No. 1 R&B Hits - 1970-1975 Trivia Quiz

Answer: The O'Jays

The single "Love Train" became the first number one hit for this talented group. The group was formed in Canton, Ohio in 1958 while the members were attending high school. The group was originally known as "The Triumphs", and then "The Mascots". They took the name "The O'Jays" in tribute to a local disc jockey, Eddie O'Jay, in 1963, and released the single "Lonely Drifter" which charted nationally.

Other songs that hit the "Billboard Music Charts" and the "R&B Music Charts" were "Backstabbers", "Let Me Make Love To You", "Give the People What They Want", "Message In Our Music", and "For The Love of Money".

The hit single "For The Love Of Money" was nominated in 1975 for a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Vocal Performance - Duo, Group or Chorus", losing to "Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus. "For the Love of Money was used in 1977 as the theme song for the short lived, Emmy winning television variety show, "The Richard Pryor Show", and more recently, the theme for the 2004 reality television series, "The Apprentice" with Donald Trump.

In 2005, The O'Jays were inducted into "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame".

Answer: Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack occupied the top position on the charts for a total of twelve weeks. Her hit single, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", topped the charts for six weeks in the Spring of 1972, and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" occupied the top position on the charts for five weeks in the Spring of 1973. Finally, "Feel Like Makin' Love" was number one for one week in 1974.
Second on this list were The Jackson 5, who had four hits that reached the top of the charts for a combined ten weeks in 1970.
They were, "I Want You Back" with one week, "ABC" for two weeks, "The Love You Save" for two weeks, and "I'll Be There" for five weeks.

Answer: Barry White

Barry Eugene White (September 12, 1944-July 4, 2003, was a record producer and singer, and was responsible for the creation of the Love Unlimited Orchestra, which he also conducted. The Love Unlimited Orchestra consisted of live musicians, including string and percussion players. White was best known for his deep bass voice and suave delivery.

His music was used by couples wishing to create a romantic ambiance. White was affectionately referred to as the "Maestro", the "Walrus of Love", and "The Man With The Golden Voice". Over the span of his career, White conducted the Love Unlimited Orchestra to five singles that reached the charts (including their number one hit) and 18 singles that reached the charts, including a number one single ("Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe") in September of 1974. White was inducted into the "Dance Music Hall of Fame" in a ceremony held in New York on September 20, 2004.

Answer: The Temptations

Eddie Kendricks (Edward James Kendricks December 17, 1939-October 5, 1992) was a singer and songwriter who was known for his very distinctive falsetto singing style, was one of the lead singers for the Motown group, The Temptations, during the 1960's and 1970's.
As a member of The Temptations, Kendricks was responsible for creating most of the group's vocal arrangements, and also served as the group's wardrobe manager.
Kendricks left the Temptations in 1971 to embark on a solo recording career. Over the following ten years, Kendricks recorded 24 single, including his only chart topper, "Keep On Trucking", and 13 albums. In 1989, Kendricks, along with his former band mates from The Temptations, was inducted into "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame".

Answer: The Three Degrees

The Three Degrees were a female musical group formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Although the group always fronted a three person line-up, a total of 11 women have rotationally representing the group. The original members were Fayette Pickney, Shirley Porter, and Linda Turner.
The group had several hit singles in the 1970's, including their number one single, "When Will I See You Again", in 1973.
The vocals performed on "TSOP" and their number one single was performed by members Fayette Pinckney, Sheila Ferguson, and Valerie Holliday.
A well known fan of the group was Prince Charles, who invited them to perform at Buckingham Palace for his 30th birthday party.

Answer: Dionne Warwick

Warwick started her profession singing career in 1963, and in over 40 years has produced over 70 hit singles. Warwick's singing style has included R&B, soul, quiet storm, adult contemporary, pop and pop rock. Warwick has charted hits on the "U.S. Hot 100 Charts", "The U.S. R&B Chart"s, "The U.S. Adult Contemporary Charts", and the Canadian and U.K. charts. One single, "That's What Friend's Are For", featuring Dionne singing with Elton John, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Stevie Wonder, hit the number one position on all but the U.K. charts on 1985.

Other notable singers who have performed with Dionne Warwick were Isaac Hayes, Howard Hewett, and Jeffrey Osborne to name a few.

Answer: Jackson 5

The talented singing brother topped the list with four hit singles, all in 1970. The Jackson 5 scored with, "I want you Back" in January, "ABC" in April and May, "The Love You Save" in June and July, and "I'll Be There" in October and November. The "Jacksons 5" were natives of Gary Indiana, and were active from 1962 until 1990. Considered one of the phenomenons in the 1970's, the group was comprised of Katherine and Joseph Jackson's eldest five sons: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. Joseph Jackson formed the group in 1962 and served as manager with Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and two unrelated youths in the original line up. Within a year, Michael and Marlon joined the band and Michael became the lead singer.

In addition to the group's four number one hits, they also had seven other songs that reached the "Top Ten" list on the charts. Seven of their songs reached the number one position on the R&B Music charts. During their career, the Jackson 5 released 19 albums (10 with Motown Records, 1976-1981, 6 with CBS Records, 1976-1981, and 3 live albums, 1971-1981) and were inducted into "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 1997. Th group was also inducted into "The Vocal Group Hall of Fame" in 1999. Two of their singles, "ABC" and "I Want You Back" are among "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".

Answer: The Ohio Players

The group, a R&B/Funk band was created in 1959, with their heyday in the mid to late 1970's. The bands first hit was the "Funky Worm", which made the top 15 on the "Billboard R%B Charts" in May of 1973. The group had seven more "Top 40 Hits" between 1975 and 1976, including "Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster" which reached #1 on both the "R&B and Pop 100" charts in February of 1976.

The groups last big hit was "Who'd She Coo", a number one hit on the R&B charts in August of 1976

Answer: Sly and the Family Stone

This group from San Francisco, California performed between 1967 and 1975. Headed by singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, the group contained a number of family members and friends. The group was the first American rock band to have a multicultural line-up, giving African American, White Americans, males and females all roles in the bands instrumentation.
Brothers Sly and Freddie Stone combined their bands (Sly and the Stones and Freddie and the Stones) in 1967. As a result, the two brothers were joined by trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham to complete the original line-up. Within a year, Sly and Freddie's sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone joined the group.
During the years between 1967 and 1983, the group recorded 12 albums, and had two hit singles that reached the number one position on the charts. They also had eight other single hits that placed in the "Top 40" on the charts.
Sly and the Family Stone was inducted into "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 1993. The group was also awarded "The R&B Foundation Pioneer Award" in 2002. Two of their songs, "Dance to the Music" and "Thank You fallettinme Be Mice Elf Agin" are among "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll". In 2004, "Rolling Stone Magazine" ranked the group number 43 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Artist of All Time".
As a final note, I want to mention that the actual translation of the title of their 1970 number one hit was, "Thank you for letting me be myself, again".

Answer: The Temptations

Considered the quintessential Motown vocal group, the quartet offered a rich blend of vocals accompanied by stylish coordinated dance and moves. The group originally formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as "The Elgins". The Temptations have always featured five African American male vocalist/dancers. The group is known for its recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and on stage attire.
Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by 1982, the Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history, and were the definitive male vocal group in the 1960's. The Temptation recorded with the Motown record label for a total of 40 years. During the illustrious history of the group, The Temptations released four number one hit singles on the U.S.Charts and 14 number one hit singles on the R&B Charts. The Temptations also had 11 hit singles that reached the "Top 10" on the charts. Their material earned them three Grammy Awards.
Since the beginning of the group, 21 different singer/dancers have perform with the group, but the quartet who performed their no.1 hit in 1971 was comprised of Paul Williams, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Dennis Edwards. The Temptations were inducted into "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" in 1989.

Answer: The Chi-Lites

The group originated in (you guessed it) Chicago, Illinois. Starting in the late 1950's, two groups, The Chanteurs (Eugene Record, Robert Lester, and Clarence Johnson) teamed with The Desideros (Marshall Thompson and Creadel Jones) to form the group, "The Hi-Liters." Wishing to pay a tribute to their home town of Chicago, the changed the group name to "Marshall and the Chi-Lites" in 1964.

The name was lated shortened to "The Chi-Lites". The group went on to record 11 top ten songs on the R&B charts, one of which, "Oh Girl", reached the number one position on the Billboard charts.

Other Chi-Lite hits included, "Have You Seen Her?", "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People", "We are Neighbors", "I found Sunshine", and "Lonely Girl". During their glory years, Tenor-falsetto Eugene Record was the lead vocalist as well as chief composer of their songs.

Answer: Gladys Knight and the Pips

The song "Midnight Train To Georgia" took Gladys Knight and the Pips to the top of the charts for the weeks of October 27, and November 3, in 1973. Merald "Bubba" Knight is the brother of lead singer Glacés. Edward Roy Patten and William Guest are their cousins.
The group joined Motown Records in 1966, and although regarded as a second string act, scored several hit singles including, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (1967), "The Nitty Gritty" (1969), "Friendship Train" (1969), "If I Were Your Woman" (1970), I Don't Want To Do Wrong" (1970), the Grammy winning "Neither One Of Us Wants To Be The First (To Say Goodbye)" (1972), and "Daddy Could Swear (I Declare)" in 1973.
The act left Motown Records for a better deal with Buddah Records in 1973, and achieved full-fledged success that year with "I've Got To Use My Imagination". "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me", and the Grammy Award winning "Midnight Train To Georgia", which was the groups only Number One hit.

Answer: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"

Roberta Flack sang this emotional song that remained in the top position of the chart for six consecutive weeks, from April 15, 1972 until May 26, 1972.

Answer: The Love You Save

The Jackson 5 hit the top of the charts with their song "The Love You Save" on June 27, 1970, and remained there the following week. This was one of four number one hits for the Jackson 5 in 1970. The group had number one records for a total of 10 weeks during that year.

Answer: Isaac Hayes

Hayes sang the title theme song from the 1971 movie, "Shaft". The brief but powerful lyric were as follows:

"Who's the black private dick
that's a sex machine to all the chicks?"
"Shaft,
you're damed right."
"Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother man,
Shaft,
can you dig it?"
"Who's the cat that won't cop out,
when there's danger all about,
Shaft,
Right on."
"They say this cat Shaft is a bad, mother,
Shut you mouth,
but I'm talking about Shaft,
then we can dig it."
"He's a complicated man,
but no one understands him like his woman,
John Shaft"

Answer: Minnie Riperton

Minnie Riperton (November 8, 1947-July 12, 1979) was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was best known for the number one hit song "Loving You", and for having a rare five-octave voice range. She displayed the ability to imitate instrumentation, and even birds.

She at one time seriously considered a career in opera, however, her affiliation with the "Chess Records" record label provided her the opportunity to sing back-up for artist Etta James, Fontela Base, and Stevie Wonder. Riperton sang vocals for several small, unsuccessful groups before teaming up with her husband, composer Richard Rudolph, to start a solo career. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976, she became an active spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society, and was awarded and received the Society Courage Award from President Jimmy Carter. Minnie Riperton passed away in 1979 at the age of 31 in Los Angeles, California.

Answer: Billy Paul

In addition to being on the top of the charts for the last three weeks of 1972, The song earned Billy Paul a "Grammy Award".
Billy Paul, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was born Paul Williams on December 1, 1931. He was a classically trained musician, attending Temple University, West Philadelphia Music School, and the Granoff Music School, to complete his education.
Paul has been referred to as a "One Hit Wonder" as his other music did not reached the stature and rating of his only number one song.
Billy Paul has toured and recorded with other artist on the Philadelphia International Records label.

Answer: Ben

The song was recorded by a teenager Michael Jackson for the Motown Record label in 1972. The song, the theme of a 1972 film of the same name, spent one week at the top of the charts, as well as reaching the number seven position in the United Kingdom.
The song won a Golden Globe for "Best Song", and was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Original Song" in 1973.
The song also made Michael Jackson the third young solo artist (at age 14) to score a number one hit single. Only Stevie Wonder and Donny Osmond (both at age 13) were younger.

Answer: The Hues Corporation

Their hit single was considered to one of the earliest disco songs. Some authorities proclaimed it to be the first disco song to reach the number one on the charts.
Before making it big in the music industry, the group appeared in the 1972 blaxploitation film "Blacula", starring William Marshall.
The group name was a play om the (Howard) Hughes Corporation, with the "Hues" referring the groups African American heritage.
The group members were St.Clair Lee, Flemming Williams, and Ann Kelley. The group disbanded in 1977.

Answer: Aretha Franklin

While Franklin had no number one records during the time covered by this quiz, she is no stranger to the charts. During the 20 year period between 1967 and 1987, Aretha, often referred to as "The Queen of Soul", had 17 singles that reached the "Top 10 U.S. Singles" on the charts including two songs ("RESPECT" in 1967 and "I Knew You Were Waiting for me"), with George Michael in 1987 that reached the top position on the charts.

Other honors afforded to Aretha includes being the first woman inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" on January 3, 1987, and being selected by "Rolling Stone Magazine" as 9th on their list of "100 Greatest Artist of All Time". Franklin has also won 19 Grammy Awards for her performances.