Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: Barry Mann, Phil Spector and Cynthia Weil penned this '64 romantic pop tune about the desire to find the right person to love. It was initially recorded by The Ronettes with Cher on additional background vocals. Ronnie Spector laid down the lead vocal track in one take (!). #23 Billboard Hot 100, #8 R&B, #20 Cashbox. Jay and The Americans' '69 cover peaked at #9 Billboard, #14 Cashbox and #8 Easy Listening. Coincidentally, it was the last Top 40 hit for both The Ronettes and Jay and The Americans. Included in the "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" soundtrack. Song? Answer: "Walking in the Rain". NOT to be confused with "Just Walking In the Rain" by Johnnie Ray, "Walking in the Rain With the One I Love" by Love Unlimited or "The Rain" by Oran "Juice" Jones. If you ever get a chance to see "Beautiful" the musical don't miss it - it is outstanding! h...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This Gerry Goffin/Russ Titelman ballad was first recorded by The Hollies in '64 as "Yes I Will" (hint, hint!), peaking at #9 in the UK in '65. The Monkees covered it in '66 on their self-titled debut album under a different title with altered lyrics. Song? Answer: "I'll Be True To You" by The Monkees. Davy Jones at his best. Not one of their biggest hits but I always loved that tune (you know me, I'm a romantic kinda guy!). A band from San Juan, The Wellingtons, used to do a great cover in the 60s (quien se acuerda?). ...and, of course, for a double-dose of Davy Jones, there's always "I Wanna Be Free" from the same album. ...and they're STILL not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (don't get me started!!!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEbnKEUKIG8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8xwZYqxhok https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIFLRasX2UQ

OK, girls and boys, back to the 20s (the 1920s, that is): It was 1923 and Irving Berlin was engaged to NYC heiress and young socialite Ellin Mackay. Her father, a wealthy businessman, was very much opposed to their relationship as Berlin was Jewish and she was Irish Catholic. He thus sent her to Europe on an "extended vacation" in hopes they would forget about each other. In her absence, he wrote this nostalgic ballad longing for her love and wondering how he could go on without her. Upon her return in 1926 they got married in a small civil ceremony at the NYC Municipal Building and remained married for 63 years, separated only by death. Covered by, among many others, Nat "King" Cole, Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, The Fleetwoods, Harry Nilsson, Cher and Linda Ronstadt. It was the pervasive theme throughout the 1974 film "The Great Gatsby" starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Song? Answer: "What'll I Do" by Irving Berlin. https://ww...

OK, boys and girls, let's go Down Under: This 1957 composition is "told" by an Australian stockman on his deathbed. It is one of the best-known Aussie songs and remains popular as a children's tune. #1 in Australia in '61, #3 on Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Adult Contemporary in '63. Singer/songwriter? Song? Answer: "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris. Tan me hide when I die, Clyde, tan me hide when I die “So they tanned his hide when he died, Clyde, and that's it hangin' on the shed!” Man, that's morbid! At the notorious Phi Chi Wednesday night parties, we used to sing it with slightly altered "racier" lyrics after one or two Ortlieb brewskis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEkLy7A37T0

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Ron Ryan penned this beautiful 1964 pop-rock romantic ballad for a British Invasion quintet (hint, hint!) in which his brother Mick played lead guitar. Mistakenly attributed to the band's leader and Mike Smith. It was the B-side to their "Can't You See That She's Mine", peaking at #3 on Billboard's Hot 100. Covered by The Supremes later on that year and by Julian Lennon in '85, a UK Top 40 hit for him. The band was the second British Invasion group to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly after those blokes from Liverpool. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Song? Group? Answer: "Because" by The Dave Clark Five. As a guitarist, I always enjoyed its unusual chord changes and progressions. I had the privilege of seeing them play at the El Comandante racetrack in '67. Memorable concert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpKWpUJybng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9DGu...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders (naughty, naughty!): This Belgian group was formed in the late 50s during the Latin music craze and remained a studio-based ensemble throughout its existence. Their skilled and soulful Latin rhythms belied the fact that all the members were either Belgian or Dutch men except for lead singer Kari Kenton who was of Cuban extraction and Tito Puente's wife. Their one hit came in '72 with a Bill Ador disco composition featuring overtly sexual moaning, heavy breathing and language by Kenton with Ador in the background. RIAA Certified Gold Disc and peaked at #8 on Billboard's Hot 100. Featured on the "Boogie Nights" soundtrack. Group? Song? Answer: "Jungle Fever" by The Chakachas. I remember listening to "Jungle Fever" for the first time on the radio in '72 while at the University of Puerto Rico and thinking, "What in the world was that and how was that allowed on the airwaves!?". https://www...

OK, boys and girls, let's go WAY back: Despite its French title, this public domain college/glee-club/drinking/campfire/scouting song did NOT come from France. The author is unknown but it appears to be English from 1818. It shares its melody with 19th c. "Ireland Blocks The Way" and the Civil War Confederate tune "Chivalrous C.S.A." (1861). It also appears in "Carmina Collegensia" by H. R. Waite (1868) and the "Scottish Students' Song Book" (1892). Song? Alternate title? Answer: "Vive(a) La Compagnie (Vive L'Amour)". Growing up I learned it in Spanish from my Dad, "Unamonos todos en esta cancion, viva la compagnie, y el gozo llevemos en el corazon, viva la compagnie...". Always a staple around the campfire at Boy Scouts Camp Guajataka in P.R. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p3j5xlzwxc

OK, boys and girls, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Harold Dorman composition reached the Top 40 for him in 1960. Johnny Rivers covered it in '64, peaking at #9 on Billboard's Hot 100. The Beach Boys included it on "Beach Boys Party" in '65. Charley Pride's version topped the Country charts in '82. Song? Answer: "Mountain of Love" by Harold Dorman. Man, that's another sad one - his GF is marrying another guy - boy, I hate it when that happens! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qMXXluA4U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8nolWWMpO4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOplrOKWOBI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xaDfO4Fn3c

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Bobby Worth penned this romantic pop classic based on a famous 1896 Italian operatic aria. First recorded by Sammy Kaye in 1952 (great year!) under an abbreviated title. Della Reese's 1959 version was her highest-charting hit (#1 R&B, #2 Pop) and won her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Vocalist. It was a follow-up to her "And That Reminds Me". Song? Aria? Answer: "Don't You Know" by Della Reese. Based on "Quando m'en vo'", better known as "Musetta's Waltz", from Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme". Reese left us in 2017 at the age of 86. Kaye's version was titled "You". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86nxxZW6UY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNiTYLppW_g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b7VY52C82k

OK, girls and boys, the one-hit wonders never stop (get a box of Kleenex for this one!): This Jean Dinning/Red Surrey teen (hint, hint!) tragedy song (one of many!) hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in Feb. 1960 and #37 in the UK before being banned by the BBC there for being too morbid. Based on true events during the 40s in a small Oklahoma town. It was covered by Sha Na Na at Woodstock. Artist? Song? Answer: "Teen Angel" by Mark Dinning. Mark was Jean's brother. Dang, that's a sad song - you know me, I'm a sensitive guy! "Tell Laura I Love Her", "Running Bear", "Honey", "Ebony Eyes", "Leader Of The Pack", "Seasons In the Sun" AND "Last Kiss" - I just ran out of Kleenex! To counteract the woe, listen to Pierce Pettis' "No More Sad Songs". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG_VIcoiCFA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Rr3UQiOAk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUQ--AsHHqc

OK, boys and girls, more 50s: This Syracuse, NY native cut his teeth on the tenor sax while serving in the Navy sitting in with Black blues players in D.C. and North Carolina. After his discharge, he assembled a quartet - one of the first white R&B groups. His subsequent band played the opening tune on Alan Freed's movie "Rock, Rock, Rock" and during the promotion tour in '56 they made history. They appeared in another movie in '59. Band? Historic event? '59 movie? Answer: 1.) Jimmy Cavallo and His House Rockers (Houserockers) 2. First all-White band to play the Apollo Theater 3. "Go Johnny Go". The talent lineup in "Rock, Rock, Rock" is beyond belief! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS3EN7qnz24

OK, girls and boys, more Fabdom: In early 1963 this songbird was the most successful female British singer. While she was touring with The Beatles as a headliner, John and Paul wrote this melancholy Merseybeat ballad backstage for her to record. Her manager declined it, saying that the lyrics were "too somber". She thus became THE first person in history to pass on recording a Beatles tune (now, that's a dubious distinction!)! The Beatles recorded it at Abbey Road Studios with Sir George Martin playing the memorable piano part. Included in their first UK and U.S. albums ("Please Please Me" and "Introducing... The Beatles" respectively). "Ask Me Why" was the B-side on the single. Their tourmate Kenny Lynch recorded it to a tepid reception, however he became THE first artist to cover a Beatles song. The song received considerable airplay on BBC Radio and is one of the tunes that planted the seeds for John and Paul to be recognized as b...

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: This "artist's" only hit came in November, 1979 with a Paul Williams/Kenneth Ascher composition, peaking at #25 on Billboard's Hot 100 and staying in the Top 40 for 7 weeks. Oscar and Golden Globe nominated. AFI's 74th Greatest Movie Song of All Time. KILLER duet with Debbie Harry on the "artist's" show in '81. Covered by many, including Willie Nelson who is often mistakenly credited as its composer. "Artist"? Song? Answer: "The Rainbow Connection" by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson). I LOVE that tune - still chokes me up every time I hear it (you know me, I'm a sensitive guy!). Interestingly, even though Kermit is a "one-hit wonder", Jim Henson isn't, as he had another hit as Ernie in '70 with "Rubber Duckie" (#16 on Billboard). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Hd3uWKFKY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deebKNI-dTE

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: In 1962 Suze Rotolo decided to leave NYC to spend six months studyng art at the University of Perugia in Italy, leaving Bob Dylan behind (yes, that's her with him on the cover of his "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan"). Her absence is credited for inspiring him to write some of his best love songs. This '62 classic folk ballad was the B-side to "Blowin' in the Wind". An anthem to self-assurance. "Borrowed" unabashedly from Paul Clayton's "Who's Gonna Buy You Ribbons (When I'm Gone) which, in turn, was also "borrowed" from Les Vaughn's "Who's Gonna Feed Them Chickens When You're Gone" (traditional - public domain). Peter Paul and Mary's version was a Billboard Top 10 hit for them in '63. Song? Answer: "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" by Bob Dylan. My dear friend and medical school classmate Dr. Tony Carabasi taught me how to...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This American R&B and rock & roll singer/songwriter's only #1 hit came in June of '61 and earned him a Gold Disc. In a '63 European tour he headlined above The Beatles (!). In 1981 he briefly revived his career with a #5 mainstream rock and #11 pop tune. Artist? 1961 hit? 1981 hit? Answer: Gary U.S. Bonds. 1961 hit - "Quarter to Three". 1981 hit - "This Little Girl". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF69PoyXskY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTKtcsUjVMc

This one, along with my prayers, goes to the victims of the recent New Year's Day senseless terrorist massacre, their families and loved ones. OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: The late great Steve Goodman wrote this bittersweet nostalgic country-folk classic while traveling by rail with his wife to visit her family. He first recorded it to a tepid reception. One night at a bar he asked Arlo Guthrie if he would listen to it. Guthrie agreed but only if Goodman would buy him a beer. Arlo loved it - it became a Top 20 for him in 1972. Willie Nelson's 1984 rendition topped the Country charts. Unfortunately, Steve Goodman left us too soon in 1984 after a courageous fight with leukemia. He was awarded a posthumous Grammy in '85 for Best Country Song. Grammy Hall of Fame 2017. Covered by, among many others, Jonny Cash, John Fogerty, John Denver, The Highwaymen, Judy Collins and Chet Atkins. Song? Answer: "City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodman. The Illin...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s (a toughie!): This NYC native started his career as a doo-wop singer and, in time, replaced Frankie Lymon when he left The Teenagers in '57. He took up the sax in '60. His one solo hit came in '66 with a latin/soul/jazz-influenced number. Featured on "The Wolf of Wall Street" soundtrack (2013). He eventually became the undisputed master of novelty disco-funk with "Troglodyte" in '72 and "The Bertha Butt Boogie" in '75. Artist? Hit? Answer: "Hey Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You" by Jimmy Castor. Don't ask me why but that tune was pretty popular in P.R. when it came out in '66. Must have been the Latin rhythm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIg-aM2bKkA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCV6paTXyCU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LQJYgs1sxc

OK, boys and girls, more 80s one-hit wonders: This California singer/actor/writer/music historian and his band charted at #79 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. The song was then featured in '85 on "Family Ties" as the backdrop for romantic interludes between Michael J. Fox and Tracy Pollan. It reached #1 on Billboard in '86 and stayed on the charts for 15 weeks. Group? Song? Answer: "At This Moment" by Billy Vera and The Beaters. Funny how songs are "recycled". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEhpREi_WoE

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Andrea Simpson and Lois Wilkinson were co-workers in London, singing amateur gigs on weekends. They got their name from a French aircraft. By coincidence, they happened upon the B-side to Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons" and recorded a demo. The pop love ballad was written by Bob Merrill and Terry Shand. It was a minor hit for Moon Mullican in 1950 - also covered in the 50s by Jimmy Dorsey and by Ernest Tubb. The demo was noticed by a Decca Records subsidiary. They re-recorded it and, in '63-'64, it became their only hit. #3 Billboard Hot 100 and #6 UK. They became the first British act to chart in the U.S. in '64 (I hear there were four British blokes giving them stiff competition!). Hit? Duo? Answer: "You Don't Have to Be A Baby to Cry" by The Caravelles. They took their name from Sud Aviation Caravelle. Angelic harmonies. NOT to be confused with the wonderful 60s-70s Puerto R...