At the time, nobody would have noticed, but in retrospect, 1961 started out with a few significant changes in popular music. For example, nobody could have predicted that the people responsible for Barrett Strong’s “Money” (played last week) was really a brain trust that would soon change the sound – and the face – of popular music.

Motown started to make an impression that would revolutionize pop and soul. Just as relevant, though, was the appearance of a “girl group” called the Shirelles. Yes, there had been ‘girl groups’ before, but this record signified something different. It would have been near-impossible to understand it at the time, but this single revolutionized pop music by giving women a voice in popular music, singing about something much deeper and more sexually relevant.

Suddenly, with the trends that were kick-started here, it felt like rock and roll was getting a second life. It didn’t feel the same as before, but since when is music beholden to history?

Featured tracks include:

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? – The Shirelles

Shop Around – The Miracles

Tell Laura I Love Her – Ray Peterson

Corinne, Corinna – Ray Peterson

Ruby – Ray Charles

Spanish Harlem – Ben E. King

Runaway – Del Shannon

Mother-In-Law – Ernie K-Doe

Hide Away – Freddie King

Trust in Me – Etta James

Stand by Me – Ben E. King

Hello Walls – Faron Young

Quarter to Three – Gary ‘U.S.’ Bonds