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The Number One Hits Of 1960 |
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| Dec 28, 1959 – Jan 3, 1960 Frankie Avalon Why Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frankie Avalon was a teen idol during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also had a successful acting career, starring in various beach party films. “Why” was written by Peter De Angelis and Bob Marcucci. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Avalon’s final chart-topping hit. |
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| Jan 4, 1960 – Jan 17, 1960 Marty Robbins El Paso Marty Robbins was an American singer, songwriter, and actor known for his country and Western music. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. “El Paso” is a country and western ballad written and performed by Marty Robbins. The song tells the story of a cowboy’s love for a Mexican girl named Felina. It won a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961. |
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| Jan 18, 1960 – Feb 7, 1960 Johnny Preston Running Bear Johnny Preston was an American pop singer known for his late 1950s and early 1960s hits. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, and his singing style was influenced by R&B and rock ‘n’ roll. “Running Bear” was written by J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper. The song tells a Romeo-and-Juliet-style story of two young Native American lovers. It topped the charts in both the US and the UK. |
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| Feb 8, 1960 – Feb 21, 1960 Mark Dinning Teen Angel Mark Dinning was an American pop singer born in Manchester, Oklahoma. He was known for his smooth, emotive singing style and achieved his greatest success with “Teen Angel.” “Teen Angel” was written by Jean Dinning and her husband, Red Surrey. The song is a teenage tragedy tune about a girl who dies while trying to retrieve her boyfriend’s high school ring from a railroad track. |
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| Feb 22, 1960 – Apr 24, 1960 Percy Faith Theme from ‘A Summer Place’ Percy Faith was a Canadian bandleader, orchestrator, and composer known for his lush arrangements of pop standards. He had a long and successful career, which spanned five decades. “Theme from ‘A Summer Place'” is an instrumental piece by Max Steiner for the 1959 film “A Summer Place.” Percy Faith’s orchestral version became one of the most popular instrumentals of the 1960s. |
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| Apr 25, 1960 – May 22, 1960 Elvis Presley Stuck on You Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” is one of the most iconic and influential musicians of the 20th century. He was known for his unique blend of R&B, gospel, and country music. “Stuck on You” is a song by Aaron Schroeder and J. Leslie McFarland. It was Presley’s first hit after his two-year stint in the U.S. Army and became his 13th number-one single. |
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| May 23, 1960 – June 26, 1960 The Everly Brothers Cathy’s Clown Don and Phil Everly, known as The Everly Brothers, were an influential American rock ‘n’ roll duo who contributed to the development of early rock music. They were known for their close harmony singing style. “Cathy’s Clown” was written by Don and Phil Everly themselves. The song became their most successful single, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and selling over 8 million copies worldwide. |
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| June 27, 1960 – July 10, 1960 Connie Francis Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool Connie Francis was an American pop singer and actress born in Newark, New Jersey. She is best known for her string of hit singles during the late 1950s and early 1960s. “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” was written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of Francis’s most popular hits. |
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| July 11, 1960 – July 17, 1960 Hollywood Argyles Alley-Oop The Hollywood Argyles were an American musical group assembled by producer and singer Gary Paxton. They were a studio group with a constantly changing lineup. “Alley-Oop” was written by Dallas Frazier and was inspired by a popular comic strip character of the same name. The novelty song became a one-hit wonder for the Hollywood Argyles, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
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| July 18, 1960 – August 7, 1960 Brenda Lee I’m Sorry Brenda Lee, nicknamed “Little Miss Dynamite,” was an American pop and country singer known for her powerful voice and a string of hits during the late 1950s and 1960s. “I’m Sorry” was written by Ronnie Self and Dub Albritton. The song showcased Brenda Lee’s vocal range and became one of her signature hits, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
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| August 8, 1960 – August 14, 1960 Brian Hyland Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Brian Hyland is an American pop singer and guitarist best known for his teenage hits in the early 1960s. He continued to release music throughout the 1970s and 1980s. “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. The novelty song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains a popular summer anthem. |
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| August 15, 1960 – September 18, 1960 Elvis Presley It’s Now or Never Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” was a cultural icon and a pioneer in the genre. He was known for his unique blend of R&B, gospel, and country music. “It’s Now or Never” is a song based on the Italian ballad “O Sole Mio.” Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold wrote the lyrics and the song became one of Elvis’s biggest international hits. |
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| September 19, 1960 – September 25, 1960 Chubby Checker The Twist Born Ernest Evans, Chubby Checker was an American singer-songwriter known for popularizing “The Twist” dance. The Twist has been a long-lasting hit. Hairspray (1988) – Directed by John Waters, this musical comedy features Chubby Checker himself performing “The Twist” during a dance scene. The Help (2011) – Set in the 1960s, this drama film directed by Tate Taylor includes a scene where “The Twist” is played at a party. |
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| September 26, 1960 – October 9, 1960 Connie Francis My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own Connie Francis was a versatile American pop singer and actress with several decades of career. She recorded songs in various genres and languages, becoming a global star. “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own” was written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield. The song became another No. 1 hit for Connie Francis on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
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| October 10, 1960 – October 16, 1960 Larry Verne Mr. Custer Larry Verne was an American singer and actor known for his novelty hits in the early 1960s. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and had a short-lived music career. “Mr. Custer” was a novelty song by Al De Lory, Fred Darian, and Joseph Van Winkle. The song humorously tells the story of a soldier’s reluctance to join General Custer’s doomed expedition, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
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| October 17, 1960 – October 23, 1960 The Drifters Save the Last Dance for Me The Drifters were an influential American R&B and doo-wop group with a constantly changing lineup. They were known for their smooth harmonies and versatile sound, incorporating soul, gospel, and pop music elements. “Save the Last Dance for Me” was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. The song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is considered one of The Drifters’ most enduring classics. |
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| October 24, 1960 – November 13, 1960 Brenda Lee I Want to Be Wanted Brenda Lee was a successful American pop and country singer known for her powerful voice and numerous hits throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. “I Want to Be Wanted” is a song originally composed by Italian musician Pino Donaggio. Kim Gannon wrote the English lyrics. Brenda Lee’s version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
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| November 14, 1960 – November 20, 1960 Ray Charles Georgia on My Mind Ray Charles was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his groundbreaking fusion of R&B, gospel, and blues music. He is often referred to as “The Genius” and was a pioneer in developing soul music. “Georgia on My Mind” was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. Ray Charles’ soulful rendition of the song became one of his signature tunes and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. |
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| November 21, 1960 – November 27, 1960 Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs Stay Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs were an American doo-wop and R&B group known for their tight harmonies and catchy tunes. Maurice Williams was the group’s lead singer and primary songwriter. “Stay” was written by Maurice Williams and became the group’s biggest hit. The song, known for its falsetto lead vocals, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains one of the shortest chart-topping singles in history, with a runtime of 1 minute and 36 seconds. |
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| November 28, 1960 – January 8, 1961 Elvis Presley Are You Lonesome Tonight? Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” was a music and cultural icon. He significantly impacted popular music, blending genres like R&B, gospel, and country music. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” is a song by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926. Elvis Presley’s version, released in 1960, became one of his most famous ballads, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song showcases Presley’s emotional vocal delivery and is accompanied by spoken word passages. |
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The Biggest Pop Artists of 1960 include: (HPS music data is compiled from charts, including Billboard’s Pop, Rock, Airplay, R&B/Dance, and Singles Charts. The Hot 100 is the primary chart used for this list.) |
