1961 in music

Events

January 15 - Motown Records signs The Supremes
February 12 - The Miracles' "Shop Around" becomes Motown's first million-selling single
February 13 - Frank Sinatra forms his own record label, Reprise Records, which would later release recordings by The Beach Boys, The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix.
February 14 - the Platters file a lawsuit against Mercury Records 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 Williams to sing lead
The Beatles perform at the legendary Cavern Club for the first time
The Rolling Stones' musical career begins
The Temptations' musical career begins
The Beach Boys' musical career begins
Gladys Knight's musical career begins
Bob Dylan's musical career begins

"I Fall to Pieces" - Patsy Cline
"Crazy" - Patsy Cline
"Crying" - Roy Orbison
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - The Tokens
"Runaround Sue" - Dion
"Let's Go Trippin'" - Dick Dale's first local hit, regarded as first surf rock instrumental
"Tossin' & Turnin'" - Bobby Lewis
"Runaway" - Del Shannon
"Blue Moon" - The Marcels
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" - The Shirelles
"There's No Other Like My Baby" - The Crystals' first hit
"Please Mr. Postman" - The Marvellettes
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - The Tokens
"Quarter To Three" - Gary U.S. Bonds
"Shop Around" - The Miracles
"Travelin' Man" - Ricky Nelson
"Stand By Me" - Ben E. King
"The Wanderer" - Dion