Poldo's Music Trivia II

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: By far, the biggest hit for this Lansdale, PA native came in 1963, when she was only 15-years-old. A love-pop tune about a teenage girl's deep devotion to her boyfriend. It topped Billboard's Hot 100, making her the youngest female solo artist to do so and that record still holds to this day. The melody was composed in '61 by Frenchmen Franck Pourcel and Paul Mauriat as the instrumental "Chariot". The French lyrics were added by Jacques Plante and the English ones by Norman Gimbel. The first vocal version was recorded in French by Petula Clark in '62 as "Chariot" and it topped the French charts. It was featured in "Sister Act" (1992) and, since then, has been widely used as a religious anthem. Separate Spanish versions were released in '63 by Argentinians Alberto Cortez and Violeta Rivas. Song? Artist? For extra credit, what was the title of the Spanish version? Answer: "I Will Follo...

OK, girls and boys, a little Merseybeat for you today: This skiffle band from Liverpool took its name from a 1956 John Wayne movie. They reached #1 in the UK and #13 in the US with this 1964 cover version of a '63 Jackie DeShannon tune co-written by Sonny Bono. Band? Song? Answer: "Needles and Pins" by The Searchers. Very respectable cover version by Los Challengers from Puerto Rico (1969). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0oP8e02dpk&list=RDS0oP8e02dpk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WaR50Q3JOk&list=RD-WaR50Q3JOk&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbM_Zmx9kA&list=RDSSbM_Zmx9kA&start_radio=1

OK, boys and girls, back to the 90s (the 1890s, that is!): Also known as "Harlequin's Serenade", this lighthearted and graceful lyrical tenor aria appears in Act 2 of Leoncavallo's magnum opus "Pagliacci" (1892). Beppe, dressed as Harlequin, serenades his lover, who is played by Nedda, in this play-within-a-play comedia dell'arte segment. Passion, torment and the desire to steal a kiss. He sings from offstage accompanied only by a guitar. A small reprieve from the tragic undertones of the rest of the opera. Perhaps the best-known version is by Tito Schipa from 1926, arguably the finest tenore di grazia in operatic history. Aria? Answer: "O Colombina". My paternal grandfather and my namesake (I am III) "Don Leo" was an avid Italian opera admirer (what do you expect with a surname like Delucca?!). Growing up, when I stayed at his house on weekends, we would spend hours listening to opera on the ol' hi-fi. He taught me e...

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: The comedic musical duo Flo & Eddie was a "direct descendant" of which popular 60s group? Answer: The Turtles. Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan were founding members of the Turtles. Mark Volman left us last year at age 78. Howard Kaylan is 79. By far, my favorite Turtles song is "Lady-O" by Judee Sill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4tSxbYhUwc&list=RDP4tSxbYhUwc&start_radio=1

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...