Give Me Space! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Venus in Blue Jeans

Written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller, 'Venus in Blue Jeans' reached number seven on the Billboard charts in the US, when released by Jimmy Clanton. Mark Wynter's version, recorded for the UK, reached number four.

*Useless information* Mark Wynter was a contender to sing the British entry in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest. He finished in fourth place. He later became an actor and has appeared as The Phantom in 'Phantom of the Opera'.


Jimmy Clanton's versions of "Just a Dream," "A Letter to an Angel," "Ship on a Stormy Sea," and "Venus in Blue Jeans" all became million sellers for which he was awarded gold discs.

Answer: Creedence Clearwater Revival

What is there to be said about CCR that hasn't been said a hundred times before?
'Bad Moon Rising' was the band's fifth single and their second top ten hit. Written by the great John Fogerty, the song was a release from their third album, 'Green River'.

*Useless information* Creedence has sold over 26 million albums in the US alone.
When Creedence appeared at the Woodstock pop festival, they followed the Grateful Dead onstage. The Grateful Dead remained well past their allocated time slot meaning that Creedence Clearwater Revival did not start their set until 3 am when most of the audience was asleep.

Answer: Crew Cuts

Originally released by The Penguins in 1954 as the 'B' side to their single 'Hey Senorita', this 'B' side rapidly out-stripped the popularity of the 'A' side. In 1955, the Crew Cuts recorded the track, making it a top ten hit.

Answer: Cat

'Moonshadow' was a hit for Cat Stevens in 1971, reaching number ten in the Adult Contemporary charts in the US and number 30 in the UK. Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly released 'Moonlight Shadow' in 1983, reaching number four in the UK.

*Useless information* Cat Stevens' albums 'Tea for the Tillerman' and 'Teaser and the Firecat', released in 1970 and 1971 respectively, were certified as 'treble platinum' albums by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Mike Oldfield's most famous recording has to be 'Tubular Bells'; this was released in 1973 and was the first album released by the Virgin Records label. The album is probably best remembered as being the theme tune to 'The Exorcist', a horror/supernatural film released in 1973.

Answer: Lighting up the gum trees

Probably best known for the song 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport', Rolf Harris is also known for his peculiar rendition of Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven'. He was born in Australia.

*Useless information* The didgeridoo heard on 'Sun Arise' is actually four double basses as Rolf couldn't play the didgeridoo at the time. He later learned how. Rolf Harris is credited with inventing the 'Wobble Board', which is basically a piece of thin wood which is flexed rhythmically making a 'Whoop-a-Whoop' sound.

Answer: Urban

The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (or The Bonzos) released the 'Urban Spaceman' in 1968. This single featured a strange instrument which looked like a hosepipe and was whirled around the head making a strange moaning/droning noise.

*Useless information* This record was produced by Paul McCartney and Gus Dudgeon under the pseudonym Apollo C. Vermouth.

Answer: A thousand

Kathy Young recorded this song when she was just 15 years old after appearing on the Wink Martindale Show in the US. In 1960 Billy Fury released his version in the UK, hitting number 14 in the charts.

*Useless information* According to most astronomers, on a clear night you can see approximately 2000 stars at any given time.

Answer: David Bowie

David Bowie was born in 1947 with the name David Jones. He changed his name in 1966 to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees.

Answer: Star

Madonna released 'Lucky Star' in 1984. Lee Marvin released 'Wand'rin'' Star, from the musical 'Paint Your Wagon' in 1970. And Big Dee Irwin released a song called 'Swinging on a Star' in 1963, in which he sang a duet with Little Eva of The Locomotion fame.

*Useless information* Madonna has been recognised by the "Guinness Book of Records" as the world's top-selling female recording artist of all time. Lee Marvin is better known as an actor and won an Academy Award for Best Actor when he starred in 'Cat Ballou', where he played two roles. 'Swingin' on a Star' was first sung by Bing Crosby in the 1944 film 'Going My Way', where it won an Academy Award for Best Song.

Answer: Status Quo

'Ice in the Sun' was Status Quo's second hit single, released in 1968. It reached number eight in the UK charts.

*Useless information* 'Ice in the Sun' is one of over 60 UK hits recorded by Status Quo.