Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, more 50s one-hit wonders: The only hit for this L.A. doo-wop quartet came in '54 with a Williams/Belvin/Hodge romantic ballad which was the B-side on their debut single. The demo was cut in a garage - the producers wanted to re-record it the studio but ultimately decided to release the original garage version. The first indie recording ever to appear on Billboard's Top 10. It reached #1 on the R&B charts, selling over 10 million copies. Grammy Hall of Fame inductee 1998. One of only 50 recordings to appear on The Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. Part of the "Happy Days" and "Back to The Future" soundtracks. Group? Song? Answer: "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" by The Penguins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJcGi4-n_Yw

OK, girls and boys, a little more 50s romance: By far the biggest hit for this Cleveland-based doo-wop quintet came in '54 with a Fuqua/Freed romantic ballad. #1 R&B, #20 Juke Box. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. The song's best-selling version was a crossover by The McGuire Sisters ('59) which was Certified Gold. Group? Song? Answer: "Sincerely" by The Moonglows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIERquza6Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhE4Znfjs1s

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s/60s: The members of this Queens, NYC doo-wop group met in 1955 as high school students and first called themselves The Silvertones, changing their name shortly thereafter. By far their biggest hit was a 1938 Hoagy Carmichael/Frank Loesser composition which they recorded in '59 and released in '61. #18 Billboard, #10 R&B. It was featured on the 1973 "American Graffiti" soundtrack. Their other hit, "Little Girl of Mine" ('61) went to #8 R&B and #57 Pop. They broke up in '64. Group? Biggest hit? Answer: "Heart and Soul" by The Cleftones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OH7Ay1tvXs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5w8Dr45Sls

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70's: This singer/songwriter/guitarist from San Diego started out as a clarinetist. After watching The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show he begged his family to buy him a guitar (boy, that sounds familiar!). While still in high school he formed The Weeds, a British Invasion-inspired band. After many rejections, he finally had Art Garfunkel record one of his compositions. By far his biggest hit came in mid-1977 with a Caribbean island-flavored pop tune. He composed it, sang lead and background vocals and played acoustic guitar on the recording. Peaked at #11 Billboard and stayed in the Top 100 for 6 months. #2 Easy Listening. Covered by Kenny Rankin, charting simultaneously with the original. Two-time Grammy nominee and also received an Oscar nod. Eric Clapton, Art Garfunkel and Chaka Khan contributed to his first album. He appeared on "National Lampoon's Animal House" as the aspiring folksinger whose guitar is destroyed by Blu...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Originally named The Harlem Queens, this R&B girl quintet penned and recorded their first hit in '57. A girl's crush on her teacher (whom they didn't particularly care for in real life). It topped the R&B charts and crossed over to peak at #6 Pop, the first girl group ever to accomplish that. Group? Song? Answer: "Mr. Lee" by The Bobbettes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ0eoH4l4us

OK, girls and boys, back to the 40s: The Three Suns put music to Buck Ram's (now, that's a manly name!) lyrics and first recorded this romantic ballad in '44. Les Brown and Jimmy Dorsey released covers the following year. By far the best-known "updated" version is by The Platters, which topped both the Pop and R&B charts in '58. Answer: "Twilight Time" by The Platters".

OK, girls and boys more 60s folk: This folk trio was formed in the early 60's by members of the Gonzaga University Glee Club (gotta love my Jesuits!). As opposed to most 60s folk ensembles, they played no instruments. Satirical takes on the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Subsequent members included John Denver on vocals and accompanist Jim (Roger) McGuinn on guitar and banjo. One of their best-loved songs is based upon the devastating 1900 Galveston hurricane and flood. A 2003 Christopher Guest "mockumentary" MIGHT have been loosely inspired by it. Trio? Song? For extra credit, "mockumentary"? Answer: "Mighty Day" by The Chad Mitchell Trio. A young Jim McGuinn, fresh out of Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, joined the Limeliters. He left them to tour with The Chad Mitchell and shortly thereafter joined Bobby Darin. "A Mighty Wind" is a must-watch for any folkie!

OK, girls and boys back to the 60s: Nicknamed "The Swamp Pop R&B Teenage Idol", this Baton Rouge native had a major hit in '62 while serving in the Army. A Greenfield/Keller composition, it peaked at #7, sold over one million copies and was awarded a Gold Disc. Covered by Bobby Vee, Frankie Avalon and Mark Wynter. Artist? Song? Answer: "Venus In Blue Jeans" by Jimmy Clanton. Gotta love those 60s teen idols - Bobby, Jimmy, Teddy, Frankie (do I see a pattern here?!)! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_13davmxPb4 Chucho Avellanet did it in Spanish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK4Zo-XaUM8.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s folk: Before achieving Country Music stardom, Corpus Christi, TX native Don Williams sang with Lofton Kline as The Strangers Two. High school student Susan "Taylor Pie" Taylor joined them to form a pop-folk trio. Their first and best-loved recording came in '66 with a Michael Merchant ballad which peaked at #47 on the Pop charts. Trio? Song? Answer: "Time" bt The Pozo-Seco Singers. I had completely forgotten about this beautiful ballad until I heard it on PBS during a "Folk Rewind" show hosted by John Sebastian. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UARjviT6UKw

OK, boys and girls, more Fabdom on St. Patrick's Day: This 1966 Macca composition is a letter from a struggling author to a publisher. First UK #1 single NOT about love (2nd in the US to "Nowhere Man"). Billboard #1 on 2 non-consecutive weeks. John wanted a "boosted" bass line - first time Sir Paul used the Rickenbacker instead of the Hofner. By and large the song is in a static G, with a brief C at the end. Inspired "Last Train to Clarksville". Answer: "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles. Outstanding bass 🔊 and guitar 🎸 work. In my book, Paul's bass masterpieces are "Rain" and "And Your Bird Can Sing". "Don't Let Me Down" has a great bass line as well.

OK, girls and boys, let's go way back: This popular Neapolitan song was written by Turco and Denza in 1880 to celebrate the inauguration of the first cable car to Mt. Vesuvius. Translated into English by Oxenford. The late great Mario Lanza recorded the "definitive" version. Answer: "Funiculi, Funicula".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 40s: William "Pat" Best and Ivory "Deek" Watson penned and published this romantic ballad in '45, at the end of WWII. First recorded by The Brown Dots, Watson's group. Nat "King" Cole's cover went to #1 in '46, remaining on the charts for 12 weeks. Also covered by Dinah Shore, Sam Cooke and masterfully on gypsy jazz guitar by Django Reinhardt. Answer: "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons". Great tune! They don't make 'em like that anymore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y2iUzNLSUI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnEtvtmFcgo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30eXk9WRDs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtk5yBtP0QU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUfL3NFsKbA

OK, girls and boys, more 90s one-hit wonders: This Todd David Pipes '95 composition was inspired by the film "Roman Holiday". It peaked at #5 in the U.S. and #1 in the UK. A man is about to break up with his girlfriend but is desperately trying to find reasons not to. The title is based on a Truman Capote book and another Audrey Hepburn film. Group? Song? Answer: "Breakfast At Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something. Always liked that tune. Good cover by Matchbox 20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ClCpfeIELw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jGn-JFuhpc

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: It was 1961 and Jerry Landis (aka Paul Simon - yes, THAT Paul Simon!) was already a fairly well-known singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer in the New York City music circles. While attending a concert at the Forest Hills Jewish Center he met the performers Marty Cooper, Mickey Borack, Howie Beck and Gail Lynn. He took them under his wing and they became Tico and The Triumphs (minus Lynn). Marty Cooper became "Tico". They released a single both on the Amy and the Madison labels written, produced and arranged by Landis/Simon with him also on lead vocals. Marty Cooper sang lead on the B-side. It peaked at #99 in late '61 and Murray the K chose it as "pick of the week". Interestingly, Simon never appeared on stage with them or on any publicity photos. For some reason, the song became extremely popular in Puerto Rico and South Florida. Song? For extra credit name the flip-side. Answer: "Motorcycle" by Tico a...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: Master saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. composed the music for this '80/'81 smooth, soulful jazz-pop ballad along with Wm. Salter and Ralph MacDonald. Bill Withers added the lyrics and the vocals. An anthem to long-lasting love. Deep connection between a couple - whatever happens, they can get through it together. #2 Billboard, Grammy for Best R&B Song. Recognized as one of America's most iconic love songs. Answer: "Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr. (feat. Bill Withers). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POZlJAZsok

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: 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 Fr. Berrigan or Yale chaplain Rev. Wm. Sloane Coffin? Hmmmm....??? It peaked at #22 U.S. and #15 UK. A few years ago Simon called the song "a bit of inscrutable doggerel"! Answer: "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" by Paul Simon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVdlpZ4M-Hw

OK, girls and boys, let's go WAY back: Aside from being arguably the greatest comedian of all time, Sir Charlie Chaplin was an accomplished composer. He had no formal musical training and couldn't read a single note (boy, I can relate!). Despite that, he played the piano, the violin and the concertina quite proficiently. One song was covered by Nat King Cole, another by Petula Clark and the third one won him an Oscar in '73 for a '52 film score. Name the 3 songs. Answer: "Smile", "This Is My Song" and "Limelight" ("Candilejas" in Spanish). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyHoohNyYkw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8XmLuTmKIM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl47EmHmSaY

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only hit for this Spokane, WA singer/songwriter came in '72 with a moving tune about a man down on his luck, fighting addiction and watching as all his friends move away to greener pastures. He originally wrote it as a Country song however "pills to ease the pain" was taboo in Country circles in those days. It peaked at #9 on Billboard, charted for 14 weeks, sold over 1 million copies and was RIAA Certified Gold. Covered by Elvis, Willie, Waylon, Dwight and Chet (they must have changed their minds about those pills!). Artist? Song? Answer: "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues" by Danny O'Keefe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YP3pIPp8P8

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This Berwyn, IL band started out as The Shon-Dels. Their bassist changed their name after reading Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". Their 1970 hit reched #1 on Cash box, #2 on Billboard and it became Warner Brothers' fastest-selling record to that date. Fourteen seconds of the original master were accidentally erased and were spliced from a discarded take. Opened for Hendrix and Zeppelin. Group? Song? Answer: "Vehicle" by The Ides of March. When it first came out, many radio listeners thought it was Blood, Sweat and Tears - fairly similar vocals and brass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiLaNEFyCiM

OK, boys and girls, pick up a box of Kleenex (you know me, I'm a sensitive guy!) and let's go WAY back: This famous tenor aria was first performed in 1892. It ends the 1st act when Canio discovers his wife's infidelity but still has to don his clown costume and makeup - "the show must go on". Enrico Caruso's 1904 rendition was the 1st million-selling record in history. Queen used part of the melody in "It's A Hard Life" in '84 and Teddy Randazzo did a pop version in '60. Aria? Opera? Composer? Answer: "Vesti La Giubba" from Rugg(i)ero Leoncavallo's "(I) Pagliacci". How do you choose but, in my book, NOBODY does it like Mario Lanza. No doubt about it, it's been satirized - no respect, no respect! From my dear departed friend Dr. Dan Rogers: "Ah, my kind of useless trivia: it is the 'Vest of the Guppy' from the opera Pagliacci". Some snobs call it "Vesti la giuppi," but what do they ...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: In 1971 Dutch record producer Hans van Hemert brought together Willem Duyn, a construction worker turned musician and Sjoukje van't Spijker, a classically-trained vocalist to record a pop tune he had co-written with Harry van Hoof. It topped the charts in several European nations, reaching #8 in the U.S. and remaining on Billboard's Top 100 for 19 weeks in '72. Sold over a million copies in the U.S. and was RIAA Certified Gold. They placed 3rd in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest losing to a little quartet from Sweden singing about Napoleon (!). Song? Duo's name? Answer: "How Do You Do" by Mouth and MacNeal. Stage names Big Mouth and Maggie MacNeal. Wild and crazy Dutch video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDNjuazoUY

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Even though this '66 recording is credited to Ike and Tina Turner, Phil Spector paid Ike $20,000 in cash to stay AWAY from the studio and only Tina' voice appears (the recording cost $22,000 to produce). Composed by Spector/Barry/Greenfield it peaked at only #88 which caused Spector to leave the studio for four years. Eric Burdon successfully covered it in '68, causing the original Turner version to be re-released the following year, becoming one of Tina's signature tunes. Considered by Spector to be his "best work", it is ranked #33 on "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Leon Russell on keyboards, Glen Campbell on guitar and Hal Blaine on drums. Answer: "River Deep, Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner. Ol' Ike must have been a joy to work with (NOT!!!)! Pia Toscano did a killer version on Idol a few seasons ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULw1RHHPv5g https://www.youtube.c...

OK, boys and girls, back to the late 60s: This Robert Lamm composition was featured on his band's debut album in '69. It peaked at #71 on Billboard for 3 weeks. Described as the band's "first boss hit-bound single that never was a boss hit-bound single". A "radio-friendly" version was released in '71, peaking at #24. Could be the only song with its title on the very last line solely. Song? Band's name at that time? Answer: "Questions 67 and 68" by Chicago Transit Authority. First CTA song I ever heard - junior year in HS - the killer brass and guitar blew me away!!! I can only think of one other song that I liked instantly that much the first time I heard it - "The Sound(s) Of Silence". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1eF7QeSmZQ

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Stevie Wonder co-wrote this '71 moving, heart-wrenching ballad with his late ex-wife Syreeta Wright. A failed love affair likened to the changing of the seasons. Peaked at #78. Masterfully covered by Joan Baez in '75 as well as by Three Dog Night, Phil Collins and Lauryn Hill. Featured on the '93 Janet Jackson film "Poetic Justice" soundtrack. A tearful Stevie Wonder sang it for his friend Michael Jackson at his Memorial Service. Answer: "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer". I'm partial to Joan Baez's version - from the heart! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W6qJERYTc8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmon1FgdabM

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1968 Spanky and Our Gang tune was banned by several states and radio stations because of the "profanity in its title" and its comment on racial equality. Despite this, it peaked at #43. After being played at the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, CBS received numerous complaints (including one from Richard Nixon!) about the title being used during "family viewing hours". Answer: "Give A Damn". By far my favorite Spanky song. My dear friend and colleague Dr. Richard Paul Votta does a beautiful vocal and acoustic guitar rendition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Nk2GbXnRM

OK, (two) girls and (one) boys (hint, hint!), back to the 60s: Brian Wilson penned this surf classic in '60 as "Goody Connie Won't You Come Back Home". He "gave" it to Jan Berry and Dean Torrence who altered it and gave it its well-known name. Their '63 recording topped the pop charts for 2 weeks and peaked at #3 on the R&B charts (!). First surf song ever to hit #1 on Billboard. Through Dean's efforts, Huntington Beach, CA has been nicknamed after this song and at least 65 of its businesses incorporate the title in their names. Covered by The Ramones and by The Go-Go's. Answer: "Surf City" by Jan and Dean. As Belinda Carlisle would have it, "Two boys for every girl!"! We had the privilege of seeing Jan & Dean live in '79 opening for McGuinn, Clark & Hillman at the Valley Forge Music Fair - what a thrill it was! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERrwjR4ZlfI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5pjan45ZA https://w...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 90s: Liverpool native Lee Mavers wrote this indie classic in the late 80's inspired by a Velvet Underground tune. A remix by his band peaked at #13 in the UK and at #49 in the US in '90 - their biggest hit. It was rumo(u)red to be about heroin use - this was denied by band members. A cover by Sixpence None The Richer did much better on the charts and was featured on several movie soundtracks. Band? Song? Answer: "There She Goes" by by The La's. Nobody sings it like Leigh Nash from Sixpence, though. I love playin' it on "geetar". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CCfIJgVM6M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMfXeuv4kZE

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: The second movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C-minor, op.18 was the inspiration for this American singer/songwriter to compose the verse of this exceedingly popular 1975 power ballad shortly after he left The Raspberries. The chorus was taken from the group's '72 "Let's Pretend", which he also wrote. At that time Rachmaninoff's music was public domain in the U.S. but not internationally. He was contacted by Rachmaninoff's estate and they agreed that they would take 12% of the royalties. His album version ran 7 minutes long with a killer guitar riff and a 2 minute piano and string ensemble run. #1 Cashbox, #2 Billboard. The most notable version came in 1996 by a sublime Canadian chanteuse who took it to #1 Adult Contemporary. Jewel's alluring version on the "Clueless" soundtrack was never released as a recording. Song? Singer/songwriter? Canadian songbird? Answer: ...

OK, boys and girls, let's go way back: Sir Charlie Chaplin composed this pop standard in 1936 for his film "Modern Times", his transition from "silents" to "talkies". A song of encouragement and hope as one looks for a brighter tomorrow. Turner and Geoffrey added lyrics in '54, the same year that Nat King Cole and a young Petula Clark recorded it in the US and the UK respectively. Clark re-recorded it in '68. Celine Dion sang it at the 2011 Oscars during the "In Memoriam" segment. Answer: "Smile". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyHoohNyYkw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltN_n4zAX6I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9mW8bJ0tP0