I Got Lost in Music #4 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Freebird

Freebird was released in 1974 and 1982 as a 'studio' recording with the 'live' version being released in 1976. The top placings for the record were; number 19 in the US in 1974 and number 21 in the UK in 1982.

*Useless Information* In 1977 the band chartered an airplane to fly them between tour dates; the plane crashed near Baton Rouge after running out of fuel. Three members of the band, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister) were killed on impact, many other members of the band and road crew were severely injured. After this whenever "Freebird" was played live, the stage was darkened except for a single spotlight, which illuminated a single microphone whilst the remaining members of the band would play an instrumental version. This tradition continued until 1989 when a near riot forced Johnny Van Zant to sing the song he had vowed never to sing live again.

Answer: Ricky Valance

Ray Peterson reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1960. In the same year Ricky Valance took the song to number one in the UK.

*Useless Information* The original lyrics as written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raliegh had Tommy enter a rodeo. RCA, who released Ray Preston's version, asked them to change the words to make the song more resemble 'Teen Angel' which had been a hit for Mark Dinning in 1959.

*Bonus Useless Information* Decca records, who were the British arm of RCA, decided not to release Ray Preston's version in the UK, as they thought it was in 'bad taste', and destroyed thousands of copies that had already been imported. EMI arranged for Ricky Valance to cover the song and despite opposition from the BBC the record reached number one in the UK after being played on Radio Luxembourg.

Answer: Donna

'Donna' was Richie Valens' biggest hit reaching number two on the Billboard 100 in 1958.
Richie died in the same plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper; he was 17 years old.

*Useless Information* 'Donna' was written by Richie Valens about his high school girlfriend, Donna Ludwig.

*Bonus Useless Information* 'Donna' was originally released as the 'A' side of the better known track called 'La Bamba'. 'La Bamba' was ranked at number 345 on 'Rolling Stone's' list of 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time' and is the only non-English language song on the list.

Answer: Actor

Released in 1961 in the UK and reaching number one on the charts, 'Johnny Remember Me' told the story of a young man who had lost his love, although we are never told why.
John Leyton appeared in many TV series in the 1960s including an ATV production called 'Harpers West One' in which he appeared as a singer called Johnny Saint Cyr.

*Useless Information* John Leyton recorded a version of 'Tell Laura I Love Her' in 1961 for the Top Rank record label. When they were bought out by EMI Leyton's version was withdrawn from sale in favour of Ricky Valance's recording.

Answer: True

'Concrete and Clay' by Unit 4+2 reached number 28 in the US after it was pitted against another version released at the same time by an American group, called Rambeau, which topped out at number 35.

*Useless Information* Unit 4+2 were so named because the original four members (Brian Parker, Tommy Moeller, David Meikle and Peter Moules) had formed a 'harmony group' called '4'. They were joined by Russ Ballard and Bob Henrit (the '+2') which formed a six piece, four 'harmony' vocal band.

Answer: Traffic

Traffic were formed in the UK in 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason. The band split up in 1969 after releasing four albums (two were top ten UK hits) and six singles (three of which hit the UK top ten).
They then reformed in 1970 (was hardly worth the break) and released what is probably their most famous album 'John Barleycorn Must Die'.

'Hole in my Shoe' reached number two in the UK although it did not chart in the US.

*Useless Information* You may be surprised to know that Steve Winwood was only 19 years old when he helped to form Traffic, but he had been a member of 'The Spencer Davis Group' since he was 14.

*Bonus Useless Information* The above information may surprise you but before this Steve Winwood had already been a backing musician for blues singers such as John Lee Hooker, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf etc for a number of years whilst still at school.

Answer: Kites

Simon Dupree and The Big Sound only had this one top ten UK hit, (number nine in November 1967) Their only other excursion into the UK charts was the follow up single 'For Whom the Bells Toll' which reached number 43.

*Useless Information* Simon Dupree and The Big Sound was formed by three brothers, Derek, Phil and Ray Shulman along with Peter O'Flaherty, Eric Hine and Tony Ransle. During a 1967 tour of Scotland Eric Hine, the band's keyboard player, became ill and was replaced by, the then, Reginald Dwight who became famous under the name 'Elton John'.

Answer: Racehorse

Peter Sarstedt was born in India in 1943. 'Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)' was a number one hit in many countries although it only reached number 70 in the US.

*Useless Information* Peter Sarstedt is the younger brother of Eden Kane, (another successful pop singer of the 1960s) and the elder brother of Clive Sarstedt who, recording under the name Robin Sarstedt, had a UK number three hit with 'My Resistance is Low'.

Answer: John Denver

Yes, Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. recorded under the name John Denver. He was (and still is) one of the most popular country music artists ever. He died in a plane crash in 1997 after a career that earned him numerous Gold and Platinum records.

*Useless Information* John changed his name to 'Denver' after being told that 'Deutschendorf' would be too long to fit onto a marquee sign. He apparently chose 'Denver' after his favourite State, Colorado.

*Bonus Useless Information* John's father, Lt. Col. Henry John Deutschendorf, Sr., was a pilot in the US Air Force who received a place in the 'Air Force Hall of Fame' after setting three speed records in a B-58 bomber.

Answer: Van Gogh

Known usually as 'Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)' the song is about Vincent Van Gogh.