Bah Humbug! (10 Ways to Ruin Christmas) Quiz

Answer: The Youngsters

"Christmas In Jail" was recorded by The Youngsters. The group formed in 1955 when Charles Everidge met Homer Green, Don Miller, Harold Murray and James Monroe Warren at a party. The group was originally called The Preludes. Their record company, (Empire Records), changed their name hoping to cash in their youth.

The group received a commendation letter from the National Safety Council for the don't drink and drive message of "Christmas In Jail". They eventually drifted apart due mainly to members being drafted into military service. "Christmas In Jail" can be found on the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".

Answer: Bobby Vee

Bobby Vee is the correct answer. Bobby Vee,(born Robert Velline April 30, 1943), got his break into the music business when he and his band The Shadows were brought in to finish the ill fated Winter Dance Party tour that cost the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Vee totaled 38 top 100 in the era between early rock and roll and the British Invasion. Vee's biggest hit was "Take Good Care Of My Baby" which reached number one on the Billboard charts in August 1961.
This song can be found on the Rhino Records release "Christmas Classics".

Answer: The Everly Brothers

"Christmas Eve Can Kill You" was sung by The Everly Brothers. The Everly Brothers recorded many classic singles beginning with "Bye Bye Love" which was a number two hit on the Billboard charts in 1957. Their career ended with an acrimonious breakup in 1973. They reunited in 1984 with their album "EB84". The Everly Brothers were in the first class of inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
"Christmas Eve Can Kill You" is from the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".

Answer: George Jones

"Lonely Christmas Call" was sung by George Jones. George Jones was born September 21, 1931 in Saratoga, Texas. Jones had his first country hit in 1955 with "Why Baby Why". He's been noted over the years for his battle with alcoholism,(nicknamed "No Show" for all the shows he missed shows due to his drinking problems).

He has been married four times, (most notable to country star Tammy Wynette). His autobiography "I Lived To Tell It All" reached number 6 on the New York Times bestseller list in 1996.

His legendary career was recognised when he was enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. "Lonely Christmas Call" is from the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".

Answer: Jimmy Donley

"Santa Don't Pass Me By" was recorded by Jimmy Donley. He was born August 17,1929 in Jonestown Mississippi. He was encouraged by his mother to develop his musical talent. He was called into the Army in 1948 and booted out in 1949 after showing signs of mental illness.

The following years saw him go through a series of bad marriages due to his mental illness. He also got into drugs during this period. He continued to work on his music career finally recording his records in 1957. His recordings which did not sell well were still considered some of the best of the era. Donley's life outside the studio continued on a downward spiral with him spending several stints in jail.

He became impatient for success which never came his way. He began selling his songs for a pittance and finally lost his battle with mental illness when he committed suicide in 1963. Donley is enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. "Santa Don't Pass Me By" is from film director John Waters Christmas compilation "A John Waters Christmas".

Answer: The Ramones

"Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)" was a 1980 single by The Ramones. The Ramones were formed in 1974 in Queens, New York. The group originally was a trio consisting of Joey Ramone, (born Jeffrey Hyman May 19, 1951), Johnny Ramone, (born John Cummings Oct. 8, 1951), and Dee Dee Ramone, (born Douglas Colvin Sept. 18, 1952). Tommy Ramone, born Tom Erdelyi Jan. 29, 1952) started as the group's manager before becoming the drummer when Joey took over as frontman.

The group scored a regular spot at New York's CBGB's club by the end of the summer of 1974.

Their set consistently contained a barrage of short two minute songs. Their first record release was "Ramones" in early 1976. They were featured in the movie "Rock and Roll High School" and have recorded, among others, the classic punk rock tunes "I Want To Be Sedated" and "Sheena is a Punk Rocker". Various lineup change have included Marky Ramone,(Mark Bee from the band "Voidoid"), who was replaced by Richie Ramone,(Richard Beau from the band Velveteens), and C.J. Ramone, (Christopher John Ward) who replaces bassist Dee Dee Ramone when he left to form the group Chinese Dragons.

The Ramones called it a day and split up in 1996, twenty years after their first recording. Sadly Joey passed away in 2001 from lymphoma, Dee Dee was found dead in his home in Los Angeles in 2002, and Johnny Ramone passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2004. This song can be heard on the Rhino Records release "Punk Rock Christmas".

Answer: Ron Holden & The Thunderbirds

Ron Holden & The Thunderbirds recorded the song in 1960. Holden,(1940-1997), was a one hit wonder reaching the Billboard top ten in 1960 with the ballad "Love You So".
This song is from the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".

Answer: The Staple Singers

"Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas" was recorded by The Staple Singers and released in 1970. The Staple Singers were led by Roebuck Staples,(nicknamed "Pops"), born 1915 in Winona, Mississippi. He started his career as a solo blues guitarist but found himself drawn to the church and gospel music.
He moved to Chicago in 1941 and played guitar for Windy City's Trumpet Jubilee. Ten years later he along with daughters Mavis and Cleotha and son Pervis performed together at church as the Staple Singers. The lineup changed in 1970 when Pervis left to be replaced by another daughter Yvonne.
The Staple singers signed with Stax Records in 1968 where they switched focus to contemporary message songs and scored hits, (best known was I'll Take You There). Booker T and the MG's played studio band for their records. "Pops" Staples died in 2000 from a concussion he received after a fall in his home. The Staple Singers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
This song is from the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".

Answer: The Wailers

The Wailers recorded "Christmas Spirit?" in 1966. The Wailers are considered by many to be America's first garage rock band. They formed in Tacoma, Washington in 1958. They never developed first rate material and played rock with a sax and keyboard frat rock sound. Their cover of "Louie Louie" backing Rocki' Roberts lead to the more successful version by fellow Pacific Northwest band The Kingsmen.
This song is from the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".

Answer: The Sonics

The Sonics recorded "Don't Believe In Christmas" in 1966. They formed in Tacoma, Washington in the early '60s following the success of other local bands, (The Wailers and The Kingsmen). The band was noted for the Little Richard style vocals of lead singer Gerry Roselie. The band scored many local hits but never broke through on the national level. They went their separate ways in the late '60s.
This song is from the Rhino Records release "Bummed Out Christmas".