Rock and roll was no longer the prominent force on the pop charts in 1961, but the diversity of the year’s music more than made up for it.

Without expending much energy, you could hear country, R&B, Easy Listening, Jazz, Doo Wop, and yes, even rock and roll without having to change the station. AM pop stations were happy to play any genre, so long as the song was a hit that attracted an audience, and in 1961 America was starting to embrace diversity. It was a short-lived but great era for pop music.

Featured tracks include:

Hello Walls – Faron Young

Quarter to Three - Gary “US’ Bonds

Cupid – Sam Cooke

I Fall to Pieces – Patsy Cline

Never on Sunday – The Chordettes

Crying – Roy Orbison

Little Sister – Elvis Presley

Who Put the Bomp – Barry Mann

Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles

Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey

Take Five – The Dave Brubek Quartet

Runaround Sue – Dion

NOTE:  As this show was recorded at home during the pandemic, it contains an error in its construction. The comments made after “I Fall to Pieces” and “Never On Sunday” were accidentally reversed.