Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, more 60s one-hit wonders:  Pete Townshend (under the pseudonym Bijou Drains) was instrumental in bringing together this British rock trio in '69.  Their only hit was composed and sung by John "Speedy" Keen, Townshend's roommate and roadie.  Keen played drums on the recording and Townshend filled in on bass.  Keyboardist Andy Newman (hint, hint!) and 15-year-old guitarist Jimmy McCulloch rounded out the trio.  The song had three key changes (pianists love key changes - we guitarists hate them!)!  #1 UK for 3 weeks in '69, #37 on Billboard.  Covered by David Bowie and Tom Petty.  Part of the "Almost Famous" soundtrack and featured in a Coca Cola commercial.  It is considered an anthem of the counterculture and antiwar movements of the late 60s.   A message of hope for a better future while embracing change.  Song?  Trio?

OK, boys and girls, in the true spirit of the upcoming Holiday Season: Twelve of the Top 25 Christmas Songs were written by our Jewish brethren.  Name them..... Answer: Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song, Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Let It Snow, White Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Silver Bells, I'll Be Home For Christmas, A Holly Jolly Christmas.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s:  This 1960 nostalgic, heartfelt and melancholic ballad is the opening number in "The Fantasticks".  First performed by Jerry Orbach highlighting his deep rich baritone as part of the original off-Broadway cast playing El Gallo, the narrator.  Music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones (the American Tom Jones, not the Welsh one!).  Longing for lost love and lamenting the passage of time.  Ed Ames', Roger Williams' and The Brothers Four's versions made the charts.  Break out the Kleenex!  To this day, "The Fantasticks" remains the world's longest-running musical and received a Tony in '91. Jerry Orbach "Try to Remember" - YouTube

OK, boys and girls, more Fabdom on a crisp Monday morning: This '63 release was dedicated to the band's many adoring female fans. B-side to "From Me To You". Lennon wrote the verses and Macca the chorus. First Beatles song to utilize double-tracked vocals to emphasize John's lead (he had a bad   cold that day!). Two other songs, "One After 909" and "What Goes On?", were recorded during the same session but were not released until much later - "Let It Be" and "Rubber Soul" respectively. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ku2HwZJc0Y Not one of their biggest hits but I always loved the song. First time I heard it was while having pizza at Mastro's Pizza Palace on Central Ave. in San Juan. It was playing on the little tableside jukebox (remember those?).

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s:  The members of this acoustic folk quartet met as college students at the University of Washington - Seattle in '57.  They were members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  Their biggest hit came in '60 with a Miller/Dehr/Gilkyson composition that was first recorded by The Easy Riders in '57.  Their second single, it is a poignant, somber and moody ballad.  #2 on Billboard, it remained in the charts for 20 weeks.  It received two Grammy nominations.  Covered by The Vogues in '69.  They performed at JFK's Inauguration and have sung for four Presidents at The White House.  They have been dubbed "America's Musical Ambassadors to the World" and continue to perform to this day.  Group?  Biggest hit?  Green Fields - Brothers Four (CD Quality) - YouTube "Greenfields" by The Brothers Four.  The name of the quartet refers to their fraternity brotherhood. It was not one of my faves when it first came out but it happe

OK, boys and girls, a toughie this morning: After Sid Vicious' death, this FABULOUS South London guitarist/bassist took over Sid's instrumentals for the Sex Pistols and subsequently The Professionals. He then formed a SUPERB acoustic folk trio in '92 with his ex Joanna "Piano" Pace, his daughter Lily Ramona and their dog(!). Artist? Group? Hank Dogs - Bareback. - YouTube Hank Dogs - 18 dogs - YouTube Answer: Andy Allen of Hank Dogs (named after Hank the Dog, an integral part of the band!). Albums: Bareback (1999) and Half Smile (2002). The interplay between Andy's acoustic guitar and a Spanish-style trumpet in the song "Bareback" is genial - worth a listen! I first heard about Hank Dogs in the late 90s on NPR (before NPR went to the dark side of The Force). Their two CDs are for the ages. I am Facebook friend with all three members and they are as nice as can be. Andy runs and hosts Easycome, "the longest-running acoustic club in Lon

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s:  Felice Bryant was vacuuming her carpet when a stone got into the vacuum cleaner.  The "chink-chink" sound it made prompted her to stop and lay the groundwork for what was to become one of The Everly Brothers' greatest ballads.  Her husband Boudleaux was a classically trained violinist but she could not read music (boy, I can identify!).  They became the first Nashville composers that were able to make a living solely on their songwriting,  Boudleaux played a screwdriver hitting a Coke bottle during the recording session.  Coincidentally, a year later the sound of windshield wipers on a rainy night led her to write "Bye, Bye Love".  A man lands in jail after committing a crime shortly before his wedding.  He asks a friend to deliver a letter to his intended telling her instead that he had gone to see the world, to cancel the wedding and to find someone new.  #16 Billboard Hot 100 in 1959.  Ballad? *The Everly Brothers* - Take

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s:  This 1964 Stuart/Metcalfe/Noble composition is widely considered to be one of the signature songs of The British Invasion.  A wistful and plaintive ballad, it features angelic harmonies as well as masterful high-low acoustic guitar work.  This was the acoustic duo's biggest hit and their only Top Ten tune.  #7 Billboard, #8 Cash Box and #2 Adult Contemporary.  Surprisingly, it did not chart in the U.K.  Ironically, on the BBC's "Juke Box Jury" guest judge Ringo Starr gave it a "miss" with "no hit potential".  Featured on "Shindig" in 1965.  Part of the "Rushmore", "The Princess Diaries" and "Men in Black 3" soundtracks as well as in Coors Light and ESPN Super Bowl XL commercials.  Covered by The Lettermen, Skeeter Davis and one of my all-time faves, Christine Lavin.  Song?  Duo? Chad & Jeremy "A Summer Song" - YouTube Answer:  "A Summer Song" by Ch

OK, boys and girls, back to the 30s:  Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico in 1900, this trombonist/composer left the island for the mainland as a stowaway at age twenty.  He gambled away all his savings and his trombone during the voyage.  Fortunately for him, he had been taught both the valve and slide trombones by his uncle and was able to find gig work.  He was widely considered a master of the instrument.  He joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in '29.  Perhaps his best-known composition is a collaboration with Ellington which has become a jazz standard.  First performed live with the Orchestra in 1936.  The initial recording was by Barney Bigard and The Jazzopators with him on trombone and Ellington on piano.  It has been covered at least 350 times, notably by Art Tatum, Dizzy Gillespie and Chet Atkins/Les Paul.  My first exposure to the tune was The Ventures' version from 1960 with the late great Nokie Edwards on lead guitar.  Composer?  Composition? Caravan -- Featuring Juan

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Sixty years ago today a 21-year-old grief-stricken Jim (later to become Roger) McGuinn went up to his bedroom and rewrote this traditional folk tune to lament the assassination of President John F. Kennedy earlier that day. It was included in The Byrds' second album "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and it was the group's first song to feature acoustic guitar played by McGuinn himself. On a personal note, I was 11 when the news broke. Puerto Rico came to a stand-still. We were in school and one of the nuns came to our classroom teary-eyed to tell us what had happened. We were sent home. One of those days that we will never forget for as long as we live. I said it before and I'll say it again, I am forever grateful to my dear childhood friend Lida Enid Muniz for introducing me to The Byrds in 1965. They immediately became, and to this day still are, my favorite band.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: Dick Reynolds was a very talented composer but, unfortunately, due to a lifelong battle with alcoholism he was never able to "pull it together". He co-wrote this '56 classic with Jack Rhodes about his fiancée who broke up with him - his first and only love. He never recovered from the breakup. B. C. Money, Jr. also claimed to have written the song but most sources attribute it to Reynolds/Rhodes. First recorded by rockabilly great Wanda Jackson, widely regarded as the 1st female rock & roll artist. Her rendition contained a verse not included in later covers. Linda Ronstadt's '73 version was a Top 20 Country hit. Comment:  Jack Rhodes co-wrote Porter Wagoner's "A Satisfied Mind" with Joe "Red" Hayes, later covered by The  Byrds  on their "Turn, Turn, Turn!" album. Linda's version of "Silver Threads" is my fave but, as you know, Linda can "sing the phone book". Earlie

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Keyboardist Terry Kirkman wrote this '66 romantic ballad about unrequited love in 1/2 an hour. It became a staple of his L.A. band's concert repertoire and their 2nd hit, topping the charts in both the US (3 weeks) and Canada. David Cassidy's rendition in '72 was his 1st solo hit (#9). Also covered by Nina Simone, Petula Clark, The Four Tops and the "sensitive" Barry Manilow. Featured in the "Pretty In Pink" soundtrack. Group? Song? Comment:  Actually, my favorite version is The Four Tops'. Perennially in the all-time make out hit parade.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK_ybdhIlQE

OK, boys and girls, back to The Classics:  It's been said that this 1851 composition was "the first musical meme".  Originally written for solo piano, it was subsequently orchestrated.  A perennial cartoon favorite, it was featured in Tom and Jerry's "The Cat Concerto" which won the 1946 Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons.  Mickey Mouse played it on solo piano in 1929. Bugs Bunny, Felix the Cat, Sylvester and Daffy Duck also had their own renditions.  In "Rhapsody in Rivets" a construction foreman conducts his crew while building a skyscraper.  Lisa Simpson had her own piano version and it was also featured in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?".  Composition?  Composer?

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only US hit for this "Starsky and Hutch" star came in '77 with a Tony Macaulay composition. He actually started out as a singer before pursuing an acting career. #1 US for 13 weeks (!), #1 Adult Contemporary and #1 UK. #93 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders. Artist? Song? Comment: Doggone it, I liked that song (in my ultra-cool powder blue double-knit polyester leisure suit)!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8APrYU2Gs "Soul recorded a new version of the song in 2004, allegedly after being embarrassed when hearing it by chance in an elevator as sung by Owen Wilson in the film version of Starsky and Hutch."

OK, boys and girls, a little 60s romance: This Carlo Donida composition is an Italian love song popularized in '61 when Betty Curtis sang it as Italy's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest. It is also one of Connie Francis' best-known performances. Emilio Pericoli's '62 version peaked at #6 on Billboard and at #3 on Easy Listening. He sang it in the '62 movie "Rome Adventure". The Ray Charles Singers took it to #29 in '64. "Al Di La". Translates as "Beyond" in English and "Mas Alla" en español. WAY up there on the all-time 60s makeout song hit parade (pa' brillar hebilla). The 60s Puerto Rican combo Los Latinos did a very respectable version.

OK, girls and boys, more British Invasion: This 1963 Hawker/Raymonde composition was Dusty Springfield's first solo single after leaving The Springfields. It peaked at #12 U.S. and #4 UK. The second British Invasion performer to score a U.S. hit after The Beatles, it propelled her career. A '64 Spanish version was Puerto Rican chanteuse Lucecita Benitez's first major hit. Song? For extra credit, title of Lucecita's version?

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s:  Son of Rex Harrison and Noel Marjorie Collette Thomas, this singer was also a member of the British Olympic giant-slalom ski teams in 1952 (Oslo) and 1956 (Cortina).  In 1968 he recorded a Michel Legrand tune for the "The Thomas Crown Affair" soundtrack after it was rejected by Andy Williams.  It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1969.  Jose Feliciano performed it at the ceremony.  It peaked at #8 U.K.  Perhaps the best-known version is Dusty Springfield's which reached #3 Adult Contemporary in the U.S. in '69.  Singer?  Song?

OK, boys and girls, more 80s one-hit wonders: This British ska/pop group's biggest US hit was an '82 Foreman/Smyth composition that peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot 100 and at #5 UK in '83. Most of its success came from the witty video during the early days of MTV (when they actually played music!). It won Best Song at the '83 Ivor Novello Awards. Even though widely considered a "one-hit wonder", they did have another US Top 40 hit ("It Must Be Love"). Part of the just-released "Love and Other Drugs" soundtrack. They performed it at the 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony in London. Group? Song?

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Freddie Scott's only Top Ten hit came in '63 with the 1st recording of a Gerry Goffin/Carole King ballad (#10 Pop Singles and R&B). Donny Osmond's '72 rendition peaked at #9, higher than Scott's original version. Also covered by The Righteous Brothers ('66), The Temptations ('69), Billy Joel ('97) and by Ray Charles/Michael McDonald ('04). Comment: WAY up there on the all-time make-out songs hit parade!

OK, boys and girls, the 60s live on (easy!): This 7+ minute opus was originally intended to be part of a cantata but was rejected by The Association. It is divided into 4 separate "themes". #1 in Europe and #2 in the U.S. in '68. In '92 Dave Barry called it "the worst song ever recorded". It happens to be one of my all-time faves!

OK, boys and girls, the last of the 90s (for the time being): Inspired by The Beach Boys, these 3 brothers were 16, 13 and 11 in '97 when they wrote and recorded their first and biggest hit. Talks about ephemeral friendships and trying to hold on to the things that really matter. It topped the charts in 27 countries and ranked #20 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs Of The 90s". Received 2 Grammy nominations in '98. Group? Song?

  OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This Beatles-influenced Irish singer singer/songwriter/pianist's given name was Raymond Edward; his stage name was adapted to resemble that of a popular 19th century operettist duo. His only U.S. #1 hit was a 1972 poignant and introspective quasi-autobiographic account of contemplating suicide after being left at the altar as well as the death of his parents. It topped the charts for 6 weeks, received 3 Grammy nominations and Casey Kasem ranked it as the 5th most popular song of the 70's. The memorable nylon-string guitar solo comes from English session musician Big Jim Sullivan. Artist? Song? Comment: This beautiful pop ballad first hit the U.S. market in Philly and was still hot when I arrived there during the summer of '73.

On this date August 16, 1966, the debut single from The Monkees "Last Train To Clarksville" was released on Colgems Records. It was written and produced by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It was later included on the group's self-titled debut album, which was released on October 10, 1966. The single went on to hit #1 on the billboard Hot 100 in November of that year. It was recorded July 25, 1966 at RCA Victor Studios in Hollywood. Personnel on the recording: Micky Dolenz – lead vocals Peter Tork and Davy Jones – backing vocals Tommy Boyce – acoustic guitar Louie Shelton – lead guitar Wayne Erwin and Gerry McGee – electric guitars Larry Taylor – bass Billy Lewis – drums Gene Estes – percussion To this day, Louie Shelton's guitar work on this tune remains one of my favorites ever! All reactio

On this day in 1962, for the first time, The Beatles were "officially" John, Paul, George and Ringo. After firing Pete Best, they quickly had to recruit a new drummer. A member of Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, Ringo had sat in occasionally with The Beatles in Hamburg and Liverpool. After rehearsing for 2 hours they played at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight for the local horticultural society's annual dance. And the rest, my friends, is yeah, yeah, yeah... All reactions: 25

60 (!) years ago today 8/22/63 "Bad To Me" by Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas went to #1 on the UK charts. Written by John Lennon (+/- Paul McCartney?) while on vacation in Spain, he "gave" it to Billy for his birthday. One of my favorite early British Invasion tunes. Fabulous medley with "World Without Love" by Los Challengers from Puerto Rico in 2007.

OK, more Fabdom: Two versions exist as to the inspiration for this 1964 Macca composition. One is a malapropism from Ringo and the other a quote from a chauffeur that drove him to John's house. We'll never know. Released in the UK on "Beatles For Sale" and in the U.S. on "Beatles VI". Never released as a single in the UK, in the U.S. it topped the charts in '65 with "I Don't Want To Spoil the Party" as its B-side. FIRST song that The Beatles took to the studio unfinished to "polish" during the session and the FIRST Beatles song to begin with a "fade-in". All reaction P

OK, more 60's one-hit wonders: The only hit for this Philly-based doo-wop quintet came in '62 with a Richard Kellis composition on the Swan label. The group was formed in '57 and evolved from The Five Sharps. They followed it in '63 with the suggestive but unsuccessful "The Peanut Butter Song" with "All Work - No Play (makes Jack the President)" about JFK as its B-side. Group? Only (minor!) hit?

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: A 21 year-old Jimmy Webb wrote this '65 torch song during his breakup with Susan Ronstadt, Linda's cousin. First recorded by Johnny Rivers. Glen Campbell had his first Top 40 hit with his cover in '67, taking it to #2 Country, #26 Pop and #12 Easy Listening. It won him two Grammys and is ranked #450 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.

OK, back to the 70's: Considered one of the great enigmas in modern pop music, this 1972 Paul Simon tune was released on his first "Art-less" self-titled solo album. The grammatically incorrect title makes it even more appealing! Two boys from Queens get into some serious mischief but we'll probably never know the nature of the offense. Anti-war protest, homosexuality, drug use...??? Could the "radical priest" be Vietnam War activists Frs. Berrigan or Yale chaplain Rev. Wm. Sloane Coffin? Hmmmm....??? It peaked at #22 U.S. and #15 UK. Just last year Simon called the song "a bit of inscrutable doggerel"! All reactions: 7 Andres Romeu, Marta Karyn Windschanz Kramer and 5 others

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60's: 26-year-old contestant Dusty Springfield was sitting in the audience at the '65 San Remo Festival when she heard co-writers Pino Donaggio and Jody Miller perform "Lo Che Non-Vivo (Senza Te)" and was moved to tears. Two non-songwriter friends added English lyrics and she recorded her '66 version in one day in 47 takes (!) on a stairwell. A tale of unrequited love, she called it "good old schmaltz". It topped the UK charts and peaked at #4 in the U.S. Ranked #491 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.

OK, a toughie this morning - you guys are getting too doggone good! What was the first openly gay act in rock history?

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60's: Smokey Robinson wrote this '62 ballad possibly about his then wife Claudette and inspired by Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me". A man is so taken by a woman that he can't leave her even though she mistreats him. It topped the R&B charts for The Miracles (their 2nd #1 hit after "Shop Around") and peaked at #8 Pop. Originally the B-side to the forgettable "Happy Landing". Famously covered by The Beatles the following year with John on lead vocals, George on harmony and Sir George Martin on piano. Also covered by The Supremes and The Temptations. Mickey Gilley took it to #2 on the Country charts in '84. KILLER version by Haley Reinhart on American Idol. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60's: Bobby "The Polish Prince" Vinton co-wrote this tear-jerker with Gene Allen in '62 while serving in the Army. First recorded by Buddy Greco (#64 in'62). A soldier overseas with no word from home. Vinton's version was released in '64 as the Vietnam War escalated and quickly topped the charts. The last of his four #1 hits and the only one which was not a cover. Song? For extra credit, his other 3 #1 hits? Definitely "Mr. Lonely"  . His other three  #1s  were "There! I've Said It Again" (not to be confused with Britney Spears!), "Roses   Are Red (My Love)" and "Blue Velvet".

OK, boys  and girls, who is the only musician to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as both a vocalist and an instrumentalist? For extra credit, name the two tunes.

OK, boys and girls, more 60's: This '66 Mann/Weil composition is considered the 1st anti-drug song of the rock era. Requested by Terry Melcher in an effort to help Gerry Goffin out of his addiction. Intended for and rejected by The Animals. A Boise, Idaho group originally named The Downbeats took it to #4 and is ranked #400 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Covered by Del Shannon and by The Monkees. Song? Group?

OK, boys and girls, back to The Fab Four: Even though George was officially The Beatles' "lead guitarist", all of them, except for Ringo, were multi-instrumentalists. Paul and John were known as perfectionists so, though not very often, but when George's guitar work didn't meet their standards, they did it themselves. Name five notable Beatles guitar solos played by either Paul or John. Taxman, Back in the USSR, Good Morning Good Morning, Get Back and Helter Skelter.

OK, more 30's: Delta bluesman Robert Johnson wrote and recorded this classic in '37, a year before his untimely death at age 27 (more about the "27 Club" later). Desperately trying to hitch a ride before nightfall - afraid of being lynched. Legend goes that Johnson sold his sold to the devil in exchange for his ability to play the blues - this was NOT mentioned in the song. Eric Clapton's '68 live recording with Cream has been termed "the greatest live rock solo ever". The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in '98. #409 on Rolling Stone's 500 Best Songs Ever and #10 on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.

Today Leonard Cohen would have been 89 years old. It saddens me every time I lose one of my musical heroes, but his death affected me like no other maybe because I never saw him live, among many other reasons. Shortly before his death he wrote, "Hineni, hineni, I'm ready, my Lord".

OK, more 60's: This angelic B. Wilson/G. Usher '63 composition was written in 1 hr. and, according to Audree Wilson (Mom!), "That's the most beautiful song you've ever written". Peaked at #6 for the Beach Boys and stayed on the charts for 11 weeks. #209 on Rolling Stone's "Greatest Songs Ever". Shades of Brian's early agoraphobia which severely worsened in subsequent years. Described as "an ode to cocooning or an antisocial, dysfunctional view of the world". When a young David Crosby first heard it he recalls saying, "I give up - I can't do that - I'll never be able to do that!". He sang it in '01 with Jimmy Webb and Carly Simon during a Brian Wilson tribute.

Oooh, a toughie for today... In 1967 Bill Minkin recorded a version of "Wild Thing" spoofing this politician. The spoof was also produced by Chip Taylor, who wrote the song. It went to #20 in the U.S. charts! Who was he spoofin'?

OK, girls and boys, more one-hit wonders (easy!): Noel Paul Stookey wrote and performed this modern classic for the nuptials of Peter Yarrow and Mary Beth McCarthy in 1969 as his wedding gift to them. "Into every songwriter's life comes a song, the source of which cannot be explained by personal experience..." He created the Public Domain Foundation to help struggling musicians and assigned the royalties from the song to it - over $2M so far - he has never made a cent from the song! A celebration of love and the presence of God in a union. #24 on Billboard in '71 - his only solo hit.

OK, girls and boys, more one-hit wonders (easy!): Noel Paul Stookey wrote and performed this modern classic for the nuptials of Peter Yarrow and Mary Beth McCarthy in 1969 as his wedding gift to them. "Into every songwriter's life comes a song, the source of which cannot be explained by personal experience..." He created the Public Domain Foundation to help struggling musicians and assigned the royalties from the song to it - over $2M so far - he has never made a cent from the song! A celebration of love and the presence of God in a union. #24 on Billboard in '71 - his only solo hit.

OK, girls and boys, a little Merseybeat for today: This skiffle band from Liverpool took its name from a 1956 John Wayne movie. They reached #1 in the UK charts and #13 in the US with this cover version of a Jackie DeShannon tune co-written by Sonny Bono. Band? Song?

OK, boys and girls, more one-hit wonders: This Jamaican session singer for Pye records collaborated with Vivian Hawke on this '74 mega-hit (#1 Billboard Pop and Soul). It was supposed to be the B-side to another song and thus was recorded in only the 10 minutes left of studio time! 1st Jamaican singer to have a US #1 hit. #100 on "VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders". Used in "Wayne's World 2" in '94. Artist? Song?

OK, girls and boys, more one-hit wonders: This Australian duo (Steve Kipner and Steve Groves) took its name from a Belgian crime-fighting cartoon character. Their ethereal hit was penned by Groves, reaching #20 in '71. The distorted sublime keyboard sound was obtained when the recording engineer accidentally leaned on the tape machine. Group? Song?

OK, girls (and boys, what the heck!), more 60's: This Vance/Pockriss '60 novelty composition was the 1st and biggest hit for a 16 year-old singer from Queens, NY backed by the John Dixon Orchestra. The "adventures" of a shy girl at the beach. #1 US, #8 UK. Trudy Packer recited the spoken phrases before each chorus. Sold 1 million copies the 1st 2 months. Used in a Yoplait Light TV ad, in "Sister Act 2" and in "Revenge Of The Nerds 2". Artist? Song?

OK, boys and girls, more one-hit wonders: This neo-Baroque group from Westwood, NJ started out in '64 as The Vibratones. They eventually changed their name to emulate other "animal" groups of the day. Don Ciccone penned and sang their top-selling hit, peaking at #17 in '66. Captivating melody and sublime vocal harmonies. Later on Don toured with Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and with Tommy James and The Shondells. Group? Hit?

OK, boys and girls, more 60s on a chilly but beautiful Saturday morning: David Brigati (Eddie's brother - as in The Young Rascals) was the lead singer for this early 60's NYC group. Their biggest hit was a Dee/Glover composition inspired by the dance craze of the day and the venue where they were the house band. It replaced Chubby Checker's "The Twist" at #1, sold over 1M copies and earned them a Gold Record. Too long to fit in a 45 RPM, it was split into 2 parts, Part 2 being instrumental. Covered by Dee Dee Sharp and part of the "American Graffiti" soundtrack in '73. Joe Pesci played guitar in an early lineup and Jimi Hendrix toured with them in '65. Group? Song?

Okey, muchachas y muchachos, pa' los 60s: Este "himno jipi" fue escrito por el frances Michel Delpech en el '69 y tambien grabada por la inglesa Sandie Shaw en el '70. Grabada en Espana por Los Kerouacs y luego por Los Catinos.

OK, boys and girls, more 60's coming your way: Lead singer Jim Sohns was barely 16 when his Chicago-based band had their first and only hit. They opened for The Byrds in 1965 at McCormick Place and were noticed there by a producer for Dunwich Records. Band? Song?

OK, boys and girls, more blues: This blues standard was written and recorded by Blind Joe Reynolds in '29 - one of his few known recordings. Covered by, among others, Hendrix and Van Halen. Perhaps the best-known version is Cream's on "Disraeli Gears" ('67), arranged by Clapton. This LP introduced his famous "Woman Tone" (hint, hint!) sustain, achieved by using his Gibson SG with humbuckers run through a Marshall tube amp and with strategic positioning of his wah-wah pedal.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 40's: This blues ballad and big-band standard was written by band leader Buddy Johnson in '45. First recorded by his sister Ella accompanied by his orchestra. Covered by, among many others, Eartha Kitt, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and The Rascals. The most famous version was by a relatively unknown Lenny Welch on Cadence Records in '63 (#4 on Billboard). It broke into the top 40 on Nov. 23, 1963, the day of JFK's assassination and stayed in the charts for 3 months.

OK, boys and girls, more 60's: This '65 Jagger/Richards collaboration was The Rolling Stones' 3rd UK #1 single and their 1st original composition to reach #1 (2 wks.). "A stern warning to a girl". "Play With Fire" was the B-side. The distinctive opening riff, pervasive throughout the song, was played by Brian Jones on his trademark British-made white Vox Mark III (teardrop) with Keith Richards playing chords and the solo. Based upon a '55 The Staples Singers gospel tune. Recorded in 1 day with Phil Spector co-producing and thus the classic "Wall Of Sound". A staple of the Stones' concert repertoire until '67 - they "revived" it in '97 for their "Bridges Of Babylon" tour. Covered by The Who in '67 to raise bail money for Jagger and Richards, in jail on drug charges (imagine that - gotta love those bad boys!).

OK, girls and boys, more 60's: Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield co-wrote this poignant ballad in 1961. Sedaka recorded it on that same year but did not release in until 1978 on "The Many Sides Of Neil Sedaka", a compilation of his lesser-known songs and B-sides from '58 to '65. Jan and Dean's '62 cover was the B-side to their hit "Tennessee".

OK, girls and boys, a little more romance: This '55 Becaud/Delanoe composition was 1st recorded by Gilbert Becaud as "Je T'Appartiens". With English lyrics by Mann Curtis, it was a minor hit in '57 for Jill Corey. The best-known version is by The Everly Brothers in '60 (#7); their 1st recording with strings and outside of Nashville (NYC). Highest-charting version was by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett - #5 in '64. A Top 40 hit for Glen Campbell and Bobbie Gentry in '69.