| No. 777 | 1 December 1961 | |
| n.a. | More and More New Record Departments Cover the Country | 2 |
| Grey, Andy | Presley Sings More in ‘Blue Hawaii’ than Ever Before | 3 |
| Hand, Albert | My Mountain Meeting with Elvis Presley | 3 |
| Fordyce, Keith | Reviews the Seasonal Singles | 4 |
| Evans, Allan | LP’s: Everly Bros., Both Sides of an Evening Sammy Davis, Mr. Entertainment Heusen-Cahn, Ring-A-Ding-Ding Brenda Lee, Brenda Lee: All The Way Out Maple Leaf Four, Smokey Mountain Jamboree |
4 |
| NME Music Charts | Best Selling Pop
Records in Britain: 1. Frankie Vaughan, “Tower of Strength” 2. Bobby Vee, “Take Good Care of My Baby” 3. Danny Williams, “Moon River” 4. Elvis Presley, “His Latest Flame” 5. Jimmy Dean, “Big Bad John” |
5 |
| NME Music Charts | Best Selling Sheet
Music in Britain: 1. “Moon River” (Chapell) 2. “Socu-Socu” (Peter Maurice) 3. “When the Girl in Your Arms” (Leeds) 4. “Walkin’ Back Happiness” (Filmusic) 5. “Tower of Strength” (Chappell) |
5 |
| NME Music Charts | Best Selling Pop
Records in U.S. 1. Jimmy Dean, “Big Bad John” 2. Dion, “Runaround Sue” 3. Marvelettes, “Please Mr. Postman” 4. James Darren, “Goodbye Cruel World” 5. Brenda Lee, “Fool No. 1” |
5 |
| n.a. | Helen Shapiro Heads
New Comers Springfields Star in Conway’s Season Show Two Month Tour Seven for Paris Olympia and TV Sharon Sheeley Here Julie on ‘Jury’ Bobby Vee Here Next Month ‘Pick of the Pops’ On Different Night Cliff to film in Yugoslavia Adam Faith May Tour S. Africa Xmas ‘Club’ Fare ‘Juke Box’ Fare |
6 |
| n.a. | NME Poll Winner’s
Supplement: World Female Singer: Connie Francis World Musical Personality: Elvis Presley World Male Singer: Elvis Presley World Vocal Group: Everly Brothers British Vocal Personality: Adam Faith British Vocal Groups: Springfields Instrumental Personality: Bert Weedon British Small Groups: Shadows Best British Disc of the year: John Leyton’s “Johnny Remember Me” British Large Band: Ted Heath British Male Singer: Cliff Richard Artist For Poll Concert: Billy Fury Trad Jazz Band: Acker Bilk British Female Singer: Helen Shapiro New Disc or TV Singer: John Leyton Disc Jockey: David Jacobs |
7 |
| Johnson, Derek | Presley’s Year Again | 8 |
| n.a. | Shadows Runaway Victory | 9 |
| n.a. | Billy Fury says- “It’s Smashing” | 9 |
| n.a. | 48 Top 5 Awards in the New Musical Express’ Poll 1961 | 10-12 |
| n.a. | Cliff Confesses- “My Prayer Was Answered” | 12 |
| n.a. | “You’ve Made 1961 the Most Important Year of My Life”-Says Helen Shapiro | 12 |
| n.a. | “Thanks For Remembering!” Says John Leyton | 13 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Springfields Amazed By Victory | 13 |
| Hellicar, Mike | Bilk Celebrates His Trad Win With Cider | 13 |
| n.a. | Pat Boone here for film, TV next month | 15 |
| n.a. | Bernard Delfont’s big 1962 disc-show plans | 15 |
| n.a. | Everly Brothers Join U.S. Marines | 15 |
| n.a. | Make Certain of Your
NME All-Star Calendar Williams in ‘Parade” TV and radio Jazz Dates For Denver Emile Ford Delayed Six-Week Tour and Films for Leyton Saxon Given Own Show Monro On Crutches ‘West Side’ Film for Royal Show |
15 |
| Winters, Georgia | A New Monthly Gossip Column buy Georgia Winters | 16 |
| Johnson, Derek | Xmas Discs: Yule List | 16 |
| n.a. | Singles: Kingston Trio, “Coventry Carol / White Snows of Winter Peggy Lee, “The Tree" / "I like a Sleigh ride” Fred Warring Pennsylvanians, “Christmas Magic" / "Mistletoe” Nina and Frederik, “Little Shepherd Boy" / "Christmas Time in London Town” Ronnie Ronalde, “Little White Berry” |
16 |
| n.a. | Extended-Play: 1. The Black and White Minstrels, Christmas with the Black and White Minstrels 2. Nina And Frederik, Christmas at Home with Nina and Frederick 3. Pinky and Perky, Christmas with Pinky and Perky 4. Bobby Darin, The 25th of December 5. Ray Conniff, Christmas with Conniff |
16 |
| n.a. | Long-Plays 1. Joe Loss Orchestra, Party Dance Time, No. 2 2. Black and White Minstrel Show, No. 2 3. Peggy Lee, Christmas Carousel 4. Big Ben Banjo Band, Get Happy 5. Russ Conway, Happy Days |
16 |
| n.a. | Frankie Vaughan Gets that Gay, Noll Felling | 17 |
| Williams, Chris | New to the Charts | 17 |
| Johnson, Derek | Nobody Says Derek Johnson is Unfair to Adam Anymore | 18 |
| n.a. | Classifieds | 19 |
| n.a. | Poll Win Changes Ted Heath's Mind | 20 |
| Garrett Lee, February 2005 | ||
| No. 778 | 8 December 1961 | |
| Johnson, Derek | The Strange Story Behind Petula Clark’s New Hit | 2 |
| n/a | Dave Brubeck Lifelines | 2 |
| Gray, Andy | Cliff’s Film Is Best Teenage Romp Ever! | 3 |
| Rich, Jim | Pat Boone Has a Big Hit in ‘Johnny Will’ | 3 |
| Evans, Allen | LP’s: Del Shannon, Runaway Peggy Lee, Christmas Carousel Bobby Darin, Love Swings |
4 |
| Fordyce, Keith | Forecasts Another…
Singles: Jess Conrad, “Twist My Wrist” Allan Bruce, “ Unchained Melody” Neil Sedaka, “Don’t Lead Me On” Marvelettes, “So Long Baby” Frankie Avalon, “The Lonely Bit” Gary (U.S.) Bonds, “Trip to the Moon” Johnny Mathis, “My Kind of Christmas” Tony Orlando, “Happy Times” Sandy Nelson, “Quite a Beat” |
4 |
| NME | Best Selling Pop
Records in Britain: 1. Frankie Vaughan, “Tower of Strength” 2. Danny Williams, “Moon River” 3. Bobby Vee, “Take Good Care of My Baby” 4. Elvis Presley, “His Latest Flame” 5. Dave Brubeck, “Take Five” |
5 |
| NME | Best Selling Sheet
Music in Britain: 1. “Moon River” (Chappell) 2. “Walkin’ Back to Happiness” (Filmusic) 3. “When the Girl in Your Arms” (Leeds) 4. “Sucu-Sucu” (Peter Maurice) 5. “Take Five” (Burlington) |
|
| n.a. | Frankie Vaughan Goes
to Buckingham Palace Ball ‘Moscow’ Hit Released in States New Ellington Girl With Philips Only 17s. 6d. Seats Left! Lonnie Back to ‘Lucky Stars’ Tony Meehan In New Decca A-And-R Team U.S. Stars on AR-TV Four Aces Back After Six Years For Ryan TV Show Newly May Write John Leyton Film Threat to 1962 ‘Pete’s Party’ Jacobs Will Compere ‘Song For Europe’ |
6 |
| n.a. | Kings, Cleo Lain
Precede Queen’s Speech Big Pop Line-up For Summer Show Season Brenda Lee- Vincent Venues Revealed Hi-los Back-With Ted Heath Band Cliff and Shadows: ‘Young Ones’ Album Bilk to Play TV Minstrel Big ATV New Year’s Eve Charity Spectacle Set Elvis: New Deal ‘Pick of Pops’ at Tea-time! ‘Trad Tavern’ Bands Booked |
7 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Temperance Seven Confound Critics! | 8 |
| Nat Hentoff | U.S. Airmail: Helen Heading for U.S. Hit? | 8 |
| Johnson, Derek | Switch Brings Rose Luck | 9 |
| Williams, Chris | New to the Charts: Jim’s in the Swim Again- on Discs! | 9 |
| n.a. | Elvis Reads NME to Learn About Fans | 9 |
| Charlton, Bruce | Jim Reeves Wins by Breaking the Rules | 10 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Karl Denver Enjoys Facing His Fans | 10 |
| Evans, Allen | EP’s: Cliff Richard Christmas with Conniff Bobby Darin Christmas with Minstrels Billy Fury |
10 |
| n.a. | Classifieds | 11 |
| The Alley Cat | Tail-Pieces | 12 |
| Garrett Lee, February 2005 | ||
| No. 779 | 15 December 1961 | |
| n.a. | They’re All Trying to Twist Us! | 2 |
| n.a. | Jonah Ruddy Goes on the Hollywood film Set with Dion and Chubby Checker | 2 |
| Johnson, Derek | G-Clefs’ Delayed Action | 2 |
| Evans, Allen | EP’s: Shirley (Bassey) No. 2 Gene Vincent Peggy Lee, Latin A La Lee Dinah Washington/Brook Benton Benny Hill Hit Parade Pat Boone Ricky (Nelson) Sings Spirituals Russ Conway Sunshine Alex Welsh Edmundo Ros |
2 |
| Goodwin, Keith | I Am Not Deserting Rock, Says Billy Fury | 3 |
| Wynn, James | The Nelson Touch | 3 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Acker’s Ancestry | 3 |
| Fordyce, Keith | On Singles: This Disc Could Add to Darin’s Fans! Benny Hill, “Lonely Boy”, “The Piccolo Song” Dickie Henderson, “You’re the Sugar in My Teacup”, Happy Family Man.” Joy and Drive, “Joe’s Ben a-Gittin’ There”, “They Tell Us Not to Love” Doug Sheldon, “Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night”, “You’re the Only One Fooling Yourself” Trevor Peacock, “Can I Walk You Home”, “I Didn’t Figure on Him (to Come Back)” Ted Heath and His Music, “Tonight,” “Capuccina” The Black Notes, “Dixieland Chopsticks” Mimi Roman, “Johnny Will,” “Let It be Me” Duane Eddy, “Avenger” Gary Miller, “There Goes that Song Again,” “The Night Is Young” Kari Lynn, “You’ve Got to See Mamma Every Night,” “Lonesome and Sorry” Monty Babson, “It All Began with You,:” “Mama Darling” Bryan Johnson, “Calling for You” Lord Sutch, “Till the Following Night” |
4 |
| Evans, Allen | LP’s Connie Francis, Songs to a Swinging Band Perry Como, Sing to ME, MR. C. The Steve Lawrence Sound Joe ‘Mr. Piano’ Henderson El Senor Bing Russ Conway, Happy Days Linda Scott, Starlight Starbright Hail Hail the Gang’s All Here Johnny Gregory Orchestra, Sing the Old Favorites |
4 |
| NME | Best Selling
Pop Records in Britain: 1. Frankie Vaughan, “Tower of Strength” 2. Danny Williams, “Moon River” 3. Bobby Vee, “Take Good Care of My Baby” 4. Acker Bilk, “Stranger on the Shore” 5. Kenny Ball, “Midnight in Moscow” |
5 |
| NME | Best Selling
Sheet Music in Britain: 1. “Moon River” (Chappell) 2. “Tower of Strength” (Chappell) 3. “Walkin’ Back to Happiness” (Filmusic) 4. “Little Donkey” (Chappell) 5. “Sucu-Sucu” (Peter Maurice) |
|
| n.a. | Super
1962 NME Annual Helen Shapiro Headlines London Palladium Variety ‘Saturday Club’ Line-up big January casts ‘Parade’ Reviews Hits Elvis extract on AR Hayley Mills For Boxing Day ‘Jury’ Kayes Join Cliff in ‘All Kinds of Music’ Acker’s BBC Xmas Party Craig Douglas For Special ABC Show Cinema Box Office Honour for Singers ‘Startime’ Back in the New Year Welsh’s TV Dates |
6 |
| n.a. | Chubby
Checker Stars on Granada Showcase Major Firms Enter ‘Song for Europe’ Bobby Vee Tour Date Announced Cliff-Shadows Tour Adds Major London Booking U.S. Releases for Williams, Stevens Fury-Leyton Package Stars: Film for Billy Nearly Set Temp. Seven BBC-TV Series: Dates Fixed Big ‘Stars’ cast uncertainties Cleo’s ITV Dates Shirley Bassey: Surprise Move |
7 |
| Charlton, Bruce | Russ Goes Back to ‘Old Type’ Conway | 8 |
| Williams, Chris | Ricky Nelson Talks About Growing-up | 8 |
| Goodwin, Keith | The Springfields Found Hit on Holiday | 9 |
| n.a. | Oh, My Giddy Aunt, Exclaims Mrs. Mills | 9 |
| n.a. | Nat Hentoff’s American Airmail U.S. Plans for Shirley | 9 |
| Johnson, Derek | Each Shadow Has His Own Fans Now! | 10 |
| n.a. | Life-lines of Dion | 10 |
| n.a. | Classifieds | 11 |
| The Alley Cat | Tail-Pieces | 12 |
| Pardoe, Rex | Joan Regan Goes Back to Where She Started | 12 |
| Garrett Lee, March 2005 | ||
| No. 782 | 22 December 1961 | |
| Johnson, Derek | Question Time with Frankie Vaughan | 3 |
| Charlton, Bruce | Connie and Lionel Get a Disc-public’s ‘Kiss’ for Xmas! | 3 |
| Fordyce, Keith | Singles
Reviews: Garry Mills, “Drunken Sailor” Tony Williams, “My Prayer” Danny Peppermint, “Peppermint Twist” Jack Hammer, “Kissin’ Twist” Bluebells, “Snow White and the Three Stooges” |
4 |
| Evans, Allen | LP Reviews:
Bill Haley, Rock around the Clock Karl Denver, Wimowe Marty Robbins, Just a Little Sentimental Ray Charles, Dedicated to You Ben E. King, Spanish Harlem |
4 |
| n.a. | Jimmy Darren Adds to Film Fame with Discs | 4 |
| NME | Best Selling
Pop Records in Britain: 1. Frankie Vaughan, “Tower of Strength,” (Phillips) 2. Danny Williams, “Moon River,” (HMV) 3. Acker Bilk, “Stranger on the Shore,” (Columbia) 4. Sandy Nelson, “Let There Be Drums,” (London) 5. Kenny Ball, “Midnight in Moscow,” Kenny Ball (Pye) |
5 |
| NME | Best Selling
Sheet Music in Britain 1. “Moon River” (Chappell) 2. “Tower of Strength” (Chappell) 3. “Toy Balloons” (Jewel) 4. “When the Girl in Your Arms” (Leeds) 5. “My Friend the Sea” (Bron) |
|
| NME | Best Selling
Pop Records in US 1. The Tokens, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” 2. The Marvelettes, “Please Mr. Postman” 3. Bobby Vee, “Run to Him” 4. Chubby Checker, “The Twist” 5. Leroy Van Dyke, “Walk On By” |
|
| DECCA | Top hits (ad) | 5 |
| EMI | New pops (ad) | 5 |
| Hentoff, Nat | Donegan In Big Spring Show- and US Caberet? | 6 |
| Johnson, Derek | Charlie Drake a giant in glitter piano | 6 |
| n.a. | News Britons Ride High! [Cliff Richards] They Praise NME All Star Annual! Barber to Play ‘Millionaire’ Tour Star Names ~ Star News [Andy Stewart, Sandra Dee, Lionel Bart] London Release for Two ‘Twist’ Films Checker’s ITV Show Date Set New Show About Teenage Girl David Jacobs Radio Disc Show Extended Joan Regan for Talk of Town Disc Session Seen on TV Johnny Howard in Own Radio Series Radio Manx to Serve Britain Acker Bilk Fancy Waistcoat Stolen Producer Dies [Moss Hart] Ricky with Billy [Ricky Stevens] Billy Fury to star in BBC-TV pop survey Fog Held Up Kane Fordyce D-J Series Kelly in Bing Role Cliff, Lonnie, and Alma For Special ATV Show |
6 |
| n.a. | King Offered
U.S. TV Series Karl Denver Venues Named Anglia Music Quiz Big Star Line-up for ‘Easy Beat’ No ‘Blitz’ for Doug Matt Monro Flies to US Next Week Hi-Los Trip Off Welsh ‘On Stars’ ‘Frogman’ Henry to Make British Bow Mudlarks Out of Xmas Show Newley Role for Castle? Shirley Bassey Re-Booked for New York Plaza Hotel Who’s Where 1962 BBC Radio Plans- Clinton Ford Series |
7 |
| n.a. | What Is the Mystery Behind Del Shannon? | 8 |
| Wynn, James | Another Triumph for Judy! [Garland] | 8 |
| n.a. | Duke Says Word ‘Jazz” Obsolete | 8 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Sedaka Succeeds with Own Songs | 9 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Jazz [Miles Davis, Al Gray, John Coltrane] | 9 |
| Hentoff, Nat | American Airmail [Elvis Creates Problem for Highway Patrol, Shirley wins new fans] | 9 |
| n.a. | From You to Us [Letters] | 9 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Santa Scared the Daylights from Shirley Bassey! | 10 |
| Gray, Andy | Tommy Sands Talks | 10 |
| n.a. | Life-lines of Ricky Stevens | 10 |
| n.a. | Darin’s Hope | 10 |
| n.a. | Classified Ads | 11 |
| Radio Luxembourg | Full Program | 11 |
| The Alley Cat | Tail-pieces [Great Happiness for Helen Shapiro!] | 12 |
| Williams, Chris | ‘Toyland’ Boosts Sands | 12 |
| Michael Levine, February 2005 | ||
| No. 781 | 29 December 1961 | |
| Gray, Andy | Song-pic Story of ‘Blue Hawaii’ [Elvis Presley] | 3 |
| Hellicar, Mike | Pat Boone’s Advice to Teenagers | 3 |
| Evans, Allen | EP Reviews Peter and Sophia, Bangers and Mash Violins Victorious, Guns of Navarone Polly Bergen, Do-Re-Mi Victor Silvester, Lambeth Walk Stanley Holloway, Brahn Boots |
3 |
| Fordyce, Keith | Singles Reviewed It Was a Great Year of Variety…and Billy Fury’s "Jealousy" Was the Phenomenon Matt Monro, “Portrait of My Love” Cleo Laine, “Answer to Me” Billy Fury, “Jealousy” Danny Williams, “Moon River” Helen Shapiro, “Sucu Sucu” |
4 |
| Evans, Allen | LP Reviews New World Theatre Orchestra, Honeymoon in Manhattan Percy Faith, Tara’s Theme Pete Seeger, Pete Seeger Story Songs Louis Armstrong, His Greatest Years Luis Alberto, Del Parana, Trio Paraguayne, Canciones De Las Americas |
4 |
| n.a. | U.S. Chart Points Winners Didn’t Make It Here | 4 |
| n.a. | French Hit Discs Recorded Here! | 4 |
| n.a. | Britons Helped Kennedy | 4 |
| EMI | New Pops (ad) | 5 |
| DECCA | Top Hits (ad) | 5 |
| NME | Best Selling Pop
Records in Britain: 1. Danny Williams, “Moon River” 2. Frankie Vaughan, “Tower of Strength” 3. Acker Bilk, “Stranger on the Shore” 4. Pat Boone, “Johnny Will” 5. Kenny Ball, “Midnight in Moscow” |
5 |
| NME | Best Selling Sheet
Music in Britain: 1. “Exodus” 2. “Wooden Heart” 3. “Climb Every Mountain” 4. “Scottish Soldier” 5. “How Wonderful to Know” |
5 |
| NME | Best Selling Pop
Records in U.S. 1. The Tokens, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” 2. Bobby Vee, “Run to Him” 3. Chubby Checker, “The Twist” 4. James Darren, “Goodbye Cruel World” 5. Leroy Van Dyke, “Walk on By” |
5 |
| Wedge, Don | Lonnie’s ‘Dustman’ Is Big Scene | 6 |
| Walsh, Peggy | Steele Shines as Humpty | 6 |
| Jack, David | Hilton is Hit as Hero | 6 |
| Gardner, Mark | Hockridge Hissed to Success! | 6 |
| Sykes, Peter | A Different Valentine [Dickie Valentine] | 6 |
| Andrew, John | Shadows Make Big Impact | 6 |
| Sampson, Gordon | David Whitfield’s Solos Acclaimed | 6 |
| n.a. | Greatest-ever U.S.
Star Invasion Here in 1962 With Russ Conway Decca Changes Temp. 7 Venues Geoff Brook Ill: Bookings Upset Back to ‘Pops’ New to ‘Oliver!’ |
6 |
| n.a. | Vee, Orlando, Henry
Touring in February Steele Stars in Palladium TV |
6, 7 |
| n.a. | Shadows to Make History
in Paris Music in Boone’s British Film Pop Stars Guest in Billy Fury’s First Film Helen Shapiro, Nina and Frederik, Minstrels Get Summer Shows Brennan and Wilde Discs—U.S. Release Eddie Joins Ken Bing’s Disc Tops 20-Million! Karl at ‘Club’ N.Z. Booking for Sheila Buxton John Joins Jacks Checker, Dion in New Rock Film To Scandinavia? [Emile Ford] Monro Retro Surprise |
7 |
| Williams, Danny | Thanks to Everyone for Making ‘Moon River’ No. 1 (ad) | 7 |
| Columbia Pictures | “Twist Around the Clock” with Chubby Checker (ad) | 8 |
| Johnson, Derek | Danny Williams Stars in Question-Time | 9 |
| Hentoff, Nat | American Airmail [Sophie Tucker, Doris Day, Frankie Avalon] | 9 |
| Goodwin, Keith | Trad Mad 1961! [Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball] | 9 |
| Hellicar, Mike | The Girl of 1961- Helen Shapiro | 10 |
| Goodwin, Keith | It’s Not His Fault If You Get Too Much of Bobby Vee | 10 |
| n.a. | Life-lines of Chubby Checker | 10 |
| n.a. | Classified Ads | 11 |
| n.a. | Radio Luxembourg Full Programmes | 11 |
| n.a. | AFN Highlights | 11 |
| Alley Cat, The | Tail-Pieces [Peter Gordeno, Cliff Richard, Jimmy Dean] | 12 |
| n.a. | From You to Us | 12 |
| n.a. | In January ‘Hit Parade,’ Cliff Richard Takes You on World Tour | 12 |
| Michael Levine, February 2005 | ||
| Initial December contents by Phil Jennings, March 1999 |
|
|
| 1961 |
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| grtedit 19-Jun-2006 |