Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders (a toughie!): This San Antonio-based dual-lead guitar Southern rock band took its name from a fictitious childhood game in "Brave New World". Their only hit came in April, 1969, peaking at #14 on Billboard. The title stems from a misheard line during an episode of "The Beverly Hillbillies". Group? Song? Answer: "Hot Smoke and Sassafras" by Bubble Puppy. "This song was inspired by an episode of the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies where Granny said, 'Hot smoke and sassafras, Jethro, can't you do anything right?' The group liked the phrase and wrote the song around it as an ode to meditating while smoking marijuana." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xgl8gSbbv8&list=RD3Xgl8gSbbv8&start_radio=1

OK, boys (hint, hint!) and girls, back to the 40s: This iconic 1941 big band/jazz Mack Gordon/Harry Warren composition received THE FIRST ever Gold Record in 1942 after selling 1.2 million copies and topping the charts for nine weeks. First recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra with Tex Beneke on lead vocals. Inspired by a historic Tennessee railroad terminal open from 1909 to 1970. It opens with a conversation between a passenger and a shoeshine boy at Penn Station in NYC asking for directions to his steam locomotive, as he is headed for Tennessee to see his sweetheart. Part of the "Sun Valley Serenade" soundtrack. Grammy Hall of Fame 1996. Song? Answer: "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2aj0zhXlLA&list=RDV2aj0zhXlLA&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb penned this flowing 1978 disco ballad for the "Music for UNICEF" initiative. They donated their $7M in writers' royalties to the organization. It suggests that finding pure, blissful, and heavenly (hint, hint!) moments in a relationship is rare and cannot last forever. #1 U.S. and Canada for 6 weeks, #2 Cash Box. Nine layers of three-part harmonies (27 voices!) comprise the recording including, of course, Barry's stratospheric falsetto. Chicago's three-man brass section can also be heard. Song? Answer: "Too Much Heaven" by The Bee Gees. It is rumored that the trio wrote "Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy" and Andy's "Shadow Dancing" in one day! Upon first hearing it, Brian Wilson commented that the Gibb brothers were "exceptionally good at harmonies". Not a big fan of Jimmy Fallon but you have to give credit when credit is due - his recurri...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This Cannonsburg, PA native (also home to Perry Como) became known as "The Polish Prince" as a teen idol early on in his career. He found his first chart-topping hit, an Al Byron and Paul Evans composition, in a rejected songs pile at Epic Records. A romantic but bittersweet 1962 pop ballad expressing nostalgia for a high school romance, heartbreak, and accepting a lost love. It was also Epic Records' first #1 hit, even though the artist had to do his own promotion. Topped the charts in many countries and also charted in Country and R&B. Covered by Jim Reeves. Artist? Song? Answer: "Roses Are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton. Of Polish and Lithuanian extraction, the original family name was Vintula. He is 90, has been married to his wife Dolly for 64 years and still performs! Other hits include "Blue Velvet", "Blue on Blue" and "Mr. Lonely". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4yaA1K5...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1966 Brian Wilson/Tony Asher composition's intro features harpsichord and french horn - groundbreaking for 60s pop. Inspired in part by Sibelius' Symphony #5 and Wagner's "Die Gotterdammerung". Angelic vocals by little brother Carl. Peaked at #39. Inspired The Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere". Sir Paul called it "the greatest song ever written". #25 on Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Song? Answer: "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys. It is rumored that Brian Wilson and Tony Asher co-wrote it in 15 minutes (!). Some say that the reason it didn't get more airplay was because it contained the word God in the title. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NADx3-qRxek&list=RDNADx3-qRxek&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: The theme for this epic 1956 film was written by Victor Young. Harold Adamson added lyrics later on. Only the orchestral version appears in the movie, which is based on an 1873 Jules Verne novel. Victor Young received a posthumous Oscar for Best Movie Score. The film stars David Niven, Cantinflas and Shirley MacLaine. The instrumental version peaked at #13 on Billboard in '57 but Bing Crosby's and Nat King Cole's vocal renditions became extremely popular. Part of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" soundtrack. Song? Movie? Answer: "Around the World" from "Around the World in 80 Days". I grew up listening to it on the ol' Bogen hi-fi. I find it interesting that David Niven was never knighted. ...and who can forget when a streaker ran across the stage while he was presenting at the 1974 Oscar Ceremony?! Unflappable and amused, Niven quipped: "Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the...