Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Starting out as The Spectres in the early 60s, this British boogie-rock band had 60 chart hits in the UK, more than any other group. Their only U.S. hit (#12) was a 1968 Francis Rossi composition which he wrote in the "loo" to get away from his family. Described as "bubblegum psychedelia", it was inspired by the paintings of L. S. Lowry. The original mono version includes the signature wah-wah guitar whereas the stereo version doesn't. Group? Song? Answer: "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" by Status Quo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UODwwcs71rI&list=RDUODwwcs71rI&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Jules Styne and Bob Merrill penned this "special love song" in 30 minutes in 1962 for the stage version of "Funny Girl"('64) starring Barbra Streisand (like buttah, I'm getting a little verklempt, talk amongst yourselves...). It almost didn't make the script until Streisand finally belted it out on stage and the rest, as they say, is Broadway history. It became her signature song and her 1st Top 40 hit, peaking at #5. Styne and Merrill were Tony-nominated for it. Streisand shared the '68 Best Actress Oscar with Katharine Hepburn ("The Lion In Winter") for her role in the film version. Covered by Dionne, Aretha, Ella and Perry, among many others. The Supremes' version featured Florence on lead vocals - one of their very few recordings to do so. Song? Answer: "People" by Barbra Streisand. Dang, can she sing, dahlin'! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPlQ6EtArSc&list=RDfPlQ6EtArSc...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This young sailor met Don Graves while they were both patients at a Naval Hospital in 1954. He wrote the melody and Don the lyrics inspired by the newspaper comic Little Lulu. The sailor's eventual manager, Bill "Sheriff Tex" Davis, bought out Graves' songwriting credits for $25 (!). He recorded this rockabilly classic in '56 with his group the Blue Caps, named after Ike's golf headwear. It peaked at #7 Pop, #8 R&B and #5 C&W. Covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles and The Everly Brothers (#74 in '60). #102 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. THE first record Paul McCartney ever bought AND THE first song he ever heard John Lennon sing. Song? Artist? "Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWFlLYZm0tA&list=RDZWFlLYZm0tA&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, more Mop Tops: This George Harrison/Jeff Lynne composition speaks of the days of Beatlemania. This was George's 18th solo single. #23 U.S. and #25 U.K. in 1987. The single's cover art contains Klaus Voormann's 1966 line drawing of George from "Revolver", as well as an "updated" version. He wore his original Sgt. Pepper uniform for the video 20 years later - admittedly "a little tight around the middle"! Song? Answer: "When We Was Fab" by George Harrison. I still miss George. He wes FAB, indeed! He singlehandedly taught my generation how to play the rock guitar! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVu6nPTVbBQ&list=RDAVu6nPTVbBQ&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more "Big O": This 1963 "operatic ballad of lost love" came to Roy Orbison upon awakening one morning and he penned it in 20 minutes. It peaked at #7 in the U.S. and stayed in the UK charts for 5 months while he toured with The Beatles. Ringo was quoted as saying: "Roy Orbison was the only act that The Beatles didn't want to follow." In 2:48 min. he goes through 7 distinct "movements", each with unique melodies and chord progressions, utilizing 2 out of his 4-octave range! #312 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Figures prominently during the climax of David Lynch's 1987 "Blue Velvet". Song? Answer: "In Dreams" by Roy Orbison. His voice and songwriting never cease to amaze me. Years ago we saw his exhibit at the Grammy Museum in L.A. - fabulous! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSeIh9rmEUs&list=RDmSeIh9rmEUs&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 50s one-hit wonders: This Happy, Texas native (pop. 690) co-wrote his only hit in 1948 with Jimmy Bowden when he was only 15. A rockabilly classic, it topped the charts in '57 and has sold over 10 million copies since then. Backed by The Rhythm Orchids, he became the first Texas rockabilly artist to earn a Gold Record. THE first artist of the Rock & Roll Era to write and record his own #1 hit. Considered a pioneer of what evolved into the Tex-Mex sound. Steve Lawrence's cover peaked at #5. Part of the "American Graffiti" soundtrack ('73). Artist? Song? Answer: "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL7MJ-a2Kx4&list=RDNL7MJ-a2Kx4&start_radio=1