Australian Music: '80s "Countdown" Quiz

Answer: Run to paradise

The Choirboys were a big pub rock band in the '80s. They first performed on "Countdown" in 1983, but their biggest hit: "Run to Paradise" wasn't released until late 1987. The band performed this song in 2007 on the grand final edition of "The Footy Show".
The Choirboys celebrated their thirty-year anniversary with the release of a new album titled "Never Gonna Die: The Very Best of Choirboys 30th Anniversary".

Answer: Heaven

The Eurogliders: Grace Knight and Bernie Lynch had seven Top 40 hits in the '80s, with "Heaven (Must be There)" making it into the Top 10. They first performed this song on "Countdown" in 1984.
Their big break as unknowns was recording a meat pie ad; even though they're vegetarians.

Answer: Immune

"Mondo Rock" became one of Australia's most successful bands, producing eight Top 40 hits in the '80s. "State of the Heart" was released in 1980 and became their first big hit.
Rick Springfield covered the song in the U.S. in 1985, however, he changed the guitar solo and the song was not a commercial success despite reaching the Top 40.

Answer: That kind of behaviour

Australian Crawl first appeared on Countdown in 1979. It was a memorable performance as lead singer James Reyne had both arms in plaster at the time. Many thought it was a publicity stunt, but James had actually been run over by a car. Lucky for Australian music he wasn't more seriously hurt!
"Reckless" was released in 1983 and became the band's first number one hit. Other songs by Australian Crawl include "The Boys Light Up" and "Errol".

Answer: It all comes back to you

Real Life is an Australian band that originally formed in Melbourne. Their debut single "Send me an Angel" was also their biggest hit not only in Australia but also in America. In fact, it was a hit twice, once in 1984 and again in 1989. Over the years they have released and re-released the song many times. Real Life released two albums in the '80s: "Heartland" and "Fame". Twenty years later the band was still active, and released the album "Imperfection" in 2004.

Answer: Hearse

The Uncanny X-Men were only on the Australian music scene for six years, but they had a massive impact. Lead singer Brian Mannix was a Rod Stewart clone with his shaggy hair and tight pants. Molly Meldrum once said "Brian Mannix is the only guy with a bigger mouth than mine". Not something to be proud of really.
Brian was also an actor and has starred in several episodes of "Neighbours" in 1993. Again, not something I would be proud of.

Answer: Ever see him from the top

"What About Me?" was first recorded by Moving Pictures in 1982 for their debut "Days of Innocence" album. It was the bands first number one and spent six weeks at the top of the Australian charts. The song topped the charts again twenty two years later when Shannon Noll, Australian Idol runner-up, covered it.

Answer: A vegemite sandwich

Men at Work recorded "Down Under" in 1981 for their debut album "Business as Usual". The song reached number one in Australia, America and Britain. It has also become a favourite at any Australian sporting event, after being used as the theme song for Australia II's successful America's Cup bid in 1983. Men at Work also performed "Down Under" at the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic games.
"Who can it Be Now?" also off the "Business as Usual" album enjoyed time in the number one spot shortly before "Down Under" was released.

Answer: The light of day

Goanna was noted for their songs integrating social protest with popular music. Their hit "Solid Rock" released in 1982 was about the displacement of Aborigines by the European settlers. It also featured the sound of the didgeridoo, an Aboriginal wind instrument played by Billy Inda.

The song hit number 5 on the Australian charts, and in 1983 Goanna won Best debut single, Best Debut Album and Most promising New Talent at the "Countdown Awards". They also won Best Single and Album at the Australian Aria awards the same year.

Answer: Precious heart

The Farriss brothers formed INXS in 1977, releasing "Never Tear Us Apart" in 1988. It was off their 1987 album "Kick" which reached (six times) multi-platinum status worldwide. The song was penned by late singer Michael Hutchence and was played at his funeral in 1997. In 2001 the song was remixed and released as "Precious Heart".
The band appeared on "Countdown" first in 1980 when Michael Hutchence hosted the show.
INXS was inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame in 2001 and have sold over thirty million records.