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"Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: One night, out of the blue, this Stockton, CA rockabilly revivalist gets a call from a woman he barely knew and she tells him, "I'm coning over". By the time she got to his place, he had already written what would become his biggest hit and signature song. A soft-rock ballad about unrequited love "brooding, thoroughly conflicted". His long-time guitarist Jimmy "King of Slows" Wisley composed and played the haunting, hypnotic intro and "quivering riff" lead guitar parts using his 1962 Strat run through a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp, heavy on the whammy bar, delay, tremolo and gentle vibrato, creating its trademark and unique sound. The unforgettable sensual black-and-white video features the singer along with Danish supermodel Helena Christensen filmed at a Hawaiian beach. #6 Billboard Hot 100. The video won MTV's VMA awards for Best Video and Best Cinematography. Covered by, among many others, Cel...
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"Love Is in the Air" by John Paul Young.

Ok, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Australian songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young (no relation to the singer) penned this romantic 1978 Disco classic. It was the only Top 40 hit for this Aussie vocalist, becoming a worldwide sensation. # 7 U.S., #5 UK, #1 Easy Listening. A remix was part of the 1992 film "Strictly Ballroom" soundtrack. The artist performed it during the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Song? Singer? Answer: "Love Is in the Air" by John Paul Young. George Young was a member of The Easybeats, as was Harry Vanda, and he wrote their "Friday On My Mind". He is the older brother of AC/DC's Malcolm and Angus Young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNC0kIzM1Fo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOxMylotEZM
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Clarence White.

OK, boys and girls, more Guitar Gods: This Maine native cut his teeth with Three Little Country Boys and the Kentucky Colonels. Did session work for the Monkees. Joined The Byrds in '68 until '73. "Time Between" and "The Girl With No Name" are fine examples of his string-bending mastery. Joined The Muleskinners in early '73 until his tragic death that same year. Marty Stewart owns and plays his prized '54 "B-Bender" Telecaster. Artist? Answer: Clarence White. One of my guitar heroes. The undisputed MASTER of the country-rock guitar. His guitar work in "Time Between" is as stellar today as when he played it way back then. He was only 29 when he died, hit by a drunk driver while loading gear after a gig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeGTUP1JfWE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQmSMyAEguU
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"A Thousand Stars" by Kathy Young and the Innocents.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Santa Ana, CA native was not quite 15 in 1960 when she met all-male trio The Innocents during a taping of "The Wink Martindale Show". Producer Jim Lee of Indigo Records promptly signed her up to cover a 1954 minor hit romantic ballad by The Rivileers. It peaked at #3 on Billboard and at #6 R&B. Artist? Song? Answer: "A Thousand Stars" by Kathy Young and the Innocents. Ol' Wink's (91!) been around for a LONG time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwX4bjFrP_0
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"Fly Me to the Moon".

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: This 1954 Bart Howard pop standard was introduced live by Felicia Sanders and first recorded by Kaye Ballard. The original title was "In Other Words" but later changed. Sinatra/Basie/Jones recorded the most-recognized version in '64. The Apollo 10 crew played it en route, Buzz Aldrin played it on the moon and then danced to it on Dancing With The Stars. Song? Answer: "Fly Me to the Moon". Gotta hand it to ol' Buzz - still dancin' at 95! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEcqHA7dbwM
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"It's For You".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney penned this romantic 1964 rocker for their protege Cilla Black. It reached the Top 10 in the UK but did no better than #79 in the U.S. The Detroit-based band Springwell had its highest-charting U.S. version at #60. It was never recorded by The Beatles. During the recording session with Cilla Black at Abbey Road Studios there was quite a bit of tension between John, Paul and Sir George Martin as to how it should sound. Three Dog Night included their version in their eponymous 1968 debut album. Puerto Rican rockers Los Challengers did a dynamite 1969 version, with the late great Moreno "Reno" Habif on lead vocals, which became one of their signature tunes. Song? Answer: "It's For You". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC1SgQ71FNo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMVClYCHo5I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr7NOTYbPeU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8wWzc5Wn2M
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Chris Montez.

OK, boys and girls, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: This mixed-ancestry L.A. native's career was heavily influenced by Ritchie Valens. The early Beatles opened for him and Tommy Roe in London. His '62 hit peaked at #4 on Billboard. In '66, Herb Alpert produced his cover of a Petula Clark release, reaching #2 on Easy Listening and #22 on Hot 100. Because of his high tenor, many thought it was sung by a woman! Artist? Two hits? For extra credit, other notable recording. Answer: Chris Montez. Two hits: "Let's Dance" and "Call Me". Other notable recording: "The More I See You". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNLXxDMxe18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf4bXRMu3R4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXJIQNDC-N4
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