Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: The only two Top 40 hits by this NYC "baroque-pop" 60s group were written by a 16 year-old member of the band, dedicated to another member's girlfriend, whom he was infatuated with. Name the band and their two hits. Answer: The Left Banke. "Walk Away Renée" and "Pretty Ballerina". Michael Brown wrote them, inspired by Renée Fladen, then girlfriend of the band's bassist Tom Finn. Ever since I heard "Walk Away Renée" for the first time in 1966, to this day it remains one of my all-time favorite tunes. Lowen and Navarro did a very respectable acoustic cover. In those days, many American bands adopted British-sounding names (wonder why?!). Think The Sir Douglas Quintet, The Beau Brummels, The Royal Guardsmen, The Knickerbockers, The Byrds, The Buckinghams, The Shadows of Knight.....! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uqBTzfcIk4&list=RD6uqBTzfcIk4&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only charting hit for this Nashville-based singer/songwriter came in 1974 with a country-rockabilly crossover tune that he wrote and recorded. A good-samaritan song offering emotional and romantic support to someone lonely and in need. He wrote it in 20 minutes. It topped the Pop and Country charts in the U.S. and in 15 other countries; RIAA Certified Gold. He also played the signature Farfisa electric organ in the recording. Legendary guitarist Chip Young contributed the memorable guitar work on his sweet Gretsch 6120. Many listeners mistook his vocals for Ringo's due to his distinct and relaxed vocal style. Covered by, among many others, Elvis, Tom Jones and Loretta Lynn. The background noise heard at the end of the recording is from his bandmates laughing when his dog was biting at his pant leg in the studio. At age 84, he continues to work as a session musician and composer for other artists. Artist? Song? Answer: ...

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: Glaswegian songbird/songwriter/actress Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, OBE, CBE's only U.S. hit came in 1967. Composed by Don Black and Mark London, it was the theme for a movie of the same title, in which the singer co-starred and sang. It topped the U.S. charts for five weeks and was the top-selling single of that year, RIAA Certified Gold Disc. She had a minor UK hit with her cover of the Isley Brothers' "Shout" but it never reached the U.S. Subsequent Led Zeppelin member John Paul Jones had a significant part in the recording, arranging strings, bass, guitar and brass, as well as playing bass. She was married to the late Maurice Gibb from 1969 to 1975 and had a brief affair with the late David Bowie in the 70s. Stage name? Only U.S. hit? Answer: "To Sir with Love" by Lulu. She is now 77 and still active. We just happened to watch the movie a few nights ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I went to s...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s/60s: Which non-Bobby/non-Frankie teen idol of the 50s and the 60s co-wrote "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad"? Answer: Teddy Randazzo. The late great Teddy Randazzo also gave us "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", "Runaround" and his own "One More Chance", among many others. He recorded a pop version of Leoncavallo's "Vesti la giubba" in 1960. For some reason, he was pretty popular in Puerto Rico, getting quite a bit of airplay from the DJs at WKBM and Armed Forces Radio. He left us in 2003 at the age of 68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLIW0Wtrls&list=RDaYLIW0Wtrls&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE41gXPZWGQ&list=RDDE41gXPZWGQ&start_radio=1

OK, girls and boys, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: The second and last chart hit for this 19-year-old Welsh songbird came in 1969 with a pop-folk classic that Sir Paul penned specifically for her to follow the massive worldwide single she had the previous year. Credited to "Lennon-McCartney", it peaked at #13 U.S. and #2 UK. One of the first Apple Records. "About a girl with a wanderlust", it is a bittersweet reflection on parting, transition and the fleeting nature of relationships. Sir Paul gave her the handwritten lyrics and she sold them at auction last year. Artist? Song? For extra credit, name her first hit. Answer: "Goodbye" by Mary Hopkin. First hit: "Those Were the Days". I love her voice! We recently watched "Peter Asher: Everywhere Man", a documentary about the iconic 60s singer, guitarist, manager and record producer, where this song was featured, among many others. A must-watch for any 60s music fan! Highly recomme...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 20s (oh, wait, we ARE in the 20s - the ol' guy is just trying to keep up with the music of the time!): This Filipino-American California native co-wrote a 2023 chart-topping, melodramatic and intense pop-rock breakup anthem with Dan Nigro. A toxic relationship with a manipulative older boyfriend who exploited her for her fame and left her feeling powerless, blaming herself for ingnoring red flags. At first it was thought that it was about Taylor Swift but this was denied by all parties. #1 Billboard Hot 100, RIAA Certified Platinum. She became the first artist to have each of the lead singles from her first three albums top the charts. She has a 60% congenital hearing loss in her left ear. Artist? Song? Answer: "Vampire" by Olivia Rodrigo. I had forgotten about this beautiful and haunting tune until I recently heard it on America's Got Talent, where the marvelous South Korean dance troupe Come Here performed an intricate sync...

OK, girls and boys, back to the 70s: Philadelphia composer Kenny Gamble was going through a painful divorce, which served as an inspiration for a smooth-soul classic co-written with Leon Huff. It was recorded in 1976 at Sigma Sound in Philly by a Chicago-born baritone, becoming his signature song. A confident statement that his deep, devoted love is irreplaceable. It has since become a Philly-soul and disco/hustle classic. By far the singer's biggest hit, it topped the R&B and Easy Listening charts, #2 Billboard Hot 100, #6 Dance, RIAA Certified Gold. Song? Singer? Answer: "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" by Lou Rawls. Fond memories of my junior year of med school in Philly. Sigma Sound Studio was not far from where I lived. It seemed like this song was playing everywhere you went. In the mid-fifties, Lou Rawls spent 3 years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He left us in 2006 due to lung cancer. Man, oh ma...