Motorcycles in Song Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Shangri-Las

Singer Mary Weiss was only 15 she when began recording for George "Shadow" Morton on the Red Bird label. Mrs. Weiss had to sign for Mary and her sister, Betty, who was 17. The third member was a schoolmate named Mary-Anne Ganser. Originally Shadow wanted another of his groups, The Bunnies, to record the song because he didn't think it would ever get airplay and The Shangri-Las were hot off their success with "Remember, Walking in the Sand".

The song deals with a girl telling her friends about her boyfriend who sped away after they broke up.

He ended up crashing his motorcycle and dying. Shadow Morton included a miked motorcycle revving in the song for effect. Before "Leader of the Pack" the girls' promo shots were wholesome teen group images.

After the success of the song they sported leather outfits and had a "bad girl" image.

Answer: An eagle

Written by songwriting legends Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber, the song tells the story of a motorcycle rider and his girlfriend Mary Lou. She begs him not to ride. He ignores her and hits a train. Featuring a catchy tune and the chorus of "He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots, and a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back" the song was the first big hit for the Cheers.

It went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts. The following year French singer Edith Piaf recorded a French version of the song titled 'L' Homme à la Moto'.

It was one of her biggest singles. In 1994 Chris Spedding released a version of the song.

Answer: Easy Rider

Mars Bonfire of The Sparrows wrote the song. It was Canadian band Steppenwolf's second and most successful single, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in 1968, it is included in many compilation albums. The first was the soundtrack for "Easy Rider".

When the movie was in production "Born to Be Wild" was used simply as a filler because Peter Fonda wanted Crosby, Stills and Nash to do the soundtrack. As production continued it became obvious that the song was best suited for the movie.

In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine placed "Born to be Wild" at #129 on the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list. "Motorcycle Gang", "Hells' Angels '69" and "Hell's Bloody Devils" are all bike flicks featuring motorcycle gangs terrorizing people.

Answer: Arlo Guthrie

The song is from Arlo's "Alice's Restaurant" album. The lyrics are rather whimsical and cryptic, but it's a catchy melody. Son of the legendary Woodie Guthrie, Arlo grew up surrounded by renowned folk musicians including Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, Cisco Houston, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and the Weavers. By age 20 Arlo was touring overseas.

He attracted audiences all over the world with his unique folk style. He is a natural born storyteller and an accomplished musician who plays piano, 6 and 12 string guitar and harmonica. Arlo's career soared with his debut of "The Alice's Restaurant Massacree" at the Newport Folk Festival in 1967.

Answer: 1952

The song is titled "1952 Vincent Black Lightning". As a teenager Richard became the guitarist in several bands throughout the 1960s, most notably Fairport Convention. He remained with them for three years. He toured with CSN&Y and Traffic in 1970. In 1971 he released his first solo album.

He married folksinger Linda Peters, with whom he made several albums as a duo between 1974-78. "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" has been covered by several artists including Eddie Dattel and Reckless Kelly. It is another of many biker songs dealing with bike riding and tragedy.

Answer: Merle Haggard

Known for such hits as "Okie From Muskogee", "The Fightin' Side of Me", and "I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am", Merle is one of country's most acclaimed artists. He attended Johnny Cash's prison concerts while incarcerated. After his release from prison he began a country singing career and became associated with the electric guitar based "Bakersfield Sound". Merle eventually was pardoned by President Ronald Reagan for his various crimes, which include 17 jailbreaks.

The Highwaymen were a country supergroup comprised of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson.

Individually they were known for pioneering the outlaw country subgenre.

Answer: Little Honda

"Little Honda" was first released on the Beach Boys' 1964 album "All Summer Long". It has been covered by The Hondells and by Yo La Tengo on their album "I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One". The song pays tribute to the small Honda motorcycle and its ease of operation. "My Little Bike", "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda" and "My Buddy Seat" are other songs done by the Hondells to follow up "Little Honda" but they never had further significant chart success.

The group was originally a group of studio musicians assembled by producer Gary Usher including Glen Campbell, Curt Boettcher, Chuck Girard and Joe Kelly.

When "Little Honda" started climbing up the charts a group was hastily assembled with Ritchie Burns, one of the background singers on the record, fronting the group.

Answer: Daniel Johnson

Daniel Johnston recorded "Speeding Motorcycle" on 1989's Yip/Jump Music. Yo La Tengo covered "Speeding Motorcycle" on 1990's "Fakebook" album. They are a sweet, noisy pop band. Late in 1990, Yo La Tengo were playing on Jersey City's WFMU when Daniel phoned in.

They decided to perform "Speeding Motorcycle" in a half-circle around the microphone at the studio. Wally Ford recorded a version of "A Harley Someday". Dave Allen and The Arrows had a song simply called "Chopper". Damien Jurado's bike song is "Motorbike".

Answer: Love and Rockets

Love and Rockets is an alternative rock band formed in 1985 by former Bauhaus members. The band's name was derived from the comic by Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez. Guitarwolf recorded "Motorcycle Leather Boy". Stratochief is known for biking songs including "Motorcycle Daddy". Jethro Tull's contribution to biker style songs is "Too Old to Rock, Too Young to Die".

Answer: Ann Rabson

Ann Rabson has been playing and singing the blues professionally since 1962. A member of Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, she also performs solo and works with various other bands. She has been nominated eight times for a Blues Music Award (formerly W.C. Handy Award) as "Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year". "I Want to Hop On Your Harley" is also featured on compilation albums.

A band called Motorcycle released a single titled "As the Rush Comes". Neil Young's "Unknown Legend" is about a girl reminiscing about the time she was riding her Harley.

He also wrote "Motorcycle Mama". "The Other Kind" is a riding song written by Steve Earle.