 101 Dalmatians'' Walt Disney animated film * ''Amorina (film), Amorina'' Argentine black-and-white musical film * ''Babes in Toyland (1961 movie), Babes in Toyland'' Walt Disney live action film starring Ray Bolger * ''Blue Hawaii'' starring

, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury and Pamela Austin. Directed by Norman Taurog. * ''Flower Drum Song (film), Flower Drum Song'' starring Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta * ''Gunga Jumna'', Bollywood film starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala * ''Jagadeka Veeruni Katha'', Telugu film starring N.T. Rama Rao * ''Season in Salzburg (1961 film), Season in Salzburg'' Austrian musical comedy film * ''West Side Story (1961 film), West Side Story'' starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, and Richard Beymer * ''A Woman Is a Woman, Une femme est une femme'', directed by Jean-Luc Godard with music by Michel Legrand * ''The Young Ones (1961 film), The Young Ones'' British musical starring Cliff Richard

Births

*January 1 – Sergei Babayan, Armenian-American pianist and academic *January 13 – Suggs (singer), Suggs, singer (Madness (band), Madness) *January 14 – Mike Tramp (White Lion) *January 27 **Gillian Gilbert (New Order (band), New Order) **Margo Timmins, Canadian singer-songwriter (Cowboy Junkies) *January 29 – Eddie Jackson (musician), Eddie Jackson (Queensrÿche) *January 31 – Lloyd Cole, singer and songwriter *February 8 – Vince Neil (Mötley Crüe) *

**Henry Rollins, punk/rock vocalist and spoken word performer **cEvin Key, musician (Skinny Puppy) *February 16 – Andy Taylor (guitarist), Andy Taylor, guitarist (Duran Duran) *February 22 – Akira Takasaki, Japanese singer (Loudness (band), Loudness) *February 27 – Hideaki Tokunaga, Japanese singer *March 2 **Sara Mingardo, Italian operatic contralto **Simone Young, Australian conductor *March 15 – Fabio Biondi, Italian violinist and conductor *March 20 – Slim Jim Phantom (The Stray Cats) *March 27 – Tak Matsumoto, Japanese guitarist *April 1 **Susan Boyle, Scottish singer **Mark White (musician), Mark White (ABC (band), ABC) *April 2 – Keren Woodward, singer (Bananarama) *April 6 – Gene Eugene, actor, lead singer of Adam Again *April 12 – Christophe Rousset, harpsichordist *April 28 – Roland Gift, singer (Fine Young Cannibals) *May 7 – Robert Spano, American conductor and pianist *May 9 – Sean Altman, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (Rockapella) *May 10 ** Danny Carey, American rock drummer ** Ayako Fuji, Japanese ''enko'' singer *May 17 – Enya, Irish singer-songwriter *May 20 – Nick Heyward, singer-songwriter *May 29 – Melissa Etheridge, singer-songwriter *May 30 – Gina Sanders, opera singer and vocal pedagogue *June 1 – Peter Machajdík, Slovak composer *June 4 – El DeBarge, singer *June 6 – Tom Araya (Slayer) *June 9 – Debasis Chakroborty, Indian classical slide guitar player *June 10 **Kim Deal, American singer, songwriter and musician, twin of Kelley ** Kelley Deal, American musician, twin of Kim *

– Boy George, English singer, songwriter, DJ and fashion designer. *June 15 – Kai Eckhardt, German bass guitarist *June 18 – Alison Moyet, British singer *June 22 – Jimmy Somerville, British singer *June 24 **Dennis Danell, American singer and guitarist (Social Distortion) (died 2000) **Curt Smith, singer (Tears for Fears) *

– Ricky Gervais, English comedian and singer *June 26 – Terri Nunn (Berlin (band), Berlin) *June 27 – Margo Timmons (Cowboy Junkies) *June 29 – Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks, Bad Religion) *July 2 – Paul Geary (Extreme (band), Extreme) *July 5 **Isabelle Poulenard, French soprano **Timothy Drury, American composer, keyboardist, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and visual artist *July 6 – Rick Price, Australian singer/songwriter *July 7 – Leon Bosch, South African-born double bass player *July 8 **Andy Fletcher (musician), Andrew Fletcher, English keyboard player (Depeche Mode) (died 2022) **Toby Keith, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor *July 10 – Jacky Cheung, Hong Kong singer and actor *

– Guru (rapper), Guru, American rapper, producer and actor (Gang Starr) (died 2010) *July 22 – Keith Sweat, R&B/Soul music, soul singer *July 23 – Martin Gore, English rock musician and songwriter *July 24 – Maxim Fedotov, violinist and conductor *July 26 **Gary Cherone American rock singer (Extreme (band), Extreme) **Keiko Matsui, Japanese pianist and composer *August 2 – Pete de Freitas, Trinidad-born rock drummer (Echo & the Bunnymen) (died 1989) *August 7 – Carlos Vives, Colombian vallenato vocalist and television actor *August 8 **Rikki Rockett, born Richard Ream, American glam rock drummer (Poison (American band), Poison) **The Edge, born David Howell Evans, British rock guitarist (U2) *August 10 – Jon Farriss, Australian rock drummer (INXS) *August 12 – Lawrence (musician), Lawrence (Hayward), English alternative rock musician *August 15 – Matt Johnson (singer), Matt Johnson, English singer-songwriter *August 19 – Cor Bakker, Dutch pianist *August 22 **Andrés Calamaro, Argentine musician **Roland Orzabal, English new wave singer-songwriter (Tears for Fears) *August 23 – Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) *August 24 – Mark Bedford (Madness (band), Madness) *August 25 – Billy Ray Cyrus, American singer and actor *August 26 – Daniel Lévi, French singer-songwriter, composer and pianist *August 28 – Kim Appleby, singer (Mel and Kim) *September 2 – Ron Wasserman, composer and singer *September 5 – Marc-André Hamelin, pianist and composer *September 6 **Scott Travis, American metal drummer (Judas Priest) **Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, guitarist and songwriter (a-ha) *September 7 – Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianist *September 12 – Mylène Farmer, singer, songwriter, actress and author *September 13 – Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) *September 16 **Bilinda Butcher, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (My Bloody Valentine (band), My Bloody Valentine) **T La Rock, American rapper *September 22 – Michael Torke, composer *September 27 – Andy Lau, Hong Kong actor and singer *September 30 – Sally Yeh, Hong Kong singer and actress *October 8 – Ted Kooshian, American jazz pianist *October 9 – Kurt Neumann (musician), Kurt Neumann (The BoDeans) *October 10 – Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet) *October 11 – Amr Diab, Egyptian singer *October 18 – Wynton Marsalis, jazz trumpeter and composer *October 26 – Erica Muhl, American composer and conductor *October 29 – Randy Jackson (The Jacksons), Randy Jackson, singer (The Jacksons) *October 31 – Larry Mullen, drummer for the rock band U2 *November 2 – k.d. lang, Canadian singer-songwriter *November 4 **Daron Hagen, classical and opera composer **Edward Knight (composer), Edward Knight, American composer *November 5 – David Bryson (Counting Crows) *November 6 – Daniele Gatti, conductor *November 8 – Leif Garrett, singer *November 12 – Michaela Paetsch, American violinist *November 13 – Klayton, American rock musician *November 14 **Antonio Flores, Spanish singer-songwriter and actor (died 1995) **Brett Walker, American songwriter and producer (died 2013) *November 18 – Anthony Warlow, Australian singer *November 20 – Jim Brickman, songwriter and pianist *November 22 – Stephen Hough, pianist *November 25 – Nuccia Focile, operatic soprano *December 11 – Dave King (singer), Dave King, Irish-American singer *December 12 – Daniel O'Donnell, Irish singer *December 17 – Sara Dallin, singer (Bananarama) *December 20 – Mohammad Fouad, Arab singer and actor *December 29 – Jim Reid, Scottish musician (The Jesus and Mary Chain)

Deaths

*January – Margaret Balfour, mezzo-soprano *January 13 – Blanche Ring, US singer and actress *January 14 – Henry Geehl, pianist, 79 *February 4 – Alphonse Picou, jazz musician *February 7 – Noah Lewis, jug band musician *February 20 – Percy Grainger, pianist and composer *March 3 – Paul Wittgenstein, pianist, 73 *March 6 – George Formby, Jr., George Formby, English Music hall comedian, singer & songwriter and ukulele player extraordinaire *March 8 – Sir Thomas Beecham, conductor *March 9 – Wilber Sweatman, jazz musician and composer *March 16 – Václav Talich, Czech conductor, violinist and teacher, 77 *March 24 – Freddy Johnson, jazz pianist and singer, 57 (cancer) *April 2 – Wallingford Riegger, composer *April 19 – Manuel Quiroga (violinist), Manuel Quiroga, violinist, 69 *

**Cisco Houston, folk singer **Miff Mole, jazz trombonist and bandleader *May 8 – Victor Cornelius, Danish composer, pianist and singer, 63 *May 29 – Uuno Klami, composer *June 6 – Art Gillham, songwriter *July 6 –

, jazz bassist *August 8 – Mei Lanfang, Beijing opera performer, 66 *August 14 – Heddle Nash, operatic tenor *August 15 **Stick McGhee, guitarist **Morton Harvey, vaudeville entertainer *August 24 – Clarice Vance, "the Southern singer" *September 21 – Maurice Delage, pianist and composer, 81 *September 23 – Elmer Diktonius, composer and poet *September 26 **Bulbul (singer), Bulbul, singer **Ernest Kaʻai, ukulele virtuoso *September 27 – Peter Dawson (bass-baritone), Peter Dawson, bass-baritone *October 5 **Carolina White, opera singer, 75 **Booker Little, jazz musician, 23 *October 11 – Chico Marx, comedian and pianist, 74 *October 12 – Marguerite Monnot, songwriter, 58 *October 13 – Maya Deren, dancer and choreographer, 44 *October 20 – Sylvia Rexach, singer and composer, 39 *November 1 – Joan McCracken, dancer, 43 *November 22 – Ninon Vallin, operatic soprano, 75 *November 23 – York Bowen, pianist and composer, 77 *November 25 – Adelina de Lara, pianist and composer, 90 *November 26 – Alexander Goldenweiser (composer), Alexander Goldenweiser, pianist and composer, 86 *December 18 – Leo Reisman, violinist and bandleader, 64 *December 20 – Moss Hart, musical theatre librettist, 57 *December 30 – Boris Ord, organist and choirmaster, 64 *''date unknown'' **Nadezhda Obukhova, operatic mezzo-soprano

Awards

Grammy Awards

*Grammy Awards of 1961

Eurovision Song Contest

*Eurovision Song Contest 1961

References

{{Reflist 1961 in music, 20th century in music Music by year