Artists with the Same Name as Musical Equipment. Quiz

Answer: Boston

The Standells formed in 1963 in Los Angeles. After various members joined and left the group they landed a record deal with Liberty Records in 1964, switching to Vee-Jay and MGM while releasing singles and appearing on television programs. They also appeared in Teen movies such as "Get Yourself a College Girl" (1964). They signed with Capitol Records in 1965 and released the US Billboard Number 11 hit "Dirty Water", an anthem about Boston's Charles River.
The Standel Company gradually became known for quality guitar amplifiers and received endorsements from many prominent musicians. In the early seventies they were plagued by a shipment of faulty transistors that ultimately led to their demise. The company reformed in 1997.
Although the names are similar the group took its name from standing around waiting for bookings.

Answer: Mule Skinner Blues

Jim Sundquist and Phil Humphrey were both students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fifties. They formed a duo using two Fender guitars plugged into one amplifier. They were such talented guitar players that a bass player wasn't necessary.

They recorded "Mule Skinner Blues" for a small label called Cuda Records. When the song became popular locally it was distributed nationally by Soma Records and became a Number Five US hit. "The Old Lamplighter" was released by The Browns in 1960. Jerry Wallace had a Top Forty single with "Little Coco Palm" in 1960 and "Mission Bell" was a 1960 recording by Donnie Brooks.

Answer: George Harrison

"Gone Troppo" was George Harrison's ninth studio album. After releasing the album Harrison did not engage in promoting it and so it became his worst selling album. He took a five year hiatus from recording albums after it was completed. "Gone Troppo" peaked at Number 108 on the US album charts. Leroy Swearingen became a member of The Stereos and composed "I Really Love You" as a follow up to the band's flop debut single "A Love for Only You". Swearingen left the group shortly before the song was released. "I Really Love You" topped out at Number 29 on the US Billboard charts.

Although the band continued releasing singles for another ten years they never enjoyed another Top Forty success.

Answer: Hooked on a Feeling

"Hooked on a Feeling" went to Number Five when originally recorded by B. J. Thomas in 1968. The song featured a sitar, a popular instrument in the sixties. Thomas released the Mark James composition from his "On My Way" album.
The Ovations recorded a cover version in 1972 and Blue Swede had a hit version produced by Jonathan King featuring "ooga chaka" chants.
The Ovations were a Rhythm and Blues band based in Memphis.
"Baby I'm for Real" was a 1969 single by The Originals. "I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City" was a 1969 Number 34 single by Nilsson and Engelbert Humperdinck took "I'm a Better Man" to Number 38 the same year.

Answer: Barbara Ann

Fred Fassert wrote "Barbara Ann" and when his brother's group recorded the song in 1961 it topped out at Number 13. The song became a hit in the New York area and Roulette Records picked it up for national distribution. The Regents followed it with the Number 28 "Runaround".
The Beach Boys first recorded "Barbara Ann" for their 1965 "Beach Boys Party" album. The following year The Who also recorded a version that was later featured in the 1979 film "The Kids are Alright".
"Runaround Sue" was done by Dion. "Peggy Sue" was by Buddy Holly and "Donna" was by Ritchie Valens.

Answer: England

The Tremeloes formed in 1958 in Dagenham, Essex, UK. They were originally billed as Brian Poole and The Tremoloes. In 1962 the group auditioned for Decca Records along with another British group. Decca declined to sign The Beatles but did sign Brian Poole and The Tremoloes.
The following year they hit the UK charts with cover versions of "Twist and Shout" and "Do You Love Me". In 1966 Brian Poole departed in search of a solo career. The group reformed and changed labels, releasing "Here Comes my Baby", written by a then-unknown Cat Stevens. The song became a hit in the US and the UK.
As a soloist Poole failed to chart with subsequent records but pursued a successful cabaret career. In 1996 his daughters formed Alisha's Attic.

Answer: The Voxpoppers

The Voxpoppers worked the Sock Hops in the New York area and managed to have one national hit with "Wishing for Your Love". Three brothers named Fred, Sal and Frankie were the nucleus of The Voxpoppers. The band started out as The Bell Hops and changed their name to The Voxpoppers before recording "Wishing for Your Love" After the group appeared on "American Bandstand" the song became a chart success but they never released another successful single. In 1958 the Vox AC15 amplified was produced, launching a successful amplifier business when The Shadows and The Beatles used Vox amplifiers.

They also produced Vox portable organs made popular by The Animals and other British bands. Korg purchased Vox in 1992.

Answer: Johnny Cymbal

After recording "Mr. Bass Man" under the name Johnny Cymbal, John Blair toured with the Teen Idols of the era. Although he was a talented singer and a charismatic performer he preferred to focus on songwriting and stopped touring in 1966.
The bass singer from The Valentines, Ronnie Bright, sang the bass parts on "Mr. Bass Man". Cymbal released some unsuccessful singles after "Mr. Bass Man" and when The British Invasion hit the music scene Kapp Records dropped him from their roster.
He focused on songwriting and composed songs recorded by Elvis, Gene Pitney, Glen Campbell, Jan and Dean and many others.

Answer: The Echoes

The Echoes had success with "Baby Blue" in 1961. They were assembled in 1960 to back US musicians touring in Britain. The group evolved from a Skiffle group called The Spacemen. They had a few personnel changes during their tenure as The Echoes backing band.

In 1962 the drummer left right before a tour with Jerry Lee Lewis so they hired a drummer named Ringo Starr who had just left Rory and the Hurricanes. After the tour dates he was replaced by Tommy Frost and Starr eventually joined the Beatles. Between 1962 and 1968 the group released seven singles under the name The Echoes including "Baby Blue".

Answer: False

The Shondells formed in Michigan as The Echoes, then Tom and the Tornadoes when Tommy James was known as Tommy Jackson. He was a young teen at the time and named the band The Shondells because he thought it sounded good. Songwriters Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich had formed a group called The Rainbows and recorded their composition called "Hanky Panky".

The song did not do well on the charts. Tommy James recorded a version that also became a regional hit and stalled. The Shondells then broke up but in 1965 a Pittsburgh Dee-jay started playing "Hanky Panky" at local hops and on his radio show. Demand skyrocketed and James had to form a new band.

He went into a local club in Pittsburgh and recruited the house band to become The Shondells. They went on to chart a dozen Top Forty hits including two Number Ones; "Hanky Panky" in 1966 and "Crimson and Clover" in 1969.