#1 in the Charts
May 5 "West Side Story" soundtrack album goes #1 & stays #1 for 54 weeks which is more than 20 weeks longer than any other album
A Funny Thing Happened
May 8 Stephen Sondheim's musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" starring Zero Mostel and Jack Gilford, and directed by George Abbott, opens at Alvin Theater, NYC; runs for 965 performances, and wins 6 Tony Awards
- May 9 The Beatles sign their 1st contract with EMI Parlophone
- May 13 Ossie Davis' comedic stage farce "Purlie Victorious", starring the playwright, closes the Longacre, Theatre, NYC, after 261 performances
- May 19 "Bravo, Giovanni" opens at Broadhurst Theater NYC for 76 performances
- May 19 "John Birch Society" by Chad Mitchell Trio hits #99
Happy Birthday, Mr. President
May 19 Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" to JFK before 15,000 attendees, accompanied by jazz pianist Hank Jones, at Madison Square Garden, NYC
Contract of Interest
May 24 The Beatles record "Sweet Georgia Brown" & "Swanee" in Hamburg, Germany to close out their contract with producer Bert Kaempfert; Tony Sheridan later dubs vocal over tracks
- May 25 Wand Records releases The Isley Brothers' cover single "Twist & Shout"; it becomes their first top-20 hit, peaking at #17
Musical Finale
May 26 Charles Strouse and Lee Adams' musical "All American", starring ray Bolger, closes at the Winter Garden Theater, NYC after 80 performances
- May 29 4th Grammy Awards: "Moon River", Peter Nero win
TV Show Appearance
May 29 Barbra Streisand appears on "The Garry Moore Show"
War Requiem
May 30 Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" incorporating the poems of Wilfred Owen premieres, marking the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral
Country Singers
Jazz Musicians
Opera Singers
Pop Stars
Rappers
Rockers