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The Legendary Joe Meek Trivia Quiz

Joe Meek was a innovative record producer, well ahead of his time. With the news that a film has been made of his life, I decided it was time to create a quiz about the man, his life and music.

A multiple-choice quiz by rossian. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
rossian

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
297,295

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
477

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Joe Meek was born in which small market town in the west of England? Hint

Tewkesbury

Ledbury

Ross-on-Wye

Newent

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Question 2 of 10

2. Joe was not his real name. What was it? Hint

Robert

James

Richard

John

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Question 3 of 10

3. One of his early productions was a number one hit called 'Johnny Remember Me'. Who sang it? Hint

Mike Berry

John Leyton

Jess Conrad

Mike Sarne

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Question 4 of 10

4. Joe's most well known hit was an instrumental by The Tornados. What was it called? Hint

Mercury

Sputnik

Telstar

Vostok

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which member of The Tornados went on to have solo hits, including 'Just Like Eddie'? Hint

Heinz Burt

George Bellamy

Alan Caddy

Clem Cattini

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Question 6 of 10

6. Joe also produced records by the group The Honeycombs. What was their unusual (for the time) feature? Hint

Female drummer

Female rhythm guitarist

Female lead guitarist

Female bass player

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Question 7 of 10

7. Joe did early recordings with which singer, who went on to be a world wide superstar? Hint

Peter Gabriel

David Bowie

Tom Jones

Rod Stewart

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Question 8 of 10

8. In which year did Joe die? Hint

1968

1969

1966

1967

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Question 9 of 10

9. Joe committed suicide, using what method to kill himself? Hint

Shooting

Hanging

Gassing

Overdose

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Question 10 of 10

10. The film of Joe's life is due for release in October 2008. Who plays the part of Joe? Hint

Con O'Neill

James Corden

Ralf Little

Nick Moran

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Joe Meek was born in which small market town in the west of England?

Answer: Newent

Newent is situated about nine miles from the city of Gloucester, and is the town where I was brought up. Joe's brother, Eric, lived next door to us and I met Joe when he brought Heinz Burt to visit Joe's mother.

2. Joe was not his real name. What was it?

Answer: Robert

He was born as Robert George Meek on 5 April 1929. He was always interested in electrical items and built radios and televisions in the garden shed of his home.

3. One of his early productions was a number one hit called 'Johnny Remember Me'. Who sang it?

Answer: John Leyton

Joe worked with all of the singers given as choices, but John Leyton had the hit. The song featured Joe's trademark electronic sounds, created in his flat. John Leyton was also well known as an actor and appeared in 'The Great Escape'.

4. Joe's most well known hit was an instrumental by The Tornados. What was it called?

Answer: Telstar

Telstar was a communications satellite launched in 1962. The record became the first by a UK band to be number one on the US Billboard chart and was also at number one in the UK for five weeks.

5. Which member of The Tornados went on to have solo hits, including 'Just Like Eddie'?

Answer: Heinz Burt

All the choices were original members of the band. The song 'Just Like Eddie' was a tribute to Eddie Cochrane. Heinz Burt died in 2000 from motor neurone disease.

6. Joe also produced records by the group The Honeycombs. What was their unusual (for the time) feature?

Answer: Female drummer

Honey Lantree played drums for the band, and the name of the group was formed partly from her name. Their biggest hit was 'Have I the Right?'.

7. Joe did early recordings with which singer, who went on to be a world wide superstar?

Answer: Tom Jones

At the time, Tom was the lead singer of a band called Tommy Scott and the Senators. Joe was unable to obtain a record deal at the time, but sold his tapes after Tom had his first big hit 'It's Not Unusual'. Joe heard both Bowie and Stewart sing, but was unimpressed and declined to work with them.

8. In which year did Joe die?

Answer: 1967

Joe died on 3 February 1967 at the age of only 37. His funeral took place at St Mary's Church in Newent and he is buried in the cemetery in Watery Lane.

9. Joe committed suicide, using what method to kill himself?

Answer: Shooting

Joe had confiscated a shotgun from Heinz Burt. He had an argument with his landlady, then shot and killed her before turning the gun on himself. The demand for his music had declined with the advent of The Beatles. A court case over plagiarism meant that he had financial problems as his royalties from "Telstar" could not be accessed. Joe was also homosexual at a time when it was still illegal in the UK.

His mental health had always been unstable, and all his problems led up to this final tragedy.

10. The film of Joe's life is due for release in October 2008. Who plays the part of Joe?

Answer: Con O'Neill

Con also played the part on stage, and has a resemblance to Joe, in my opinion. The other choices all appear in the film and Nick Moran is also the director. I hope the film brings Joe's music back to public attention. The sounds he created are now commonplace, but to produce these in a flat above a shop with his limited resources is an incredible achievement.

Update - the film was shown at the London Film Festival in October 2008 and went on general release in the UK in 2009. Added by rossian in 2020.

Source: Author rossian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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