The Sounds of 1979 Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Police

"Message in a Bottle" was the first single to hit the number one spot in the UK by The Police, It only reached the 74th position on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Police was formed in 1977 by the American Stewart Copeland. Other members of the band in 1977 was Sting (Gordon Sumner), Andy Summers and guitarist Henry Padovani. In August 1977 Henry Padovani left the band. The Police recorded 5 hits on the UK singles charts in 1979. Their second number one in the UK charts was "Walking on the Moon" which hit the top spot on December 8, 1979.

Answer: Gary Numan

Released in August, 1979 "Cars" made the number one spot in the UK charts on September 18, 1979. The single also reached the number 10 position in 1980 on the Billboard chart. Gary Numan was the front runner in the electronic/synthesizer sound. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" was also a number one in the UK in 1979.

Answer: Charlie Daniels Band

The song tells a story about a duel between the devil and Johnny. Both play the fiddle and Johnny calls him self "the best there's ever been". The devil challenges Johnny to a contest to see who is the best. If Johnny wins he gets a golden fiddle. If the devil wins he gets Johnny's soul. Johnny wins the contest and gets his golden fiddle. The song peaked at number 15 in the UK singles chart.

Answer: Bee Gees

"Tragedy" reached the number one position on the UK singles chart on February 24, 1979. The song also hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 number one singles on March 24. Two other hits for the Bee Gees in 1979 was "Love You Inside Out" and "Too Much Heaven". Both made the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Electric Light Orchestra

"Don't Bring Me Down" was a track taken from their album "Discovery" released in 1979. The single reached the number 3 position on the UK singles charts although the album got to the number one position on the album chart and stayed there for 5 weeks. Other popular tracks from the album was "Shine a Little Love", "The Diary of Horace Wimp" and "Confusion".

Answer: Blondie

In the late 70's we were introduced to a band called Blondie. Fronted by Deborah Harry. "Heart of Glass" was taken from their successful album "Parallel Lines" released in 1978. The song was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart. Another UK number one hit for Blondie in 1979 was "Sunday Girl" . The single hit the top spot in May and spent three weeks in the number one position. It was not released in the US.

Answer: The Sugarhill Gang

A one hit wonder The Sugarhill Gang was a trio from Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.A. Members of the group was Wonder Mike, Master Gee and Big Bank Hank. "Rapper's Delight" made it to the 3rd position in the UK single chart and 36 on the U.S. pop charts. This would be the only chart topper for the trio. If you can remember the song by Chic "Good Times" a number one hit in August on the Billboard Hot 100. You should remember "Rapper's Delight" it used "Good Times" as its bass-line for the song.

Answer: Styx

Renamed Styx in 1970, Styx is an American rock band. "Babe" was taken from their triple-platinum album "cornerstone" also released in 1979. The single was a number one hit in the U.S. and reached the 6th spot in the UK in January 1980.

Answer: Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick is an American rock band. "I Want You To Want Me (live)" peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted at 29 in the UK singles chart.
Cheap Trick released the album "Dream Police" in October 1979. The single "Dream Police" taken from the album reached the 26th position on the US Pop Singles chart. Other tracks include "Gonna Raise Hell", "Writing on the Wall" and "The House Is Rockin' (With Domestic Problems)".

Answer: ABBA

"Chiquitita" was one of the biggest hits for ABBA. Although it only peaked at the number 29 position on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The single was taken from their sixth studio album "Voulez-Vous", also released in 1979. All the royalties from this song go to UNICEF, in recognition of the International Year Of The Child.