A Potpourri of Pop III Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jimmie Nicol

When The Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr was hospitalised with tonsillitis on 3 June 1964, they were about to start a tour. In discussions about a stand-in with Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, producer George Martin suggested Jimmie Nicol, as he had recently worked with him on a recording with another singer under Epstein's wing, Tommy Quickly.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney accepted the idea of a stand in for Ringo but George Harrison was not so keen. He told Brian Epstein and George Martin that they could look for two stand-ins because if Ringo doesn't go neither will he.

Jimmie Nicol was a Beatle for 13 days, then flew back to the UK and oblivion but with a gold watch inscribed, "From the Beatles and Brian Epstein to Jimmie with appreciation and gratitude".

Answer: Ben E. King

Ben E. King was the lead singer with The Drifters, when they had their biggest hit "Save The Last Dance For Me" in 1960.

"Stand By Me" written by Ben E. King/Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller, peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 for Ben E. King in 1961. It peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1986 movie of the same name starring Richard Dreyfuss, Kiefer Sutherland, River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton. It also featured in a 1987 European commercial for Levi's 501 jeans. Re-released as a single, "Stand By Me" peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 and was number one for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1987.

Answer: Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA, died of a heroin overdose in room 105 at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Los Angeles, California, USA, on October 4 1970 aged 27.

Jimi Hendricks, born in Seattle, Washington, USA, died of asphyxia in St Mary Abbots Hospital in London, England, on September 18 1970 aged 27.

Jim Morrison, (lead singer in The Doors) born in Melbourne, Florida, USA, died of heart failure at 17-19, Rue Beautreillis in Le Marais, Paris, France, on July 3 1971 aged 27.

Cass Elliot, (ex-The Mamas & The Papas) born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, died of heart failure in Flat 12 at 9 Curzon Place, Mayfair, London, England, on July 29 1974 aged 32.

Answer: 2

Sir James Paul McCartney was knighted on March 7 1997, Sir Richard Starkey was knighted on March 20 2018.

In 1965 all four of The Beatles received an MBE; they had been nominated by the then UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson. In 1969 John returned his medal as a protest against the UK government's involvement in the Nigerian civil war, the UK government's support for the USA in Vietnam and for "Cold Turkey" slipping down the UK Singles Chart. Although his medal was returned, his title remained with him until his death in 1980.

It has been claimed that George Harrison felt insulted when only Paul McCartney was knighted. In 2013, cabinet office papers revealed that he refused an OBE, (a lower status honour than a knighthood). There were attempts to have him awarded a posthumous knighthood but nothing ever came of it.

Answer: Ray Davies

Ray Davies formed The Kinks along with his younger brother Dave Davies in Muswell Hill, North London UK, in 1963.

The group's original line-up was Ray Davies (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals), Mick Avory (drums) and Pete Quaife (bass).

Their career took off when their third single "You Really Got Me" was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1964. it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year. The Kinks had two more number one hits on the UK Singles Chart with "Tired Of Waiting For You", number one for one week in 1965 and "Sunny Afternoon", number one for two weeks in 1966.

Answer: Suspicious Minds

"Suspicious Minds", written and first recorded by Mark James, was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for Elvis Presley in 1969. It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

This was Elvis Presley's first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for over seven years. His last number one hit had been "Good Luck Charm" which hit the number one spot on April 21 1962.

"Suspicious Minds" brought Elvis Presley's total Billboard Top/Hot 100 number one hits in the 20th century to 18, from "Heartbreak Hotel" which hit the number one spot on April 21 1956 to "Suspicious Minds" which hit the number one spot on November 1 1969, nearly 14 years later.

Answer: Ballad Of John And Yoko

"Ballad Of John And Yoko" written by John Lennon but credited to Lennon/McCartney was number one for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart for The Beatles in 1969. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

The "Ballad Of John And Yoko" was all about the events during John and Yoko's honeymoon in Paris and their "Bed-In" at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. It was banned by radio stations in various countries due to the references to "Christ" and "Crucifixion". George Harrison and Ringo Starr took no part in the recording, simply because George Harrison was abroad and Ringo Starr was filming "The Magic Christian" with Peter Sellers.

"The Ballad Of John And Yoko" was the first single by The Beatles to be released in stereo.

Answer: Tom Jones

Born Thomas John Woodward in Treforest, Wales, in 1940. He received an OBE in 1998 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005, becoming Sir Tom Jones Woodward OBE.

In 1963 he was the frontman for the Welsh beat group, Tommy Scott and the Senators. They recorded a number of tracks for record producer Joe Meek but had no success. Tom Jones met London based manager/songwriter Gordon Mills who then became his manager and got a recording contract for him at Decca records.

His first single in 1964 was "Chills and Fever" but it did not chart. His second single "It's Not Unusual" was number one for one week on the UK Singles Chart in 1965; it peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year. "It's Not Unusual" was co-written by his manager Gordon Mills for UK singer Sandie Shaw and featured guitarist Jimmy Page, founder of Led Zeppelin.

Answer: The Shadows

Cliff Richard's sometime backing group The Shadows used to be known as The Drifters. They had to change their name after the owner of the American group The Drifters threatened them with legal action over naming rights on their first US release "Feelin' Fine". Their second US single "Jet Black" was released under the name The Four Jets.

While still backing Cliff Richard on numerous hits they had the first of five instrumental number one hits on the UK Singles Chart in 1960, with "Apache". Danish guitarist Jorgan Ingmann took the track to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.

Answer: Brenda Lee

Brenda Lee, born on December 11 1944, was 15 when "I'm Sorry" hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 18 1960.

Lesley Gore, born on May 2 1946, was 17 when "It's My Party" hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 1 1963.

Shelley Fabares, born on January 19 1944, was 18 when "Johnny Angel" hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 7 1962.

Little Eva, born on June 29 1943, was 19 when "The Loco-Motion" hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 25 1962.