Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, boys and girls, more foreign "stuff": Which was the first Asian act to reach #1 in the U.S. charts? Singer? Song? Answer: "Sukiyaki" by Kyu Sakamoto topped the charts for three weeks in 1963. It sold 13M copies worldwide. Original title: "Ue O Muite Aruko", which had absolutely nothing to do with sukiyaki! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C35DrtPlUbc&list=RDC35DrtPlUbc&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, a little "foreign intrigue" for today: This Dutch group's only #1 hit was sung phonetically, as the lead singer didn't speak English. Group? Hit? Answer: "Venus" by Shocking Blue. Lead singer Mariska Veres, a native of The Hague, sang "godness", instead of "goddess" in the opening line due to a typo by composer Robbie van Leeuwen. Veres left us in 2006. Having been in The Netherlands several times, I have found that, by and large, the Dutch speak excellent English. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LhkyyCvUHk&list=RD8LhkyyCvUHk&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s (a toughie): This sibling country/folk trio from Pine Bluff, Arkansas helped create and define the "Nashville Chrome" sound. Their biggest hit was an English adaptation of a 1945 Gilles/Herrand French tune, "Les Trois Cloches" (hint, hint!), a '52-'53 hit for Edith Piaf. Grammy-nominated in 1959 - #1 Billboard Hot 100 and Country and #10 R&B. Song? Alternate title(s)? Group? Answer: "The Three Bells" aka "(Little) Jimmy Brown" by The Browns. They disbanded in '67 as their popularity faded. Great harmonies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkbj56bnYs&list=RDHTkbj56bnYs&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVuKLxx-ETY&list=RDrVuKLxx-ETY&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: "The Father of the Surf Guitar" and his band released this instrumental classic in 1961, 2 months before The Beach Boys dropped their seminal "Surfin'" album. It is considered the beginning of the 60s surf music craze. He patterned his signature staccato after Gene Krupa's drumming with generous reverb. He played LOUD! Leo Fender gave him a prototype Strat which he played lefty but strung right-handed. He literally burned 49 Fender amps until Leo fitted them with 85W output transformers and added a single Lansing JBL D130F 15" speaker in what was to become the Fender Showman. Covered by Carl Wilson on The Beach Boys' "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Beach Boys Concert" albums. Artist and band? Song? Answer: "Let's Go Trippin'" by Dick Dale and The Del-Tones. The title comes from Dick's fans' mantra on the way to seeing him live, "let's go trippin' to see Dick ...

OK, girls and boys, more Mop Tops: Ringo was quoted as saying that this was his favorite Beatles song AND it was their first #1 hit NOT about love. Tune? Answer: "Paperback Writer" by The Beatles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYvkICbTZIQ&list=RDyYvkICbTZIQ&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, more 80s one-hit wonders: Lead singer Philip Oakey penned this 1981 massive global hit after reading an article in a teen-girls' magazine about meeting a waitress at a cocktail bar. He calls it "a nasty song about power-politics between the opposite sexes". It was the only hit for his British new-wave band, defining the synth-pop genre. Originally intended for it to be a vocal solo, he switched it to a duet with one of the group's two teenage singers after watching "A Star is Born" ('76). Trademark heavy use of the now-legendary LM-1 drum machine. It received heavy play on the then-young MTV channel and has become a karaoke standard. The best-selling UK single of 1981, topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and was Certified Gold. Part of the "He's Just Not That Into You" movie soundtrack ('09). Song? Answer: "Don't You Want Me" by The Human League. One of the many great tunes we liste...

OK, boys and girls, more Sixties (as opposed to "more cowbell!"): The members of this 1960s Canadian-American folk-rock band first met as guests invited to Cass Elliot's home to watch The Beatles' U.S. TV debut on Ed Sullivan Feb. 1964. They played guitar together through the night and the rest, as they say, is history... Answer: The Lovin' Spoonful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq4J9KyJb4s&list=RDNq4J9KyJb4s&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls. more 90s one-hit wonders: Lead singer Nina Persson and Peter Svensson were sitting in an airport lounge waiting for a plane when they wrote this 1996 alt/indie classic. Their original version had a bossa nova beat, but their producer convinced them to go more disco-ish. It became, by far, their Swedish band's biggest hit. A girl is willing to do anything for love, even if the affection is not entirely real. Its popularity increased even further when it became part of the "Romeo + Juliet" movie soundtrack. Peaked at #2 U.S. and UK. Masterfully covered by Iowa-based pop-folk duo Brad & Kate on their wonderful live shows. Song? Answer: "Lovefool" by The Cardigans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6aOFI7hms&list=RDNI6aOFI7hms&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/@BradandKate

OK, girls and boys, more Mop Tops: Name the ONLY George Harrison composition ever performed live on stage by The Beatles. Answer: "If I Needed Someone" by The Beatles. Killer version by Roger McGuinn on his 2004 "Limited Edition" album. McGuinn dicovered the 12-string Rickenbacker after seeing George play it in "A Hard Day's Night". For many years, they had a society of mutual respect and admiration. George was inspired to write and record this song after hearing The Byrds’ “The Bells of Rhymney” - it is, in essence, the same riff. And that, my friends, is jingle-jangle! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8VUIpKjLaE&list=RDM8VUIpKjLaE&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-l4ZjEIXlc&list=RD_-l4ZjEIXlc&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, another toughie from the 60s: In 1967, Bill Minkin recorded a version of "Wild Thing" spoofing a prominent politician of the day. The spoof was also produced by Chip Taylor, who wrote the song. It went to #20 in the U.S. charts! Who was he spoofing? Answer: Bobby Kennedy. The spoof was recorded under "Senator Bobby". Unfortunately, he was senselessly assasinated the following year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LE0aToTtGY&list=RD-LE0aToTtGY&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: This 1958 Perez Prado/Marcus mambo was the last chart-topper on Billboard's Jockeys and Top 100 before they became Billboard's Hot 100. It spent a record 15 weeks at #1 and 21 weeks on the charts. #1 R&B, #1 Germany and #8 UK. Vocal hit for Perry Como in '59 and as a "twist" version in '62. Part of soundtracks of Fellini's '60 "La Dolce Vita" (striptease scene), "Goodbye, Columbus" (pool party scene) ('69) and "Great Balls Of Fire" (proposal scene) ('98). Mambo? Answer: "Patricia" by Perez Prado & His Orchestra. The Beatles sang yeah, yeah, yeah; the Stones no, no, no; Billy Joel whoa, whoa, whoa but NOBODY did HUH!!! like Perez Prado! Played during the striptease scene in "La Dolce Vita", during the pool party scene in "Goodbye, Columbus" and when The Killer proposed to his 13 year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown in "Great Balls Of Fire...

OK, boys and girls, a fun one for today: Which (Bobby!) teenage heart-throb kicked Robert Zimmerman (later on to become Bob Dylan) out of his band because he thought that "he had no future as a musician"? Answer: Bobby Vee.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Kenny Loggins and Dona Lyn George penned this sublime 1973 acoustic folk ballad for Loggins and Messina's third studio album. Nature and celestial imagery as amatory metaphors - a sense of innocence, serenity and hope. Jim Messina did not care for it at first but gradually warmed up to it. Ethereal high-low acoustic guitars and a seamless key change towards the end. Loggins played it to Canadian songbird Ann Murray, who loved it and recorded it later on that same year. She already had a massive 1972 international hit with another Loggins tune. A crossover hit, it won her a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and she took it to #5 Hot Country, as well as #12 Billboard. Masterfully covered by the great Dar Williams. Song (hint, hint!)? For extra credit, name the 1972 Ann Murray hit penned by Kenny Loggins. Answer: "A Love Song" by Loggins and Messina. Extra credit: "Danny's Song". Fond memories o...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1965 James Brown composition is widely recognized as the first "funk" tune, defining the genre. The Old Man is bold enough to show off some dance moves. Topped the R&B charts and was his first Pop Top 10 hit at #8. It pioneered his funk sound with heavy horns and driving electric guitar. He recorded the vocals in one take and the instruments in less than one hour! Ranked #72 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in '99. Song? Answer: "Papa's Got a Brand-New Bag" by James Brown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE5D2hJhacU&list=RDQE5D2hJhacU&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the aughts (the 1900s, that is): Italian composer Fermo Dante Marchetti penned this clasic 1904 romantic waltz as an instrumental, shortly after relocating to Paris. The working title was "Valse Tzigane (Gypsy Waltz)". Maurice de Ferandy added French lyrics the following year and changed the title. First recorded in 1905 by chanteuses Paulette Darty and Florelle. A staple in ballroom dancing competitions. Credited for inspiring "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", "La Vie en Rose" and "I Could Have Danced All Night". Part of the 1949 "Gigi" soundtrack. Memorable charting versions by Nat King Cole, Dinah Shore and Jane Morgan & The Troubadours (her signature tune), among many others. Waltz? Answer: "Fascination". I grew up listenig to it in Spanish as "Fascinacion" (with an accent on the 'o'!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpBnMgh_y54&list=RDYpBnMgh_y54&start_ra...

OK, boys and girls, another toughie: I was once known as "America's Favorite Folksinger". My album "All My Best" became the best-selling television-marketed album in history. Who am I? (If you get it right, you'll win a Ginsu II knife, a Sham Wow, an exotic oriental bamboo steamer, Zamfir's Greatest Hits, a Slap Chop, "The Best of Christy Lane", Boxcar Willie's "The Wreck of Old '97" AND a Snuggie!!!) Answer: Slim Whitman. Sadly, we lost ol' Slim in 2013. Wonderful yodeling and falsetto. Love those Nudie Cohn suits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y78dtSvzWc4&list=RDy78dtSvzWc4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXOcRe7E5kA&list=RDSXOcRe7E5kA&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Jimmy Webb wrote this classic 1968 ballad while driving along the Kansas-Oklahoma border. He saw a telephone repairman perched atop a pole and thought about his first love affair with a woman whom eventually married another man. A tale of loneliness and yearning for an absent lover. Glen Campbell recorded it with Webb on the Hammond B3 organ. It received 4 Grammy nominations and won one. Topped the Country and Easy Listening charts and peaked at #3 Pop. Ranked #192 among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Song? Answer: "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell". A classic! In my book, Jimmy Webb is arguably our greatest living popular composer. Sadly, we lost Glen Campbell in 2017 after a lengthy illness. Not only was he a wonderful singer, but he was also a force of nature on guitar. His daughter Ashley is a consummate 5-string banjo player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxSarBcsKLU&list=RDAxSarBcsKLU&start_r...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Ray Evans and Jay Livingston penned this romantic 1949 pop standard ballad for the Alan Ladd film "Captain Carey, U.S.A.". It won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1950. References Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece renaissance portrait of a woman with a mysterious and enigmatic smile revealing (or not!) her inner feelings. Nat King Cole's version is, by far, the best known, topping the Billboard charts for five weeks in 1950. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1992. Covered by, among many others, Elvis, Natalie Cole, Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Willie Nelson and even Phil Ochs (!). Song? Answer: "Mona Lisa" by Nat King Cole. Dang, he had a smooth vioce! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIDX18Xl16s&list=RDNIDX18Xl16s&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: What is the only song originating in Italy ever to reach #1 on Billboard's Hot 100? Answer: "Volare (Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu)" by Domenico Modugno - 1958. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7epFAs2U_Ns&list=RD7epFAs2U_Ns&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Chuck Berry wrote and recorded this controversial 1956 rock-and-roll/R&B classic after witnessing a California policeman arrest a Hispanic man for loitering, only to release him after a woman vouched for him. Berry was widely known for bragging about his penchant for white women. He packs 6 verses into 2:15 minutes! The 5th verse was inspired by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's "Venus In Furs" and the last verse influenced John Fogerty's 1985 "Centerfield". It features Willie Dixon on bass. Buddy Holly's cover was a posthumous hit. Peaked at #5 R&B and is ranked #374 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Song? Answer: "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" by Chuck Berry. John Fogerty's seminal "Centerfield" was his best-selling post-CCR album. He played every instrument, did all the vocals and, other than for 2 "bonus tracks", wrote all the songs. https://www.youtube.com/wat...

OK, girls ad boys, back to the 60s: This beautiful 1960 Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe romantic ballad opens the second act of "Camelot". Sir Lancelot and Guinevere are secretly in forbidden love and she asks him to leave (hint, hint!). He sings a showstopper pledging his eternal devotion and explaining why leaving is not an option for him. Robert Goulet, he of the rich baritone and matinee-idol good looks, played Lancelot in the original Broadway cast, along with Julie Andrews as Queen Guinevere and Richard Burton as King Arthur through 873 performances. It became Goulet's signature song, forever associated with him. Franco Nero played Lancelot in the 1967 film version. Song? Answer: "If Ever I Would Leave You" by Robert Goulet. I was only 8 when it came out but it quickly became one of my dad's favorites, so I grew up listening to it on the ol' Bogen hi-fi. My goodness, talking about timeless masculine voices and looks! He left us in 2007 a...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: Chilton Price, Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart penned this romantic 1952 (great year!) pop ballad with a working title of "Hurry Home to Me". A tale of separated lovers yearning to be back together. First recorded by Joni James. By far, the most popular version was Jo Stafford's, her biggest hit, topping the U.S. and UK charts for 10 weeks. Unforgettable opening line, "See the pyramids along the Nile...". The Duprees took it to #7 in '62, their highest-charting single. Covered by, among many others, Dean Martin, Patti Page and Patsy Cline. Song? Answer: "You Belong to Me". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQfF84ackMM&list=RDzQfF84ackMM&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUGCCSAa_OQ&list=RDZUGCCSAa_OQ&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, a jovial one for today: Which female pop star publicly congratulated Neil Sedaka on his "new hit 'A Cow and A Girl'"? Answer: Brenda Lee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUlOyj9F5gM&list=RDqUlOyj9F5gM&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the classics: This majestic 1906 choral work is dubbed "The Symphony of a Thousand", as it demands a vast orchestral and vocal ensemble. It premiered in Munich on 9/12/1910. It speaks of redemption through the power of love and of the composer's confidence in the human spirit. The last of his works premiered during his lifetime. Unconventional as it is divided into 2 parts instead of movements: Part I comes from the text of a 9th century Christian hymn, "Veni Creator Spiritus" and Part II from the closing scene of Goethe's "Faust". Composer? Symphony? Answer: Gustav Mahler, Symphony Number 8 in E-flat. I cannot think about this masterpiece without remembering my dear childhood friend, Dr. Alberto "Papa Dios" Rodriguez, who introduced me to it when we were in high school. Sadly, we recently lost Papa after a long and courageous battle with cancer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOddn8-35c0&list=RDgOddn...

OK, boys and girls, more Fabdom: Macca wrote this 1965 "frantic rocker" inspired by his hero, Little Richard. The B-side for "Help", it was never included in any of the original Beatles albums. Recorded on the same day as "I've Just Seen A Face" and "Yesterday"! Sir Paul used it to open his set during the 2001 "Concert For New York City" to benefit the surviving first responders of 9/11/01. Song? Answer: "I'm Down" by The Beatles. One of the most frenetic Beatles tunes. A staple on the tableside jukeboxes at Mastro's Pizza Palace in Puerto Rico. Incredible that they recorded those three songs in one day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOWrScjXMRE&list=RDlOWrScjXMRE&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, more 60s one-hit wonders (a toughie!): Frontman Tommy Moeller and his bandmate Brian Parker penned their band's only charting hit in 1965. Their Hertforshire, UK group took their name from being a quartet, but recording with two additional studio musicians. A tale of indestructible love. Heavily influenced by Brazilian baiao with acoustic guitars and zabumba drums. The syncopated duple meter rhythm helped it stand out from the predominantly rock tunes of the day. The video was filmed at the iconic Barbican Building Site. #1 UK, #28 U.S. Part of the "Rushmore" soundtrack. Covered by Gary Lewis and The Playboys as well as by Sir Cliff Richard. Song? Group? Answer: "Concrete and Clay" by Unit 4+2. I remember listening to it on WKVM-AM, as well as on Armed Forces Radio, growing up in Puerto Rico. I had not heard it since the 60s and, all of a sudden, they start playing it on the SiriusXM 60s channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch...

OK, boys and girls, more Papa (NOT Alberto, Hemingway, Doc, Roach, John's, Murphy's, John, Denny or Candito!): This 1772 Haydn symphony is unique in that it contains a "minuetto al roverso" - in both the minuet and the trio the orcherstra plays the music twice forward AND TWICE BACKWARDS to arrive at the beginning! A favorite of Mozart's. Symphony? Symphony's "nickname"? Answer: Haydn's Symphony No. 47 in G major "The Palindrome". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gum0PNqgM_s&list=RDgum0PNqgM_s&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Rumors abound as to the meaning of this 1976 ELO Jeff Lynne composition. Anti-abortion? Loss of virginity? Environmental causes? Lynne himself has said that it is about love gone wrong. Background vocals by Patti Quatro (Suzi's sister - who can forget Leather Tuscadero on "Happy Days"?!). Peaked at #13. Part of the "Boogie Nights" soundtrack ('97). Song? Answer: "Livin' Thing" by Electric Light Orchestra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvBOZCrJsAI&list=RDlvBOZCrJsAI&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Who was L'Angelo Misterioso (The Mysterious Angel) in Cream's "Badge"? Hint: He and Ringo co-wrote the song with Eric Clapton and George played rhythm guitar on the recording. Answer: George Harrison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeGyQIgvSV0&list=RDEeGyQIgvSV0&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This Jimmy Webb classic was first recorded in 1967 by The Fifth Dimension for their "The Magic Garden" album. The former lead singer for The Crests fronted an 11-piece group made up of members of the Del-Satins and The Rhythm Heritage, taking it to #3 in '69. Along with "MacArthur Park" and "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", it is about Webb's involvement with a 'Susan' (Suzy Horton). A former flame marries someone else. Webb also recorded it for his "Ten Easy Pieces" compilation. Song? Group? Answer: "The Worst That Could Happen" by Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge. In case the voice sounds familiar, remember Johnny Maestro fronting for The Crests on "Sixteen Candles". We lost him in 2010 at the age of 70. What a voice he had! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRDRX4Gyq6I&list=RDkRDRX4Gyq6I&start_radio=1

OK. girls and boys, more Mop-Tops: Which three Beatles songs were recorded with George playing a VERY NICE Jose Ramirez custom-made Spanish nylon-string classical guitar? Answer: George played a Jose Ramirez De Estudio Spanish classical guitar on "And I Love Her", "I'll Be Back" and "Till There Was You". In addition, on "I'll Be Back", John played a Ramirez A-1 Segovia model. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_c2XZd9mMo&list=RD9_c2XZd9mMo&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJSTBNTac6k&list=RDfJSTBNTac6k&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: Chicago native Eugene Dixon was the lead singer for The Dukays in 1960 when they recorded this Williams/Dixon/Edwards R&B/doo-wop classic. Inspired by Earl (hint, hint!) Edwards, the group's founder. Dixon assumed a stage name, left the group and was able to release his first and biggest hit in '62 under his new name. It topped the charts for 3 weeks. Covered by Sha-Na-Na at Woodstock. Stage name? Biggest hit? For extra credit - other hit? Answer: "(The) Duke Of Earl" by Gene Chandler. Other hit: "Groovy Situation". Sha Na Na performed towards the end of Woodstock "sandwiched" between The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Hendrix (now, that would have been a little intimidating!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa88gqvXJMc&list=RDQa88gqvXJMc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs9CcPdhQeM&list=RDVs9CcPdhQeM&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFOnZAzjeoU&list...

OK, girls and boys, try this one... : I was the original bassist for Manfred Mann AND I designed the album cover for The Beatles' "Revolver" album. Who am I? Answer: Klaus Voorman. At age 87, he is still active in music and the graphic arts.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Paul Simon wrote and recorded this folk classic, while sick in London, in early 1965 as part of "The Paul Simon Songbook". Following the success of the electric version of "Sound Of Silence", he re-recorded it with Art Garfunkel as folk-rock on 12/14/65 for their second studio album. It peaked at #3. A man who has been deeply hurt becomes a recluse, locking himself from everything and everyone. Song? Answer: Paul Simon's "I Am a Rock". One of Simon's best! Young Jesuit scholastics in the 60s loved to make us analyze it during English class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlSVNxLB-A&list=RDJKlSVNxLB-A&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpCcuBIKPBY&list=RDIpCcuBIKPBY&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: In November of 1961, Tico and The Triumphs recorded "Motorcycle" on Amy Records (B Side: "I Don't Believe Them"). Tico wrote it and sang lead vocals. It reached #99 on the Top 100 nationally BUT it reached #1 in Baltimore AND in Puerto Rico (go figure!), selling over 100,000 copies in each market. Who was Tico? Answer: "Tico" was Paul Simon. I still have my original 45rpm - a little scratchy, but it works! Many years later, I got a German re-master on CD. BTW, "Jerry Landis" was also Paul Simon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgfI7tM-RNQ&list=RDNgfI7tM-RNQ&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmzo4kE5U5c&list=RDKmzo4kE5U5c&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 80s: Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne wrote and recorded this 1989 folk-rock classic in 2 days with Lynne on backup vocals for Petty's debut solo album. Petty's longest-charting song, peaking at #7 and spending 33 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100. It talks about the "L.A. Culture" of casually using others for one's personal gain without remorse. #177 on Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It closed their set at the 2008 Super Bowl. Song? Answer: "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty. There are those who believe that Petty and Dylan were one and the same person. Hmmm...we'll never know. Think about it - nobody had ever seen them together, one was as good-looking as the other, pretty well the same voice, they alternated recordings - they WERE one and the same person (just like Michael and LaToya!)! Petty was the second biggest Roger McGuinn fan (after yours truly, of course!) and his 12-string Rickenbacker work is l...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: This 1977 Joe Brooks composition was written as the theme for his movie of the same name. First recorded by jingle singer Kasey Cisyk and lip-synced in the film by Didi Conn. Debby Boone's single stayed at #1 for a record-setting 10 weeks. It was the most successful single of the 70s. Grammys for Song of the Year and Best New Artist (Boone). Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Tune? Answer: "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. The proverbial one-hit wonder. She pretty well faded into obscurity afterwards. '77 was a tough competition year for Oscar songs - she beat out "Saturday Night Fever" tracks. Leann Rimes' cover went to #34 on the Country charts in '97. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOShEUn0aA4&list=RDAOShEUn0aA4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsBY722rb2M&list=RDBsBY722rb2M&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: In the middle of the 60s Nashville Sound era, Roger Miller wrote and performed this 1965 crossover hit. A stereotypical picture of the London cultural and fashion scene of the day. It peaked at #3 Country, #8 Pop and topped the Easy Listening charts. Covered by Petula Clark and by Pat Boone in '67. Song? Answer: "England Swings (Like a Pendulum Do)" by Roger Miller. Such a different tune for him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I7yAC1Pz6Y&list=RD2I7yAC1Pz6Y&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: Joey Dee and The Starliters ("Peppermint Twist" - 1961) eventually "morphed" into which 60s mega-group? Answer: The Young Rascals.

OK, girls and boys, more Ol' Blue Eyes: This 1966 Robic/Singleton/Snyder/Kaempfert composition was Frank Sinatra's comeback hit - his first in 11 years. The album was his most commercially successful recording. #1 US and UK. Recorded in 2 takes with Glen Campbell on rhythm guitar. Won 4 Grammys in '67, including Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Performance. The scat improv at the end inspired the name of a cartoon canine. Song? Answer: Frank Sinatra's "Strangers In The Night". Pretty doggone romantic! Scooby Doo did indeed get his name from the scat. One of my dad's favorites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd_3EkGr0-4&list=RDFd_3EkGr0-4&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more Mop-Tops: Which two songs written by Sir Paul McCartney were #1 hits by friends of his - "gifted" to them by him because, according to the other three blokes, "they were not good enough for The Beatles"? Answer: "A World Without Love" by Peter and Gordon and "Bad to Me" by Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas. Killer 2007 medley by Puerto Rican supergroup Los Challengers featuring, among others, Alberto Carrion, as well as the late great Jorge Casas and Reno Habif. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdx6lLvvRyg&list=RDTdx6lLvvRyg&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CMX0mCFYJ4&list=RD2CMX0mCFYJ4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hQHp-HwKIY&list=RD4hQHp-HwKIY&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more Mop-Tops: This 1963 "McCartney-Lennon" composition was the first Beatles top-ten tune featuring George on lead vocals. It peaked at #2 on Billboard in '64. John was quoted as saying that he gave it to George to sing because "it only had three notes and he wasn't the best singer in the world", but added "he has improved a lot since then."! Lennon wrote it in '63 during his honeymoon with Cynthia. Inspired by "I'm Wishing" from Disney's 1937 "Snow White". One of the few Fab Four tunes not to feature the composer as lead singer. B-Side: "Thank You, Girl". Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas' cover reached #1 in the UK. Song? Answer: "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" by The Beatles. Great tune! The B-side is another one of those many understated Beatles masterpieces. Reminds me of growing up in Puerto Rico and listening to both sides on the little table jukebox while e...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This 1964 Roy Orbison/Bill Dees pop-rock classic was inspired by Roy's wife, Claudette. They wrote it in 90 minutes. Trademark guitar work by Wayne Moss. It spent 3 weeks at #1. Posthumous Grammy in '91 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance on HBO's "Roy Orbison & Friends". Grammy Hall of Fame in '99. #222 on Rolling Stone's Best Songs of All-Time. Killer instrumental cover by The Ventures on "Knock Me Out" (my dear childhood friend Frank Astor introduced me to it). MERCY!!!!!! GRRROW!!!!!! Song? Answer: "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KFvoDDs0XM&list=RD3KFvoDDs0XM&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PLq0_7k1jk&list=RD_PLq0_7k1jk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snBBJUJN51E&list=RDsnBBJUJN51E&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s/60s: In 1957, The Crests recorded the enduring doo-wop hit "Sixteen Candles". What popular 60s group did they eventually become? For extra credit, name their four charting hits. Answer: The Crests transitioned into the Del-Satins and, eventually, into (Johnny Maestro and) The Brooklyn Bridge. Hits: "The Worst that Could Happen", "Welcome Me Love", "Blessed Is the Rain" and "Your Husband, My Wife". Sadly, Johnny Maestro (John Peter Mastrangelo) left us in 2010 at the age of 70 - what a voice he had. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRDRX4Gyq6I&list=RDkRDRX4Gyq6I&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ptpy_lYww&list=RD49ptpy_lYww&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiyDXawC3Aw&list=RDMiyDXawC3Aw&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTW__FA47S4&list=RDVTW__FA47S4&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: This 1974 confession of troubled love remains Joni Mitchell's biggest-selling single and her ONLY Top 10 hit (#7) during her illustrious musical career. Accompanied by jazz-fusion ensemble Tom Scott's L.A. Express. Still unclear as to whether it was dedicated to Glenn Frey of The Eagles or percussionist John Guerin from Tom Scott's group, both of whom she had affairs with at the time. Ranked #282 among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Song? Answer: "Help Me" by Joni Mitchell. OK, I'm an old folkie (and proud of it!). I saw Joni Mitchell in '76 at The Spectrum in Philly - one of the best concerts ever. She opened with "Help Me". Unfortunately, saw her again a few years later at the Valley Forge Music Fair during her "jazz phase" - horrendous! First time I've ever walked out of a concert - together with many others. A master of alternate guitar tunings! https://www.youtube.com...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This guitarist was working as head writer for "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1968 when he wrote and recorded a masterful piece for guitar and orchestra. The original title was abbreviated by the publisher. It debuted on the show. Peaked at #2. Re-recorded on solo guitar in '70 and with Mannheim Steamroller in '87. Won 3 Grammys in '69. Special Citation by BMI in '98 as the top instrumental airplay tune of all time. Artist? Composition? Answer: "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams. The working title was "Classical Gasoline" but the music publicist pared it down. One of those guitar "rites of passage" from the sixties - you HAD to be able to play "Classical Gas" if you were worth anything as a guitar player. Being a purist, (not that anybody has ever accused me of being a pain in the behind or anything!) I much prefer the original version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mREi_Bb...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 50s: Antoine "Fats" Domino co-wrote this 1955 breakup tune with Dave Bartholomew. It topped the R&B charts and peaked at #10 Pop. Pat Boone's cover later on that year topped the "white" Pop charts, making it THE first bona fide crossover hit. It was Boone's first hit single. Part of the "American Graffiti" ('73) soundtrack and ranked #431 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Legend goes that during a concert, Fats Domino invited Pat Boone on stage. He showed a big gold ring and said "Pat Boone bought me this ring". Song? Answer: "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino. Originally titled "Ain't It a Shame". Pat Boone also suggested renaming it "Isn't It a Shame" to appeal to a "broader" audience but it was quickly nixed by the producers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6JZW7zMDfY&list=RDI6JZW7zMDfY&start_radio=1 https://www....

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Loosely inspired by the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, this bubblegummy 1974 Peter Callander/Mitch Murray pop-rock tune was the only U.S. hit for a Nottingham, UK band. #1 Billboard Hot 100, Certified Gold Disc. The narrator's mother waits in anguish for news about the fate of her husband, a police officer involved in a gun battle with Al Capone's gang. Song? Group? Answer: "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace. Neither one of the composers had ever been to Chicago, so they took historic and geographic licenses. The "east side of Chicago" is Lake Michigan (oops!). The group's version of "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" charted in the UK, but Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods' rendition was released in the U.S. first, so Paper Lace's did't chart. Chicago is very dear to us, as our daughter Gina did her undergraduate work at DePaul University. We have so many wonderful memories f...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Cat Stevens wrote, recorded and released this folk ballad in 1970, first as a single and then in "Tea For The Tillerman". Stevens' 1st US hit, peaking at #11. Departing words at the end of a 2 year romance with young American actress Patti D'Arbanville. The chord progression is taken from a Spanish theme. "...the sadness of leaving and the anticipation of what lies beyond." Covered in '71 by Jose Feliciano and by The Ventures. Song? Answer: "Wild World" by Cat Stevens. One of Cat's best. I am SO glad Cat (Yusuf) is back making music - he sounds the same! When I moved to Philly, I took with me an old Vicente Tatay Spanish guitar - it "died" during the first winter there. I bought an Ovation Glen Campbell Acoustic Balladeer (all the rage at the time) and this was one of the first songs I played on it. Even my dad liked Cat Stevens! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jta56wBl7SM&list=RDJta56wB...