Singers and Actors in Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bo Diddley

"Bo Diddley" was written by Bo Diddley. It was first recorded and released by Bo Diddley in 1955. It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard R&B chart in 1955.

It was recorded by Buddy Holly with Jerry Allison on drums in 1956 but it was not released until 1963 on the "Reminiscing" album. It was released as a single on the Coral record label and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart for Buddy Holly in 1963. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Buddy Holly's producer Norman Petty overdubbed the record in stereo at his recording studio in Clovis, New Mexico, using The Fireballs as the backing group.

Answer: Elton John

"Candle In The Wind" was written by Elton John/Bernie Taupin. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart for Elton John in 1974. It did not chart in the U.S.A.

A live version recorded in Australia, peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart for Elton John in 1988. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

A rerecorded third version about Diana Princess of Wales was number one for five weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Elton John in 1997. It was number one for 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

In 1997 it became the fastest and biggest selling single of all time with worldwide sales of 33,000,000 in three months. It was the 28th number one record produced by George Martin.

Answer: Randolph Scott

"Whatever Happened To Randolph Scott" was written by Harold Reid/Don Reid. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Country Chart for The Statler Brothers in 1974. It peaked at number 32 on the Canadian Country Chart the same year.

Randolph Scott was an American actor who appeared in movies from 1928 to 1962, more than 60 of which were westerns. He was born George Randolph Scott on January 23 1898 in Orange County, Virginia, U.S.A. He made his final movie in 1962 with "Ride The High Country" directed by Sam Pekinpah and co-starring another great western actor, Joel McCrea. Scott got top billing in the movie which was decided on the toss of a coin by the director.

Randolph Scott died of heart and lung ailments in Beverly Hills, California, in 1987 aged 89.

Answer: Elvis

"There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears he's Elvis" was written by Kirsty MacColl/Philip Rambow. It peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart for Kirsty MacColl in 1981.

"There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears he's Elvis, (Truck Stop)" in the U.S.A., was released as the lead single from Kirsty MacColl's 1981 debut album "Desperate Character". She had two top ten hits on the UK Singles Chart in the '80s with "A New England" in 1985 and "Fairytale Of New York" with The Pogues, which peaked at number two in 1987.

Kirsty MacColl died in 2000, in a boating accident at the Chankanaab Reef, which is part of the National Marine Park of Cozumel in Mexico. She was in the water and pushed her 15 year old son out of the way of an oncoming power boat but it hit her and she died from her injuries.

Answer: Jackie De Shannon

"Bette Davis Eyes" was written by Donna Weiss/Jackie De Shannon. It was number one for nine weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Kim Carnes in 1981. It peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

The song's co-writer Jackie De Shannon originally recorded the song for her 1974 album "New Arrangement". It was sung in a totally different style than the Kim Carnes version. Actress Bette Davis, who was 73 years old when Kim Carnes's version became a hit, wrote to Carnes, Weiss, and De Shannon to thank them for making her a part of modern times. She also told them that her grandson now looked up to her.

Bette Davis died of metastasized breast cancer in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, in 1989 aged 81.

Answer: A Beatle

"All I Want for Christmas Is a Beatle" was written by Gladys Benton. It peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart for Dora Bryan in 1963.

The Beatles said that they liked the song and even recorded part of it on one of their Christmas fan club messages. Dora Bryan recorded the song during the run of the play "Six Of One" at London's Adelphi Theatre. The Beatles attended a performance and sent her a congratulatory telegram.

She appeared on the BBC flag ship music show "Top Of The Pops" and said proudly that the record had been voted the best bad record of 1963.

Answer: Doris Day

"Dig It" was written by Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey. The name of Doris Day was mentioned along with B. B. King and Matt Busby (former manager of Manchester Utd F.C.), in the song.

It was track five on The Beatles' 1970 album "Let It Be" and this version of the song lasted for approx. 51 seconds. The song ends with John Lennon speaking in a falsetto voice, "That was 'Can You Dig It?" by Georgie Wood, and now we'd like to do 'Hark, the Angels Come'". Wee Georgie Wood was a 4' 9" British comic and actor who appeared in films, plays and music hall revues, from 1900 to 1953.

There are four versions of the song by The Beatles,

0:51 ("Let It Be" version)
4:10 ("Get Back" mix)
8:20 (Full version)
15:05 (Jam)

Answer: John Wayne

"John Wayne is Big Leggy" was written by Jeremy Healy/Kate Garner/Paul Caplin. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart for Hayzi Fantayzee in 1982.

Hayzi Fantayzee were formed in 1981 and consisted principally of Jeremy Healy and Kate Garner. Their UK chart career lasted less than two years with two Top 20 hits and two minor hits, in 1982 and 1983.

"John Wayne is Big Leggy" was written after singer Jeremy Healy read "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown. John Wayne represents the European colonists, while his partner in the song represents the Native American people.

If anyone at the BBC would have understood the lyrics, the song would have been banned but they didn't and it appeared on their flagship pop music show "Top Of The Pops", twice.

Answer: Robert De Niro

"Robert De Niro's Waiting" was written by Sara Dallin/Siobhan Fahey/Keren Woodward/Steve Jolley/Tony Swain. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart for Bananarama in 1984. It peaked at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Bananarama were formed in 1980 by three friends, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward. They had ten Top Ten hits on the UK Singles Chart between 1982 and 1989 and became the UK's most charting female group.

Siobhan Fahey left the group in 1988 and formed Shakespears Sister; she was replaced by Jacquie O'Sullivan.

Answer: Michael Caine

"Michael Caine" was written by group members Carl Smyth and Daniel Woodgate. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart for Madness in 1984. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Although it is actually Michael Caine's voice on the record, he initially turned down the request by Madness to appear on the record. His youngest daughter Natasha convinced him that Madness were very popular at the time, so he did it.

The normal lead vocalist for Madness, Graham McPherson (Suggs), stood down and co-writer Carl Smyth sang lead vocal. Failing to make the UK Top Ten, "Michael Caine" brought to an end a run of six consecutive UK Top Ten hits for the group.