Instrumental Hits - 1955 to 1964

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. For a total of ten consecutive weeks in the early months of 1956, two musical compositions stood alone at the top of the Billboard charts, both of them instrumentals. Both had the names of European capital cities in their titles. Can you remember them? Rome and London Lisbon and Paris Paris and Rome Helsinki and Tirana

2. In 1961, Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann had a big instrumental hit. The music hinted at a Native American motif and the name of the piece reflected that image. What was it? Apache The Trail Of Tears Geronimo Mr. Custer

3. In 1962, a British clarinetist topped the charts with a haunting instrumental that he wrote and dedicated to his young daughter. His name was Mr. Acker Bilk and his hit was? Stranger On The Shore Stranger In A Strange Land Stranger In The Night Isn't Life Strange

4. In 1958, a band from L.A. rose from obscurity to record a #1 hit that topped the charts for five weeks. The title of The Champs' song referred to what might have been their favorite beverage. What was it? Rum and Coca Cola Watermelon Wine Hot Chocolate Tequila

5. In 1960, a famous session pianist named Floyd Cramer came into his own as a soloist. His first three charting hits between October 1960 and June 1961 were all top ten successes. The first of these hits was a dreamy sort of song in slow tempo. What was its title? I'm In The Mood For Love Nola Rinky Dink Last Date

6. During the mid 1950s, Latin music was the craze and the biggest hit of 1955 was an instrumental that made the point. Performed by Perez Prado and his big band, the song was top 40 for 26 weeks and #1 for 10 weeks. What was its title? Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White The Carioca Patricia Besame Mucho

7. The biggest charting hit in 1960, #1 for nine weeks, was an instrumental performed by Percy Faith and his orchestra. It was featured and became the theme song of a movie that year, both sharing the title name. Name the song - "Theme From ___________________. Love Story A Man With A Golden Arm A Summer Place The Apartment

8. This question has become such a trivia mainstay that perhaps it's become hackneyed and trite... but I'll ask it anyway! What was the first British band to score a #1 hit in North America during the rock era - post 1955? Remember our focus! Lonnie Donegan And His Skiffle Group The Beatles The Tornadoes The Elegants

9. Dixieland Jazz made a comeback on the pop charts in 1962 thanks in some degree to New Orleans stalwarts Al Hirt, Professor Longhair, Pete Fountain and Pee Wee Hunt, among others. However, it was a British traditional jazz band that had the big chart hit that year - Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen. Their #2 chart sucess was "Midnight In __________" and the blank is to be filled in with the name of a city. Just another among the "exotic" locales that were often used as a title subject during that era. Casablanca Calcutta Moscow Istanbul

10. Santo and Johnny had a #1 hit for two weeks in 1959 with a lovely guitar duet. What was it? Day Dream Maria Elena Sleep Walk Tear Drop

11. In 1961, three cover versions of one song all charted in Billboard. Two were instrumentals recorded by Bert Kaempfert and Louis Prima, the other was a vocal take by Anita Bryant. Kaempfert's was a #1 hit. Its title? Wonderland By Night Paper Roses Calcutta Three O'Clock In The Morning

12. David Rose scored a #1 hit in 1962 with a raucous little number that evoked... well, think Gypsy Rose Lee! It's still popular to this day when this type of activity is performed. The title is a noun - "The _______". With those hints, you should get it! Answer: (One Word - eight letters)

13. The Village Stompers, a Dixieland styled band, had a major #2 hit in 1963. New York based, their hit was titled after a significant landmark in that metropolis. Can you identify it? Washington Square Manhattan SoHo Wall Street

14. In 1962, Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper were session musicians with Stax Records in Memphis. They assembled a group of fellow colleagues, named themselves Booker T. and the MG's (Memphis Group) and cut a record that would become a million seller and a #3 hit. Its title? Hang 'Em High Green Onions Time Is Tight Alley Cat

15. Herb Alpert and His Tijuana Brass achieved most of their success with instrumental hits during the mid to late 1960s. However, the composition that introduced the group to the musical world was released in 1962 and became a #6 hit that year. Can you recall the title and if you can, you know your stuff! Acapulco 1922 Torero The Lonely Bull Tijuana Taxi