Music+of+1961

= Music of 1961 =

Overview
1961 saw a wide variety of musical genres. It was the start of a new decade that brought music like Rock n’ Roll to the masses. However, big band acts like Frank Sinatra were still in full swing. Country Western music was beginning to establish its self as a respectable genres, and was one of the major influences of Rock n’ Roll. The fourth annual Grammy Awards (the defining music awards) were held in 1961.

Record of the year- “Moon River” by
Mancini was important figure in contemporary music in 1961. He was best known for his role in forming soundtracks for major motion pictures and television. He was an accomplished songwriter, with his name tied to “Moon River” as the main writer.

Album of the year- [[image:http://www.avclub.com/assets/images/articles/article/1564/Judy-Garland_.jpg width="168" height="168" align="right"]]
The Minnesota born actress/singer is best known for her role a Dorothy in __The Wizard of Oz__ (1939). It was because of this role that Garland got her start in the music industry. While married to her third husband, Sidney Luft, Garland did extensive concert touring. During one of these tours in 1961 she was recorded at Carnegie Hall. Garland was one of the leading Big Band performers, much like Frank Sinatra, but it was her female singing voice that often gave her an edge of the male dominated music industry. (2009-10.1.2.J) Sources [] [] []