The Billboard Hot 100 - 1961

The year is 1961 and just when you thought that rock & roll was the only sound on the radio dial along comes Motown Records. Named after its home town of Detroit, Michigan it signed up groups who were up and coming mega stars like The Supreme's and The Miracles whose 1961 hit "Shop Around" sold over a million copies and put the relatively new record label on the charts. Another Motown star was Ray Charles with the chart toppers "Hit the Road Jack" and "Let The Good Times Roll". The Motown sound was a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence which contributed major influences to the American music scene. It's creator Berry Gordy Jr. a song writer himself, would run the record label until 1988 when he sold his rights to MCA Universal Music.

Ricky (Rick) Nelson turned 21 this year and to celebrate he dropped the "y" from his name. To help promote his TV show a video recording was made of his performance of "Travelin' Man" which some believe is the first music video. The song made it to No1 for two weeks.

SONG	ARTIST	No OF WEEKS	DATE
Wonderland By Night	Bert Kaempfert	3	1/09
Will You Love Me Tomorrow	The Shirelles	2	1/30
Calcutta	Lawrence Welk	2	2/13
Pony Time	Chubby Checker	3	2/27
Surrender	Elvis Presley	2	3/20
Blue Moon	The Marcels	3	4/03
Runaway	Del Shannon	4	4/24
Mother-In-Law	Ernie-K-Doe	1	5/22
Travelin' Man	Ricky Nelson	2	5/29
Running Scared	Roy Orbison	1	6/05
Moody River	Pat Boone	1	6/19
Quarter To Three	Gary U.S. Bonds	2	6/26
Tossin' And Turnin'	Bobby Lewish	7	7/10
Wooden Heart	Joe Dowell	1	8/28
Michael	Highwaymen	2	9/4
Take Good Care Of My Baby	Bobby Vee	3	9/18
Hit The Road Jack	Ray Charles	2	10/09
Runaround Sue	Dion	2	10/23
Stay	Jimmy Dean	5	11/06
Please Mr. Postman	Marvalettes	1	12/11
The Lion Sleeps Tonight	Tokens	3	12/18