Musicians who Passed Away in 2012. Quiz

Answer: Jimmy Jones

Jimmy Jones recorded with a number of groups before going solo in 1959. Jimmy teamed up with songwriter Otis Blackwell and composed "Handy Man". When the flute player didn't show for the recording session Blackwell whistled the part on the intro. Jones was one of the pioneers of falsetto singing which helped propel "Handy Man" to Number Two on the US Billboard charts. Jones followed up with the US Number Three "Good Timin'". Both songs earned Jones a Gold Record.
James Taylor and Del Shannon later recorded hit renditions of "Handy Man".
After releasing two Top Ten hits Jones was unable to follow up with any Top Forty singles despite recording for a number of labels.
"Another Sleepless Night" was released by Jimmy Clanton in 1960. Jimmy Reed released the Top Forty "Baby What You Want Me To Do?" in 1960. Jimmy Charles released the Top Een "A Million To One" with The Revelettes in 1960.

Answer: Sentimental Lady

"Sentimental Lady" was written by Bob Welch (August 1945 - June 2012) and originally recorded on Fleetwod Mac's "Bare Trees" album in 1972. When it was released as a solo single by Welch "Sentimental Lady" made the Top Ten in the US, reaching Number Eight and remaining on the charts for 20 months. Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie sang backup during Welch's recording session.
Bob Welch began his career in 1964 as a guitarist for a Los Angeles based band called The Seven Souls. They lost a Battle of the Bands competition to Sly and the Family Stone. Bob worked with a number of struggling groups after singles by The Seven Souls failed to climb the US charts until he was invited to join Fleetwood Mac in 1971.
"Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" by Tom Jones reached Number 15 in 1977. "Slow Dancin' Don't Turn Me On" was a 1977 US Top Twenty from The Addrisi Brothers and "Save It for a Rainy Day" was a 1977 released from Stephen Bishop.

Answer: Willie and the Hand Jive

Although he was primarily a songwriter and musician Johnny Otis had a us Top Ten hit with "Willie and the Hand Jive". Johnny began working with a variety of big band style groups as a drummer and went to work for Mercury Records in 1951. He discovered Etta James and went on to co-write and produce her first hit, "Roll With Me, Henry". He was the drummer on Big Mama Thornton's recording of "Hound Dog" and many other hits. When Johnny signed with King Records he discovered such talent as Little Wille John, Jackie Wilson and Hank Ballard. "Willie and the Hand Jive" became a summer hit in 1958 and was covered by Eric Clapton (1974). In 1994 Otis was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He passed away at age 90 just three days before Etta James died in January, 2012.

"It's All in the Game" was released Tommy Edwards in 1958. Bobby Day had a hit the same year with "Rockin' Robin". "High Class Baby" was by Cliff Richard.

Answer: Sammy Hagar

Ronnie Montrose left The Edgar Winter Group to form his own band in 1973. The original Montrose lineup consisted of Montrose on guitar, Sammy Hagar (then known as Sam), Denny Carmassi on drums and bassist Bill Church. They gained exposure when they appeared on The Tom Donahue radio show featuring songs they had recently recorded. Later in 1973 the "Montrose" album was released and drew comparisons to Led Zeppelin. Bill Church left the group by the time their second album "Paper Money" (1974) was released and after increasing tension between Hagar and Montrose Sammy left the group in 1975. Bob James replaced Hagar and a keyboardist was added to enhance their sound. Ronnie Montrose continued to reform the band through the years and passed away at age 64 in March 2012. Johnny Edwards became the singer of a reformed Montrose in 1987. David Lee Roth was never part of Montrose.

Answer: She was the first female to top the U.S. Country charts.

When "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" topped the US Country charts in 1952, Kitty Wells became the first female artist to top the Country charts. When Wells was 18 she married singer Johnnie Wright who obtained a contract with RCA Records when he was part of the Johnnie and Jack Trio. She performed with the duo on "The Louisiana Hayride" but the label did not want to produce female singers.
Kitty changed her stage name from Ellen Muriel Deason and signed with Decca Records in 1952. When she released "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" the song was banned on many stations. The publicity added to the appeal of the tune and it hit Number One and remained there for six weeks.
Eddie Arnold and Charlie Rich are tied at five for the most Number One hits in a calendar year. Marie Osmond was 14 when "Paper Roses" topped the Country charts.

Answer: The Hawks

After being raised in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, Levon Helm joined Ronnie Hawkins' band, The Hawks and relocated to Canada. The band obtained a contract with Roulette Records in 1959 and released a few hit singles. Levon recruited other Canadian musicians and eventually parted company with Ronnie Hawkins and reformed as Levon and The Hawks, later simplifying the name to The Hawks.

The band released some unsuccessful singles. Ramble on the Road and The RCO All-Stars were other bands Helm worked with.

The Holmes Brothers were a trio from Christchurch, Virginia.

Answer: True

"The Ballad of Jed Clampett" was played by Flatt and Scruggs for the 1962 premiere of "The Beverly Hillbillies". Producer Paul Henning composed the tune and vocalist Jerry Scoggins sang the words to it. Flatt and Scruggs made frequent guest appearance on the show as neighbors of the Clampetts.
"The Ballad of Jed Clampett" topped the US Country charts in 1962 and made it to Number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. Earl Scruggs became a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in the mid-forties. In 1948 Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs left to form the Foggy Mountain Boys, later changing the name to simply Flatt and Scruggs. In 1969 the duo earned a Grammy for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown".
Earl Scruggs passed at age 88 in March 2012. His funeral was held at the Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry where Flatt and Scruggs had become members in 1950.

Answer: Bass Guitar

Donald "Duck" Dunn was a bass player who had known guitarist Steve Cropper since they were youngsters in Memphis. They formed a band called The Royal Spades in high school. In 1962 Dunn played bass with the Mar-Keys who had a hit with "Last Night". In 1964 Donald Dunn replaced bassist Lewie Steinberg and joined Booker T. and the M.G.'s. Dunn and drummer Al Jackson, Jr provided the rhythm section for numerous hits by Sam and Dave, Otis Redding and other Stax artists. Dunn was seen in two movies with The Blues Brothers as part of the band.

After the films he worked with Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, George Harrison, Stevie Nicks and many others. He passed away in his sleep on May 13, 2012 after performing a show in Tokyo in a band with his lifelong friend Steve Cropper.

Answer: Like an Old Time Movie

"Like an Old Time Movie" was Scott's follow-up Top Forty single from his debut album, "The Voice of Scott McKenzie.
Scott McKenzie (January 10, 1939 - August 18, 2012) was born Philip Wallach Blondheim in Jacksonville, Florida. He became friends with John Phillips, relocated to New York, changed his name and was part of a Doo-Wop band with Phillips in the fifties. In 1961 The pair became part of Folk Group The Journeymen. The popularity of The Beatles forced the group to disband in 1964 and McKenzie declined an invitation by Phillips to form The Mama and the Papas. John wrote "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)" as a promotional song for the Monterey Pop Festival and McKenzie recorded it for the Dunhill label. Phillips also wrote "Like an Old Time Movie". After failing to release a hit single from his second album, "Stained Glass" McKenzie stopped recording.
"I'll Take Care of Your Cares" by Frankie Laine barely made the Top Forty in 1967. The Mamas and The Papas had a 1967 Top Forty with "Glad to Be Unhappy" and "California Nights" by Lesley Gore reached Number 16.

Answer: Love to Love You Baby

Donna Summer (December 31, 1948 - May 17, 2012). "Love to Love You Baby" was her first Top Ten single in the US and established a decade long successful relationship between Donna and Casablanca Records. In addition to several Top Forty hits Summer had four Number One hits. LaDonna Adrian Gaines (her birth name) began performing at ten years old in her church and later performed in high school musicals.

In 1967 she went to New York to work with a band called Crow. The band broke up so Donna took a part in the German production of "Hair" and began recording as Donna Gaines in Europe.

She got her break when producer Georgie Moroder heard her singing backup vocals and would go on to earn five Grammy Awards. "I Feel Love" went to Number Six and "I Love You" went to Number 37 in 1977. "With Your Love" failed to chart in 1978.