Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1961 Quiz

Answer: The Shirelles

The Shirelles started out as grammar school buddies in New Jersey. Luthor Dixon was signed to produce the Shirelles after they failed to have success with two releases. He owed songwriters Carole King and Jerry Goffin a favor and agreed to have The Shirelles record "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." Carole was even involved in the recording and the song was also their first number one as a songwriting team.

The Ronettes later saw chart success with "Be My Baby," The Crystals with "He's a Rebel" and The Shangri-Las did "Leader of the Pack."

Answer: Calcutta

Calcutta was recorded with a harpsichord backed by Lawrence Welk's band. The band could not hear the harpsichordist because he was listening in headphones, but the song was still recorded in one take. Welk was born in North Dakota. His parents fled Europe during the Bismark-Prussian invasion with only their clothes and an accordion. Lawrence was the only son to take an interest in the instrument and he became an entertainer, eventually formed his own orchestra and made his television debut in 1952. "Exodus" was recorded by Ferrante and Teicher and was number five the same week. "The Stripper" charted for David Rose and "Stranger on the Shore" was done by Aker Bilk in 1962.

Answer: Del Shannon

Charles wrote "Runaway" with his friend Max Crook. After his discharge from the service, Charles started working in local bands in Michigan. Max Crook was a band-mate. A patron of one of the clubs wrestled under the name of Mark Shannon and Charles took the name Del from the Cadillac Coupe de Ville.

A carpet installer by day, Del did a demo of "Runaway" and drove all the way to New York in ten-degree weather without a heater to shop it. When the song took off Del never installed another carpet. Bruce Chanel recorded "Hey, Baby." Clarence "Frogman" Henry did "But I Do" and Gene McDaniels had "One Hundred Pounds Of Clay" hit the Hot 100.

Answer: Ernie K-Doe

Ernie was actually named Ernest Kador, Jr. from New Orleans. The son of a Baptist minister, he began singing in church at age seven and was in talent shows while he lettered in track, football, and basketball in high school. A talent scout heard him at the Tijuana Club and signed him to the Specialty label, the same label as Little Richard. Songwriter Allen Toussaint had thrown the song away, but Ernie insisted he wanted to sing it.

It was Ernie's only hit. Jimmy Jones recorded a version of "Handy Man." Chubby Checker kicked off a number of successful dance records with "The Twist," and Leroy Van Dyke sang "Walk on By."

Answer: Running Scared

Roy and his songwriting partner, Joe Melson, wrote "Running Scared" with the Everly Brothers in mind. The duo had already enjoyed success with a composition named for his wife, "Claudette." When he thought Elvis could do a better version of it he drove to Graceland.

When he got there at 6:00 AM everyone was asleep. He then took it to The Everly Brothers in Nashville but ended up recording it himself. It began a string of hits for Roy on the new Monument label. "Daddy's Home" was by Shep and the Limelights. "Don't Worry" was done by Marty Robbins.

Answer: Michael

The Highwaymen were attending Wesleyan University and performing at frat parties when they started singing an old traditional song sung by slaves who lived on an island off the Georgia coast and commuted by boat. Their manager set up an audition with United Artists records and "Michael" was included on their album.

They followed up with "Cottonfields," but when they graduated from college they put the music business behind them and disbanded in 1963. ABC Records bought the name and put together copy groups. "Charlie Brown" charted for The Coasters, "Norman" was a hit for Sue Thompson, and "Louie Louie" was a frat favorite by The Kingsmen.

Answer: Bobby Vee

Gerry Goffin and Carole King wrote this song which Bobby Velline recorded as Bobby Vee. Bobby was eager to hear his hero Buddy Holly perform in February, 1959, but received news of their plane crash on the radio along with a call for help to find talent for the scheduled show. Bobby answered the call with his band, The Shadows.

He eventually was signed to Liberty Records. After charting two number six hits, he topped the charts with "Take Good Care of My Baby." Tommy Roe had success with "Sheila," Brian Hyland recorded "Sealed with a Kiss" and Bobby Lewis was "Tossin' and Turnin'."

Answer: Please Mr. Postman

"Please Mr. Postman" helped put Motown records in the spotlight. The first Motown act to chart was the Miracles with "Shop Around," reaching number two. The Marvelettes won an audition with Motown in a singing contest. During the audition they were told to come up with some original material. Marvelettes member Georgia Dobbins teamed up with Brian Holland, Robert Bateman and William Garrett and wrote "Please Mr. Postman." They did a recording with Marvin Gaye on drums and it slowly rose to the top. "My Boyfriend's Back" was by The Angels and "My Guy" was a solo hit for Motown's Mary Wells.

Answer: The Tokens

The Tokens covered the song which had been previously recorded by The Weavers. Even though the vocals were incredible they were embarrassed by it, but the label released it anyway. Initially, radio stations played the other side called "Tina," but some stations played "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and it took off.

The Tokens had success as producers later in their career, producing The Chiffons, The Happenings and Tony Orlando. The Dovells sang "Bristol Stomp," Shep and the Limelights did "Daddy's Home" and The Kingston Trio had a string of folk hits starting with "Tom Dooley."

Answer: Jimmy Dean

Born Seth Ward, Jimmy Dean started performing in the Air Force with fellow servicemen. Upon his discharge he became a disc jockey in Virginia and pursued a recording career. He was on his way to a recording session with three songs and he needed a fourth.

He wrote "Big, Bad John' on the plane in an hour and a half, drawing inspiration from a former co-worker nicknamed Big John. The song was an immediate hit and Jimmy signed with Columbia records. He went on to have a prime time show for three years and introduced America to many up-and-coming stars such as Roger Miller and Roy Clark. Ray Charles hit it big in 1961 with "I Can't Stop Loving You." James Darren sang "Good-Bye Cruel World" and Dee Clark sang "Raindrops."