1960 in music
See also: 1959 in music, other events of 1960, 1961 in music and the list of 'years in music'.
Events
- January 14 - Elvis Presley is promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Army
- February 6 - Songwriter Jesse Belvin dies in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, California. Belvin was the co-author of "Earth Angel," the Peguins' classic from 1954
- March 5 - Elvis Presley returns home from serving in the US Army
- First performance of Lionel Bart's Oliver!
- The Beatles' musical career begins
- Patti LaBelle's musical career begins
- Carla Thomas' musical career begins
- Hank Williams Jr.'s musical career begins
- Van Morrison's musical career begins
- The Supremes' musical career begins
Albums Released
Top Hits
- "Only The Lonely" - Roy Orbison
- "Chain Gang" - Sam Cooke
- "Save The Last Dance For Me" - The Drifters
- "Stay" - Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs
- "Walk, Don't Run" - The Ventures
- "Red Rubber Ball" - Bobby Vee
- "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" - Brian Hyland
- "Cathy's Clown" - The Everly Brothers
- "Sink the Bismarck" - Johnny Horton
- "Good Timin'" -Jimmy Jones
- "You Talk Too Much" - Joe Jones
- "Georgia On My Mind" - Ray Charles
- "It's Now Or Never" - Elvis Presley
- "Exodus" - Ferrante & Teicher
- "El Paso" - Marty Robbins
Births
- January 4 - Michael Stipe, lead singer for the rock band R.E.M.
- January 12 - Charlie Gillingham, Counting Crows
- January 16 - Sade
- January 22 - Michael Hutchence, INXS
- February 3 - Tim Chandler, Daniel Amos, The Swirling Eddies, others
- February 19 - William Holly Johnson, Frankie Goes To Hollywood
- February 27 - Paul Humphries, Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark
- March 13 - Adam Clayton, bassist for rock band U2
- May 10 - Bono, lead singer for rock band U2
- June 1 - Simon Gallup, The Cure
- June 2 - Tony Hadley, Spandau Ballet
- June 8 - Mick Hucknall, Simply Red
- August 1 - Chuck D., Public Enemy
- August 7 - Jacqui O'Sullivan, Banarama
- August 23 - Steve Clark, Def Leppard
- September 8 - David Steele, Fine Young Cannibals
- September 22 - Joan Jett, The Runaways
- October 22 - Cris Kirkwood, Meat Puppets
- October 30 - Joey Belladonna, Anthrax
- November 19 - Matt Sorum, The Cult
- November 25 - Amy Grant
- December 2 - Rick Savage, Def Leppard
- December 31 - Paul Westerberg
- Greg Flesch - Daniel Amos, The Swirling Eddies
Deaths
- February 6 - Jesse Belvin, car accident
- November 5 - Johnny Horton