Diamonds in the Rough Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs (1963)

In the song the "Sugar Shack" is a coffeehouse. In reality a sugar shack is a cabin where sap is boiled into syrup. The song finished 1963 as the number one song on Billboard's Year End Top 100. A New Mexico group, the Fireballs took their name from Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire".

Answer: Gary Lewis & The Playboys (1965)

"This Diamond Ring" is a song about an engagement ring that no longer has any meaning, since it was given back. The song finished seventeenth on Billboard's Top 100 for the year 1965. Gary Lewis is the son of Jerry Lewis.

Answer: The Lemon Pipers (1967)

"Green Tambourine" was recorded by the Lemon Pipers in 1967. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. The band recorded a few other numbers, but none were as successful, making them truly one-hit wonders.

Answer: The New Vaudeville Band (1966)

The New Vaudeville Band recorded "Winchester Cathedral" in 1966. The band was actually a group of studio musicians brought together to perform a novelty song inspired by an old British music hall tune. The lead singer actually sang through his hands to produce a megaphone like sound. "Winchester Cathedral" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Mercy (1969)

The group Mercy from Florida recorded "Love (Can Make You Happy)" in 1969. That year it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Zager and Evans (1969)

"In the Year 2525" was recorded in 1969 by Rick Evans and Denny Zager. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It is a dystopian song that predicts a glum future for mankind. Humans will no longer need teeth, arms, legs, or even eyes. Everything will be done for us by machines. Coincidentally, the song was released the same year as the moon landing.

Answer: John Fred & His Playboy Band (1967)

Is "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" a parody of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" or a mondegreen of it? You decide. The song was recorded in Texas by John Fred & His Playboy Band in 1967. The band's only hit, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968.

Answer: Steam (1969)

"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" was originally supposed to be a "B" side recording. The "Na Na Hey Hey" was added to a song titled "Kiss him Goodbye" to make it longer. The chorus used to be sung by the crowd at baseball games when a pitcher was relieved.

Answer: O.C. Smith (1968)

Ocie (OC) Lee Smith recorded "Little Green Apples" in 1968. In the early 1960s Smith sang with the legendary Count Basie's band. "Little Green Apples" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Later in life Smith became an ordained preacher.

Answer: The Friends of Distinction (1969)

"Grazing in the Grass" was originally an instrumental released by African trumpeter Hugh Masekela in 1968. The Friends of Distinction added lyrics to it and in 1969 it rose to number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Friends of Distinction's manager was NFL Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.