Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1959 Quiz

Answer: The Platters

This song was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 stage production "Roberta." Jerome Kern's widow initially filed an injunction to keep the song from being released. She relented when she learned that her lawyer had encouraged the Platters to record, and thus revive, the song.

The Platters enjoyed tremendous success until August of 1959 when the four male members were arrested on morals charges. After receiving a reprimand from the judge they continued performing until their lead singer, Tony Williams, left the group in 1960. Various copy versions of the Platters have surfaced prompting lawsuits.

The Ink Spots were a notable 1940s group, the Del-Vikings are credited with being the first inter-racial vocal group and the Five Satins recorded "In the Still of the Night".

Answer: Frankie Avalon

Before donning his swimsuit and teaming up with Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon charted some hit singles. His first single solo effort was "Teacher's Pet" from the film "Disc Jockey Jamboree" but it failed to chart. He followed with a song he sang while holding his nose called "Dede Dinah." It went to number seven and Frankie's career took off. Shortly thereafter, "Venus" was recorded in nine takes and four weeks after entering the charts at number 99 it was number one. Fabian, Bobby Rydell, and Frankie all grew up in the same neighborhood. Fabian recorded "Hound Dog Man." Bobby Rydell's string of hits included "Kissin' Time," and James Darren recorded hits such as "Goodbye Cruel World."

Answer: Kansas City

Written in 1952 by the great songwriting team of Lieber and Stoller, "Kansas City" was first recorded by Little Willie Littlefield as "K C Lovin'." Wilbert Harrison achieved notoriety in the early fifties after winning a singing contest. In 1957 he asked his label if he could cover "Kansas City" but it didn't get recorded right away.

In 1959 Wilbert's version of "Kansas City" had the distinction of being the first number one single to start its climb to the top of the charts at number 100. He didn't have another chart success until ten years later with "Let's Stick Together," which climbed to 32. "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" was a Freddy Cannon cover of a Louis Armstrong tune. "Tallahassee Lassie" and "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" were also Cannon recordings.

Answer: Johnny Horton

This song was the second number one song to immortalize an American city, "Kansas City" being the first. It was also the first hit for Horton. Prior to recording "The Battle of New Orleans" he had been recording country songs for a small label since 1951. Horton went on to record "Sink the Bismarck" and "North to Alaska," which was the theme song for the John Wayne movie of the same name. On November 5, 1960, Horton left the Skyline Club in Austin, Texas, which was the last venue where Hank Williams had performed.

He was struck and killed by another driver on a foggy road. In an ironic coincidence, Horton's ex-wife, Billie Jean, had also been married to Hank Williams. Marty Robbins recorded "El Paso," Larry Verne sang "Please Mr. Custer." Stonewall Jackson charted with "Waterloo."

Answer: A Big Hunk O'Love

"Big Hunk O'Love" was one of five songs recorded during a two-day session on June 10th, 1959. Earlier in 1959 "A Fool Such as I" had reached number two. These were the only two new Presley songs released during Elvis' military service. The song was written by Aaron Schroeder and Sid Jaxon. Elvis served as a Jeep driver at the Army base in Friedburg, Germany.

Answer: Sleep Walk

The final instrumental number one song of the 1950s was "Sleep Walk." Brooklyn born Santo Farina and his younger brother, Johnny, had been performing since they were 12 and 9 years old. They composed the song with their sister, Ann. It was recorded at Trinity Music in February 1959 and later released on the appropriate Canadian-American label.

It took eight weeks to hit number one and has been covered by over 20 artists since it was released. "Teen Beat" was recorded by drummer Sandy Nelson, "Because They're Young" was guitarist Duane Eddy's recording and "Pipeline" was the Chantays' classic surf song instrumental.

Answer: Mack the Knife

After hearing the Louis Armstrong version of the Weill, Brecht, Blitzstein song, Darin included it in his album, "That's All." He didn't think it would appeal to teen audiences, but his label, Atco, issued it anyway. They were right. It was Darin's biggest hit to date and he took home a Grammy for "Best New Artist" and "Best Vocal Performance by a Male." Darin left Atco for Capitol records in 1962 but returned four years later and scored a hit with "If I Were a Carpenter." "Mack the Knife" was the 59th number one of the rock era, entered the charts at number 59 and was the number two record of 1959.

The other songs are also Darin recordings.

Answer: The Fleetwoods

The Fleetwoods charted a number one the week of April 30, 1959, with "Come Softly to Me" and followed up during the week of November 16th with "Mr. Blue." Ironically "Mr. Blue" was written for the Platters by Dewayne Blackwell but he was unable to get it to them.

The Fleetwoods were Gary Troxel, Gretchen Christopher and Barbara Ellis who hailed from Olympia, Washington. They composed "Come Softly to Me" and it was recorded right after they graduated. The song was originally titled "Come Softly" but their label thought it was too suggestive.

They had to leave college to tour when the song became popular. On their first appearance they performed on the bill with Frankie Avalon right after they knocked his recording of "Venus" from the number one spot.

Answer: Why

"Why" was the final number one of the 1950s and also had the distinction of having the shortest title of any chart-topping song to date. Bob Marucci and his partner, Peter DeAngelis, wrote the song specifically for Frankie Avalon. Frankie liked the song but wasn't sure if it would be a number one.

While the song climbed the charts he embarked on his acting career starting with "Guns of the Timberland" starring Alan Ladd and went on to be in "The Alamo" with John Wayne. After "Why" none of Frankie's songs ever broke the top 20.

He achieved fame starring in several beach movies and reprized his beach movie persona in 1987's "Back to the Beach." "Tiger" was by Fabian, "Forget Him" was by Bobby Rydell and "Sealed With a Kiss" was one of Brian Hyland's hits.

Answer: Lonely Boy

While the other songs listed charted for Paul Anka, his composition, "Lonely Boy," was his second to hit number one. "Lonely Boy" became the title of the award winning documentary about Paul. Paul Anka composed many of his chart hits and also wrote hits for other artists. "It Doesn't Matter Any More" was a posthumous hit for Buddy Holly, "She's a Lady" charted for Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra recorded "My Way." He also wrote the music for the WWII epic movie "The Longest Day." "Puppy Love" was inspired by his crush on Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon's costar in the beach movies.

The other songs are also Anka recordings.