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Vanilla Fudge.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This "cross between psychedelia and early heavy-metal" band from NYC cut 5 albums between 1967 and 1969. They started out as Rick Martin and The Snowmen and later evolved into The Pigeons. Heavily influenced by The Young Rascals, they recorded excellent covers of Beatles and Cher songs. Their biggest hit was a Supremes cover featured during the final episode of "The Sopranos". Group? Biggest hit? Answer: Vanilla Fudge. "You Keep Me Hangin' On". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dJO47d26kc&list=RD3dJO47d26kc&start_radio=1
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"Playboy" by Gene and Debbe.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Singer/songwriter Gene Thomas met young vocalist Debbe Neville in Nashville. They were signed by Acuff-Rose Music to record under the TRX label. Their one hit was a 1968 Thomas composition that sold over a million copies, was awarded a Gold Record and peaked at #18. A dialogue between a woman warning her beau about his reputation as a heartbreaker and the man triying to prove his sincere love. Very pleasant pop/country harmonies. Song? Duo? Answer: "Playboy" by Gene and Debbe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlxq0pCiCc&list=RDeDlxq0pCiCc&start_radio=1
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"Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This beat/pop band from North London formed in 1963. They had a female drummer, Honey Lantree, very rare in those days. Their only hit was a Howard/Blaikley collaboration - it reached #1 in the UK, Australia and Canada and #5 in the U.S. Group? Hit? Answer: "Have I the Right?" by The Honeycombs. I remember watching them doing "Have I the Right" on "Shindig" - mighty cool! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZUWHfI6EuE&list=RD2ZUWHfI6EuE&start_radio=1
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"Beach Baby" by The First Class.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Husband-and-wife singer/songwriter duo John Carter/Gillian Shakespeare wrote their major hit in 1974 in southwest London, far away from any shore. They recruited lead vocalist Tony Burrows ("Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)", "Gimme Dat Ding", "United We Stand") and Chas Miller to form a pop studio-based group. Riding the wave of 60s nostalgia and with Brian Wilson-esque rich harmonies, it peaked at #4 in the US and at #13 in the UK. Group? Song? For extra credit, name Carter's 1965 hit. Answer: "Beach Baby" by The First Class. Extra credit: "Tossing and Turning". A little bubblegummy but I always liked "Beach Baby". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeGPpwFpIAA&list=RDoeGPpwFpIAA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAkIbLSYOBI&list=RDbAkIbLSYOBI&start_radio=1
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"Misirlou" by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones.

OK, boys and girls, a little "exotica" this morning: This popular Greek "orphan" song's title loosely translates into "Egyptian girl". Introduced by Michalis Patrinos in 1927, it was then "adopted" by Nick Roubanis in 1941, crediting himself with the song. A classic surf-guitar version was recorded by Dick Dale in 1962 and covered by the Beach Boys in '63. In '94 it became the "theme" for "Pulp Fiction". Tune? Answer: "Misirlou" by Dick Dale and His Del-Tones. Originally titled "Miserlou". It's even on Guitar Hero II! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8&list=RDZIU0RMV_II8&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aKTHBzgKg8&list=RD5aKTHBzgKg8&start_radio=1S
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Antinio Paoli.

OK, boys and girls, a toughie this morning: Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, this dramatic tenor was the first Puerto Rican to gain international fame in the musical arts. He was also the first singer to record an entire opera - "Pagliacci" in 1912. He was dubbed "The King of Tenors and The Tenor of Kings". He was "black-balled" from the Metropolitan Opera House by Enrico Caruso, a major shareholder and influential figure at The Met, because of professional jealousy and fear of competition. This, along with WWI, caused him to lose his fortune. He returned to Puerto Rico, where he taught singing and ran a music school with his sister. He also did some professional boxing on the side! Tenor? Answer: Antonio Paoli (1871-1946). He was also very influential in the creation of the prestigious Conservatory of Music in San Juan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFXJOg9Xxg&list=RDqnFXJOg9Xxg&start_radio=1
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"Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 30s: This classic 1935 "arrabalero" tango was penned by its singer with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera. A compulsive gambler compares his penchant for horse-racing with his attraction to women. The melody is based on Mozart's Rondo in C Major for Violin and Orcherstra K. 373. Al Pacino danced to it on "Scent of a Woman" and Schwarzenegger in "True Lies". Answer: "Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel. The tango scene in "Scent of a Woman", when Pacino dances with Gabrielle Anwar, is one of my favorite movie clips ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2zTd_YwTvo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ1aTPM-dyE&list=RDSJ1aTPM-dyE&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPlv1QKiUwg
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