6 of the 60s: 4/30/14 (1960)...

It's 'hump day' flashback time, and this week I've got a half-dozen more nuggets from 1960, the year Ben-Hur won a record eleven Oscars...

Roy Orbison - "Only The Lonely (Know The Way I Feel)"
from the album Lonely And Blue (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
Songwriters: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Roy's first top-10 single was no happy dance number, but rather a brooding heartfelt outpouring of emotion that pop music needed at that time.

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Bobby Vee - "Devil Or Angel"
from the album Bobby Vee Sings Your Favorites (1960)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6
Songwriter: Blanche Carter

The young teen idol whose fortune happened from tragedy, namely, the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, had his first hit with this by-the-books number...

The Everly Brothers - "When Will I Be Loved"
from the album The Fabulous Style Of The Everly Brothers (1960)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8
Songwriter: Phil Everly

The boys had a belated hit for their former label with this rockabilly ditty with quite a bit of heart.

Ricky Nelson - "Young Emotions"
from the EP Young Emotions (1960)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriters: Mack David, Jay Livingston

Ricky still had television on his side when he put out this reflective girl-magnet..

Harold Dorman - "Mountain Of Love"
from the single (1960)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21
Songwriter: Harold Dorman

This rock and soul singer from Mississippi had his only hit with this song about watching his love find their own love without them.

Little Willie John - "Heartbreak (It's Hurtin' Me)"
from the album Sure Things (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #38
Songwriter: Jon Thomas

This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member was one of the best of the blues/pop bridge, though Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley may have gotten more of the fame...

Tomorrow I'll have 7 more from 1970 and eight from 1980...