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Only Instrumentals Trivia Quiz

Whatever happened to the rock and roll instrumental? Duane Eddy, the Ventures, Dick Dale - these folks had lots of hits in the early days of rock. Dust off those old 45s to name the performers of the following instrumental classics.

A multiple-choice quiz by nutmeglad. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
nutmeglad

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
179,188

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1145

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The early '60's were filled with hope as we began to explore and make use of outer space for things like communications and spying. What group had a hit with their instrumental, "Telstar"? Hint

The Rockets

The Ponys

Johnny and the Hurricanes

The Tornadoes

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Question 2 of 10

2. Of course, the early '60's also saw the Cold War heat up with the Cuban Missle Crisis and Krushev's famous shoe-pounding incident at the UN. Ahh, good times. Anyway, what group had an instrumental hit with "Midnight In Moscow"? Hint

The Village Stompers

Yakov Smirnoff

The Rooftop Singers

Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen

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Question 3 of 10

3. "Sleepwalk" was a slow, dreamy tune perfect for making out in the back seat of Dad's old Chevy. No doubt you remember the making out part but do you remember who performed the tune? Hint

Don Ho

Santo and Johnny

Dick Dale

The Ventures

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Question 4 of 10

4. "The Happy Organ" is my girlfriend's favorite, it has a good beat, it's easy to dance to...I give it a 9, but who performed it? Hint

Guy Lombardo

Lawrence Welk

Dave "Baby" Cortez

Chris "Baby" Montez

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Washington Square" is a park in New York City, known for its street performers, protests and that famous arch. Any idea who had a hit with this instrumental classic? Hint

Jim Kweskin Jug Band

The Rooftop Singers

The Village Stompers

Louis Armstrong

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Question 6 of 10

6. Okay, time for an easy one. "Walk Don't Run" was just one of several hits for whom? Hint

Dick Dale and the Deltones

The All-Stars

Duane Eddy

The Ventures

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Question 7 of 10

7. "Nut Rocker" wasn't a huge hit but you still hear it occasionally on the hipper oldies stations. Name the artists who created this instrumental masterpiece. Hint

The Wasps

B. Bumble and the Stingers

B. Bumble and The Five Hives

The Nutts

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. You've heard "Yakity Sax" plenty of times and may not have even known it. It became the theme song for a TV show that you no doubt watched in your younger days. Can you name the artist who had the Yakity Sax. Hint

The Rockin' Rebels

Junior Walker

Boots Randolph

Clarence Clemens

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Question 9 of 10

9. "Let's Go" wasn't much of a song, really, just some clapping and a simple guitar riff to keep your ear occupied. Can you name the performer(s) who created a true sports classic with "Let's Go." Hint

Gary Glitter

The Routers

The Ponys

Queen

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Question 10 of 10

10. "Watermelon Man" brought wider recognition to this artist known primarily as a bandleader and jazz musician. Can you name him? Hint

Lawrence Welk

Mongo Santamaria

Cannonball Adderly

Sandy Nelson

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The early '60's were filled with hope as we began to explore and make use of outer space for things like communications and spying. What group had a hit with their instrumental, "Telstar"?

Answer: The Tornadoes

Riding high on the launch of the first telecommunications satellite, the Tornadoes had a hit complete with staticky sound effects.

Answer: Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen

With a Russian flavor and a catchy melody, this one song captured the lighter side of the Cold War.

3. "Sleepwalk" was a slow, dreamy tune perfect for making out in the back seat of Dad's old Chevy. No doubt you remember the making out part but do you remember who performed the tune?

Answer: Santo and Johnny

A really nice, laid back tune but this duo lost their popularity during the famous Brylcreem shortage of '59.

4. "The Happy Organ" is my girlfriend's favorite, it has a good beat, it's easy to dance to...I give it a 9, but who performed it?

Answer: Dave "Baby" Cortez

A very cool tune for its day and Baby had a couple of follow-up hits but nothing as big as his "Happy Organ".

5. "Washington Square" is a park in New York City, known for its street performers, protests and that famous arch. Any idea who had a hit with this instrumental classic?

Answer: The Village Stompers

A little hit for this one-hit wonder riding on the coattails of the folk revival of the early '60s. Catchy tune, though, one that really sticks in you head...and sticks...and sticks.

6. Okay, time for an easy one. "Walk Don't Run" was just one of several hits for whom?

Answer: The Ventures

The Ventures were the first guitar band to collect enough songs to put out a greatest hits album. Anybody want to buy a copy?

7. "Nut Rocker" wasn't a huge hit but you still hear it occasionally on the hipper oldies stations. Name the artists who created this instrumental masterpiece.

Answer: B. Bumble and the Stingers

Fame was elusive for Mr. Bumble before hooking up with the Stingers. This song was loosely based on a well-known piece of classical music, bringing culture to the masses. This is Mr. Bumble's legacy for all time.

Answer: Boots Randolph

Boots Randolph had a hit with this song which, years later, was usurped by Britain's comedy genius (?), Benny Hill, as his theme song.

Answer: The Routers

Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap Let's Go! You hear it at every sporting event and political rally, as ubiquitous as Glimmer's "Rock and Roll, Part 1" and "We will, we will rock you", that old Queen anthem.

10. "Watermelon Man" brought wider recognition to this artist known primarily as a bandleader and jazz musician. Can you name him?

Answer: Mongo Santamaria

Kind of a cool, summer tune. And if you want a real thrill get your hands on an album called "Mongo at Montreux" - the whole band live and at their best.

Source: Author nutmeglad

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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