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Musical Mindbenders Trivia Quiz

A great thing about Top 40 radio was the variety of music and performers presented. The best of the era (to me) was the mid-50s to early '70s. These questions pertain to some of the stars of that era. Chart info is based on Billboard's Hot 100.

A multiple-choice quiz by JRooowe. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
JRooowe

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
325,219

Updated
Feb 10 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
3 / 10

Plays
882

Last 3 plays: john62450 (5/10), Guest 175 (1/10), Guest 99 (3/10).

Question 1 of 10

1. Which singer's career has spanned over eight decades? Hint

Frank Sinatra

Johnny Mathis

Connie Francis

Petula Clark

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Question 2 of 10

2. Colin Peterson and Vince Melouney were formerly members of what band? Hint

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Go Gos

The BeeGees

Yes

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Question 3 of 10

3. In the U.S., who had the ecology-themed Billboard Top 40 hit "Big Yellow Taxi" in 1970? Hint

Arlo Guthrie

Joni Mitchell

The Neighborhood

Kingston Trio

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Question 4 of 10

4. What was the first million-selling record in Germany? Hint

"March on the River Kwai" - Mitch Miller

"There Is a Tavern in the Town" - Wally Cox

"Wooden Heart "- Elvis Presley

"Get Back "- The Beatles

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Question 5 of 10

5. In October 1961, this singer enjoyed a 17 week chart run with his hit version of "Moon River". Who was he? Hint

Andy Williams

Roy Orbison

Wayne Newton

Jerry Butler

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Question 6 of 10

6. What 1965 movie did The Zombies appear in? Hint

Bunny Lake Is Missing

Ferry Cross The Mersey

Darling

To Sir With Love

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Question 7 of 10

7. The camel in the Ray Stevens 1962 hit "Ahab the Arab" was named after whom? Hint

Gerald Clyde Stevens

Clyde Barrow

Clyde McPhatter

Walt "Clyde" Frasier

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Question 8 of 10

8. What legendary singer was shot in New Orleans? Hint

John Lennon

Lee Dorsey

Louis Armstrong

Ray Davies

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1958, what was on David Seville's head? Hint

a bird

raindrops

an itty bitty blue beret

a pompadour

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Question 10 of 10

10. What would men do when Liberty Valance walked around? Hint

step aside

wish him into the cornfield

reach for their guns

salute him

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 25 2024 : john62450: 5/10
Apr 20 2024 : Guest 175: 1/10
Apr 16 2024 : Guest 99: 3/10
Apr 02 2024 : Guest 24: 3/10
Apr 02 2024 : Guest 24: 3/10
Mar 09 2024 : Guest 109: 3/10
Mar 08 2024 : Guest 73: 4/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 208: 2/10
Feb 28 2024 : BEIGESDAD: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which singer's career has spanned over eight decades?

Answer: Petula Clark

In the early '40s, child star Petula Clark sang on hundreds of radio shows broadcast to the British Armed Forces in WWII. In 1964, Pet's recording of "Downtown" won a Grammy as Best Rock-and-Roll Record of the Year beating "A Hard Day's Night." In 2010, Petula was still performing concerts!

2. Colin Peterson and Vince Melouney were formerly members of what band?

Answer: The BeeGees

From 1966-69, the BeeGees were a five-member band. Colin and Vince were full performing partners in the group and were pictured on 45s envelopes (Massachusetts) and LP covers. Vince Melouney appeared with the BeeGees on their "One Night Only" concert in 1999.

3. In the U.S., who had the ecology-themed Billboard Top 40 hit "Big Yellow Taxi" in 1970?

Answer: The Neighborhood

The Neighborhood's version of the Joni Mitchell tune reached number 29 in 1970. Joni's version didn't make the U.S. Top 40 until her live version made it to number 24 in 1975. It was the only hit for The Neighborhood.

4. What was the first million-selling record in Germany?

Answer: "March on the River Kwai" - Mitch Miller

According to Billboard, Mitch Miller had Germany's first million-selling record in 1958. Elvis' version of "Wooden Heart" was a major Euro-hit but never made the Billboard U.S. Top 100. The Wally Cox record is real, but not exactly a big seller.

5. In October 1961, this singer enjoyed a 17 week chart run with his hit version of "Moon River". Who was he?

Answer: Jerry Butler

Andy Williams never had a hit with this song; his LP "Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes" was in the Billboard Top 40 LP charts for a whopping 106 weeks starting in June 1962.

6. What 1965 movie did The Zombies appear in?

Answer: Bunny Lake Is Missing

This interesting, moody film was directed by Otto Preminger. While Keir Dullea was in the pub, the Zombies appear on TV wailing (appropriately) "Just Out of Reach". In 1973, after the Zombies broke up, Rod Argent with his group Argent had a Top Ten hit with "Hold Your Head Up".

7. The camel in the Ray Stevens 1962 hit "Ahab the Arab" was named after whom?

Answer: Clyde McPhatter

According to Ray, he and Mercury label-mate Clyde were good friends so Ray "immortalized" him in his song. I made up the Gerald Clyde Stevens person...did you bite?

8. What legendary singer was shot in New Orleans?

Answer: Ray Davies

In January 2004, while chasing a guy who snatched his girlfriend's purse, Ray was shot in the leg. When Ray Davies' band (The Kinks) refused to join the musicians union before a TV appearance, they were banned from touring the U.S. ; this ban lasted from mid-1965 through early 1969.

9. In 1958, what was on David Seville's head?

Answer: a bird

The song "Bird on My Head" was David's Top 40 follow-up to "The Witch Doctor". An actor, as well as singer, Seville (real name Ross Bagdasarian) played the songwriter being watched by James Stewart in the Alfred Hitchcock classic film "Rear Window".

10. What would men do when Liberty Valance walked around?

Answer: step aside

The women would hide. The 1962 Gene Pitney tune was not in the John Wayne/James Stewart classic western. Another of Gene's movie songs, "Town Without Pity", was nominated for an Academy Award, but it lost to "Moon River".

Source: Author JRooowe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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