1960s Timeline

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Mar 19, 2022

Bob Dylan's Debut Album Hits Stores Today

Mar. 19, 1962 - For sale in local record stores today is “Bob Dylan,” the debut album by the folk singer-songwriter. The album was produced by Columbia’s John H. Hammond, who signed 20-year-old Mr. Dylan to the label. “Bob Dylan” primarily features folk standards but also includes two original compositions, “Talkin’ New York” and “Song to Woody.” The latter is an ode to Woody Guthrie, a major influence on Mr. Dylan’s music. During the recording sessions in November, Mr. Dylan

Mar 10, 2022

"Hey! Baby" Hits the Top of the Charts

Mar. 10, 1962 - Hitting the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel. The song features well-known harmonica player Delbert McClinton. Channel wrote “Hey! Baby” with Margaret Cobb in 1959 and performed the song for two years before recording it for Fort Worth record producer Bill Smith. Now it is a hit. #music #musician #musica #1960s #musically #musicvideo #musicislife #musicians #musicproducer #musiclife #MusicLover #musicfestival #musicismyli

Feb 17, 2022

"Duke of Earl" Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

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 warm-up exercises by the Dukays, a vocal group that included Chandler, who performed then under his original name, Eugene Dixon. The group would regularly warm up by singing “Do, do, do..." in different keys. On one occasion, Dixon changed the syllables, and the chant gradually transformed from “do, do, do” to “Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl.”

Jan 30, 2022

Narcotics Case Against Ray Charles Thrown Out

Jan. 30, 1962 - A criminal case against Ray Charles (pictured in court today), the blind singer-pianist, was dismissed in Indianapolis Municipal Court today on the ground that he was illegally arrested Nov. 14 on a narcotics possession charge. Judge Ernie S. Burke noted that the 31-year-old Los Angeles entertainer had been arrested in his hotel room without warrants for either his arrest or a search. Judge Burke said the Negro pianist had been the victim of a “bad arrest.” “A

Jan 28, 2022

Movies: "Don't Knock the Twist"

Jan. 28, 1962 - The Twist dance craze appears to have taken firm hold at Columbia Pictures. Producer Sam Katzman, responsible for the studio’s “Twist Around the Clock,” in which Chubby Checker was a guest performer, is putting another feature in the genre, titled “Don’t Knock the Twist” and starring Mr. Checker, before the Hollywood cameras tomorrow. Oscar Rudolph, who directed “Clock,” will do the same for “Don’t Knock the Twist.” James B. Gordon, the scenarist of the former

Jan 27, 2022

"Peppermint Twist" Hits Top of the Charts

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 the Starliters. The Starliters are the house band at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City. The Lounge has been the launch pad for the Twist craze sweeping the country, with celebrities swarming to the club to join the fun. Joey Dee and the Starliters are featured in the film “Hey, Let’s Twist,” which was released on December 31. #music #m

Jan 13, 2022

Chubby Checker's "The Twist" Retakes Top Spot on Billboard Hot 100

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, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 19 and stayed there for one week. This is the first time a song has reached No. 1 again on a separate chart run. In July 1960, Checker performed "The Twist" for the first time in front of a live audience at the Rainbow Club in Wildwood, N.J., and just weeks later, on Aug. 6, 1960,

Jan 8, 2022

Leonard Bernstein Honors Father Samuel with Original Composition

Jan. 8, 1962 - Leonard Bernstein (pictured left), conductor of the New York Philharmonic, played an original composition on the piano this evening at the birthday party of his father Samuel Bernstein (third from left). The elder Mr. Bernstein, head of a cosmetics supply firm, observed his 70th birthday at the Sheraton-Plaza Hotel in Boston. The party was attended by 800 guests. The conductor dedicated his composition to a “great gentleman whose greatest gift to me was the lov

Dec 18, 2021

Billboard Hot 100: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" Hits No. 1

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 formed in 1955 at Brooklyn’s Abraham Lincoln High School, and was known first as The Linc-Tones. The song was adapted and covered internationally by many pop and folk revival artists after it was published by Folkways Music Publishers in December 1951. Now it is a hit. #music #musician #musica #musically #musicvideo #musical #musicislife #musi

Dec 11, 2021

Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" Hits No. 1

Dec. 11, 1961 - Reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 today is “Please Mr. Postman,” by the Marvelettes. The recording features lead singer Gladys Horton hoping that the postman has brought her a letter from her boyfriend. The drummer on the song is 22-year-old Marvin Gaye. #music #musician #musica #musically #musicvideo #musical #musicislife #musicians #musicproducer #musiclife #MusicLover #musicfestival #musicismylife #musicphotography #musicindustry #musiclovers #musicia

Nov 24, 2021

Carnegie Recital Hall Presents Music of Yoko Ono, 28

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 music: Against a taped background of mumbled words and wild laughter a girl spoke earnestly about peeling a grapefruit, squeezing lemons, and counting the hairs on a dead child. Musicians in the corner made their instruments go squeep and squawk. Two dancers stood up and sat down alternately for 10 minutes of silence. Then they sat down at a ta

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 a quiet miner who “stood 6 foot 6 and weighed 245.” One day, a support timber cracks at the mine where John works. The situation looks hopeless until John “grabbed a saggin' timber…and like a giant oak tree just stood there alone,” then “gave a mighty shove,” opening a passage and allowing the 20 other miners to escape. Just as men are about

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 ballroom dance,” according to Lou Brecker, who founded the theatre district ballroom in 1919. “It is lacking in true grace and, since we have previously outlawed rock ’n’ roll as a feature at Roseland, we likewise will not permit the Twist to be danced,” he said. #music #musician #musica #musically #musicvideo #musical #musicislife #musicians #m

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, performed by Dion (pictured). The lyrics are sung from the point of view of a man whose former girlfriend, Sue, was unfaithful. He warns all potential lovers to avoid her at all costs, as Sue "runs around" with every guy she meets and never settles down with anyone. Dion split with his original group, the Belmonts, last year to pursue a solo care

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 set and celebrities of show business have discovered the Twist, performed to rock ’n’ roll, and are wallowing in it like converts to a new brand of voodoo. The Twist, stemming from a dance called the Madison that erupted a number of years ago in Philadelphia, is a shoulder-shaking, hip-swiveling step in which the partners synchronize their mov

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 Percy Mayfield, is Mr. Charles's second number-one hit. The first was his recording of "Georgia on My Mind," which reached number one last year. Mr. Charles was blinded during childhood due to glaucoma. #music #musician #musica #musically #musicvideo #musical #musicislife #musicians #musicproducer #musiclife #MusicLover #musicfestival #musicismy

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 nightclub and recording performers. Miss Smith filed suit in Las Vegas this morning, charging the bandleader and trumpet player with mental cruelty. The couple were married in 1952 and have 2 daughters. #music #musician #musica #musically #musicvideo #musical #musicislife #musicians #musicproducer #musiclife #MusicLover #musicallyapp #musicfestiva