Let There be Drums Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bugle

Originally recorded by Roy Orbison, 'Distant Drums' gave Jim Reeves a posthumous hit - he died in 1964 in a plane crash. The song describes the singer hearing the sound of drums in the distance, letting him know that he will soon be called upon to fight in a war.

The military connection is carried on, with the words 'I hear the sounds, of bugles call'. The singer is imploring his girlfriend to marry him before he is called up.

Answer: Marc Bolan

All the singers listed are associated with the 'glam rock' era. Brian Connolly sang for The Sweet, Les McKeown for The Bay City Rollers and Noddy Holder for Slade. T. Rex were at the forefront of the movement, and 'Bang a Gong (Get it On)' was just one of many hits for the band.

Others include 'Jeepster' in 1971 and 'I Love to Boogie' from 1976. Marc Bolan, real name Mark Feld, was killed in a car accident in 1977.

Answer: Green

This was the biggest hit for the band, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. It also reached the top ten in the UK, Australia and Canada. The lyrics are written from the point of view of a busker, asking passers by to 'drop silver' into the tambourine, before stopping to listen to him playing the instrument and its 'jingle jangles'.

Answer: Todd Rundgren

I hope I'm not doing him a disservice, but the name of Todd Rundgren always conjures up for me the sound of the motorbike he created by playing his guitar on the iconic Meat Loaf album. Rundgren's list of accomplishments is huge, with songwriting, the playing of numerous instruments, singing and producing among them. To measure his achievements by chart success undervalues them greatly, and his contribution to rock music is immense.

Answer: Stereophonics

Stereophonics are among Britain's most successful bands, with hits including 'Have a Nice Day' and 'Handbags and Gladrags', both in 2001, and 'Dakota' in 2005. They may not be so well known across the pond, though, so I gave you a couple of clues. They are the only Welsh band listed, and the other bands offered as options have Chris Martin (Coldplay), Liam Gallagher (Oasis) and Damon Albarn (Blur) as lead singers.

Answer: Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt's singing career began in 1967 and only ended in 2011, when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, which robbed her of her voice. The Stone Poneys were her first band, from 1965 until 1968. 'Different Drum' was written by Mike Nesmith, who found fame as a member of The Monkees, and the Stone Poneys' recording reached number thirteen on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Jimmy Brown

The three bells mark the birth, marriage and death of Jimmy Brown, who lived in 'a village hidden deep in a valley' from when he was born until he died. The Browns, siblings consisting of a brother and two sisters, were the band who took it to number one.

The song has been recorded on numerous occasions, with Ray Charles, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash among the artists to interpret it. The original song was written in French, when it was called 'Les Trois Cloches'.

Answer: David Bowie

Bowie appeared with Bing Crosby on a 1977 American television show called 'Bing Crosby's Merrie Old Christmas', recorded not long before Bing's death. Bing himself sang the lyrics to 'The Little Drummer Boy', while David sang a specially written tune, called 'Peace on Earth', in counterpoint. The recording sold well in the UK, getting to number three on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan wrote 'Mr Tambourine Man' and included it on his 1965 album 'Bringing it All Back Home'. It was The Byrds who took the song into the charts, though, reaching the top of the singles charts in both the USA and UK. The band's first album was also called 'Mr Tambourine Man' and included three other Dylan compositions, 'All I Really Want to Do', 'Spanish Harlem Incident' and 'Chimes of Freedom'.

Those lyrics? 'Hey Mr tambourine man, play a song for me; I'm not sleepy and there ain't no place I'm going to; Hey Mr tambourine man, play a song for me; In the jingle jangle morning I'll come following you'.

Answer: Sandy Nelson

Nelson recorded quite a few instrumentals with drums in the title, but 'Let There be Drums' is probably the best known of them. It reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three, in 1962, on the UK Singles Chart. As well as recording in his own name, Sandy Nelson played drums on several hit records of the 1960s.

The other three are British drummers. Charlie Watts played for The Rolling Stones, while Ginger Baker played for several bands, including Cream and Blind Faith. Cozy Powell lent his talents to many bands, including Black Sabbath and Rainbow, as well as having solo hits in his own right.