Well, we're almost at the end of 2011. A new year will soon be upon us. I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday to all those readers who doesn't celebrate Christmas.
This week I thought we'd ask about some of the classic Christmas/Holiday songs of the past 50 years or so and since most of these songs still get played on the radio during this time of year, they're fairly easy questions.
Hopefully everyone's in a holiday mood, so let's have a holly, jolly fun time.
QUESTIONS
1. Elvis Presley took this 'Blue' song to # 1 for two weeks on the Christmas singles chart in 1964. It comes back every year and is one of the top songs of the season. Can you name thhis holiday tune?
2. They're starring in a movie right now, but back in December of 1958, this group of 'furry little animals' had the # 1 song on the singles chart. Who are they and what was their # 1 Christmas hit?
3. Brenda Mae Tarpley was 16 when her 'dynamite' Christmas song hit # 14 on the Pop singles chart and we've been 'rockin' to that holiday hit every year since. Can you guess the song as well as the name Brenda Mae changed to? (HINT: She also scored a dozen Top ten hits throughout her career which began in the 1950's. In 1960, she hit # 1 twice.)
4. In 1984, a group of rock and pop stars from England and Ireland got together in a London studio and recorded a charity Christmas single that raised millions for African famine relief. What was the name of the song and the group of stars who recorded it?
5. He's a huge movie star these days, although his most recent film was severly panned by many critics. Several of his movies have grossed over one hundred million dollars each. Before moving to Hollywood, he was a TV cast member on one of NBC TV's longest running series, which is where he performed his only holiday hit, which reached the Top 10 in 1995. WHo is this performer and what was his holiday hit?
ANSWERS
1. 'The King' of rock'n'roll saw his recording of "Blue Christmas" hit the top of the Christmas singles chart in December of 1964.
2. The Chipmunks were the creation of Ross Bagdasarian, who used the stage name David Seville. Simon, Alvin and Theodore were named after executives at Liberty Records in Hollywood, where Ross aka David recorded. The chipmunk 'sound'was created by recording the background musicians at normal speed, then playing the tape at a slower speed while David / Ross recorded his 'chipmunk' vocals at normal speed. The tape was then brought back to regular speed and while the music sounded normal, the voices were sped up, thus 'chipmunky' and The Chipmunk Song" was born. There latest movie, "Chipwrecked" is in theatres now.
3. The song was "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" as sung by Brenda Lee, the former Brenda Mae Tarpley. Brenda was born on December 11, 1944 in Lithonia, Georgia. She signed with Decca Records in 1956 and first hit the charts the following year when she was only 13 years old. Her nickname back then was 'Little Miss Dynamite'. In 1960, her two # 1 hits were: "I'm Sorry" and "I Want To Be Wanted". In 1964, Brenda took another holiday song, "Jingle Bell Rock" to # 8 on the Christmas singles chart.
4. All those stars, which included Paul mcCartney, Phil Collins, Sting, Bono and George Michael, going under the name Band Aid recorded "Do They Know It's Christmas" at the Sarm West Studios in the Notting Hill district of London in November of 1984. "Do They Know It's Christmas" had been written by Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats and Midge Ure of Ultravox and when it was released, sold a million copies in its first week. The single raised millions for African famine relief efforts.
5. That would be Adam Sandler, who was a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" from 1990 to 1995, which was where he performed "The Chanukah Song". Some of Adam's hit movies include "Happy Gilmour", "The Wedding Singer", "Mr. Deeds", "50 First Dates" and "You Don't Mess With The Zohan". His current film, "Jack and Jill" is not getting good reviews from film critics.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Rolling Stone Rock Trivia
Rolling Stone Magazine has been around since 1967. It's still an important magazine for breaking political stories and for its profiles of, and interviews with, rock musicians. The magazine has gone through several changes over the decades, but continues to be very successful. Many now world famous individuals started with Rolling Stone, including photographer Annie Leibowitz; Writer Hunter S. Thompson was a major political writer for Rolling Stone (Johnny Depp's latest movie "The Rum Diary" was an adaptation of a novel written by the late gonzo journalist). Cameron Crowe, wrote and directed "Almost Famous" about his time as a Rolling Stone jornalist. Crowe also directed the films "Jerry Maguire", "Elizabethtown", "Vanilla Sky" and 2011's "We Bought A Zoo" starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson. Joe Eszterhas was a longtime featured writer for Rolling Stone. His movie writing credits include "Flashdance", "Basic Instinct", "Nowhere To Run', "Showgirls" and his latest, "Lust", due to be released in 2012. Recently, the company published a book of trivia titled "Rolling Stone Rock Trivia". It's 120 pages with hundreds of questions spanning six decades of rock history. It's available at your favourite book or magazine store right now. This time out, I thought we'd quiz you with questions about Rolling Stone Magazine itself. They're all fairly easy, so give them a whirl.
QUESTIONS:
1. Which member of The Beatles was the first to have his picture featured on Rolling Stone Issue # 1?
2. Rolling Stone Magazine recently published a list of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. Who made # 1 on the list? (HINT: and not by the skin of his teeth either).
3. Who was the co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine? He's still listed today as editor and publisher.
4. In What city did Rolling Stone originate? (HINT: It was the home to Flower Power and the hippie movement).
5. It was considered an important milestone in your career to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. One band, who at that point had NOT made the cover, recorded a hit song about it that debuted on the charts in late 1972. Can you name the song and the group?
ANSWERS:
1. Rolling Stone used a film still of John Lennon in his uniform as "Sergeant Gripweed" from Richard Lester's 1966 movie, How I Won The War" on the cover of Issue # 1 dated November 9, 1967. One of the most iconic Rolling Stone covers features a naked John Lennon wrapped around his wife Yoko Ono, who was clothed, for the issue dated January 22, 1981, a month and several weeks after Lennon had been shot and killed in New York City.
2. The # 1 Guitarist, according to the guitarists Rolling Stone Magazine polled, was Jimi Hendrix, who occasionally would play his guitar with his teeth. The rest of the Top Ten included Eric Clapton (#2), Jimmy Page (#3), Keith Richards (#4), Jeff Beck (#5), B.B. King (#6), Chuck Berry (#7), Eddie Van Halen (#8), Duane Allman (#9) and Pete Townshend (#10).
3. A young Jann Wenner (pronounced 'yawn') borrowed several thousand dollars from his family and founded Straight Arrow Publishers Inc with Rolling Stone Magazine as its first (and for many years, it's Only) publication. Jazz and pop music critic and writer Ralph J. Gleason was the co-founder. Gleason died in 1975. The company is now called Wenner Media Inc. and along with Rolling Stone Magazine, publishes US Weekly and Men's Journal magazines.
4. These days, Rolling Stone Magazine's headquarters are in New York City, but back in 1967, Jann Wenner and company launched the magazine from San Francisco. They moved to New York in 1977. Jann Wenner had been born in New York in January of 1946, but his family moved to San Francisco while Jann was still an infant.
5. Who could forget the lyrics to that 1973 Dr. Hook hit "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", a song written by humourist Shel Silverstein, a longtime contributor to Playboy Magazine. The song made it as far as # 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Dr. Hook, although in caricature form, did make the cover of Rolling Stone on March 29, 1973. The cover copy read "What's-Their-Names Make The Cover".
QUESTIONS:
1. Which member of The Beatles was the first to have his picture featured on Rolling Stone Issue # 1?
2. Rolling Stone Magazine recently published a list of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. Who made # 1 on the list? (HINT: and not by the skin of his teeth either).
3. Who was the co-founder of Rolling Stone Magazine? He's still listed today as editor and publisher.
4. In What city did Rolling Stone originate? (HINT: It was the home to Flower Power and the hippie movement).
5. It was considered an important milestone in your career to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. One band, who at that point had NOT made the cover, recorded a hit song about it that debuted on the charts in late 1972. Can you name the song and the group?
ANSWERS:
1. Rolling Stone used a film still of John Lennon in his uniform as "Sergeant Gripweed" from Richard Lester's 1966 movie, How I Won The War" on the cover of Issue # 1 dated November 9, 1967. One of the most iconic Rolling Stone covers features a naked John Lennon wrapped around his wife Yoko Ono, who was clothed, for the issue dated January 22, 1981, a month and several weeks after Lennon had been shot and killed in New York City.
2. The # 1 Guitarist, according to the guitarists Rolling Stone Magazine polled, was Jimi Hendrix, who occasionally would play his guitar with his teeth. The rest of the Top Ten included Eric Clapton (#2), Jimmy Page (#3), Keith Richards (#4), Jeff Beck (#5), B.B. King (#6), Chuck Berry (#7), Eddie Van Halen (#8), Duane Allman (#9) and Pete Townshend (#10).
3. A young Jann Wenner (pronounced 'yawn') borrowed several thousand dollars from his family and founded Straight Arrow Publishers Inc with Rolling Stone Magazine as its first (and for many years, it's Only) publication. Jazz and pop music critic and writer Ralph J. Gleason was the co-founder. Gleason died in 1975. The company is now called Wenner Media Inc. and along with Rolling Stone Magazine, publishes US Weekly and Men's Journal magazines.
4. These days, Rolling Stone Magazine's headquarters are in New York City, but back in 1967, Jann Wenner and company launched the magazine from San Francisco. They moved to New York in 1977. Jann Wenner had been born in New York in January of 1946, but his family moved to San Francisco while Jann was still an infant.
5. Who could forget the lyrics to that 1973 Dr. Hook hit "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", a song written by humourist Shel Silverstein, a longtime contributor to Playboy Magazine. The song made it as far as # 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Dr. Hook, although in caricature form, did make the cover of Rolling Stone on March 29, 1973. The cover copy read "What's-Their-Names Make The Cover".
Friday, November 18, 2011
NEIL YOUNG
Neil Young celebrated his 66th birthday on November 12. So, for this episode of our trivia quiz, our questions are all about Neil. For the record, Neil Young was born in Toronto, Ontario, (Canada for those reading out of the country). When his parents split up, he moved to Winnipeg with his mother, which is where he began his music career in earnest. He later returned to Toronto, then to Los Angeles and world wide stardom. Hey, even if you're not a died-in-the-wool Neil Young fan, this quiz will be fun and if you know your music, relatively easy.
Here we go.
QUESTIONS:
1. Neil Young first came to international fame as a member of Buffalo Springfield, but before that, he was in a Toronto group with Rick James (Yes, the Motown "Superfreak" himself). What was the name of this Canadian band?
2. Buffalo Springfield's first Top 10 hit on the charts was 1967's "For What It's Worth (Hey What's That Sound)". The original members of Buffalo Springfield were Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Dewey Martin and Bruce Palmer. Palmer was replaced by Jim Messina after 2 albums. When the band broke up in 1968, Stills and Young became part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Richie Furay and Jim Messina co-founded a folk/rock group that charted 13 hits between 1970 and 1989, although they only ever had 2 Top 20 hits. "Crazy", huh? Two of this groups' members later left to join The Eagles. Can you name this folk rock band?
3. Which southern U.S. rockers recorded a Top 10 hit in response to several of Neil's songs about the south?
4. Neil never really forgot his roots in Canada and has written several songs that mention his home and native land. We're looking for two specific songs. Can you name either one?
5. Neil's father was also famous, although he didn't write songs. What did he do for a living?
ANSWERS
1. The Mynah Birds was the groups' name. RIck James went on to success at Motown; Neil Young drove down to Los Angeles in a hearse, which is where he connected with Stephen Stills on the Sunset strip. The rest is music history.
2. Poco was the name of the group. Their biggest hit was 1979's "Crazy Love" which made it to # 17 on Billboards' Hot 100 chart. Two Poco members, Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmidt, who were in the band at different times, both ended up as members of The Eagles.
3. Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote and recorded "Sweet Home Alabama" in answer to Neil's "Alabama" and "Southern Man". In "Sweet Home Alabama", the lyrics say, "Well I heard Mr. Young sing about her. Well, I heard ole Neil put her down. Well, I hope Neil Young will remember. A southern man don't need him around nyhow." "Sweet Home Alabama" hit its peak spot, # 8 in the fall of 1974.
4. "Helpless" is one. Those lyrics are: "There's a town in north Ontario..." The town Neil's refering to is Omemee, near Peterborough. The second song we were looking for is "Journey Through The Past". Those lyrics are: "Now I'm going back to Canada. On a journey through the past. And I won't be back until February comes."
5. Scott Young was a Canadian journalist, sports writer and novelist. Scott moved to Toronto in 1941, where he worked for the Canadian Press. After World War II, Scott joined Macleans Magazine, but left in 1948 to write fiction. He later worked for the Globe and Mail newspaper as well as The Toronto Telegram, where he was Sports Editor. Scott Young is inseveral Halls of Fame and in 1993, the Scott Young Public School was named in his honour in Omemee. Scott Young passed
away at 87 in 2004.
Here we go.
QUESTIONS:
1. Neil Young first came to international fame as a member of Buffalo Springfield, but before that, he was in a Toronto group with Rick James (Yes, the Motown "Superfreak" himself). What was the name of this Canadian band?
2. Buffalo Springfield's first Top 10 hit on the charts was 1967's "For What It's Worth (Hey What's That Sound)". The original members of Buffalo Springfield were Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Dewey Martin and Bruce Palmer. Palmer was replaced by Jim Messina after 2 albums. When the band broke up in 1968, Stills and Young became part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Richie Furay and Jim Messina co-founded a folk/rock group that charted 13 hits between 1970 and 1989, although they only ever had 2 Top 20 hits. "Crazy", huh? Two of this groups' members later left to join The Eagles. Can you name this folk rock band?
3. Which southern U.S. rockers recorded a Top 10 hit in response to several of Neil's songs about the south?
4. Neil never really forgot his roots in Canada and has written several songs that mention his home and native land. We're looking for two specific songs. Can you name either one?
5. Neil's father was also famous, although he didn't write songs. What did he do for a living?
ANSWERS
1. The Mynah Birds was the groups' name. RIck James went on to success at Motown; Neil Young drove down to Los Angeles in a hearse, which is where he connected with Stephen Stills on the Sunset strip. The rest is music history.
2. Poco was the name of the group. Their biggest hit was 1979's "Crazy Love" which made it to # 17 on Billboards' Hot 100 chart. Two Poco members, Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmidt, who were in the band at different times, both ended up as members of The Eagles.
3. Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote and recorded "Sweet Home Alabama" in answer to Neil's "Alabama" and "Southern Man". In "Sweet Home Alabama", the lyrics say, "Well I heard Mr. Young sing about her. Well, I heard ole Neil put her down. Well, I hope Neil Young will remember. A southern man don't need him around nyhow." "Sweet Home Alabama" hit its peak spot, # 8 in the fall of 1974.
4. "Helpless" is one. Those lyrics are: "There's a town in north Ontario..." The town Neil's refering to is Omemee, near Peterborough. The second song we were looking for is "Journey Through The Past". Those lyrics are: "Now I'm going back to Canada. On a journey through the past. And I won't be back until February comes."
5. Scott Young was a Canadian journalist, sports writer and novelist. Scott moved to Toronto in 1941, where he worked for the Canadian Press. After World War II, Scott joined Macleans Magazine, but left in 1948 to write fiction. He later worked for the Globe and Mail newspaper as well as The Toronto Telegram, where he was Sports Editor. Scott Young is inseveral Halls of Fame and in 1993, the Scott Young Public School was named in his honour in Omemee. Scott Young passed
away at 87 in 2004.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The # 1 Albums of 1981
With just two months to go before we wrap up 2011, this time we're travelling back 30 years to the # 1 albums of 1981. Since these albums were all # 1, they should be easy to identify...and that's exactly what you have to do. Follow the clues and answer which # 1 album from 1981 we're looking for.
Here we go.
QUESTIONS
1. This album was # 1 for the first 6 weeks of 1981 and had been at the top of the album chart for the final week of 1980 as well. The album was recorded by a famous married couple and had only been released late in 1980. Sadly, there is a tragedy surrounding one of these artists, who was living in New York at the time. Can you name the artist and the album?
2. In mid September of 1981, an album from 5 British rockers jumped to # 1 after debuting the week before at # 8. This group had 8 previous # 1 albums, their first happened in 1965 and this one from '81 was their last # 1 album although they continued to tour and record. Some of their later albums did make the Top 5, one in 1995 went all the way to # 2, but they never had another # 1 album. Can you name this 'greatest rock'n'roll band in the world' and their 1981 album?
3. In August of '81, this groups' album went to # 1, replacing Pat Benatar's "Precious Time" album. It stayed at the top for 2 weeks before being knocked off by Stevie Nicks' "Bella Donna" album. Then it returned to # 1 for 5 more weeks starting the week of November 21, 1981. This album kept "Ghost In The Machine" by The Police out of the # 1 spot. This group has sold 70 million albums and had 16 Top 30 hits, including "Waiting For A Girl Like You", "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent", all of which came from this 1981 album. The lead singer was an American from Rochester, New York while the co-founding guitar player was originally from England. Fourteen years later, the lead singer left and had a successful solo career before returning to the group, although he left again in 2003. This group is still touring, so the question is: can you name the group and name the # 1 album? (HINT: The album title was actually a number).
4. This was the most successful album of 1981 staying at # 1 for 15 weeks. This album, which sold 10 million copies, first hit # 1 the week of February 21st and stayed on top for 6 weeks before being toppled by "Paradise Theatre" by Styx. The album returned to # 1 two weeks later (the week of April 18th), and remained for 3 weeks before being knocked off, once again, by "Paradise Theatre". The following week, May 16th, they took over the # 1 spot and fought it out for 6 more weeks until the week of June 27th when Kim Carnes' "Mistaken Identity" album captured the top position. This was the groups'ONLY # 1 album. Their name came from a fire truck manufactured by the man who also launched the Oldsmobile. What's the name of the group and their # 1 album?
5. This artist has written several # 1 country hits over the years, but her only # 1 pop single happened in 1981, in fact it was on her only # 1 album from the same year. Ironically, this artist DIDN'T write her # 1 hit, which went on to win Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year. She's written songs recorded by Barbra Streisand and Kenny Rogers and later worked with him on several hit songs. She was a former member of The New Christy Minstrels, which is where she met her husband, Dave Ellingson (yeah that one won't help you at all). So who is this accomplished singer, songwriter? (HINT: Don't be 'Mistaken' about her 'Eyes').
ANSWERS
1. The album was "Double Fantasy" from John Lennon & Yoko Ono. Lennon was fatally shot on the evening of December 8, 1980 as the duo returned home to the Dakota after completing mixing a song of Yoko's at a New York recording studio. Lennons' two previous # 1 albums were in 1974 with "Walls and Bridges" and "Imagine" in 1971.
2. The 5 British musicians should have given it away. So should 'the greatest rock 'n roll band in the world' clue. It was The Rolling Stones with their 1981 # 1 album, "Tattoo You". Their previous #1 albums were: 1965's "Out of Our Heads", "Sticky Fingers" in 1971, "Exile On Main Street" in '72. In '73, it was "Goat's Head Soup" followed by "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" in ';74. Two years later in '76 came "Black And Blue", then "Some Girls" in 78. It was another two years in 1980 before "Emotional Rescue" became their latest # 1 album followed by '81's "Tattoo You".
3. Foreigner was the group we were looking for. Their '81 album was titled "4". The group was founded in 1976 by Brits Mick Jones and Ian McDonald along with American singer Lou Gramm. Gramm left in 1990, returned in '92, then left for good in 2003. Jones is the only original member still with the group "4" was Foreigner's only # 1 album, although they came close on a number of occasions (1978's "Double Vision" made it to # 3). Foreigner is currently touring and for those in the Southern Ontario area, they will be playing Casino Rama in Orillia the nights of December 2 and 3rd, then it's on to Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland etc until early March of 2012. Their official website is foreigneronline.com.
4. This 15 week # 1 champion was "Hi Infidelity" by REO Speedwagon. The band formed in 1967 and built their reputation during the 1970's, culminating with this album in 1981. Their debut album "REO Speedwagon" was released in 1971. 2011 is the 30th anniversary of "Hi Infidelity" and this past June, the group played a Milwaukee summer fest.
5. Kim Carnes took "Bette Davis Eyes" (written by Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss) to # 1 for 9 weeks in the late spring of 1981. The year before, she had two Top 10 hits, including a # 4 success with "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer", a duet with Kenny Rogers and a # 10 hit with her cover of the Smokey Robinson song, "More Love". The album that "Bette Davis Eyes" was on, "Mistaken Identity" hit # 1 on the album chart for 4 weeks starting the week of June 27, 1981. "Bette Davis Eyes" is song # 268 on the "Songs of the Century" list, compiled by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment For The Arts. Kim never again had a # 1 single or album, but her current album is called "Chasin' Wild Trains". She lives in Nashville these days and her official website is kimcarnes.com.
Here we go.
QUESTIONS
1. This album was # 1 for the first 6 weeks of 1981 and had been at the top of the album chart for the final week of 1980 as well. The album was recorded by a famous married couple and had only been released late in 1980. Sadly, there is a tragedy surrounding one of these artists, who was living in New York at the time. Can you name the artist and the album?
2. In mid September of 1981, an album from 5 British rockers jumped to # 1 after debuting the week before at # 8. This group had 8 previous # 1 albums, their first happened in 1965 and this one from '81 was their last # 1 album although they continued to tour and record. Some of their later albums did make the Top 5, one in 1995 went all the way to # 2, but they never had another # 1 album. Can you name this 'greatest rock'n'roll band in the world' and their 1981 album?
3. In August of '81, this groups' album went to # 1, replacing Pat Benatar's "Precious Time" album. It stayed at the top for 2 weeks before being knocked off by Stevie Nicks' "Bella Donna" album. Then it returned to # 1 for 5 more weeks starting the week of November 21, 1981. This album kept "Ghost In The Machine" by The Police out of the # 1 spot. This group has sold 70 million albums and had 16 Top 30 hits, including "Waiting For A Girl Like You", "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent", all of which came from this 1981 album. The lead singer was an American from Rochester, New York while the co-founding guitar player was originally from England. Fourteen years later, the lead singer left and had a successful solo career before returning to the group, although he left again in 2003. This group is still touring, so the question is: can you name the group and name the # 1 album? (HINT: The album title was actually a number).
4. This was the most successful album of 1981 staying at # 1 for 15 weeks. This album, which sold 10 million copies, first hit # 1 the week of February 21st and stayed on top for 6 weeks before being toppled by "Paradise Theatre" by Styx. The album returned to # 1 two weeks later (the week of April 18th), and remained for 3 weeks before being knocked off, once again, by "Paradise Theatre". The following week, May 16th, they took over the # 1 spot and fought it out for 6 more weeks until the week of June 27th when Kim Carnes' "Mistaken Identity" album captured the top position. This was the groups'ONLY # 1 album. Their name came from a fire truck manufactured by the man who also launched the Oldsmobile. What's the name of the group and their # 1 album?
5. This artist has written several # 1 country hits over the years, but her only # 1 pop single happened in 1981, in fact it was on her only # 1 album from the same year. Ironically, this artist DIDN'T write her # 1 hit, which went on to win Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year. She's written songs recorded by Barbra Streisand and Kenny Rogers and later worked with him on several hit songs. She was a former member of The New Christy Minstrels, which is where she met her husband, Dave Ellingson (yeah that one won't help you at all). So who is this accomplished singer, songwriter? (HINT: Don't be 'Mistaken' about her 'Eyes').
ANSWERS
1. The album was "Double Fantasy" from John Lennon & Yoko Ono. Lennon was fatally shot on the evening of December 8, 1980 as the duo returned home to the Dakota after completing mixing a song of Yoko's at a New York recording studio. Lennons' two previous # 1 albums were in 1974 with "Walls and Bridges" and "Imagine" in 1971.
2. The 5 British musicians should have given it away. So should 'the greatest rock 'n roll band in the world' clue. It was The Rolling Stones with their 1981 # 1 album, "Tattoo You". Their previous #1 albums were: 1965's "Out of Our Heads", "Sticky Fingers" in 1971, "Exile On Main Street" in '72. In '73, it was "Goat's Head Soup" followed by "It's Only Rock 'N Roll" in ';74. Two years later in '76 came "Black And Blue", then "Some Girls" in 78. It was another two years in 1980 before "Emotional Rescue" became their latest # 1 album followed by '81's "Tattoo You".
3. Foreigner was the group we were looking for. Their '81 album was titled "4". The group was founded in 1976 by Brits Mick Jones and Ian McDonald along with American singer Lou Gramm. Gramm left in 1990, returned in '92, then left for good in 2003. Jones is the only original member still with the group "4" was Foreigner's only # 1 album, although they came close on a number of occasions (1978's "Double Vision" made it to # 3). Foreigner is currently touring and for those in the Southern Ontario area, they will be playing Casino Rama in Orillia the nights of December 2 and 3rd, then it's on to Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland etc until early March of 2012. Their official website is foreigneronline.com.
4. This 15 week # 1 champion was "Hi Infidelity" by REO Speedwagon. The band formed in 1967 and built their reputation during the 1970's, culminating with this album in 1981. Their debut album "REO Speedwagon" was released in 1971. 2011 is the 30th anniversary of "Hi Infidelity" and this past June, the group played a Milwaukee summer fest.
5. Kim Carnes took "Bette Davis Eyes" (written by Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss) to # 1 for 9 weeks in the late spring of 1981. The year before, she had two Top 10 hits, including a # 4 success with "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer", a duet with Kenny Rogers and a # 10 hit with her cover of the Smokey Robinson song, "More Love". The album that "Bette Davis Eyes" was on, "Mistaken Identity" hit # 1 on the album chart for 4 weeks starting the week of June 27, 1981. "Bette Davis Eyes" is song # 268 on the "Songs of the Century" list, compiled by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment For The Arts. Kim never again had a # 1 single or album, but her current album is called "Chasin' Wild Trains". She lives in Nashville these days and her official website is kimcarnes.com.
Monday, October 17, 2011
SHINE ON, SHINE ON HARVEST MOON
Well here we are, in the second half of October already. Traditionally, it's harvest season, so in honour of the time of year, this time we've got questions about 'moon'songs such as Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" (although that won't be one of the questions) or the famous jazz song from the 1930's "Moon Over Miami" (although we won't be going THAT far back). How about "Moondance" from Van Morrison or Ozzy Osbourne's "Bark At The Moon". Pink Floyds' most famous album was "Dark Side of The Moon". So, the title of the song in question may have the word 'moon' in it, or it could be in the name of a group or solo artist, but all of these songs/artists were/had major hits. To help you out, I'll even give you the decade and sometimes the exact year the song or group/artist came from. Alright, if you're ready, let's get to it.
QUESTIONS:
1. This group from the 1950's was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. One of the members went on to become a major player with Motown Records. They were an R&B group originally from Louisville, Kentucky who charted 4 hits in the latter half of the 1950's. Three of the 4 songs made it into the Top 30. Even though they didn't have one song with 'moon'in the title, it is in the groups' name. Who is this legendary group?
2. In 1961, "Blue Moon" by The Marcels wasn't the ONLY Top 20 song with the word 'moon' in the title. There was another one, by a doo wop group from Queens, New York, who only ever charted one Top 10 song. They did chart 3 other times, but never higher than 74 other than this one. This 'moon' song was originally released in 1959, but nothing happened and the group broke up. The song was re-released in 1960 and zoomed up to # 3 the following year. The groups name is a style of women's pants. There you should have it now. Can you name the song and the group?
3. Your first hint is: this song was a hit in the early 1960's for TWO artists; and the second hint is: Holly Golightly. If you know your songs, that should be enough. But just in case it isn't, it was the featured song in a very successful '60's movie whose title is about a meal you eat in the morning and a very famous New York jewellery store (although they have branches in most major cities these days). Now do you have the title?
4. This 'moon' song was written and recorded years before the 1999 movie about the life of comedian/actor Andy Kaufman starring comedian/actor Jim Carrey. The group that had the hit recently announced their break up. So what's the name of the song and the group?
5. The year is 1976, right in the heart of disco mania, but this song was totally different and really stood out. It used marimbas as a lead instrument. This groups' debut single zoomed all the way up to # 3. The band was formed in Atlanta, Georgia, but that won't help you much. If you think of that expensive coffee chain that's on practically every street corner, take off the 's' at the end and you'll have the name of the group, but what's the name of this 'moon'hit?
ANSWERS
1. We were looking for The Moonglows, who scored with Top Ten hits, "Sincerely" (# 20 in 1955); "See Saw" (# 25 in 1956); and "Ten Commandments of Love" (# 22 in 1958). "Ten Commandments of Love" was released as Harvey Fuqua and The Moonglows and featured Marvin Gaye, but Marvin wasn't the only future Motown superstar from The Moonglows. Harvey Fuqua went on become a successful producer at Motown as well as head of their Artist Development Department.
2. That would be "There's A Moon Out Tonight" by the Capris, which hit # 3 in 1961
3. The song was "Moon River" and it was the featured song in the Audrey hepburn, George Peppard, Mickey Rooney film, "Breakfast At Tiffany's". "Moon River" was a # 11 hit in 1961 for both Jerry Butler and the songs' composer, Henry Mancini.
4. REM wrote and recorded the song "Man On The Moon (Automatic For The People)" that was used in the Andy Kaufman biography, "Man On The Moon". The REM song went as far as # 13 hit in 1993.
5. The group was called Starbuck and their hit "Moonlight Feels Right" went to # 3 on Billboards' Hot 100 chart in 1976.
QUESTIONS:
1. This group from the 1950's was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. One of the members went on to become a major player with Motown Records. They were an R&B group originally from Louisville, Kentucky who charted 4 hits in the latter half of the 1950's. Three of the 4 songs made it into the Top 30. Even though they didn't have one song with 'moon'in the title, it is in the groups' name. Who is this legendary group?
2. In 1961, "Blue Moon" by The Marcels wasn't the ONLY Top 20 song with the word 'moon' in the title. There was another one, by a doo wop group from Queens, New York, who only ever charted one Top 10 song. They did chart 3 other times, but never higher than 74 other than this one. This 'moon' song was originally released in 1959, but nothing happened and the group broke up. The song was re-released in 1960 and zoomed up to # 3 the following year. The groups name is a style of women's pants. There you should have it now. Can you name the song and the group?
3. Your first hint is: this song was a hit in the early 1960's for TWO artists; and the second hint is: Holly Golightly. If you know your songs, that should be enough. But just in case it isn't, it was the featured song in a very successful '60's movie whose title is about a meal you eat in the morning and a very famous New York jewellery store (although they have branches in most major cities these days). Now do you have the title?
4. This 'moon' song was written and recorded years before the 1999 movie about the life of comedian/actor Andy Kaufman starring comedian/actor Jim Carrey. The group that had the hit recently announced their break up. So what's the name of the song and the group?
5. The year is 1976, right in the heart of disco mania, but this song was totally different and really stood out. It used marimbas as a lead instrument. This groups' debut single zoomed all the way up to # 3. The band was formed in Atlanta, Georgia, but that won't help you much. If you think of that expensive coffee chain that's on practically every street corner, take off the 's' at the end and you'll have the name of the group, but what's the name of this 'moon'hit?
ANSWERS
1. We were looking for The Moonglows, who scored with Top Ten hits, "Sincerely" (# 20 in 1955); "See Saw" (# 25 in 1956); and "Ten Commandments of Love" (# 22 in 1958). "Ten Commandments of Love" was released as Harvey Fuqua and The Moonglows and featured Marvin Gaye, but Marvin wasn't the only future Motown superstar from The Moonglows. Harvey Fuqua went on become a successful producer at Motown as well as head of their Artist Development Department.
2. That would be "There's A Moon Out Tonight" by the Capris, which hit # 3 in 1961
3. The song was "Moon River" and it was the featured song in the Audrey hepburn, George Peppard, Mickey Rooney film, "Breakfast At Tiffany's". "Moon River" was a # 11 hit in 1961 for both Jerry Butler and the songs' composer, Henry Mancini.
4. REM wrote and recorded the song "Man On The Moon (Automatic For The People)" that was used in the Andy Kaufman biography, "Man On The Moon". The REM song went as far as # 13 hit in 1993.
5. The group was called Starbuck and their hit "Moonlight Feels Right" went to # 3 on Billboards' Hot 100 chart in 1976.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
NAME THAT 80's TUNE
Well, we've had excellent response with lyrics from the 1960's and '70's that this time, we're moving on into the 1980's.
It was a decade with a lot of great hits and hitmakers, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Wham!, Queen and more Michael Jackson.
Ok, here's the premise. There are 5 separate lyrics listed below. You have to guess the song. Pretty easy right? AND all of these songs were bona fide number one hits. So, as auctioneer Dan says on the TV series "Storage Wars", "If you're ready to go, I'm ready to do, let's go."
QUESTIONS:
1. These lyrics come from a 1986 song. "You can't sleep, you can't eat. There's no doubt, you're in deep. Your throat is tight, you can't breathe. Another kiss is all you need." Can you name the song those lyrics come from? HINT: The writer, who's also the singer, is no longer with us.
2. 1980 was the year that these lyrics were in a number one song. "We don't need no education. We dont need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Teachers leave them kids alone." C'mon, if you don't get this one, what were you listening to back in 1980? Name this song if you can.
3. These are some of my favourite lyrics of all time. "Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart."
Can you name the song those lyrics came from? The year was 1983 and this singer had quit her job in a candy store to sing in nighclubs in her native Wales. OK, I'm sure that didn't help you much, but at least you now know it's a female who sang the song, although she DID NOT write it and she came from Wales. Can you name the song?
4. The song these lyrics come from was number one for 3 weeks in the spring of 1987. Here are the lyrics: "My hands are tied. My body bruised. She's got me with...Nothing to win and...Nothing left to lose." The song comes from one of the biggest bands in the world. They're still touring the world today, that is, when their lead singer isn't out saving the world. Can U name this song?
5. Our last lyric comes from 1985. Duran Duran were big that year. So was Phil Collins and Tears For Fears. None of those had anything to do with this song. The lyrics are: "Now that ain't working, that's the way you do it. Let me tell you them guys ain't dumb. Maybe get a blister on your little finger. Maybe get a blister on your thumb." If you think financially, you might be on the right track. What song do these lyrics come from?
ANSWERS:
1. The song is "Addicted To Love", written and sung by the late Robert Palmer, who died on September 26th, 2003. "Addicted To Love" was number one for the week of May 3rd,1986 and was produced by Bernard Edwards, who along with partner Nile Rodgers created the 70's hit group Chic.
2. Pink Floyds' "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" is the song we were looking for. It was number one for 4 weeks starting in March of 1980. The song, as well as the album "The Wall", were produced by Canadian Bob Ezrin, who also was the man-in-the-control-room for hits by KISS and Alice Cooper.
3. It's "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" sung by Bonnie Tyler, who many people said sounded like a female Rod Stewart. Although Bonnie's from Wales, the song was written by American Jim Steinman, who also had a lot of success with Meatloaf. Remember "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights", "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" and "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)?" Jim Steinman wrote them all.
4. That would be "With Or Without You" from U2. The song came from U2's "Joshua Tree" album and was written by all four members of U2. The album was co-produced by Brian Eno and Canadian Daniel Lanois.
5. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits wrote it based on an actual conversation he overheard in a New York City appliance store.
"Money For Nothing" was number one for 3 weeks starting the week of September 21st, 1985. The song featured Sting singing "I Want My MTV" to the tune of The Police hit "Don't Stand So Close To Me", so Sting and Mark Knopfler are listed as co-writers of "Money For Nothing" because of that.
It was a decade with a lot of great hits and hitmakers, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Wham!, Queen and more Michael Jackson.
Ok, here's the premise. There are 5 separate lyrics listed below. You have to guess the song. Pretty easy right? AND all of these songs were bona fide number one hits. So, as auctioneer Dan says on the TV series "Storage Wars", "If you're ready to go, I'm ready to do, let's go."
QUESTIONS:
1. These lyrics come from a 1986 song. "You can't sleep, you can't eat. There's no doubt, you're in deep. Your throat is tight, you can't breathe. Another kiss is all you need." Can you name the song those lyrics come from? HINT: The writer, who's also the singer, is no longer with us.
2. 1980 was the year that these lyrics were in a number one song. "We don't need no education. We dont need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Teachers leave them kids alone." C'mon, if you don't get this one, what were you listening to back in 1980? Name this song if you can.
3. These are some of my favourite lyrics of all time. "Once upon a time I was falling in love, now I'm only falling apart."
Can you name the song those lyrics came from? The year was 1983 and this singer had quit her job in a candy store to sing in nighclubs in her native Wales. OK, I'm sure that didn't help you much, but at least you now know it's a female who sang the song, although she DID NOT write it and she came from Wales. Can you name the song?
4. The song these lyrics come from was number one for 3 weeks in the spring of 1987. Here are the lyrics: "My hands are tied. My body bruised. She's got me with...Nothing to win and...Nothing left to lose." The song comes from one of the biggest bands in the world. They're still touring the world today, that is, when their lead singer isn't out saving the world. Can U name this song?
5. Our last lyric comes from 1985. Duran Duran were big that year. So was Phil Collins and Tears For Fears. None of those had anything to do with this song. The lyrics are: "Now that ain't working, that's the way you do it. Let me tell you them guys ain't dumb. Maybe get a blister on your little finger. Maybe get a blister on your thumb." If you think financially, you might be on the right track. What song do these lyrics come from?
ANSWERS:
1. The song is "Addicted To Love", written and sung by the late Robert Palmer, who died on September 26th, 2003. "Addicted To Love" was number one for the week of May 3rd,1986 and was produced by Bernard Edwards, who along with partner Nile Rodgers created the 70's hit group Chic.
2. Pink Floyds' "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" is the song we were looking for. It was number one for 4 weeks starting in March of 1980. The song, as well as the album "The Wall", were produced by Canadian Bob Ezrin, who also was the man-in-the-control-room for hits by KISS and Alice Cooper.
3. It's "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" sung by Bonnie Tyler, who many people said sounded like a female Rod Stewart. Although Bonnie's from Wales, the song was written by American Jim Steinman, who also had a lot of success with Meatloaf. Remember "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights", "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" and "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)?" Jim Steinman wrote them all.
4. That would be "With Or Without You" from U2. The song came from U2's "Joshua Tree" album and was written by all four members of U2. The album was co-produced by Brian Eno and Canadian Daniel Lanois.
5. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits wrote it based on an actual conversation he overheard in a New York City appliance store.
"Money For Nothing" was number one for 3 weeks starting the week of September 21st, 1985. The song featured Sting singing "I Want My MTV" to the tune of The Police hit "Don't Stand So Close To Me", so Sting and Mark Knopfler are listed as co-writers of "Money For Nothing" because of that.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
NAME THAT 70's TUNE
Last time we gave you lyrics from 1960'hits and you had to guess the name of the song. This time we're back with lyrics from the 1970's. I'll make it a little easier in that ALL of these lyrics came from # 1 hits. So if you've been listening to the radio anytime in the past 40 years, you've probably heard these songs dozens of times.
So let's get started.
QUESTIONS:
1. The lyric is: "I'm looking at my girlfriend, she's passed out on the floor. I seen so many things I ain't never seen before." Can you name the song these lyrics come from?
2. This lyric goes: "I feel like this is the beginning, 'though I've loved you for a million years. And if I thought our love was ending, I'd find myself drowning in my own tears". What's the title of that 1973 # 1 hit?
3. The lyric is: "And I know what a scene you were learning in. Was there something that made you come back again?" Time to name that tune if you can.
4. OK, here's an easy one, can you name the song these lyrics come from: "Someone left the cake out in the rain. I don't think that I can take it, 'cause it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again."
5. Get your thinking caps on brothers (HINT HINT): "Well I built me a raft and she's ready for floatin', Ol' Mississippi, she's calling my name. Catfish are jumpin'. That paddle wheels thumpin'". What song do those lyrics come from, brother?
ANSWERS
1. "Mama Told Me Not To Come" is the song. Three Dog Night is the group that made it a hit. It climbed to # 1 on July 11, 1970 and remained there for 2 weeks. The song was written by singer/songwriter/actor Hoyt Axton. You might remember him as the not-so-successful inventor dad in the 1984 movie "Gremlins". Hoyt's mother, Mae Axton, co-wrote Elvis Presley's first
# 1 hit for RCA Victor Records in 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel".
2. Stevie Wonder wrote it, sang it and took "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" to # 1 for the week of May 19, 1973.
3. It was a number one hit for the week of May 8, 1976. John Sebastian, formerly of The Lovin' Spoonful, wrote and sang "Welcome Back", and it was the theme song for Gabe Kaplan's hit TV show, "Welcome Back Kotter". The series also starred a young actor by the name of John Travolta.
4. This one was actually a hit twice. "MacArthur Park", written by Jimmy Webb, first hit the charts in 1968 with actor Richard Harris singing. That made it to # 2 on the singles chart. In 1978, Donna SUmmer re-did the song with a disco beat and took it all the way to # 1 in November of 1978. It remained # 1 for 3 weeks.
5. "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers is the song we were looking for. It was # 1 for the week of March 15, 1975 and was originally released as the 'B' side of a 45 rpm single with "Another Park, Another Sunday" as the 'A' side. That's the song the record company thought would be a hit. It wasn't. A DJ in the southern U.S. flipped the 45 over and the rest is record history.
So let's get started.
QUESTIONS:
1. The lyric is: "I'm looking at my girlfriend, she's passed out on the floor. I seen so many things I ain't never seen before." Can you name the song these lyrics come from?
2. This lyric goes: "I feel like this is the beginning, 'though I've loved you for a million years. And if I thought our love was ending, I'd find myself drowning in my own tears". What's the title of that 1973 # 1 hit?
3. The lyric is: "And I know what a scene you were learning in. Was there something that made you come back again?" Time to name that tune if you can.
4. OK, here's an easy one, can you name the song these lyrics come from: "Someone left the cake out in the rain. I don't think that I can take it, 'cause it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again."
5. Get your thinking caps on brothers (HINT HINT): "Well I built me a raft and she's ready for floatin', Ol' Mississippi, she's calling my name. Catfish are jumpin'. That paddle wheels thumpin'". What song do those lyrics come from, brother?
ANSWERS
1. "Mama Told Me Not To Come" is the song. Three Dog Night is the group that made it a hit. It climbed to # 1 on July 11, 1970 and remained there for 2 weeks. The song was written by singer/songwriter/actor Hoyt Axton. You might remember him as the not-so-successful inventor dad in the 1984 movie "Gremlins". Hoyt's mother, Mae Axton, co-wrote Elvis Presley's first
# 1 hit for RCA Victor Records in 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel".
2. Stevie Wonder wrote it, sang it and took "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" to # 1 for the week of May 19, 1973.
3. It was a number one hit for the week of May 8, 1976. John Sebastian, formerly of The Lovin' Spoonful, wrote and sang "Welcome Back", and it was the theme song for Gabe Kaplan's hit TV show, "Welcome Back Kotter". The series also starred a young actor by the name of John Travolta.
4. This one was actually a hit twice. "MacArthur Park", written by Jimmy Webb, first hit the charts in 1968 with actor Richard Harris singing. That made it to # 2 on the singles chart. In 1978, Donna SUmmer re-did the song with a disco beat and took it all the way to # 1 in November of 1978. It remained # 1 for 3 weeks.
5. "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers is the song we were looking for. It was # 1 for the week of March 15, 1975 and was originally released as the 'B' side of a 45 rpm single with "Another Park, Another Sunday" as the 'A' side. That's the song the record company thought would be a hit. It wasn't. A DJ in the southern U.S. flipped the 45 over and the rest is record history.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
THE LYRICS HAVE IT
This week, we're going to give you a line from a song lyric. You have to come up with the title of that song. There are no extra points for the artist and since there are no points or prizes in this quiz anyway, it really doesn't make a difference. All of the songs were Top Ten hits and all came from the 1960's and you can still hear all of them on oldies radio or classic rock radio.
If you're ready, here we go.
QUESTIONS:
1. The lyric is: "And time goes by so slowly. And time can do so much." What's the title of this song?
2. The lyric is: "Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep." What's the title of this song?
3. The lyric is: "I don't believe you, you're not the truth, no one could look as good as you." What's the title of this number one hit?
4. The lyric is: "Love was out to get me, that's the way it seemed, disappointment haunted all my dreams." Can you name the title of this song?
5. Our final lyric is: "If I didn't tell her, I could leave today." What's the name of this 60's # 1 hit?
ANSWERS
1. That lyric comes from "Unchained Melody" a # 4 hit for The Righteous Brothers in 1965.
2. Those lyrics are from The Buffalo Springfield 1967 # 7 hit, "For What It's Worth".
3. Fans of Roy Orbison should have had no problems with the title of the song those lyrics came from. It's "Oh, Pretty Woman", a # 1 hit for Roy in 1964.
4. The Monkees first took this song, "I'm A Believer" to # 1 in 1966. Then Smash Mouth recorded a new version for the 2001 animated classic "Shrek". That version made it to # 25 on the singles chart. By the way, the song was written by one of this years Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees - Neil Diamond.
5. John and Michelle Phillips wrote this song. Canadian Denny Doherty was the lead singer. They, along with Cass Elliot were The Mamas and The Papas. The song is "California Dreamin'"and it went to # 4 on the singles chart in 1966.
Next week, more lyrics, this time from the 1970's.
If you're ready, here we go.
QUESTIONS:
1. The lyric is: "And time goes by so slowly. And time can do so much." What's the title of this song?
2. The lyric is: "Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep." What's the title of this song?
3. The lyric is: "I don't believe you, you're not the truth, no one could look as good as you." What's the title of this number one hit?
4. The lyric is: "Love was out to get me, that's the way it seemed, disappointment haunted all my dreams." Can you name the title of this song?
5. Our final lyric is: "If I didn't tell her, I could leave today." What's the name of this 60's # 1 hit?
ANSWERS
1. That lyric comes from "Unchained Melody" a # 4 hit for The Righteous Brothers in 1965.
2. Those lyrics are from The Buffalo Springfield 1967 # 7 hit, "For What It's Worth".
3. Fans of Roy Orbison should have had no problems with the title of the song those lyrics came from. It's "Oh, Pretty Woman", a # 1 hit for Roy in 1964.
4. The Monkees first took this song, "I'm A Believer" to # 1 in 1966. Then Smash Mouth recorded a new version for the 2001 animated classic "Shrek". That version made it to # 25 on the singles chart. By the way, the song was written by one of this years Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees - Neil Diamond.
5. John and Michelle Phillips wrote this song. Canadian Denny Doherty was the lead singer. They, along with Cass Elliot were The Mamas and The Papas. The song is "California Dreamin'"and it went to # 4 on the singles chart in 1966.
Next week, more lyrics, this time from the 1970's.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
AS ALBERT EINSTEIN ONCE SAID, IT'S ALL RELATIVE
You're probably familiar with the game, "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon", in which almost anyone can be connected to actor Kevin Bacon within six movies. This week's quiz is kinda like that, except Kevin Bacon's not in it. I'm vegetarian, ya see, so no bacon at all for me. This one is about relatives of famous people who most likely are famous themselves, otherwise how would you know of them? The questions are also true or false, so if you have absolutely no idea, then you've a 50/50 chance of getting it right anyway.
Let's take a shot, shall we?
QUESTIONS:
1. One of actress Angelina Jolie's relatives is a music legend, having written several major hits over the years. True or false?
2. Television evangelist Jimmy Swaggert is related to country rocker Jerry Reed. True or false?
3. The son of Motown founder Berry Gordy had a charted hit that also featured Michael Jackson. True or false?
4. At least one relative of each of the four Beatles has recorded and released a record (or CD). True or false?
5. Rapper L'il Wayne is the son of pioneering rocker Little Richard. True or false.
ANSWERS:
1. That's absolutely true. Chip Taylor, real name James Wesley Voight, is Angelina's uncle (and brother of Mrs. Brad Pitt's father Jon Voight). Chip wrote several hit songs, including the 1966 # 1 smash for The Troggs, "Wild Thing" as well as Merilee Rush's 1968 Top Ten hit, "Angel OF The Morning".
2. False. Jimmy Swaggart is the cousin of wildman piano rocker Jerry Lee Lewis. He's also the cousin of country performer Mickey Gilly.
3. That one is True. Berry Gordy's son Kennedy used the stage name of Rockwell and had a number two hit with "Somebody's Watching Me" and asked his pal Michael Jackson to sing the chorus with him, which he did.
4. Yep, it's true. George Harrison's sister, Louise Harrison Caldwell, released an album of Beatle stories in 1965 titled "All About The Beatles" on Recar Records. Both of John Lennon's sons, Julian and Sean also recorded CDs with Julian having the most commercial success. Paul McCartney's brother, using the stage name Mike McGear, was in the group The Scaffold, who hit the North American record charts only once with "Thank U Very Much" in 1969, and Ringo's son, drummer Zak Starkey, has toured and recorded with The Who, Oasis and was a founding member of Johnny Marr & The Healers. He's also performed as part of Ringo Starr's All Star Band.
5. Oh c'mon, this one's a gimme. It's False. L'il Wayne's real name is Wayne Carter. Little Richard's real name is Richard Penniman and they are definitely NOT related.
Let's take a shot, shall we?
QUESTIONS:
1. One of actress Angelina Jolie's relatives is a music legend, having written several major hits over the years. True or false?
2. Television evangelist Jimmy Swaggert is related to country rocker Jerry Reed. True or false?
3. The son of Motown founder Berry Gordy had a charted hit that also featured Michael Jackson. True or false?
4. At least one relative of each of the four Beatles has recorded and released a record (or CD). True or false?
5. Rapper L'il Wayne is the son of pioneering rocker Little Richard. True or false.
ANSWERS:
1. That's absolutely true. Chip Taylor, real name James Wesley Voight, is Angelina's uncle (and brother of Mrs. Brad Pitt's father Jon Voight). Chip wrote several hit songs, including the 1966 # 1 smash for The Troggs, "Wild Thing" as well as Merilee Rush's 1968 Top Ten hit, "Angel OF The Morning".
2. False. Jimmy Swaggart is the cousin of wildman piano rocker Jerry Lee Lewis. He's also the cousin of country performer Mickey Gilly.
3. That one is True. Berry Gordy's son Kennedy used the stage name of Rockwell and had a number two hit with "Somebody's Watching Me" and asked his pal Michael Jackson to sing the chorus with him, which he did.
4. Yep, it's true. George Harrison's sister, Louise Harrison Caldwell, released an album of Beatle stories in 1965 titled "All About The Beatles" on Recar Records. Both of John Lennon's sons, Julian and Sean also recorded CDs with Julian having the most commercial success. Paul McCartney's brother, using the stage name Mike McGear, was in the group The Scaffold, who hit the North American record charts only once with "Thank U Very Much" in 1969, and Ringo's son, drummer Zak Starkey, has toured and recorded with The Who, Oasis and was a founding member of Johnny Marr & The Healers. He's also performed as part of Ringo Starr's All Star Band.
5. Oh c'mon, this one's a gimme. It's False. L'il Wayne's real name is Wayne Carter. Little Richard's real name is Richard Penniman and they are definitely NOT related.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
JAILHOUSE ROCK
This week, we're goin' to jail. OK, don't panic. It's only the trivia quiz questions. And since it's still summer in the northern hemisphere anyway, we'll make it kinda easy, with a multiple choice. So the questions will be about music celebrities who've been to the big house...or the little house...or just a room with bars. And we're not just talking DUI here, some of the crimes committed were, as Larry David, creator and star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" might say..."pretty, pretty, big". I've purposely not given a lot of clues, so take your best guess.
QUESTIONS:
1. This legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member served several years in prison for transporting a minor over state lines in 1959...a 'berry' serious charge. So was it a. James Brown b. Jerry Lee Lewis or c. Chuck Berry?
2. This country legend was in San Quentin prison after an attempted burglery of a Bakersfield, California bar. Was he:
a. George Jones b. Merle Haggard or c. Buck Owens?
3. Another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was convicted of illegal possession of drugs and firearms and with assault with intent to murder in 1988. Was it: a. James Brown b. Jerry Lee Lewis or c. Sam Cooke?
4. He's a little bit country, but a whole lot of rock'n'roll. This Hall of Famer was arrested for narcotics possession in 1979 and once shot his bass player (he lived). He was involved in several other gun related incidents, but still found the time to marry 7 times. Was he: a. Jerry Reed b. Jerry Lee Lewis or c. Steve Earle?
5. And yet another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was charged with 'lewd and lascivious behavior' in the state of Florida in 1969. He later left the country. Was it: a. Jimmy Page b. Jimi Hendrix or c. Jim Morrison?
ANSWERS:
1. C'mon, I practically gave this one to you. The answer is c. Chuck Berry, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and received Kennedy Center Honours in 2000. Chuck had already been awarded a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1984.
2. b. Merle Haggard is the correct answer. Merle was pardoned in 1972 by then California Governor, and later President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. The Hag received his Kennedy Center Honors just last year, along with Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and several others.
3. That would be the Godfather of Soul, the hardest working man in Show Business, Mr. Dynamite himself...a. James Brown.
Brown was released from prison in 1991 and in 2003, he was pardoned for all past crimes committed in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. James Brown was one of the first inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and died on December 25, 2006.
4. Come on, could it be anyone but b. Jerry Lee Lewis? Lewis was part of the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1986. In 1989, a movie based on Jerry Lee's life called "Great Balls Of Fire" was released with Dennis Quaid in the role of 'The Killer' (Jerry's nick name since childhood).
5. c. Jim Morrison was charged with 'lewd and lascivious behavior' for supposedly exposing his genitals on stage during a 1969 Miami concert. Jim moved to Paris in March of 1971 and died there on July 3 that same year. He's buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Jim Morrison was 27 years old when he died.
QUESTIONS:
1. This legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member served several years in prison for transporting a minor over state lines in 1959...a 'berry' serious charge. So was it a. James Brown b. Jerry Lee Lewis or c. Chuck Berry?
2. This country legend was in San Quentin prison after an attempted burglery of a Bakersfield, California bar. Was he:
a. George Jones b. Merle Haggard or c. Buck Owens?
3. Another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was convicted of illegal possession of drugs and firearms and with assault with intent to murder in 1988. Was it: a. James Brown b. Jerry Lee Lewis or c. Sam Cooke?
4. He's a little bit country, but a whole lot of rock'n'roll. This Hall of Famer was arrested for narcotics possession in 1979 and once shot his bass player (he lived). He was involved in several other gun related incidents, but still found the time to marry 7 times. Was he: a. Jerry Reed b. Jerry Lee Lewis or c. Steve Earle?
5. And yet another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was charged with 'lewd and lascivious behavior' in the state of Florida in 1969. He later left the country. Was it: a. Jimmy Page b. Jimi Hendrix or c. Jim Morrison?
ANSWERS:
1. C'mon, I practically gave this one to you. The answer is c. Chuck Berry, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and received Kennedy Center Honours in 2000. Chuck had already been awarded a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 1984.
2. b. Merle Haggard is the correct answer. Merle was pardoned in 1972 by then California Governor, and later President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. The Hag received his Kennedy Center Honors just last year, along with Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey and several others.
3. That would be the Godfather of Soul, the hardest working man in Show Business, Mr. Dynamite himself...a. James Brown.
Brown was released from prison in 1991 and in 2003, he was pardoned for all past crimes committed in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. James Brown was one of the first inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and died on December 25, 2006.
4. Come on, could it be anyone but b. Jerry Lee Lewis? Lewis was part of the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1986. In 1989, a movie based on Jerry Lee's life called "Great Balls Of Fire" was released with Dennis Quaid in the role of 'The Killer' (Jerry's nick name since childhood).
5. c. Jim Morrison was charged with 'lewd and lascivious behavior' for supposedly exposing his genitals on stage during a 1969 Miami concert. Jim moved to Paris in March of 1971 and died there on July 3 that same year. He's buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Jim Morrison was 27 years old when he died.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
And away we go...
I was watching a hit TV show the other night and just happened to be taping the end credits. I saw a name I recognized as the person who'd written the theme song. I had no idea that he'd done this theme, so that got me to thinking about other TV show themes written by musicians you might not have thought did those things. Now, I'm not talking about the CSI franchise that uses The Who's songs for their themes. These are, for the most part, original theme songs written for the specific programs although for the purpose of this quiz, one of the themes was re-recorded from a hit song.
So that's the basis of this week's quiz. Hopefully, I explained it well enough...so as Jackie Gleason used to say when he finished his opening monologue and segued into the rest of his weekly TV program..."And away we go".
QUESTIONS:
1. The theme from "The Office", the North American version (not the Ricky Gervais British original), starts with a short, catchy piano tune. It's a very distinctive theme. There are no words, but none are really needed. The composer of "The Office" theme is a former member of the rock groups Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne and scored two Top hits on his own. In 1978, he went Top Ten with "Thunder Island" and in '79 'Cruised' into the Top 40 with his second chart hit. Can you name this artist/TV theme composer?
2. Unfortunately, this singer/songwriter recently passed away, but during his career, he had one Top Ten hit and one that made the Top 30. His father and mother were famous musicians, although not in the rock field, and this artist wrote the themes for not one, but two successful TV series. One featured three 'Golden Girls' in Florida and the other theme was for a hit series set in New York starring Paul Riser and Helen Hunt. Big props if you can name the singer/songwriter AND the two hit series his songs were featured in as the theme.
3. "You're gonna make it after all" is a lyric that was made famous as part of the theme song for a super successful TV series starring a female actress who worked in a fictional TV newsroom with an angry boss and a kinda-sorta dumb anchorman. The series was usually # 1 during its run from 1970 until 1977. The theme was titled, "Love IS All Around" and another lyric from the theme was "Who can turn the world on with a smile. Who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile." Sure, now you know the theme don't you? Ok, here's the tough part. Who wrote and sang that theme? (HINT: Think Buddy Holly, but remember he died in a plane crash in 1959).
4. The Disney Channel hit TV series "Hanna Montana" starred Miley Cyrus as a average everyday teen who lived a secret life as a pop star. The theme song that ran at the beginning of every episode was called "Best of Both Worlds" and was co-written by a man who had two Top Ten hits and a couple of other lesser hits during the late 1980's, early '90's. Who co-wrote the "Hanna Montana" theme song? (HINT: It's not singer Aaron Neville, but the name is somewhat similar).
5. Women tuned in to this hit TV series to see Bo and Luke, but men were glued to the screen when Daisy came on with her tight fitting outfits. This series, set in the southern U.S., also featured a famous car painted like a Confederate flag. The theme song was written and sung by a country music legend, who also narrated this series. Can you name both the singer and the TV series?
ANSWERS:
1. Jay Ferguson, the man who had a Top Ten hit in 1978 with "Thunder Island" and a Top 40 hit in 1979 with the song "Shakedown Cruise" is the gentleman who wrote the catchy theme for "The Office".
2. The late Andrew Gold wrote the theme for Paul Riser's TV series, "Mad About You" that ran from 1992 until 1999. The song was called "Final Frontier". Andrew's prior success was when his # 25 hit, "Thank You For Being A Friend' was adapted as the theme to "The Golden Girls" which aired between 1985 until 1992. Andrew Gold died on June 3 of this year at the age of 59. His father was Academy Award winning composer Ernest Gold and his mother, Marni Nixon, supplied the singing voice for actresses such as Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady", Natalie Wood in "West Side Story" and Deborah Kerr in "The King And I". Gold had played on records by and toured with Linda Ronstadt from 1973 until '77 and then occasionally during the '80's and '90's.
3. The Mary Tyler Moore theme song, "Love Is All Around", was written and performed by Sonny Curtis, who was the lead guitar player in Buddy Holly's Crickets. Sonny was also in Buddy's pre-Crickets group, The Three Tunes. After Buddy's plane crash, Sonny worked with The Everly Brothers. He's written several hit songs, including "I Fought The Law" which was a hit for the Bobby Fuller Four; "Walk Right Back" recorded by The Everly Brothers; "More Than I Can Say' which was a minor hit in 1961 for Bobby Vee and in 1980, went to # 2 with a version by Leo Sayer. Sonny also co-wrote the # 1 country hit, "I'm No Stranger To The Rain", sung by Keith Whitely. His songs have been recorded by Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Perry Como and Andy Williams as well as The Clash and Dead Kennedys.
4. Robbie Nevil and co-writer Matthew Gerrard wrote the "Hanna Montana" theme song, "Best of Both Worlds". Robbie's biggest hit, 1988's "C'est La Vie", went to # 2 on Billboard's singles chart.
5. The title song to "The Dukes of Hazard" TV series was written and performed by Waylon Jennings, who was credited as "The Balladeer". The hit TV show aired from 1979 to 1985 and Waylon's work was featured in 132 episodes, ironically more than episodes than the two stars, John Schneider and Tom Wopat, who are credited on 128 programs. The two held out for more money and left the show for a time. There were 146 episodes in the series in total. The Dukes car, known as the General Lee was featured in 142 episodes.
So that's the basis of this week's quiz. Hopefully, I explained it well enough...so as Jackie Gleason used to say when he finished his opening monologue and segued into the rest of his weekly TV program..."And away we go".
QUESTIONS:
1. The theme from "The Office", the North American version (not the Ricky Gervais British original), starts with a short, catchy piano tune. It's a very distinctive theme. There are no words, but none are really needed. The composer of "The Office" theme is a former member of the rock groups Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne and scored two Top hits on his own. In 1978, he went Top Ten with "Thunder Island" and in '79 'Cruised' into the Top 40 with his second chart hit. Can you name this artist/TV theme composer?
2. Unfortunately, this singer/songwriter recently passed away, but during his career, he had one Top Ten hit and one that made the Top 30. His father and mother were famous musicians, although not in the rock field, and this artist wrote the themes for not one, but two successful TV series. One featured three 'Golden Girls' in Florida and the other theme was for a hit series set in New York starring Paul Riser and Helen Hunt. Big props if you can name the singer/songwriter AND the two hit series his songs were featured in as the theme.
3. "You're gonna make it after all" is a lyric that was made famous as part of the theme song for a super successful TV series starring a female actress who worked in a fictional TV newsroom with an angry boss and a kinda-sorta dumb anchorman. The series was usually # 1 during its run from 1970 until 1977. The theme was titled, "Love IS All Around" and another lyric from the theme was "Who can turn the world on with a smile. Who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile." Sure, now you know the theme don't you? Ok, here's the tough part. Who wrote and sang that theme? (HINT: Think Buddy Holly, but remember he died in a plane crash in 1959).
4. The Disney Channel hit TV series "Hanna Montana" starred Miley Cyrus as a average everyday teen who lived a secret life as a pop star. The theme song that ran at the beginning of every episode was called "Best of Both Worlds" and was co-written by a man who had two Top Ten hits and a couple of other lesser hits during the late 1980's, early '90's. Who co-wrote the "Hanna Montana" theme song? (HINT: It's not singer Aaron Neville, but the name is somewhat similar).
5. Women tuned in to this hit TV series to see Bo and Luke, but men were glued to the screen when Daisy came on with her tight fitting outfits. This series, set in the southern U.S., also featured a famous car painted like a Confederate flag. The theme song was written and sung by a country music legend, who also narrated this series. Can you name both the singer and the TV series?
ANSWERS:
1. Jay Ferguson, the man who had a Top Ten hit in 1978 with "Thunder Island" and a Top 40 hit in 1979 with the song "Shakedown Cruise" is the gentleman who wrote the catchy theme for "The Office".
2. The late Andrew Gold wrote the theme for Paul Riser's TV series, "Mad About You" that ran from 1992 until 1999. The song was called "Final Frontier". Andrew's prior success was when his # 25 hit, "Thank You For Being A Friend' was adapted as the theme to "The Golden Girls" which aired between 1985 until 1992. Andrew Gold died on June 3 of this year at the age of 59. His father was Academy Award winning composer Ernest Gold and his mother, Marni Nixon, supplied the singing voice for actresses such as Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady", Natalie Wood in "West Side Story" and Deborah Kerr in "The King And I". Gold had played on records by and toured with Linda Ronstadt from 1973 until '77 and then occasionally during the '80's and '90's.
3. The Mary Tyler Moore theme song, "Love Is All Around", was written and performed by Sonny Curtis, who was the lead guitar player in Buddy Holly's Crickets. Sonny was also in Buddy's pre-Crickets group, The Three Tunes. After Buddy's plane crash, Sonny worked with The Everly Brothers. He's written several hit songs, including "I Fought The Law" which was a hit for the Bobby Fuller Four; "Walk Right Back" recorded by The Everly Brothers; "More Than I Can Say' which was a minor hit in 1961 for Bobby Vee and in 1980, went to # 2 with a version by Leo Sayer. Sonny also co-wrote the # 1 country hit, "I'm No Stranger To The Rain", sung by Keith Whitely. His songs have been recorded by Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Perry Como and Andy Williams as well as The Clash and Dead Kennedys.
4. Robbie Nevil and co-writer Matthew Gerrard wrote the "Hanna Montana" theme song, "Best of Both Worlds". Robbie's biggest hit, 1988's "C'est La Vie", went to # 2 on Billboard's singles chart.
5. The title song to "The Dukes of Hazard" TV series was written and performed by Waylon Jennings, who was credited as "The Balladeer". The hit TV show aired from 1979 to 1985 and Waylon's work was featured in 132 episodes, ironically more than episodes than the two stars, John Schneider and Tom Wopat, who are credited on 128 programs. The two held out for more money and left the show for a time. There were 146 episodes in the series in total. The Dukes car, known as the General Lee was featured in 142 episodes.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Hurray! Huzzah! Whooppee!!!
The Collingwood Elvis Festival is finally here (Thursday July 21 to Sunday July 24th), so if you're in the Collingwood, Ontario area (oh heck, even if you're in Columbus Ohio or Hartford, Connecticut), c'mon up to Collingwood and join in the celebrations of the King of Rock and Roll. There are hundreds of Elvis Tribute artists to enjoy, lots of incredible music and plenty of fun, fun, fun (wait that was a Beach Boys song, not an Elvis one).
True Elvis fans will once again have no problems with any of these questions.
QUESTIONS:
1. While living and filming movies in Hollywood during the 1960's, Elvis met The Beatles. True or false?
2. Elvis worked with many female actresses throughout his movie career, including Barbara Stanwyck (1964's "Roustabout"), Tuesday Weld (1961's "Wild In The Country"), Mary Tyler Moore (1969's "Change Of Habit"), Shelley Fabares (1965's "Girl Happy",'66's "Spinout" & '67's "Clambake") and Ann-Margaret (1964's "Viva Las Vegas"). Which one of the following three actresses did Elvis NOT work with in any of his movies: a. Mary Tyler Moore b. Nancy Sinatra c. Ava Gardner
3. In 1968 Elvis starred in a TV special for Singer Sewing Machines as the sponsor. It later became known as the Comeback Special, but it was simply titled "Elvis", Which television network aired this special?
4. Where did Elvis and Priscella get married?
5. Linda Thompson was Elvis' girlfriend from 1972 until '76. Although she never married Elvis, she did later marry two other famous men (separately of course). One was an Olympic champion and the other was a 15 time Grammy Award winner. Can you name these two former husbands of Linda Thompson?
ANSWERS:
1. You betcha those musical icons of the 1960's met. Elvis was living at 565 Perugia Way in Bel-Air (an exclusive area of Los Angeles) and on Friday night, August 27, 1965, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came a-callin'. They arrived at 10 o'clock at night, stayed until 2AM and a good time was had by all.
2. No trick question this time. The correct answer is c. Ava Gardner, although Ava DID co-star in a real-life marriage with another music idol. From 1951 until '57, she was married to Frank Sinatra. It was Ava's third and final marriage. Frank's daughter Nancy Sinatra (from his previous marriage) co-starred with Elvis in 1968's "Speedway"
3. NBC aired the "Elvis" special. NBC and RCA Victor, Elvis' record label, were both owned by General Electric so that may have helped NBC snag the King's special. Colonel Tom Parker had wanted Elvis to end the special with a Christmas tune, but producer Steve Binder convinced Elvis to sing a song especially written for the TV special called "If I Can Dream". "Elvis" aired at 9PM on December 3, 1958 and was the most watched TV special of 1968 by women 18 to 49 years of age.
4. Elvis and Priscilla Beaulieu became man and wife on May 1, 1967 in a suite at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. The two honeymooned in Palm Springs, California, then moved into a mansion in Beverly Hills. They divorced in 1973.
5. Linda Thompson went on to marry Olympic Gold Medal decathlete Bruce Jenner (he's now Kim Kardashian's step-dad) in 1981. They had two sons and divorced in '84. In 1991, Linda married Canadian born musician, record producer and composer David Foster. She filed for divorce from David in 2005.
True Elvis fans will once again have no problems with any of these questions.
QUESTIONS:
1. While living and filming movies in Hollywood during the 1960's, Elvis met The Beatles. True or false?
2. Elvis worked with many female actresses throughout his movie career, including Barbara Stanwyck (1964's "Roustabout"), Tuesday Weld (1961's "Wild In The Country"), Mary Tyler Moore (1969's "Change Of Habit"), Shelley Fabares (1965's "Girl Happy",'66's "Spinout" & '67's "Clambake") and Ann-Margaret (1964's "Viva Las Vegas"). Which one of the following three actresses did Elvis NOT work with in any of his movies: a. Mary Tyler Moore b. Nancy Sinatra c. Ava Gardner
3. In 1968 Elvis starred in a TV special for Singer Sewing Machines as the sponsor. It later became known as the Comeback Special, but it was simply titled "Elvis", Which television network aired this special?
4. Where did Elvis and Priscella get married?
5. Linda Thompson was Elvis' girlfriend from 1972 until '76. Although she never married Elvis, she did later marry two other famous men (separately of course). One was an Olympic champion and the other was a 15 time Grammy Award winner. Can you name these two former husbands of Linda Thompson?
ANSWERS:
1. You betcha those musical icons of the 1960's met. Elvis was living at 565 Perugia Way in Bel-Air (an exclusive area of Los Angeles) and on Friday night, August 27, 1965, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr came a-callin'. They arrived at 10 o'clock at night, stayed until 2AM and a good time was had by all.
2. No trick question this time. The correct answer is c. Ava Gardner, although Ava DID co-star in a real-life marriage with another music idol. From 1951 until '57, she was married to Frank Sinatra. It was Ava's third and final marriage. Frank's daughter Nancy Sinatra (from his previous marriage) co-starred with Elvis in 1968's "Speedway"
3. NBC aired the "Elvis" special. NBC and RCA Victor, Elvis' record label, were both owned by General Electric so that may have helped NBC snag the King's special. Colonel Tom Parker had wanted Elvis to end the special with a Christmas tune, but producer Steve Binder convinced Elvis to sing a song especially written for the TV special called "If I Can Dream". "Elvis" aired at 9PM on December 3, 1958 and was the most watched TV special of 1968 by women 18 to 49 years of age.
4. Elvis and Priscilla Beaulieu became man and wife on May 1, 1967 in a suite at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. The two honeymooned in Palm Springs, California, then moved into a mansion in Beverly Hills. They divorced in 1973.
5. Linda Thompson went on to marry Olympic Gold Medal decathlete Bruce Jenner (he's now Kim Kardashian's step-dad) in 1981. They had two sons and divorced in '84. In 1991, Linda married Canadian born musician, record producer and composer David Foster. She filed for divorce from David in 2005.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Collingwood Elvis Festival
It's that wonderful time of year again. Time to celebrate all things Elvis. The annual Collingwood Elvis Festival is almost here, so in honour of 'The King of Rock 'N' Roll", for the next two weeks, the questions will be all about Elvis. True Elvis fans won't have a problem with any of these, so good luck.
Well, I guess there's not much else to say, except "thank you! Thank you very much!"
QUESTIONS
1. Elvis' mom Gladys was 46 when she died in 1958. Elvis was 42 when he died in 1977. At what age was Elvis' father when he passed away?
2. After Elvis received his draft notice in 1957, the Draft Board gave him a 60 day deferrment to complete a movie. Which movie was it?
3. Any Elvis fan knows that his full name is Elvis Aaron Presley (although his birth certificate issued by the state of Mississippi misspelled it as Aron. His Social Security card also spelled it Aron). He had a twin brother who died at birth. What was the full name of Elvis' twin?
4. Sam Phillips of Sun Records was the man who signed and recorded Elvis for the first time. His first release on Sun was "That's All Right". Which popular Memphis disc jockey played it for the very first time?
5. There are dozens of names that Elvis was given for various movies. One of the following three names was not an Elvis movie character's name. Can you guess the wrong one? a. Danny Fisher b. Lonnie Beale c. Jimmy Tomkins.
ANSWERS
1. Elvis' dad, Vernon Elvis Presley, died on June 26, 1979 at the age of 63. He outlived his son by less than two years.
2. The movie Elvis completed before he reported for induction into the U.S. Army was "King Creole". Elvis received a 60 day deferrment from the Army to finish the movie and reported for induction on March 24, 1958.
3. The full name of Elvis' twin was Jesse Garon Presley. He was delivered stillborn on January 8, 1935.
4. Although he wasn't related to Sam Phillips, the DJ's name was Dewey Phillips who worked at WHBQ in Memphis.
5. Sorry, this one was a trick question. Elvis played all three of these characters in various movies. Danny Fisher was the name of Elvis' character in 1958's "King Creole"; He played Lonnie Beale in "Tickle Me", released in 1965; Elvis played Jimmy Tomkins in 1956's "Loving You". It was only Elvis' second movie. A few of the other names Elvis was given for movie characters include: Clint Reno ("Love Me Tender"), Tulsa McLean ("G.I. Blues"), Pacer Burton ("Flaming Star") and Toby Kwimper ("Follow That Dream") .
Saturday, July 9, 2011
SUMMER
Just in case you hadn't noticed, summer is officially here (unless you live in Australia where it's now winter), so we thought this week we'd make our trivia quiz fit the season. As usual, there are 5 questions and each one is about a song with summer in the title. There's one question from the 1950's, '60's, '70's, '80's and '90's but they aren't in chronological order, so good luck.
QUESTIONS:
1. During the 1970's, there were a couple of 'summer' songs that made the singles chart, including "Summer Nights" from Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 1978, "Summertime Blues" from The Who in 1970 and "Summer" by War in 1976, but the summer song we're looking for charted in 1972 from a duo that were former members of The Champs from 1958 until 1965. That's the group that had the 1958 hit "Tequila", although these two joined the band after the hit happened. One of them had a hit making brother who was also one half of a duo, if that helps at all. Think Summer and see if you can come up with the duo and the hit song that made it to # 6.
2. There'll be no tag days for this superstar. He easily made a successful transition from music to TV acting to movie star. He's originally from Philadelphia and, as part of a recording duo, had hits from 1986 until 1993 when he went solo, starred in a TV series based on his recording character, then hit the motherlode with film stardom. He's also scored three # 1 hits as a solo performer, two of which came from movies he starred in. In the summer of 1991, he and his musical partner had the biggest hit of their career with a 'summer' song. Can you name the this Ten hit as well as the name of the performer?
3. This singer/songwriter died at the age of 21, but not before he had 7 hits on the singles chart. His first hit, "Sittin' In The Balcony", came in 1957 and made it to # 18. His biggest though happened the following year (1958) when a song he wrote zoomed all the way up to # 8. Several other performers have recorded this hit, including Blue Cheer, The Who and country artist Alan Jackson. The question is - who's the artist and what was his 'summer' hit?
4. He was a founding member of a 'high flying' group that formerly backed up Linda Ronstadt on tour. Many, many hits from that group hit the charts, they were the darlings of both FM and AM radio. They famously broke up, saying they'd get back together "When Hell Freezes Over". Naturally, they did get back together and named their 1994 reunion album, "Hell Freezes Over". This performer also had a hugely successful solo career in the 1980's and '90's with 6 Top Ten hits (although he never made # 1, something his old band did 5 times in the 1970's. The song we're lookin for went Top 5 in 1985. So who's the performer and what was his 'summer' song? (HINT: If you think baseball, you'll be very close)
5. "Summertime", "A Summer Song", "Summer's Comin'" and "In The Summertime" are just four 'summer' songs from the 1960's. The song we're looking for though, came from a group that had 3 American members and 1 Canadian. This was their first and only # 1 hit. From 1965 until 1967, this group had 7 Top Ten hits. They supplied the musical for several '60's films, including Woody Allen's "Waht's Up Tiger Lily" and Francis Ford Coppolla's "You're A Big Boy Now". Can you name the group and their # 1 'summer' hit?
ANSWERS:
1. In 1972, Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, better known as Seals & Crofts, had the # 6 song with "Summer Breeze". Jim Seals brother, Dan Seals was one half of England Dan & John Ford COley, who had such hits in the '70's as "I'd Really Love To See You Again" and "Nights Are Forever Without You".
2. Before he became an 'A' list movie star, Will Smith was known as The Fresh Prince. In 1991, D.J. Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince took the song "Summertime" to # 4 on Billboards' Hot 100 singles chart. Two of the # 1 hits he had as a solo artist were "Men In Black" and "Wild Wild West", both films Will starred in.
3. In 1958, Eddie Cochrane recorded "Summertime Blues", which as the question states, has been covered by several other artists over the years. Cochrane died in a car crash during a British tour in 1960. While his recording career was short, his legacy lives on with songs he wrote, including "C'mon Everybody", being performed by the likes of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The White Stripes and The Sex Pistols.
4. Don Henley, a founding member of The Eagles, took his solo song, "The Boys Of Summer" to # 5 on February 9, 1985.
5. The 1960's summer hit we were looking for was "Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful, which was # 1 during the week of August 13, 1966 and remained # 1 for 3 weeks. It was replaced by Donovan's "Sunshine Superman". The Lovin' Spoonful were lead singer and songwriter John Sebastian, Canadian Zal Yanovsky on lead guitar, Steve Butler on bass and drummer Joe Butler. The group was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and not a second too soon as Zal Yanovsky died two years later.
QUESTIONS:
1. During the 1970's, there were a couple of 'summer' songs that made the singles chart, including "Summer Nights" from Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 1978, "Summertime Blues" from The Who in 1970 and "Summer" by War in 1976, but the summer song we're looking for charted in 1972 from a duo that were former members of The Champs from 1958 until 1965. That's the group that had the 1958 hit "Tequila", although these two joined the band after the hit happened. One of them had a hit making brother who was also one half of a duo, if that helps at all. Think Summer and see if you can come up with the duo and the hit song that made it to # 6.
2. There'll be no tag days for this superstar. He easily made a successful transition from music to TV acting to movie star. He's originally from Philadelphia and, as part of a recording duo, had hits from 1986 until 1993 when he went solo, starred in a TV series based on his recording character, then hit the motherlode with film stardom. He's also scored three # 1 hits as a solo performer, two of which came from movies he starred in. In the summer of 1991, he and his musical partner had the biggest hit of their career with a 'summer' song. Can you name the this Ten hit as well as the name of the performer?
3. This singer/songwriter died at the age of 21, but not before he had 7 hits on the singles chart. His first hit, "Sittin' In The Balcony", came in 1957 and made it to # 18. His biggest though happened the following year (1958) when a song he wrote zoomed all the way up to # 8. Several other performers have recorded this hit, including Blue Cheer, The Who and country artist Alan Jackson. The question is - who's the artist and what was his 'summer' hit?
4. He was a founding member of a 'high flying' group that formerly backed up Linda Ronstadt on tour. Many, many hits from that group hit the charts, they were the darlings of both FM and AM radio. They famously broke up, saying they'd get back together "When Hell Freezes Over". Naturally, they did get back together and named their 1994 reunion album, "Hell Freezes Over". This performer also had a hugely successful solo career in the 1980's and '90's with 6 Top Ten hits (although he never made # 1, something his old band did 5 times in the 1970's. The song we're lookin for went Top 5 in 1985. So who's the performer and what was his 'summer' song? (HINT: If you think baseball, you'll be very close)
5. "Summertime", "A Summer Song", "Summer's Comin'" and "In The Summertime" are just four 'summer' songs from the 1960's. The song we're looking for though, came from a group that had 3 American members and 1 Canadian. This was their first and only # 1 hit. From 1965 until 1967, this group had 7 Top Ten hits. They supplied the musical for several '60's films, including Woody Allen's "Waht's Up Tiger Lily" and Francis Ford Coppolla's "You're A Big Boy Now". Can you name the group and their # 1 'summer' hit?
ANSWERS:
1. In 1972, Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, better known as Seals & Crofts, had the # 6 song with "Summer Breeze". Jim Seals brother, Dan Seals was one half of England Dan & John Ford COley, who had such hits in the '70's as "I'd Really Love To See You Again" and "Nights Are Forever Without You".
2. Before he became an 'A' list movie star, Will Smith was known as The Fresh Prince. In 1991, D.J. Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince took the song "Summertime" to # 4 on Billboards' Hot 100 singles chart. Two of the # 1 hits he had as a solo artist were "Men In Black" and "Wild Wild West", both films Will starred in.
3. In 1958, Eddie Cochrane recorded "Summertime Blues", which as the question states, has been covered by several other artists over the years. Cochrane died in a car crash during a British tour in 1960. While his recording career was short, his legacy lives on with songs he wrote, including "C'mon Everybody", being performed by the likes of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The White Stripes and The Sex Pistols.
4. Don Henley, a founding member of The Eagles, took his solo song, "The Boys Of Summer" to # 5 on February 9, 1985.
5. The 1960's summer hit we were looking for was "Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful, which was # 1 during the week of August 13, 1966 and remained # 1 for 3 weeks. It was replaced by Donovan's "Sunshine Superman". The Lovin' Spoonful were lead singer and songwriter John Sebastian, Canadian Zal Yanovsky on lead guitar, Steve Butler on bass and drummer Joe Butler. The group was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and not a second too soon as Zal Yanovsky died two years later.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
BROADWAY HITS THE CHARTS
Broadway's annual Tony Awards were awarded a few weeks back (anyone remember who won?), and we thought that it might be fun to test your musical knowledge about Broadway plays that launched hit songs. This won't be EVERY Broadway play from the beginning of time, that would be way too tough, but only those from 1960 on. And all of the hits were at least Top 30, so this weeks quiz shouldn't be all that difficult.
So get out your Playbill because the orchestra's tuning up and the curtain's about to rise.
QUESTIONS
1. "Grease" first hit Broadway in June of 1972 after its initial 1971 debut in Chicago and an Off Broadway run that started in February of '72. The play ran for 3,388 performances, a Broadway record until "A Chorus Line" surpassed it a few years later. It won 7 Tony Awards. Three of its biggest songs were not in the original play but were written when the play was made into a movie. It's since had one not-so-successful sequel that starred Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield (and what has he done lately?). So the question is, what song from "Grease" that was a Top 5 hit, was in the original play as well as the original movie?
2. This play starred Carol Channing (that should be enough to give it away right there) as a New York matchmaker and was first mounted on Broadway in 1964. That same year, a legendary jazzman took the title song straight to # 1 on the singles chart right at the height of Beatlemania. If you know the play, then you know the title of that # 1. So what was it and who was the jazz performer who took it to the top?
3. The actors got nude in this play (again, I just gave it away) and its subtitle was "The American Love-Rock Musical". No less than 4 songs became hits - One made it to # 1 while another went to # 4. A third was a # 3 hit and the fourth went to # 2. It should be easy to guess the title of this 1968 Broadway production which has been performed all over the world. There have been over a thousand vocal and or instrumental versions of songs from this hit play. So what's its name already?
4. She got her start on Broadway before becoming a Hollywood legend. She's a two time Academy Award winner and has 12 Grammy Awards, which includes a Lifetime Achivement Award, a Grammy Legend honour and two Hall of Fame Awards. Her Broadway debut was in the play "I Can Get it For You Wholesale" in 1962. After a highly successful album and several appearances on TV shows, she returned to Broadway in 1964 to star in "Funny Girl" as Fanny Brice, a part she also played in the hit movie version. This performer took one of the most famous songs from "Funny Girl" to # 5 on the singles chart in 1964. It became her signature song even though she's since had six # 1 hits. Can you name the singer and her first chart hit?
5. It was a play that launched the careers of Murray Head and Yvonne Elliman, although it began as an album BEFORE it was a play on Broadway and in London's West End. This 'rock opera' was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (OK I gave it away again) and two Top 30 hits came out of it. One, sung by Elliman, made it to # 28 and Murray Head took the title song to # 14 on the singles chart (although it took two separate attempts to achieve that success). The 'rock opera' eventually became a movie that was released in 1973 with Canadian Norman Jewison directing. A second film adaptation was released in 2000 and apparently yet a third version is due to be released in 2014. Can you name the album/play/movie?
ANSWERS
1. "Grease", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and "You're The One That I want", all major hits, were NOT in the original Broadway production. They were written specifically for the film that starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The only hit that was in "Grease" from the beginning (and written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the co-creators), was "Summer Nights", sung by Travolta and Newton-John. That song went to # 5 on Billboards' Hot 100 chart in 1978. Both the title song, sung by Frankie Valli and "You're The One That I Want", sung by John & Newton-John were # 1 hits.
2. If you said "Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong, then you really know your Broadway. Louis' version was # 1 for the week of May 9,1964 and replaced The Beatles "Can't BUy Me Love" which had been # 1 for the previous 5 weeks. Louie was 63 at the time and his # 1 hit was replaced the next week by Mary Wells and "My Guy". Louis Armstrong died 2 days after his 71st birthday on July 6, 1971. The Broadway version of "Hello Dolly" won 11 Tony Awards in its first run. The movie version starred former Broadway legend Barbra Streisand.
3. The play was "Hair" and the four hits included the 1969 title song sung by The Cowsills (# 2); Three Dog Night took "Easy To Be Hard" to # 4 also in '69 while Oliver sang "Good Morning Sunshine" (# 3). The biggest hit from "Hair" was the Fifth Dimensions' version of "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" which was # 1 for six weeks beginning with the week of April 12, 1969.
4. Barbra Streisand starred in "Funny Girl" on Broadway and on film and in 1964, made her debut on the Billboard singles chart with the play's signature song "People". Barbra's most recent movie role is that of Roz Focker, the mother of Ben Stiller's character of Gaylord Focker in "Meet The Fockers" and "Little Fockers".
5. "Jesus Christ SUperstar" is the correct answer to this question. Yvonne Elliman, who performed on the original album and on Broadway, is best known for her 1978 # 1 hit, "If I Can't Have You" from "Saturday Night Fever". Murray Head's first release of "Superstar"in 1970 only made it as far as # 74. A re-release the following year saw the song zoom up to # 14on the singles chart. In 1985, Head hit the charts again with "one Night In Bangkok" which went to # 3. That song was from the musical project "Chess" and was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Alvaeus of ABBA fame along with Murray's old "Jesus Christ Superstar" pal, Tim Rice.
So, how'd you do?
So get out your Playbill because the orchestra's tuning up and the curtain's about to rise.
QUESTIONS
1. "Grease" first hit Broadway in June of 1972 after its initial 1971 debut in Chicago and an Off Broadway run that started in February of '72. The play ran for 3,388 performances, a Broadway record until "A Chorus Line" surpassed it a few years later. It won 7 Tony Awards. Three of its biggest songs were not in the original play but were written when the play was made into a movie. It's since had one not-so-successful sequel that starred Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield (and what has he done lately?). So the question is, what song from "Grease" that was a Top 5 hit, was in the original play as well as the original movie?
2. This play starred Carol Channing (that should be enough to give it away right there) as a New York matchmaker and was first mounted on Broadway in 1964. That same year, a legendary jazzman took the title song straight to # 1 on the singles chart right at the height of Beatlemania. If you know the play, then you know the title of that # 1. So what was it and who was the jazz performer who took it to the top?
3. The actors got nude in this play (again, I just gave it away) and its subtitle was "The American Love-Rock Musical". No less than 4 songs became hits - One made it to # 1 while another went to # 4. A third was a # 3 hit and the fourth went to # 2. It should be easy to guess the title of this 1968 Broadway production which has been performed all over the world. There have been over a thousand vocal and or instrumental versions of songs from this hit play. So what's its name already?
4. She got her start on Broadway before becoming a Hollywood legend. She's a two time Academy Award winner and has 12 Grammy Awards, which includes a Lifetime Achivement Award, a Grammy Legend honour and two Hall of Fame Awards. Her Broadway debut was in the play "I Can Get it For You Wholesale" in 1962. After a highly successful album and several appearances on TV shows, she returned to Broadway in 1964 to star in "Funny Girl" as Fanny Brice, a part she also played in the hit movie version. This performer took one of the most famous songs from "Funny Girl" to # 5 on the singles chart in 1964. It became her signature song even though she's since had six # 1 hits. Can you name the singer and her first chart hit?
5. It was a play that launched the careers of Murray Head and Yvonne Elliman, although it began as an album BEFORE it was a play on Broadway and in London's West End. This 'rock opera' was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (OK I gave it away again) and two Top 30 hits came out of it. One, sung by Elliman, made it to # 28 and Murray Head took the title song to # 14 on the singles chart (although it took two separate attempts to achieve that success). The 'rock opera' eventually became a movie that was released in 1973 with Canadian Norman Jewison directing. A second film adaptation was released in 2000 and apparently yet a third version is due to be released in 2014. Can you name the album/play/movie?
ANSWERS
1. "Grease", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and "You're The One That I want", all major hits, were NOT in the original Broadway production. They were written specifically for the film that starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The only hit that was in "Grease" from the beginning (and written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the co-creators), was "Summer Nights", sung by Travolta and Newton-John. That song went to # 5 on Billboards' Hot 100 chart in 1978. Both the title song, sung by Frankie Valli and "You're The One That I Want", sung by John & Newton-John were # 1 hits.
2. If you said "Hello Dolly" by Louis Armstrong, then you really know your Broadway. Louis' version was # 1 for the week of May 9,1964 and replaced The Beatles "Can't BUy Me Love" which had been # 1 for the previous 5 weeks. Louie was 63 at the time and his # 1 hit was replaced the next week by Mary Wells and "My Guy". Louis Armstrong died 2 days after his 71st birthday on July 6, 1971. The Broadway version of "Hello Dolly" won 11 Tony Awards in its first run. The movie version starred former Broadway legend Barbra Streisand.
3. The play was "Hair" and the four hits included the 1969 title song sung by The Cowsills (# 2); Three Dog Night took "Easy To Be Hard" to # 4 also in '69 while Oliver sang "Good Morning Sunshine" (# 3). The biggest hit from "Hair" was the Fifth Dimensions' version of "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" which was # 1 for six weeks beginning with the week of April 12, 1969.
4. Barbra Streisand starred in "Funny Girl" on Broadway and on film and in 1964, made her debut on the Billboard singles chart with the play's signature song "People". Barbra's most recent movie role is that of Roz Focker, the mother of Ben Stiller's character of Gaylord Focker in "Meet The Fockers" and "Little Fockers".
5. "Jesus Christ SUperstar" is the correct answer to this question. Yvonne Elliman, who performed on the original album and on Broadway, is best known for her 1978 # 1 hit, "If I Can't Have You" from "Saturday Night Fever". Murray Head's first release of "Superstar"in 1970 only made it as far as # 74. A re-release the following year saw the song zoom up to # 14on the singles chart. In 1985, Head hit the charts again with "one Night In Bangkok" which went to # 3. That song was from the musical project "Chess" and was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Alvaeus of ABBA fame along with Murray's old "Jesus Christ Superstar" pal, Tim Rice.
So, how'd you do?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
THE LONG AND LONG OF IT
Traditionally back in the late 50's and early 60's, hit songs were an average length of two to two and a half minutes. There were some exceptions, but not many. They got longer as the years went on. This time out, we're going to quiz you on some of these longer songs. All of these songs made the Top Ten and several went to # 1.
QUESTIONS
1. The man who changed the music business forever was raised in Hibbing, Minnesota and was born Robert Zimmerman. Although he wasn't really known for hit singles, he still managed to rack up quite a few, although he never had a number one single. In the fall of 1965, he released his longest 45 single and it 'rolled' up the Billboard charts to # 2. Who is the singer and what was his 'long' song from '65?
2. This song talks about 'The day the music died'. Back in the time of 45 rpm records it was so long that they had to split it into two parts with Part 1 on Side 1 and Part 2 on the second side of the 45. The singer went on to have several other hits including "Vincent" and "Crying", but this was his only # 1. Who's the singer and what was his super long hit from 1972?
3. The Beatles were certainly no strangers to the top of the charts. This hit from 1968 was their 16th number one and their longest single ever. 'Hey', What's the name of this song?
4. Mike Myers made this song an even bigger hit than it was in his 1992 movie "Wayne's World". This 'royal' group had originally released this 'long' song in 1976 and it shot up to # 9 on Billboard's singles chart. After "Wayne's World" came out, the song re-entered the Billboard chart where it went to # 2. Can you name the group and the song?
5. This hit making singer was one of the first country artists to cross over to the pop charts. His 'long' song went to # 1 in the early months of 1960. This singer had his own TV show and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry from 1953 until his death in 1982 at the age of 57, The song was set "out in the West Texas town of..." and was about a lovely senorita named "Felina" and her hot headed cowboy boyfriend. What was the song and who was the singer?
ANSWERS
1. "Like A Rolling Stone" was a gift for disc jockeys. Now they could run to the washroom and still make it back before the song ended as Bob Dylan's hit clocked in at 6 minutes in length.
2. The singer was Don McLean and his 'long' song was 1972's "American Pie - Parts 1 & 2" which had a listed time of 8:36.
3. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles clocks in at 7:11 and could never be confused with the convenience store chain with the same name.
4. Queen's "Bohemenian Rhapsody" times out to 5 minutes and 50 seconds...both in 1976 and 1992.
5. "El Paso" from Marty RObbins clocks in at 4:40, a very long time for that era. Marty Robbins first hit the Billboard pop charts in 1957 with "Singing The Blues". His 1961 hit, "Don't Worry" was one of the first records to use a fuzztone guitar. One of Marty's other big crossover hits was "Devil Woman" in 1962, but "El Paso" was Marty's only pop # 1.
QUESTIONS
1. The man who changed the music business forever was raised in Hibbing, Minnesota and was born Robert Zimmerman. Although he wasn't really known for hit singles, he still managed to rack up quite a few, although he never had a number one single. In the fall of 1965, he released his longest 45 single and it 'rolled' up the Billboard charts to # 2. Who is the singer and what was his 'long' song from '65?
2. This song talks about 'The day the music died'. Back in the time of 45 rpm records it was so long that they had to split it into two parts with Part 1 on Side 1 and Part 2 on the second side of the 45. The singer went on to have several other hits including "Vincent" and "Crying", but this was his only # 1. Who's the singer and what was his super long hit from 1972?
3. The Beatles were certainly no strangers to the top of the charts. This hit from 1968 was their 16th number one and their longest single ever. 'Hey', What's the name of this song?
4. Mike Myers made this song an even bigger hit than it was in his 1992 movie "Wayne's World". This 'royal' group had originally released this 'long' song in 1976 and it shot up to # 9 on Billboard's singles chart. After "Wayne's World" came out, the song re-entered the Billboard chart where it went to # 2. Can you name the group and the song?
5. This hit making singer was one of the first country artists to cross over to the pop charts. His 'long' song went to # 1 in the early months of 1960. This singer had his own TV show and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry from 1953 until his death in 1982 at the age of 57, The song was set "out in the West Texas town of..." and was about a lovely senorita named "Felina" and her hot headed cowboy boyfriend. What was the song and who was the singer?
ANSWERS
1. "Like A Rolling Stone" was a gift for disc jockeys. Now they could run to the washroom and still make it back before the song ended as Bob Dylan's hit clocked in at 6 minutes in length.
2. The singer was Don McLean and his 'long' song was 1972's "American Pie - Parts 1 & 2" which had a listed time of 8:36.
3. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles clocks in at 7:11 and could never be confused with the convenience store chain with the same name.
4. Queen's "Bohemenian Rhapsody" times out to 5 minutes and 50 seconds...both in 1976 and 1992.
5. "El Paso" from Marty RObbins clocks in at 4:40, a very long time for that era. Marty Robbins first hit the Billboard pop charts in 1957 with "Singing The Blues". His 1961 hit, "Don't Worry" was one of the first records to use a fuzztone guitar. One of Marty's other big crossover hits was "Devil Woman" in 1962, but "El Paso" was Marty's only pop # 1.
Monday, May 30, 2011
TO THE MOON AND BEYOND
50 years ago in 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy said, in a speech to Congress, "I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth." And of course, the U.S. did exactly that in the summer of 1969.
Well in the 50 years since JFK made that speech, there have been plenty of songs recorded about space travel. For example, there's "Moon River", both instrumentally by Henry Mancini and with lyrics by Andy Williams. KISS took their hit, "Rocket Ride" to # 39 on the singles chart in 1978. David Bowie had a # 15chart hit with "space Oddity" in 1973 (so obviously those aren't questions in this quiz - or are they?). This week's quiz is based on songs about space and space travel. See how many you can guess.
Thanks to our pal John H. in Kingston, Ontario for the idea.
QUESTIONS
1. This singer, songwriter, producer discovered the group Genesis and produced their first album, 1967's "From Genesis To Revelation". By then, he'd already had a top 20 'space' hit of his own all over the world. In fact, he wrote and produced several hits during the mid 1960's. He also later worked with 10cc and The Bay City Rollers and was the 'King' of the record charts for several years. Who is this singer and can you also name his 'space' hit from 1965?
2. Reginald Kenneth Dwight is a legend in pop music with dozens of hits to his credit. Well actually, they're credited to the name he took when he entered the music business. His 'space' hit happened in 1972 and 'rocketed' up the charts. OK, I practically gave you this one, but if you know your music, you should already have known it. Can you name the singer and his 'space' hit?
3. This musician was a member of Lester Lanin's dance band out of New York in the 1950's and later worked as an accompanist for Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Maurice Chevalier and Peggy Lee. Later on in the 1970's, he became the band leader for TV's Mike Douglas Show. His name was Joe Harnell and in 1963, his instrumental 'space themed' hit zoomed up the charts, landing in the Top 20. You'll need to rhyme with June and spoon for this one. So what's the name of this hit?
4. He played keyboards on several hits for The Beatles. In fact, he was the only 'outside' musician credited on a Beatles record. Previously, he'd been in Little Richards' band and met The Beatles while on tour with him in the early 1960's. This amazing performer had a couple of 'space themed' hits during the 1970's. Can you name either one?
5. It wasn't Sputnik, but this 'spaced themed' song was named after a famous satellite and was the first North American # 1 hit for a British group. It was an instrumental and the year was 1962. The same group, The Tornados, had another minor hit the next year called "Ridin' The Wind" but that one only made it to # 63 on Billboard's singles chart. Do you know the name of this 'space' hit?
ANSWERS
1. Jonathan King was an undergraduate at Cambridge University in England in 1965 when he hit the charts with "Everyone's Gone To The Moon", which went to # 17 on Billboard's Hot 100. For many years, he was the BBC correspondent on pop culture based in New York. Other hit songs he wrote and produced include 1965/66's"It's Good News Week" by Hedgehoppers Anonymous.
2. Elton John took his 'adopted' name from two other members of the group Bluesology, Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. Elton's first North American Top Ten hit was "Your Song" in 1970. His 'space' song was "Rocket Man" from the summer of 1972.
3. Joe Harnell recorded the bossa nova instrumental "Fly Me To The Moon", which debuted on the charts in December of 1962 eventually making it to # 14 on Billboard's singles chart. He was a producer at Kapp Records in New York and was asked to record some Bossa Nova instrumentals. He decided to record "Fly Me To The Moon" and in 1963 it became a hit. In 1973, Harnell moved to Hollywood where he wrote many film and television scores for which, in 1986, he won an Emmy Award. Joe Harnell died of heart failure in 2005.
4. Billy Preston had a couple of 'space' songs hit the Top Ten during the 1970's. In 1973, his "Space Race" song made it to # 4 on the charts, but two years prior to that, Billy took "Outta-Space" to # 2.
5. It was the first 'rock' hit by a British group in North America. English producer Joe Meek recorded the instrumental "Telstar" as the 'A' side of a 45 single along with the B side, "Jungle Fever" in 3 just hours. Ironically, the same year as The Tornados # 1 success, another British artist, Acker Bilk, took his clarinet instrumental, "Stranger on The Shore" to the top of the North American singles chart.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
EVERYBODY'S BREAKIN' UP
Well, well, there've been a lot of break ups recently - Arnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver (25 years together) as well as Tipper & Al Gore (after 40 years. Although that happened last year). That got me to thinking about all the break up songs that have been written over the past 40 years. Some may have 'Goodbye' in the titleSo let's see how many you can guess.
Here we go.
QUESTIONS
1. This singer had a Top Ten song in 1959 with a 'break up' song. Although he was born in Canada, his success happened in the U.S. He charted 19 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 from 1958 until 1961. His first hit, "My True Love" went Top 5. You shouldn't have to 'Burn Bridges' to come up with his name. The 'break up' song we're looking for from this artist made it to # 8. Can you name this artist as well as the song in question?
2. Phil Collins was a member of Genesis as well as a super successful solo artist. His 'break up' song was featured on the 1980 Genesis album "Duke". Not many clues here, but let's see how good you really are. Name that 'break up' song.
3. OK, this one should be really easy if you know your '60's music. Neil Sedaka was a prolific hit maker with 30 songs charted on Billboards Hot 100 chart (including 9 Top 10s and 3 number ones). His 'break up' song was actually a hit for him twice - once in 1962 and again in 1976, although that version was slower. Can you name Neil's song?
4. This Philadelphia duo had over 30 chart hits during the 1970's and '80's. They made it to number one 6 times with songs such as "Rich Girl", "Kiss On My List", "Private Eyes" and "Out of Touch". This 'break up' song was actually a hit twice, although it was much bigger the second time around. What's the name of this 'break up' song and who sang it?
5. Time to throw your mind back to the 1970's (even if you weren't born yet). This duo became famous for their intricate harmonies and for being brother and sister (you know who we're talking about now don't you?). They had nearly 30 hits on the singles chart. Their 'break up' song made the Top 10 in 1972. And with this last question, I'll say 'Goodbye' til next time.
ANSWERS
1. Jack Scott (real name Jack Scafone, Jr) took his hit "Goodbye Baby" to # 8 in the Spring of 1959. Some of Jack's other hits include "Burning Bridges", "What In The World's Come Over You", "The Way I Walk" and "Leroy". Fleetwood Mac also recorded a song called "Goodbye Baby", but it was totally different than Jack Scott's version.
2. Phil Collins wrote "Misunderstanding" while he was recording his debut solo album "Face Value". The lyrics, about missed communication, were inspired by the divorce that Phil was going through at the time.
3. It was "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" which made it to # 1 in 1962. A slower version went to # 8 in 1976 while Neil was signed to Elton John's Rocket Records label.
4. "She's Gone", written and recorded by Daryl Hall & John Oates, first hit Billboards' singles chart in 1974. It came from the duos RCA Records album, "Abandoned Lunchonette". That time it only made it as far as # 60. Two years later, the single was re-released and jumped all the way to # 7. Hall & Oates met while both were students at Temple University in Philadelphia.
5. "Goodbye To Love" was the 11th hit in a row for Karen and Richard Carpenter. It was written by Richard and John Bettis and two lines from the lyric, "What lies in the future is a mystery to us all. No one can predict the wheel of fortune as it falls", took on a whole new meaning after Karen Carpenters' untimely death from a heart attack brought on by her anorexia nervosa in February of 1983 at the age of 32.
Here we go.
QUESTIONS
1. This singer had a Top Ten song in 1959 with a 'break up' song. Although he was born in Canada, his success happened in the U.S. He charted 19 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 from 1958 until 1961. His first hit, "My True Love" went Top 5. You shouldn't have to 'Burn Bridges' to come up with his name. The 'break up' song we're looking for from this artist made it to # 8. Can you name this artist as well as the song in question?
2. Phil Collins was a member of Genesis as well as a super successful solo artist. His 'break up' song was featured on the 1980 Genesis album "Duke". Not many clues here, but let's see how good you really are. Name that 'break up' song.
3. OK, this one should be really easy if you know your '60's music. Neil Sedaka was a prolific hit maker with 30 songs charted on Billboards Hot 100 chart (including 9 Top 10s and 3 number ones). His 'break up' song was actually a hit for him twice - once in 1962 and again in 1976, although that version was slower. Can you name Neil's song?
4. This Philadelphia duo had over 30 chart hits during the 1970's and '80's. They made it to number one 6 times with songs such as "Rich Girl", "Kiss On My List", "Private Eyes" and "Out of Touch". This 'break up' song was actually a hit twice, although it was much bigger the second time around. What's the name of this 'break up' song and who sang it?
5. Time to throw your mind back to the 1970's (even if you weren't born yet). This duo became famous for their intricate harmonies and for being brother and sister (you know who we're talking about now don't you?). They had nearly 30 hits on the singles chart. Their 'break up' song made the Top 10 in 1972. And with this last question, I'll say 'Goodbye' til next time.
ANSWERS
1. Jack Scott (real name Jack Scafone, Jr) took his hit "Goodbye Baby" to # 8 in the Spring of 1959. Some of Jack's other hits include "Burning Bridges", "What In The World's Come Over You", "The Way I Walk" and "Leroy". Fleetwood Mac also recorded a song called "Goodbye Baby", but it was totally different than Jack Scott's version.
2. Phil Collins wrote "Misunderstanding" while he was recording his debut solo album "Face Value". The lyrics, about missed communication, were inspired by the divorce that Phil was going through at the time.
3. It was "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" which made it to # 1 in 1962. A slower version went to # 8 in 1976 while Neil was signed to Elton John's Rocket Records label.
4. "She's Gone", written and recorded by Daryl Hall & John Oates, first hit Billboards' singles chart in 1974. It came from the duos RCA Records album, "Abandoned Lunchonette". That time it only made it as far as # 60. Two years later, the single was re-released and jumped all the way to # 7. Hall & Oates met while both were students at Temple University in Philadelphia.
5. "Goodbye To Love" was the 11th hit in a row for Karen and Richard Carpenter. It was written by Richard and John Bettis and two lines from the lyric, "What lies in the future is a mystery to us all. No one can predict the wheel of fortune as it falls", took on a whole new meaning after Karen Carpenters' untimely death from a heart attack brought on by her anorexia nervosa in February of 1983 at the age of 32.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
CHARLIES, CHARLIES, CHARLIES...EVERYWHERE
Well you can't watch or read the news without hearing about Charlie Sheen's antics on his current tour. He got booed in Detroit and New York, but did much better in Chicago, Cleveland and Connecticut. His tour is still out there (and I mean that in more ways than one), so that got me to thinking about the name Charlie. Over the decades, there've been several songs by Charlies and about Charlies...there was even a rock group from England called Charlie that had several minor hits in the late 1970's/early '80's...so let's see how good your music trivia knowledge really is. All of these questions come from the 1950's, 60's and '70's.
And away we go.....
QUESTIONS
1. This band was fronted by a Charlie who plays a mean fiddle. For a time, he was a Nashville session musician and played on Bob Dylan's 1969 album "Nashville Skyline". His biggest hit came in 1979 about the devil and a southern U.S. state. So who is this famous Charlie?
2. From 1984 until 1990, there was a TV series called "Charles In Charge" starring Scott Baio, but he was never called Charlie. In 1976, a new hit TV series debuted featuring 3 female investigators, but you never saw the title character throughout the entire run of the show which ended in 1981. Since then, there have been several movie remakes of this series and in 1977, Henry Mancini had a Top 50 hit (but just barely) with the instrumental theme song to the TV series. Name this TV Charlie if you can.
3. "Pilot of the airwaves...here is my request" are the opening lyrics from a hit song from 1980. It was sung by a British female performer and was very popular at the time. Can you name this Charlie?
4. This songwriting/producing duo wrote and produced many, many hits from the 1950's through to the '80's. They're in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, as well they should be. The artists they've worked with include Elvis Presley, The Drifters, Stealers Wheel, Peggy Lee, Ben E. King and The Coasters. Some of their biggest hits are "Hound Dog", "There Goes My Baby", "Jailhouse Rock", "Is That All There Is?", "Love Potion #9", "Yakety Yak", "Kansas City" and "Stand By Me". In 1958, they had a number one hit with The Coasters' "Yakety Yak". The following year, they made it to number two with a song that had "Charlie" in the title. Do you know the name of this 1959 classic?
5. So far, these questions have been pretty easy. This one may not be. During the years 1960 to 1972, there was a successful TV series about a widower named Steve Douglas who was raising his family. The star of this TV series had been a major movie actor who'd acted in such features as "Double Indemnity" (1944), "The Caine Mutiny" (1954), The Apartment" (1960) and "The Absent Minded Professor" (1961). On the TV series, he smoked a pipe and was constantly having to deal with the everyday problems of his sons, Chip, Ernie and Robbie. In this series, there was an older relative who lived with the family to help out. What was this character's name? (Remember the theme of this trivia quiz)
ANSWERS
1. Charlie Daniels is the Charlie we were looking for. The Charlie Daniels Band biggest hit (# 3 on the singles chart) was "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". The Charlie Daniels Band was featured in John Travolta's 1980 movie, "Urban Cowboy". For Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" album, Charlie played guitar and bass.
2. The Tv series and the subsequent movies were called Charlie's Angels. The TV series starred Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jacklyn Smith. In 2000, the first "Charlie's Angel" movie was released starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Bill Murray. "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" came out in 2003 with Barrymore, Liu and Diaz reprising their roles. This time, Bill Murray was gone and Bernie Mac was in. Later this fall (maybe), there's a new "Charlie's Angels" series set to hit TV starring Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and Annie Ilonzeh with Ramon Rodriguez as Bosley. The new voice of Charlie is rumored to be Robert Wagner since the original voice of the 70's TV series, John Forsythe, died a year ago this month. By the way, the 1977 Henry Mancini theme song only made it to #45 on the singles chart.
3. Charlie Dore is the female singer in question. She was born in London, England and she was also an actress and songwriter. Her debut album was released on Island Records, who thought she'd be Britain's answer to Emmylou Harris. As an actress, Charlie has appeared in number British television programs as well as films such as "The Ploughman's Lunch". From 1990 til'96, she had a comedy/improv group in London. With a partner, she's written the scores to several BBC television productions. In 2009, Charlie Dore released an album of American hillbilly music, western swing and popular standards from the 1930's called "The Hula Valley Songbook".
4. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are the hit making duo. Leiber & Stoller were born one month apart in 1933. The song we were looking for was the Coasters 1959 smash "Charlie Brown", "Fe Fe Fi Fi Fo Fo Fum, I smell smoke in the auditorium. Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown. He's a clown, that Charlie Brown. He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see. Why is everybody always pickin' on me?"
5. You really have to know your TV trivia from the 1960's to know that Uncle Charlie was a character on the TV series, "My Three Sons" starring Fred MacMurray. Uncle Charlie O'Casey was played by William Demarest from 1965 until '72. Demarest had replaced William Frawley, who'd played 'Bub' from 1960 until '65 when he retired due to poor health. Frawley, who died in 1966, had played Lucille Ball's apartment building neighbour Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy" from 1951 until that series ended in 1960. William Demarest, a former professional boxer, who played Uncle Charlie, began his career in vaudeville. He acted in 140 films and was nominated
And away we go.....
QUESTIONS
1. This band was fronted by a Charlie who plays a mean fiddle. For a time, he was a Nashville session musician and played on Bob Dylan's 1969 album "Nashville Skyline". His biggest hit came in 1979 about the devil and a southern U.S. state. So who is this famous Charlie?
2. From 1984 until 1990, there was a TV series called "Charles In Charge" starring Scott Baio, but he was never called Charlie. In 1976, a new hit TV series debuted featuring 3 female investigators, but you never saw the title character throughout the entire run of the show which ended in 1981. Since then, there have been several movie remakes of this series and in 1977, Henry Mancini had a Top 50 hit (but just barely) with the instrumental theme song to the TV series. Name this TV Charlie if you can.
3. "Pilot of the airwaves...here is my request" are the opening lyrics from a hit song from 1980. It was sung by a British female performer and was very popular at the time. Can you name this Charlie?
4. This songwriting/producing duo wrote and produced many, many hits from the 1950's through to the '80's. They're in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, as well they should be. The artists they've worked with include Elvis Presley, The Drifters, Stealers Wheel, Peggy Lee, Ben E. King and The Coasters. Some of their biggest hits are "Hound Dog", "There Goes My Baby", "Jailhouse Rock", "Is That All There Is?", "Love Potion #9", "Yakety Yak", "Kansas City" and "Stand By Me". In 1958, they had a number one hit with The Coasters' "Yakety Yak". The following year, they made it to number two with a song that had "Charlie" in the title. Do you know the name of this 1959 classic?
5. So far, these questions have been pretty easy. This one may not be. During the years 1960 to 1972, there was a successful TV series about a widower named Steve Douglas who was raising his family. The star of this TV series had been a major movie actor who'd acted in such features as "Double Indemnity" (1944), "The Caine Mutiny" (1954), The Apartment" (1960) and "The Absent Minded Professor" (1961). On the TV series, he smoked a pipe and was constantly having to deal with the everyday problems of his sons, Chip, Ernie and Robbie. In this series, there was an older relative who lived with the family to help out. What was this character's name? (Remember the theme of this trivia quiz)
ANSWERS
1. Charlie Daniels is the Charlie we were looking for. The Charlie Daniels Band biggest hit (# 3 on the singles chart) was "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". The Charlie Daniels Band was featured in John Travolta's 1980 movie, "Urban Cowboy". For Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" album, Charlie played guitar and bass.
2. The Tv series and the subsequent movies were called Charlie's Angels. The TV series starred Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jacklyn Smith. In 2000, the first "Charlie's Angel" movie was released starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Bill Murray. "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" came out in 2003 with Barrymore, Liu and Diaz reprising their roles. This time, Bill Murray was gone and Bernie Mac was in. Later this fall (maybe), there's a new "Charlie's Angels" series set to hit TV starring Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and Annie Ilonzeh with Ramon Rodriguez as Bosley. The new voice of Charlie is rumored to be Robert Wagner since the original voice of the 70's TV series, John Forsythe, died a year ago this month. By the way, the 1977 Henry Mancini theme song only made it to #45 on the singles chart.
3. Charlie Dore is the female singer in question. She was born in London, England and she was also an actress and songwriter. Her debut album was released on Island Records, who thought she'd be Britain's answer to Emmylou Harris. As an actress, Charlie has appeared in number British television programs as well as films such as "The Ploughman's Lunch". From 1990 til'96, she had a comedy/improv group in London. With a partner, she's written the scores to several BBC television productions. In 2009, Charlie Dore released an album of American hillbilly music, western swing and popular standards from the 1930's called "The Hula Valley Songbook".
4. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are the hit making duo. Leiber & Stoller were born one month apart in 1933. The song we were looking for was the Coasters 1959 smash "Charlie Brown", "Fe Fe Fi Fi Fo Fo Fum, I smell smoke in the auditorium. Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown. He's a clown, that Charlie Brown. He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see. Why is everybody always pickin' on me?"
5. You really have to know your TV trivia from the 1960's to know that Uncle Charlie was a character on the TV series, "My Three Sons" starring Fred MacMurray. Uncle Charlie O'Casey was played by William Demarest from 1965 until '72. Demarest had replaced William Frawley, who'd played 'Bub' from 1960 until '65 when he retired due to poor health. Frawley, who died in 1966, had played Lucille Ball's apartment building neighbour Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy" from 1951 until that series ended in 1960. William Demarest, a former professional boxer, who played Uncle Charlie, began his career in vaudeville. He acted in 140 films and was nominated
Saturday, April 23, 2011
ROCK ROYALTY
Royal watchers are calling it 'the Wedding of the Century' as Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot April 29th.Congratulations to the newlyweds. But that got us here at Rock Talk to thinking about the royalty in rock, so the following 5 questions are all about rock's elite...those that have nicknames of King or Queen or some sort of royal title in their name or in one of their song titles.That's a fairly simple explanation and all 5 of the following questions are fairly simple to answer - IF you know your rock'n'roll. So let's see now, shall we?
QUESTIONS.
1. This performer currently lives in Detroit and for decades has been known simply as 'The Queen of Soul'. She gets all of the 'respect' she deserves from the recording industry with award after award. She was the first female performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1985. Who can she be now?
2. Our next question is about the man who formerly drove a truck for a living. He stopped into a Memphis recording studio one day...and the rest is rock'n'roll history. Somewhere along the way someone nicknamed him 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll'. It was not a title he'd ever give himself as he was from humble southern roots. Y'all know who we're talkin' about here?
3. This artist was a country/pop crossover who in the early 1960's, seemingly came from nowhere with hit after hit on the charts. His first Top Ten song was called "When Two Worlds COllide" on RCA Victor Records, but his most famous hit came in 1965 and was about a hobo who travelled the country, riding the rails, doing what he wanted. Some of the lyrics from this Top 4 hit were 'No phone, no pool, no pets....ain't got no cigarettes." What's the 'royal name of this hit and who was the writer/performer?
4. He survived and prospered after a 'Purple Rain'. He even survived having no name for a while. This incredibly talented superstar surrounded himself on stage with beautiful women and for a time, used a uniquely shaped guitar. No more clues, but can you name this one-name star?
5. Twenty five years before there was Lady Ga-Ga...there was "Radio Gaga". This British group had hit after hit on the charts and first became famous in the mid 1970's. Their lead singer was a flamboyant performer who was fearless on stage. While their musical styles changed over the years, the hits never stopped. The movie "Wayne's World" brought them to a new generation of fans. So who is this 'royal' British group?
ANSWERS
1. 'The Queen of Soul' is Aretha Franklin, but you knew that right away, didn't you?
2. He died in August of 1977, but his legend lives on decades past his death. Long live 'The King of Rock'n'Roll'...Elvis Presley. In May of 1994, his daughter Lisa Marie, married the self nicknamed 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson. Their marriage lasted less than two years. By the way, that truck that Elvis drove was for his job at the Crown Electric Company in Memphis.
3. That would be the "King of The Road' himself, Mr. Roger Miller. Miller's other Top Ten hits included "Dang Me", "Engine Engine # 9", "Chug-A-Lug" and "England Swings". In 1965, he won 6 Grammy Awards. He also wrote the music for the 1985 Broadway hit, "Big River". Roger Miller died of cancer in October 1992 at the age of 56.
4. Prince Rogers Nelson, yep that's his real name, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1958. His hits included "Purple Rain", "Little Red COrvette", and his 5 number one's, "When Doves Cry", "Let's Go Crazy", "Kiss", "Batdance" and "Cream". He insisted on using an unpronounceable symbol instead of a name from 1993 until 2000. The media dubbed him, 'the artist formerly known as Prince'. He resumed using the Prince name in 2000.
5. Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May and Freddie Mercury were Queen, whose hits included "Bohemian Rhapsody", We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (a # 1 hit), "Another One Bites The DUst" (another # 1) and the aforementioned "Radio Ga-Ga" in 1984. Lead singer Freddie Mercury died on November 24, 1991.
QUESTIONS.
1. This performer currently lives in Detroit and for decades has been known simply as 'The Queen of Soul'. She gets all of the 'respect' she deserves from the recording industry with award after award. She was the first female performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1985. Who can she be now?
2. Our next question is about the man who formerly drove a truck for a living. He stopped into a Memphis recording studio one day...and the rest is rock'n'roll history. Somewhere along the way someone nicknamed him 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll'. It was not a title he'd ever give himself as he was from humble southern roots. Y'all know who we're talkin' about here?
3. This artist was a country/pop crossover who in the early 1960's, seemingly came from nowhere with hit after hit on the charts. His first Top Ten song was called "When Two Worlds COllide" on RCA Victor Records, but his most famous hit came in 1965 and was about a hobo who travelled the country, riding the rails, doing what he wanted. Some of the lyrics from this Top 4 hit were 'No phone, no pool, no pets....ain't got no cigarettes." What's the 'royal name of this hit and who was the writer/performer?
4. He survived and prospered after a 'Purple Rain'. He even survived having no name for a while. This incredibly talented superstar surrounded himself on stage with beautiful women and for a time, used a uniquely shaped guitar. No more clues, but can you name this one-name star?
5. Twenty five years before there was Lady Ga-Ga...there was "Radio Gaga". This British group had hit after hit on the charts and first became famous in the mid 1970's. Their lead singer was a flamboyant performer who was fearless on stage. While their musical styles changed over the years, the hits never stopped. The movie "Wayne's World" brought them to a new generation of fans. So who is this 'royal' British group?
ANSWERS
1. 'The Queen of Soul' is Aretha Franklin, but you knew that right away, didn't you?
2. He died in August of 1977, but his legend lives on decades past his death. Long live 'The King of Rock'n'Roll'...Elvis Presley. In May of 1994, his daughter Lisa Marie, married the self nicknamed 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson. Their marriage lasted less than two years. By the way, that truck that Elvis drove was for his job at the Crown Electric Company in Memphis.
3. That would be the "King of The Road' himself, Mr. Roger Miller. Miller's other Top Ten hits included "Dang Me", "Engine Engine # 9", "Chug-A-Lug" and "England Swings". In 1965, he won 6 Grammy Awards. He also wrote the music for the 1985 Broadway hit, "Big River". Roger Miller died of cancer in October 1992 at the age of 56.
4. Prince Rogers Nelson, yep that's his real name, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1958. His hits included "Purple Rain", "Little Red COrvette", and his 5 number one's, "When Doves Cry", "Let's Go Crazy", "Kiss", "Batdance" and "Cream". He insisted on using an unpronounceable symbol instead of a name from 1993 until 2000. The media dubbed him, 'the artist formerly known as Prince'. He resumed using the Prince name in 2000.
5. Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May and Freddie Mercury were Queen, whose hits included "Bohemian Rhapsody", We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (a # 1 hit), "Another One Bites The DUst" (another # 1) and the aforementioned "Radio Ga-Ga" in 1984. Lead singer Freddie Mercury died on November 24, 1991.
Monday, April 11, 2011
ROCKIN' THE COUNTRY
The 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards were presented on April 3rd with Taylor Swift being named 'Entertainer of the Year'. Swift is the youngest performer ever to win this prestigious award. Brad Paisley won 'Male Vocalist of the Year' with Miranda Lambert as 'Female Vocalist of the Year' and although country and rock stay pretty much on their own side of the street these days, back in the 1950's, '60's, '70' and even into the 1980's, country artists and their hits were standing side by side on the singles chart with their rock pals. So this week, we're taking a look at some of those country artists who crossed over into the op charts. These were household names at the time, so it shouldn't be too hard now, should it? Here we go now ya'll.
QUESTIONS:
1. J.R. Ewing (played by actor Larry Hagman) was an nasty dude on the TV series "Dallas". A disc jockey named Gary Burbank had a minor hit in 1980 with "Who Shot J.R.?", a song based on the plot of one of the TV show's season ending cliff hangers. There was one country singer, who's initials were J.R. that had quite a few hits on both the country and the pop charts. His first pop 'crossover' hit, "Four Walls" made it to # 11 on the pop chart in 1957. His last Top 50 hit came in 1966. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the COuntry Music Hall of Fame in 1967. Do you name his name?
2. Another country/pop cossover singer/songwriter whose initials were also J.R. had two of his songs become hits for Elvis Presley. He went on to make the country & pop charts on his own several times. In fact, two of his pop hits made the Top ten chart in 1970 and '71. He later had his own TV series called "Concrete Cowboys" and he co-starred in severalmovies, including "Smokey Anmd The bandit 1 & 2". So who was this 'Hot' country/pop performer?
3. This singer was born in Delight, Arkansas and was a member of a group of elite and very busy Los Angeles session musicians known as 'The Wrecking Crew', who played on hundreds of hit records during the 1960's. This particular guitar player also became a touring member of The Beach Boy for a short while. His singing, and later his TV and movie careers took him to the upper heights of show business fame and fortune. From 1968 until 1972, he had his own TV show called "The ________ __________ Goodtime Hour". He co-starred in several movies, including one with John Wayne. Just wHo is this country/pop superstar?
4. Throughout Hollywood history, there have been many singing cowboys - Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Jimmy Wakely, Rex Allen and 'The King of The Cowboys' himself, Roy Rogers. Roy and Gene both had long lasting careers in the movies, on record and on TV. Roy Rogers TV theme song, "Happy Trails", written by Roy's wife and TV show co-star Dale Evans, was used at the end of their weekly TV show. A cover version of "Happy Trails" was recorded by a 1980's heavy metal band. What's the name of this band? Extra props if you can name the album it was on.
5. This country/pop crossover singer was born in Texas and in the early 1960's, was a member of The Kirby Stone Four and The New Christy Minstrels. He then formed a pop group called The First Edition and they had two Top 10 hits in the late 1960's. This performer then went solo and his career skyrocketed with hit after hit on both the country and pop charts. His first number one pop hit happened in 1980 with a song written by Lionel Richie of The Commodores. His second number one, in 1983, was a duet with a female country/pop superstar. The singer we're we're looking for also became an actor in movies and TV. He branched out into the restauarant business for awhile, but that didn't last very long. Who is he?
ANSWERS
1. Jim Reeves was the man in question. Reeves' biggest pop hit was 1960's "He'll Have To Go". Reeves died in a plane crash on July 31,1973 at the age of 40. He charted 80 country hits during his life and even after it from 1953 until 1984. His last 7 songs that hit the pop charts came after his tragic death.
2. Remember "Amos Moses"? How about 1971's "When You're Hot, You're Hot"? Jerry Reed wrote 'em and 'sang 'em. The two songs he wrote that Elvis recorded were "U.S. Male" and "Guitar Man".
3. Glen Campbell was the name we're looking for. Glen charted almost 40 songs on the Pop singles chart, but his only two number one hits were "Rhinestone Cowboy" in 1975 and "Southern Nights" in 1977. That movie he co-starred in with John Wayne was "True Grit". He also was in "Norwood" and "Strange Homecoming". He charted some 75 country hits.
4. Roy Rogers famous theme song, "Happy Trails" can be heard on Van Halen's 1982 album, "Diver Down". David Lee Roth did a fine job singing it too. Roy and Dale would have been proud.
5. Did you ever eat at a Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant? It was actually pretty good food. One episode of the TV series "Seinfeld" centered around a Kenny Rogers restaurant. Kenny charted over 40 songs on the Pop singles chart and many more on the country charts. His only number one pop hits were "Lady" in 1980, written by Lionel Richie and "Islands In The Stream", a duet with Dolly Parton in 1983.
QUESTIONS:
1. J.R. Ewing (played by actor Larry Hagman) was an nasty dude on the TV series "Dallas". A disc jockey named Gary Burbank had a minor hit in 1980 with "Who Shot J.R.?", a song based on the plot of one of the TV show's season ending cliff hangers. There was one country singer, who's initials were J.R. that had quite a few hits on both the country and the pop charts. His first pop 'crossover' hit, "Four Walls" made it to # 11 on the pop chart in 1957. His last Top 50 hit came in 1966. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the COuntry Music Hall of Fame in 1967. Do you name his name?
2. Another country/pop cossover singer/songwriter whose initials were also J.R. had two of his songs become hits for Elvis Presley. He went on to make the country & pop charts on his own several times. In fact, two of his pop hits made the Top ten chart in 1970 and '71. He later had his own TV series called "Concrete Cowboys" and he co-starred in severalmovies, including "Smokey Anmd The bandit 1 & 2". So who was this 'Hot' country/pop performer?
3. This singer was born in Delight, Arkansas and was a member of a group of elite and very busy Los Angeles session musicians known as 'The Wrecking Crew', who played on hundreds of hit records during the 1960's. This particular guitar player also became a touring member of The Beach Boy for a short while. His singing, and later his TV and movie careers took him to the upper heights of show business fame and fortune. From 1968 until 1972, he had his own TV show called "The ________ __________ Goodtime Hour". He co-starred in several movies, including one with John Wayne. Just wHo is this country/pop superstar?
4. Throughout Hollywood history, there have been many singing cowboys - Tex Ritter, Gene Autry, Jimmy Wakely, Rex Allen and 'The King of The Cowboys' himself, Roy Rogers. Roy and Gene both had long lasting careers in the movies, on record and on TV. Roy Rogers TV theme song, "Happy Trails", written by Roy's wife and TV show co-star Dale Evans, was used at the end of their weekly TV show. A cover version of "Happy Trails" was recorded by a 1980's heavy metal band. What's the name of this band? Extra props if you can name the album it was on.
5. This country/pop crossover singer was born in Texas and in the early 1960's, was a member of The Kirby Stone Four and The New Christy Minstrels. He then formed a pop group called The First Edition and they had two Top 10 hits in the late 1960's. This performer then went solo and his career skyrocketed with hit after hit on both the country and pop charts. His first number one pop hit happened in 1980 with a song written by Lionel Richie of The Commodores. His second number one, in 1983, was a duet with a female country/pop superstar. The singer we're we're looking for also became an actor in movies and TV. He branched out into the restauarant business for awhile, but that didn't last very long. Who is he?
ANSWERS
1. Jim Reeves was the man in question. Reeves' biggest pop hit was 1960's "He'll Have To Go". Reeves died in a plane crash on July 31,1973 at the age of 40. He charted 80 country hits during his life and even after it from 1953 until 1984. His last 7 songs that hit the pop charts came after his tragic death.
2. Remember "Amos Moses"? How about 1971's "When You're Hot, You're Hot"? Jerry Reed wrote 'em and 'sang 'em. The two songs he wrote that Elvis recorded were "U.S. Male" and "Guitar Man".
3. Glen Campbell was the name we're looking for. Glen charted almost 40 songs on the Pop singles chart, but his only two number one hits were "Rhinestone Cowboy" in 1975 and "Southern Nights" in 1977. That movie he co-starred in with John Wayne was "True Grit". He also was in "Norwood" and "Strange Homecoming". He charted some 75 country hits.
4. Roy Rogers famous theme song, "Happy Trails" can be heard on Van Halen's 1982 album, "Diver Down". David Lee Roth did a fine job singing it too. Roy and Dale would have been proud.
5. Did you ever eat at a Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant? It was actually pretty good food. One episode of the TV series "Seinfeld" centered around a Kenny Rogers restaurant. Kenny charted over 40 songs on the Pop singles chart and many more on the country charts. His only number one pop hits were "Lady" in 1980, written by Lionel Richie and "Islands In The Stream", a duet with Dolly Parton in 1983.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
CANADIAN MUSIC QUIZ
All of the JUNO Awards for this year have now been handed out (for those reading this from outside Canada, the JUNOS are the Canadian Grammy Awards). By the way, you don't need to have an intimate knowledge of Canadian music to get any of these questions correct as they deal with international superstars who happen to be Canadian. So here we go. QUESTIONS:
1. This international superstar was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1982. He's lived in California for decades but was born in Toronto and grew up in Winnipeg. He was once in a Toronto band called The Mynah Birds with Rick 'Superfreak' James. He later drove a hearse to LA and connected with someone who would be a part of this artists next two groups. Who is he?
2. This singer has 13 older brothers and sisters who also sang, but the 'baby' of the family is the one who became the international legend. She's won an astounding 21 JUNO Awards and several Grammies as well. She always has her 'heart' in the right place, even when the ship is sinking. OK I can't be much clearer than that. She has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto and one on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Who is this singing superstar?
3. She was once known in Canada as a 'disco' artist. She co-starred on a children's television show that also aired in the U.S. This angst ridden singer/songwriter turned her life around by moving to Los Angeles and writing songs from her heart and her emotions. Her first album in this vein sold over 30 million albums. She's won some 15 JUNO Awards as well as 7 Grammy Awards. Who is she?
4. The nation's capitol is where this superstar hails from, although he hasn't lived there in over 40 years. He made it in the music business 'his way' and millions of people around the world know his music. His first hit was a song he wrote about his babysitter. Since then, he wrote songs that were huge hits for Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley among others. Within the last few weeks, he's gone into the recording studio with TMZ's Harvey Levin to record a version of one of his most famous songs. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1980. Do you know shis name?
5. She was Elvis Presley's favourite female singer, but all she wanted was to be a high school gym teacher, which she was for a time. She's famous for performing on stage in her bare feet and although she recently retired, she still has her 24 JUNO Awards and 4 Grammy's to keep her company. She's one of Canada's best known performers and even though she doesn't fly to Florida for the winter seasons, she's always be associated with a 'snowbird'. If you don't get this one, you're going to have to turn in your Canadian passport. So, who is this songbird?
ANSWERS:
1. He's Neil Young, who on Sunday March 27, won two JUNO awards (Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year) as well as the Allan Waters Humanatarian Award. When he drove that hearse to LA, he ran into Stephen Stills and formed Buffalo Springfield. Later, when Stills, David Crosby and Graham Nash formed Crosby, Stills & Nash, it was many times amended to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
2. That would be Celine Dion who sang the song "My Heart Will Go On" at the end of director James Cameron's movie, "Titanic". Celine has sold over 200 million albums around the world since she began her career. As of this past March, Celine's back in Las Vegas for another 3 year run at Caesar's Palace.
3. Alanis Morissette is the artist we're looking for. Her "Jagged Little Pill" album in 1995 became the best selling album by a female artist in the U.S. She was engaged to fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds, but they mutually broke up in 2007. In May of 2010, she married rapper Mario 'MC Souleye' Treadway and last December gave birth to the couples' first child, a daughter. That children's TV show she co-starred in was called "You Can't Do That On Television".
4. It's Paul Anka, who wrote "Diana" for his babysitter. Tom Jones had a hit with the Anka written "She's A Lady" and both Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley hit the singles chart with Paul's "My Way".
5. Anne Murray is the name that should have immediately sprung to mind. By the way, Anne holds the record for winning the most JUNO awards with 24.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
RECORDING STARS FROM THE TV SCREEN
This week, we look at the TV screen (but not too closely, you'll ruin your eyes). Starting back in the 1950's and on through the 80's, when the record industry saw an opportunity to cash in on a hit TV show's success, you know they did it. The list of TV actors who recorded singing?? albums is a very long one...it includes: Three Star Trek (the original series) cast members - Nicelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner recorded albums (who could ever forget Bill's version of The Beatles' song "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"). Both stars of "Miami Vice", Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas, had LPs released. Alyssa Milano ("Who's The Boss"/"Charmed"); Tony Randall & Jack Klugman ("The Odd Couple"); Jim Nabours ("The Andy Griffith Show"/"Mayberry R.F.D."/"Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C."); Scott Baio ("Happy Days'/"Joanie Loves Chachi") all ventured into the recording studio to warble a tune or two. John Travolta of "Welcome Back Kotter" fame, had a successful recording career even before he teamed up with Olivia Newton-John in the movie "Grease". "Bonanza" star Lorne Greene (a former newscaster at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during World War II) even made it to number one with his 1964 hit, "Ringo". Telly Savalas, star of movies such as "The Dirty Dozen" and the hit TV series "Kojack", had a number one hit in England with "If". So, how many questions about TV stars who became recording artists can you name? Good luck.
QUESTIONS:
1. This televison performer had a successful weekly TV show that was mostly sketch comedy and some variety. It ran for 11 years from 1967 until 1978. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has recently turned in great dramatic performances on such TV series as "Law And Order: Special Victims Unit". At the end of every one of her own shows, she'd tug her earlobe. Can you guess this star's name?
2. This TV star played a cop on a hit series from the 1970's and did actually have a siccessful singing career for a while. Although he wasn't really a 'soul' singer, he did manage to score 3 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, including a number one hit in 1977. Don't give up on this one, I know you know who this actor is, don't you? If not, how many hints do you need?
3. Someone at Atlantic Records decided that these two stars from a hit TV show should record a singing album. Their show was extremely successful, but the album certainly wasn't. They began as characters on "Happy Days", then spun off to star in their own weekly show about two female roomates who worked at a beer bottling plant, hung around a pizza/bowling alley and had two weird male neighbours with strange sounding names. One of the actresses went on to have a successful career as a film director and is the sister of another famous director. Who are they?
4. This TV star was an in demand character actor in movies before jumping to the small screen to portray a lovable bigot. He later starred as a southern Police Chief in another long running TV series based on a movie starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier. The living room chair he famously sat in for 12 TV seasons is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Who is this Emmy Award winning actor?
5. This actor co-starred for 3 years on the long running western TV series "Gunsmoke". He went on to have a hugely successful movie career and was known for dating some of Hollywood's hottest actresses. He later infamously posed nude for Cosmopolitan Magazine. His hit TV series, "Evening Shade" aired during the first half of the 1990's. Who is he?
ANSWERS:
1. Carol Burnett is the star we were looking for. Carol was born in 1933 in San Antonio, Texas. Her hit CBS weekly series, "The Carol Burnett Show" featured Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Harvey Corman. In 1959, she successfully starred in the Broadway play, "Once Upon A Mattress". Also in '59 she became a regular on "The Gary Moore Show". She won an Emmy for that series and 23 Emmy Awards for "The Carol Burnette Show". Carol's solo album featured such songs as "It's Too Late" (originally sung by Bobby Goldsboro);"Rainy Days And Mondays" (The Carpenters); "Rose Garden" (Lynn Anderson); "Those Were The Days" (Mary Hopkin) and "Who's Sorry Now" (Connie Francis)
2. David Soul is the star in question. Soul starred as Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the hit TV series "Starsky & Hutch" that aired on ABC from 1975 until 1979. His 1977 hit, "Don't Give Up On Us" was his only number one. In the mid 1990's, Soul moved to London, England where he acted in a number of plays, including the part of Jerry Springer in "Jerry Springer: The Opera" (seriously). He's also had a successful career acting on British television. David became a British citizen in 2004 although he retained his U.S. citizenship.
3. That hit TV show was "Laverne & Shirley" starring Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. Marshall later directed such hit movies as "Big", "Awakenings", "A League Of Their Own" and "The Preacher's Wife". Her brother Garry Marshall was the director of movies such as "Beaches", "Pretty Woman" and "The Princess Diaries". Cindy williams continues to act. She co-starred in 1973's "American Grafitti" and she has appeared in recent TV series such as "Girlfriends", "Drive" and Law And Order". The "Laverne & Shirley Sing" album included such '50's and '60's hits as "All I Have To Do Is Dream","Da Doo Ron Ron", "Easier Said Than Done" and "Chapel Of Love". You might find some of these songs on itunes, but why bother? Stick with the originals, they're so much better
4. The man who made the words 'dingbat' and 'meathead' famous, Carroll O'Connor, starred as Archie Bunker in "All In The Family". Carroll's album was titled "Remembering You" and features the title song, which Carroll co-wrote, along with 40's big band hits such as "So Rare" and "Sweet And Lovely".
5. Burton Leon Reynolds, aka Burt Reynolds, starred in such movies as "Deliverance", "Smokey And The Bandit", "The Longest Yard", "White Lightning", "Gator" and "Boogie Nights" among many others. He dated Sally Field, Adrienne Barbeau ("Maude") and Loni Anderson from "WKRP In Cincinatti". His "Gunsmoke" career ran from 1962 until 1965. The movie "Boogie Nights" won Burt a Golden Globe statue as well as an Academy Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" but lost to Robin Williams for "Good Will Hunting". Burt's album, titled "Ask Me What I Am", is probably not worth looking for on eBay.
QUESTIONS:
1. This televison performer had a successful weekly TV show that was mostly sketch comedy and some variety. It ran for 11 years from 1967 until 1978. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has recently turned in great dramatic performances on such TV series as "Law And Order: Special Victims Unit". At the end of every one of her own shows, she'd tug her earlobe. Can you guess this star's name?
2. This TV star played a cop on a hit series from the 1970's and did actually have a siccessful singing career for a while. Although he wasn't really a 'soul' singer, he did manage to score 3 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, including a number one hit in 1977. Don't give up on this one, I know you know who this actor is, don't you? If not, how many hints do you need?
3. Someone at Atlantic Records decided that these two stars from a hit TV show should record a singing album. Their show was extremely successful, but the album certainly wasn't. They began as characters on "Happy Days", then spun off to star in their own weekly show about two female roomates who worked at a beer bottling plant, hung around a pizza/bowling alley and had two weird male neighbours with strange sounding names. One of the actresses went on to have a successful career as a film director and is the sister of another famous director. Who are they?
4. This TV star was an in demand character actor in movies before jumping to the small screen to portray a lovable bigot. He later starred as a southern Police Chief in another long running TV series based on a movie starring Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier. The living room chair he famously sat in for 12 TV seasons is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Who is this Emmy Award winning actor?
5. This actor co-starred for 3 years on the long running western TV series "Gunsmoke". He went on to have a hugely successful movie career and was known for dating some of Hollywood's hottest actresses. He later infamously posed nude for Cosmopolitan Magazine. His hit TV series, "Evening Shade" aired during the first half of the 1990's. Who is he?
ANSWERS:
1. Carol Burnett is the star we were looking for. Carol was born in 1933 in San Antonio, Texas. Her hit CBS weekly series, "The Carol Burnett Show" featured Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Harvey Corman. In 1959, she successfully starred in the Broadway play, "Once Upon A Mattress". Also in '59 she became a regular on "The Gary Moore Show". She won an Emmy for that series and 23 Emmy Awards for "The Carol Burnette Show". Carol's solo album featured such songs as "It's Too Late" (originally sung by Bobby Goldsboro);"Rainy Days And Mondays" (The Carpenters); "Rose Garden" (Lynn Anderson); "Those Were The Days" (Mary Hopkin) and "Who's Sorry Now" (Connie Francis)
2. David Soul is the star in question. Soul starred as Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the hit TV series "Starsky & Hutch" that aired on ABC from 1975 until 1979. His 1977 hit, "Don't Give Up On Us" was his only number one. In the mid 1990's, Soul moved to London, England where he acted in a number of plays, including the part of Jerry Springer in "Jerry Springer: The Opera" (seriously). He's also had a successful career acting on British television. David became a British citizen in 2004 although he retained his U.S. citizenship.
3. That hit TV show was "Laverne & Shirley" starring Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. Marshall later directed such hit movies as "Big", "Awakenings", "A League Of Their Own" and "The Preacher's Wife". Her brother Garry Marshall was the director of movies such as "Beaches", "Pretty Woman" and "The Princess Diaries". Cindy williams continues to act. She co-starred in 1973's "American Grafitti" and she has appeared in recent TV series such as "Girlfriends", "Drive" and Law And Order". The "Laverne & Shirley Sing" album included such '50's and '60's hits as "All I Have To Do Is Dream","Da Doo Ron Ron", "Easier Said Than Done" and "Chapel Of Love". You might find some of these songs on itunes, but why bother? Stick with the originals, they're so much better
4. The man who made the words 'dingbat' and 'meathead' famous, Carroll O'Connor, starred as Archie Bunker in "All In The Family". Carroll's album was titled "Remembering You" and features the title song, which Carroll co-wrote, along with 40's big band hits such as "So Rare" and "Sweet And Lovely".
5. Burton Leon Reynolds, aka Burt Reynolds, starred in such movies as "Deliverance", "Smokey And The Bandit", "The Longest Yard", "White Lightning", "Gator" and "Boogie Nights" among many others. He dated Sally Field, Adrienne Barbeau ("Maude") and Loni Anderson from "WKRP In Cincinatti". His "Gunsmoke" career ran from 1962 until 1965. The movie "Boogie Nights" won Burt a Golden Globe statue as well as an Academy Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" but lost to Robin Williams for "Good Will Hunting". Burt's album, titled "Ask Me What I Am", is probably not worth looking for on eBay.
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