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1950s Music for Experts Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
1950s Music for Experts Quizzes, Trivia

1950s Music for Experts Trivia

1950s Music for Experts Trivia Quizzes

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14 quizzes and 155 trivia questions.
1.
  1950s Music : Part 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Think you know a lot about the 50s? If so, this is the quiz for you. If you like this quiz try the other Mitzel's quizzes. Thank you, Good Luck!
Difficult, 10 Qns, ALXZANDER, Nov 25 10
Difficult
ALXZANDER
2366 plays
2.
  Lyrics of the 50s   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
"Roll Over Beethoven, tell Tchaikovsky the news." Is there a greater lyric in the history of rock and roll? No, but here are some 50s lyrics that come close.
Difficult, 10 Qns, matriplex, Jan 01 09
Difficult
matriplex
1569 plays
3.
  The '50s: Not All Rock 'n' Roll Vol.3   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
From 1955 Rock 'n' Roll started to dominate the music charts but not all was lost by the ballad singers, just yet. UK chart: Guinness book of British Hit Singles. US chart: Joel Whitburn's Billboard book of Top Pop Singles.
Tough, 10 Qns, shipyardbernie, Oct 20 19
Tough
shipyardbernie gold member
Oct 20 19
341 plays
4.
  Boomers-The Formative Years    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1950s. There was a confluence of musical styles: pop, doo wop, swing, jazz, country R&B, folk, rock and roll, classical and polka and their subcategories. The distinctions blurred. It was an incredible time to enjoy music.
Tough, 10 Qns, gfitz47, Sep 16 16
Tough
gfitz47
431 plays
5.
  1950s Rock'n'Roll   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you thought my rockabilly quiz was difficult, try this.
Difficult, 10 Qns, procrastinador, Jul 11 22
Difficult
procrastinador
Jul 11 22
1843 plays
6.
  1950s Music : Part 1   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Think you know a lot about the 50s? If so, then this is the quiz for you. GOOD LUCK! HAVE FUN!
Tough, 10 Qns, ALXZANDER, May 15 07
Tough
ALXZANDER
3710 plays
7.
  Songs and Singers of the 1950s UK Charts   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
It was in the 1950s that record charts began to take over from the music sheet sales as the indicator of the top selling singles. Can you remember any of these songs and artists?
Difficult, 15 Qns, Big-Al1st, Mar 09 10
Difficult
Big-Al1st
1187 plays
8.
  A-WOP-BOP-A-LOO-BOP-A-LOP-BOP-BOP   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
From Doo Wop to Rock and Roll, the 50s was a good decade for great music with odd names; can you remember any of these gems?
Tough, 10 Qns, bronzeagequeen, Feb 12 11
Tough
bronzeagequeen
586 plays
9.
  More 50s Music    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Here are some more good old fifties songs. Some are easy, others, well ... enjoy!
Tough, 15 Qns, Dorfette, Jul 09 14
Tough
Dorfette
2866 plays
10.
  50s Deja Vu   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A lot of songs that we all loved in the 60s were recorded in the 50s. And we thought they were all original!
Tough, 10 Qns, mafekinggal, Jan 01 09
Tough
mafekinggal
3194 plays
11.
  Hits Of The Late 50s   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some great hits from the late 50s.For a change, you don't have to know who sang any of these!!!
Tough, 10 Qns, mafekinggal, Oct 03 03
Tough
mafekinggal
3320 plays
12.
  Can You Remember The Fifties?    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
I was too young to remember most of these but, grew-up listening to them thanks to my mom. There was alot of great music back then. This is my first attempt at creating a quiz and I hope you enjoy it.
Tough, 15 Qns, Dorfette, Feb 04 06
Tough
Dorfette
2788 plays
13.
  1950s Rock and Roll Artists    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Lesser known facts about rock and roll artists.
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, riodice, Mar 05 22
Very Difficult
riodice
Mar 05 22
636 plays
14.
  That Sounds Awfully Mean    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Lyrics sometimes are not all that 'politically correct,' especially when heard out of context. Pick the name of the songs--all of them are at least forty years old--containing these cruel and sassy lines.
Tough, 10 Qns, fritzer, Mar 04 11
Tough
fritzer
1357 plays

1950s Music for Experts Trivia Questions
1. Who was the first singer to have three number one hits in the same year on the UK Singles Chart?

From Quiz The '50s: Not All Rock 'n' Roll Vol.3

Answer: Frankie Laine

Frankie Laine had three number one hits on the UK Singles Chart in 1953. He was also the first singer to top the chart with consecutive releases. In total he spent 27 weeks at the top in 1953. "I Believe" written by Erwin Drake/Irvin Graham/Jimmy Shirl/Al Stillman was number one for 18 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1953. It peaked at number two on the Billboard chart the same year. "Hey Joe" written by Boudleaux Bryant was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1953. It peaked at number six on the Billboard chart the same year. "Answer Me" written by Gerhard Winkler/Fred Rauch/Carl Sigman was number one for eight weeks in 1953/54. It peaked at number 24 on the Billboard chart the same year.

2. "Giddy-up-a-Ding-Dong" was a 1956 hit for which group?

From Quiz A-WOP-BOP-A-LOO-BOP-A-LOP-BOP-BOP

Answer: Freddie Bell and The Bellboys

The song "Giddy-up-a-Ding-Dong" gained popularity after it was featured in the movie "Rock Around The Clock" with Bill Haley.

3. Who recorded the original version of the song "Hound Dog"?

From Quiz 1950s Rock'n'Roll

Answer: Willa Mae Thornton

"Hound Dog" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller as a blues song and was first recorded by Willa Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. Elvis Presley heard the song in Las Vegas in 1955, being performed by Freddy Bell & the Bell Boys, who had it in their repertoire, and decided to cover it. Bill Haley has never recorded the song as far as I know.

4. Who was the first British female star to have a Number One hit?

From Quiz Songs and Singers of the 1950s UK Charts

Answer: Lita Rosa

Lita Rosa (Roza) was the first British female to have a Number One hit with "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" in 1953.Formerly a singer with the Ted Heath Band this was the only Number One hit Lita enjoyed.

5. What song contains the following play by play? "Two-three the count with nobody on He hit a high fly into the stands Rounding third and heading for home..."

From Quiz Lyrics of the 50s

Answer: Brown Eyed Handsome Man

Chuck Berry at his most clever. "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" is loaded with great lyrics, including this one... Milo Venus was a beautiful lass She had the world in the palm of her hands She lost both her arms in a wrestlin' match To win a brown eyed handsome man

6. 'And she's broad, where a broad, should be broad'

From Quiz That Sounds Awfully Mean

Answer: 'Honey Bun'

From Rodgers and Hammerstein in 'South Pacific'.

7. In 'High Hopes', who moved the rubber tree plant?

From Quiz Hits Of The Late 50s

Answer: ant

Sung by Frank Sinatra - 1959

8. 'My Special Angel' was a hit for the Vogues in 1968 but who made it popular in 1957?

From Quiz 50s Deja Vu

Answer: Bobby Helms

I love both versions!

9. The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens all died in a plane crash on February 3rd, 1959. Who was the 4th person?

From Quiz 1950s Music : Part 1

Answer: Roger Peterson

Roger Peterson...The forgotten pilot.

10. The year was 1958...which artist or group sang 'To Be Loved'?

From Quiz More 50s Music

Answer: Jackie Wilson

Had lots of wonderful hits

11. In 1959 Which Group Or Artist Sang A Song Called 'I've Had It'?

From Quiz Can You Remember The Fifties?

Answer: The Bell Notes

This was the only hit for this artist(s)

12. This lady had success at home in America in the '40s & '50s but became a one hit wonder on the UK Singles Chart with the song "Little Things Mean A Lot". Who is she?

From Quiz The '50s: Not All Rock 'n' Roll Vol.3

Answer: Kitty Kallen

"Little Things Mean A Lot" written by Edith Lindeman/Carl Stutz was number one for one week on the UK Singles for Kitty Kallen in 1954. It was number one for nine weeks on the Billboard Pop cart in 1954. Kitty Kallen was born Katie Kallen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani, USA, in 1921. She sang with the big bands of Artie Shaw (1938) and Jack Teagarden (1939) while still a teenager. Aged 21 she joined the Jimmy Dorsey band and in 1944 had a number two hit on the Billboard chart with "They're Either Too Young or Too Old" and a number one hit with "Besame Mucho". She then joined the Harry James band. In 1954 she was voted the most popular female singer in Billboard and Variety polls. After a number four hit with "In The Chapel In The Moonlight" in 1954 she only had a few minor hits during the rest of the '50s. She made it to the Top 20 once more when "My Colouring Book" peaked at number 18 in 1963.

13. Whose singing career took off two months after Elvis signed with RCA?

From Quiz 1950s Rock and Roll Artists

Answer: Janis Martin

After her first public performances in talent contests, Janis appeared alongside artists such as Cowboy Copas and Sunshine Sue. In 1955, she began to tire of country music and was signed to RCA after they had heard her demo of 'Will You, Willyum'. Coupled with her own song "Drugstore Rock 'N' Roll", it sold 750,000 copies and proved to be the biggest hit of her career. Her dancing onstage led her to be dubbed the female Elvis, but although Elvis' manager, Tom Parker tried to sign her as a boy-girl act with Elvis, her parents vetoed it as they felt that at 15 she was not ready for the grueling tour circuit.

14. "Be Bop A Lula" was a 1956 hit for which artist?

From Quiz A-WOP-BOP-A-LOO-BOP-A-LOP-BOP-BOP

Answer: Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps

Despite being a song that most people recognise, "Be Bop A Lula" was actually a b-side to the song "Woman Love" which only reached number seven in the Billboard Charts. Gene Vincent died from a ruptured stomach ulcer when he was only 36; he was the first artist inducted into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.

15. "Rock Around the Clock" is one of the most famous songs of all time. Who recorded the very first version of it?

From Quiz 1950s Rock'n'Roll

Answer: Sonny Dae & His Knights

"Rock Around the Clock" was first released by Sonny Dae & His Knights on Arcade label from Philadelphia. Their version has been re-released in Europe on the album "Rockaphilly! Philadelphia Rock'n'Roll". Bill Haley's version became a hit when it was featured in the movie "Blackboard Jungle" in 1955.

16. Which Northern Irish female star had her only Number One hit in 1955?

From Quiz Songs and Singers of the 1950s UK Charts

Answer: Ruby Murray

Ruby Murray, born in Belfast, had her only Number One hit in 1955 with "Softly, Softly". Although this was her only Number One she had the distinction of having 5 records in the British Charts during 1955. Another claim to fame is that her name has entered into the Cockney Rhyming slang Dictionary for Curry.

17. 'The gentle sex was made for man to marry; to tend his needs and see his food is cooked'

From Quiz That Sounds Awfully Mean

Answer: 'With a Little Bit of Luck'

from Lerner and Loewe in 'My Fair Lady'.

18. What does the 'Handy Man' fix?

From Quiz Hits Of The Late 50s

Answer: broken hearts

Sung by Jimmy Jones - 1959

19. 'Handy Man' was a hit in three different decades. James Taylor sang it in 1977 and Del Shannon in 1964. Whose hit was it in 1959?

From Quiz 50s Deja Vu

Answer: Jimmy Jones

Who's heard of Jimmy Jones?

20. Who sang the song 'Hound Dog' before Elvis Presley?

From Quiz 1950s Music : Part 2

Answer: Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys

Elvis sang it in 1956, Freddie Bell and the Bell Boys in 1955 and Big Mama Thorton in 1953.

21. Which artists sang the back-up vocals (indian sounds) for Johnny Preston's number one hit song Running Bear?

From Quiz 1950s Music : Part 1

Answer: The Big Bopper and George Jones

An unlikely duo, especially as indians.

22. 1957...The song was 'Short Fat Fannie' Who sang it?

From Quiz More 50s Music

Answer: Larry Williams

23. In 1957, Who sang 'Mr. Lee'?

From Quiz Can You Remember The Fifties?

Answer: The Bobbettes

They had another song called 'I SHOT MR. LEE'

24. Whose career began when touring alongside Elvis in 1955?

From Quiz 1950s Rock and Roll Artists

Answer: Wanda Jackson

It was Elvis who recommended she learn rockabilly. She dated him for a while. She was considered to have brought glamour to the country music scene. When she was adamant about the type of sound she wanted, Ken Nelson put session musicians Merrill Moore and Buck Owens into the lineup.

25. Who did not make a recording of the song "Ka-Ding Dong"?

From Quiz A-WOP-BOP-A-LOO-BOP-A-LOP-BOP-BOP

Answer: Smiley Lewis

All three versions of the song "Ka-Ding Dong" hit the charts around the same time, but the G-Clefs version won the race peaking at number 24, September 1956.

26. Who was marketed by her record company as the "female Elvis" (a gimmick that didn't please Elvis Presley's female fans very much)?

From Quiz 1950s Rock'n'Roll

Answer: Janis Martin

RCA tried to push Janis Martin as a female counterpart to their golden boy Elvis. She made some fine rockabilly recordings like "Drugstore Rock'n'Roll", "Bang Bang" and "My Boy Elvis" (really!), but never had a big hit. Her recordings have been re-released by Bear Family Records of Germany.

27. What was Elvis Presley's first British Number One hit?

From Quiz Songs and Singers of the 1950s UK Charts

Answer: All Shook Up

Elvis Presley's first Number One hit was "All Shook Up" in 1957. Prior to that he had 9 Top Ten hits before achieving the Number One spot. Such classics as "Hound Dog" and "Heartbreak Hotel" reached Number two whilst "Don't Be Cruel" failed to hit the British Charts altogether.

28. What song makes this alluring prediction? "I'm gonna shout, laugh, holler and giggle tonight I'm gonna shake it just a little in the middle of the night"

From Quiz Lyrics of the 50s

Answer: Rock Around With Ollie Vee

In "The Buddy Holly Story", a terrific 1978 film with Gary Busey as Buddy, this is the first rock and roll song they sing in the movie. The band's playing country music on a radio show being broadcast from a roller rink. Bored to distraction by the mind-numbing country music they are forced to play, Buddy kicks into "Rock Around With Ollie Vee" and the place comes alive. Next day, Buddy sits in church with his parents listening to the preacher rail on about the evils of rock and roll.

29. 'Old girl you're through; sit there and count your little fingers'

From Quiz That Sounds Awfully Mean

Answer: 'Little Girl Blue'

Richard Rodgers again, and this time the lyricist is Lorenz Hart, in 'Jumbo'.

30. What was Marty Robbins dressed up for in 'A White Sport Coat'?

From Quiz Hits Of The Late 50s

Answer: the prom

'Once you told me long ago - to the prom with me you'd go' From 1957.

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