McCartney Plays Bass
Jan 5 The Beatles perform with Paul McCartney on bass guitar for the 1st time, at Litherland Town Hall, in Lancashire, England
- Jan 12 "Show Girl" opens at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC for 100 performances
Gordy Signs Supremes
Jan 15 Berry Gordy signs The Supremes to Motown Records
- Jan 16 "Conquering Hero" opens at ANTA Theater NYC for 8 performances
- Jan 21 "Conquering Hero" closes at ANTA Theater NYC after 8 performances
- Jan 21 Francis Poulenc's "Gloria" premieres in Boston< Massachusetts by Boston Symphony and Chorus Pro Musica under conductor Charles Münch
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Jan 26 "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley hits #1
"Il trovatore"
Jan 27 Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli make debuts at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in "Il trovatore"; final curtain call lasts 35 minutes
"I Fall to Pieces"
Jan 30 "I Fall to Pieces" single released by Patsy Cline (Billboard Song of the Year 1961)
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers