Music from 1963 Trivia

1. Which American girl group had a hit with the song "Da Doo Ron Ron"?

From Quiz Hits of 1963 - Part 2

Answer: The Crystals

"Da Doo Ron Ron" was recorded by The Crystals and written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. It went to number three in the US and number five in the UK. In 1977 Shaun Cassidy recorded a cover version and it got to number one in the US.

From Quiz 1963 Revisited

Answer: He's So Fine

Bright Tunes Music Corporation, who owned the copyright for "He's So Fine", sued Harrison in 1971, claiming the two songs were musically similar. The case finally went to trial in February of 1976 and seven months later the court ruled against Harrison, finding him guilty of "subconscious plagiarism". In an ironic twist, the Chiffons recorded their own version of "My Sweet Lord" in 1975, but it failed to chart. "He's So Fine" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the Spring of 1963, spending four weeks at the top spot. It also ranked at number five on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles chart.

From Quiz My Birthday Top Ten - 1963

Answer: Frank Ifield

This was Frank Ifield's last big hit although he had a handful of top forty entries, with the last in 1966, until he reappeared there in 1991 on a track called "She Taught Me To Yodel" featuring The Backroom Boys!

From Quiz 1963 One-Word Title US Top Forty Songs

Answer: The Singing Nun

Jeanine Deckers went by the name Soeur Sourire when she became a member of The Dominican Order in Belgium. She had a surprise US hit when she recorded "Dominique" in French as The Singing Nun. In 1961 she recorded an album of her own compositions intended for visitors at retreats. "Dominique" became an international sensation and her appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1963 provided her significant exposure in America. Two years later Debbie Reynolds portrayed her in a movie aptly titled "The Singing Nun". Sister Janet Mead released a Top Forty rendition of "The Lords Prayer" in 1974. "The Flying Nun" was a television show starring Sally Field as Sister Bertrille from 1967-1970.

From Quiz US Billboard Number Ones 1963

Answer: Go Away Little Girl

'Go Away Little Girl' was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. This version was released in 1962 by Steve Lawrence; a cover version released by Mark Wynter reached number six in the UK charts in 1962. *Useless information* 'Go Away Little Girl' by Steve Lawrence is the first of only nine recordings, to date, to have reached number one in the Billboard charts by two different artists. (Donny Osmond reached number one in 1971 with his version of the same song).

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? US Number One Hits 1963

Answer: The Rooftop Singers

It was The Rooftop Singers asking you to "Walk Right In", number one for two weeks on the US pop chart. It reached number ten on the UK chart. The Duprees had a number 18 hit on the US pop chart in 1963 with "Have You Heard", it never charted in the UK. The Exciters had a number 57 hit on the US pop chart in 1963 with "He's Got The Power", it did not chart in the UK. The O'Jays had a number 93 hit on the US pop chart in 1963 with "Lonely Drifter", it did not chart in the UK.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? UK Number One Hits 1963

Answer: Gerry and The Pacemakers

The song was "How Do You Do It" from Gerry and The Pacemakers. The first UK number one for the group and of the Merseybeat sound. It reached number nine on the US chart in 1964. The Beatles were offered the song and recorded it but it was never released as a single by them. The Swinging Blue Jeans never had a UK number one but reached number two in the UK with their 1963 release "Hippy Hippy Shake". It reached number 24 on the US chart in 1964. Dave Berry and The Cruisers had a UK number 19 hit with a cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis Tennessee" in 1963.

From Quiz Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1963

Answer: Steve Lawrence

Steve was originally a trained pianist and sax player who accompanied his vocalist brother, Bernie. When Bernie was drafted, Steve began singing and ended up winning "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts." He signed with King Records in 1951. Then he became a regular on Steve Allen's "Tonight Show" for five years, where he met his wife Edie Gorme. Elvis Presley's initial Las Vegas opening did not go well and he focused on movies. Bobby Rydell had a number of hits, including "Wild One" and "Volare", and he also starred in "Bye Bye Birdie." Dion had several hits such as "Runaround Sue" and "Teenager in Love."

From Quiz Hits of 1963

Answer: The Singing Nun

"Dominique" was recorded by The Singing Nun real name Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers. It was a number one hit in the US and went to number seven in the UK.

From Quiz The Top Hits of 1963

Answer: Sugar Shack

The Fireballs were a late 1950s New Mexico based band who were contemporaries of Buddy Holly and often spent time together at Norman Petty's recording studio in Clovis, N.M. Their first recordings were pure instrumentals and three of them "Torquay", "Bulldog" and "Quite A Party" were moderate top 40 hits. Petty introduced Jimmy Gilmer to the band in early 1963 and, as Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs, they recorded this smash hit. It rode atop the charts for five weeks during its 15 week run in the Hot 100, good enough for 1382 points and top spot for year-end rankings. Subsequent recordings didn't have quite the same success although they did have a Number Nine hit in 1968 with "Bottle Of Wine". Gilmer was still with the group then but curiously, the song is attributed just to The Fireballs. That was their last hurrah. They disbanded a short time later when their final releases barely eked into the Hot 100.

From Quiz BRI's Top Ten Hits of 1963

Answer: It's All Right

"It's All Right" was number one on the R&B charts, and #4 on the pop charts for The Impressions. The Impressions were one of the first R&B groups to switch back and forth between different singers, a technique used quite a bit in gospel music. Curtis Mayfield sang with the group, and wrote a lot of their songs. This resulted in them being among the first to release songs that had a social conscience, as Mayfield became more and more involved in the civil rights movement.

From Quiz Transistor Memories 1963

Answer: Stompers

This was one of the few Dixieland instrumentals to chart in the modern pop Top 10.

From Quiz Hits Of 1963

Answer: Eydie Gorme

From Quiz Hits of 1963 - Part 2

Answer: Bobby Vee

"The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" was recorded by Bobby Vee and written by Benjamin Weisman, Dorothy Wayne and Marilyn Garrett. It can be found on his 1963 album of the same name. It got to number three in both the UK and US. It has been covered by several artists including Gary Lewis & the Playboys and The Carpenters.

From Quiz 1963 Revisited

Answer: Surf City

"Surf City", which was co-written by Brian Wilson and Jan Berry, reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1963, making it the duos first and only number one hit. During their peak years from 1963 to 1966, Jan and Dean had ten singles reach the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. When Dean Torrence moved to Huntington Beach, California in 1991, he was instrumental in convincing town officials to adopt Surf City, USA as the cities official nickname.

From Quiz That Was The Year That Was: Pop Music 1963

Answer: Walk Like A Man

"Walk Like A Man" written by Bob Crewe/Bob Gaudio was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The 4 Seasons in 1963. It peaked at number 12 on the UK singles chart the same year. Francis Castelluccio (Frankie Valli), formed The Variatones in 1955, they became The Four Lovers. They then became The 4 Seasons with the 1961 lineup of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. They took the name The 4 Seasons, from a bowling alley in New Jersey. Between 1962 and 1976 The 4 Seasons had 21 Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, 15 of which were Top Ten hits. These five singles made it to number one, "Sherry" (number one for five weeks in 1962), "Big Girls Don't Cry" (number one for five weeks in 1962), "Walk Like A Man" (number one for three weeks in 1963), "Rag Doll" (number one for two weeks in 1964) and "December '63 (Oh, What A Night)", (number one for three weeks in 1976).

From Quiz My Birthday Top Ten - 1963

Answer: Gerry and the Pacemakers

Gerry and the Pacemakers were the first act to have number one hits in the UK with all of their first three releases. This feat remained a record for more than twenty years, when it was equaled by fellow Liverpudlians Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

From Quiz UK number 1s 1963

Answer: Cliff Richard and the Shadows / The Beatles

Yes! Cliff Richard and the Shadows and The Beatles both had number one records that reached the top spot twice in 1963. Cliff Richard had a hit with 'Summer Holiday' for two weeks from 14th March. 'Foot Tapper' by The Shadows took the top spot for one week on the 28th March and Cliff regained the number one for one more week on the 4th April. The Beatles held the top spot with 'She Loves You' for a total of six weeks. On the 12th September for four weeks, and then for two more weeks from the 28th November. *Useless information* In 1996 during a rainstorm at the Wimbledon tennis championships, Cliff Richard led the crowd in a spontaneous rendition of six of his songs whilst waiting for play to resume. 'Summer Holiday' was one of the songs. According to BBC Radio 2 in August 2009 'She Loves You' was the best selling Beatles single ever in the UK - information was supplied to the BBC by the 'The Official Charts Company'.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? US Number One Hits 1963

Answer: The 4 Seasons

"Walk Like A Man" sang The 4 Seasons, it was number one for three weeks on the US pop chart. It reached number twelve on the UK chart. They had to wait till 1976 for their first UK number one hit with "December '63 (Oh What A Night)". The Miracles had a number eight hit on the US pop chart in 1963 with "Mickey's Monkey", it did not chart in the UK. The Tymes had a number one hit for one week on the US pop chart in 1963 with "So Much In Love", it reached number 21 on the UK chart. The Essex had a number one hit for two weeks on the US pop chart in 1963 with "Easier Said Than Done" it reached number 41 on the UK chart.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? UK Number One Hits 1963

Answer: The Beatles

The Beatles sang "From Me To You". It was their first official number one in the UK but many believed "Please Please Me" should have been classed as their first because it was number one in some of the other UK charts at the time. In the US it reached number 41 as the B-side of "Please Please Me" in 1964. Del Shannon also sang "From Me To You" and was the first person to take a Lennon/McCartney song into the US chart in 1963 when it reached number 77. Joe Brown and The Bruvvers just missed the top spot in the UK chart in 1962 with "A Picture Of You" which got to number two. Joe became a friend of George Harrison and appeared on The Concert For George tribute. Johnny Kidd and The Pirates had a short revival in 1963 and reached number four in the UK chart with "I'll Never Get Over You"

From Quiz Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1963

Answer: Walk Right In

"Walk Right In" was a cover of a 1920's-era song. Erik Darling, Bill Svenoe and Lynn Taylor comprised the group. The author of the song was Gus Cannon. The 79-year-old was living in a little house by the tracks in Memphis and he had hocked his banjo to heat his house. With the royalties from "Walk Right In" he earned enough to enjoy life until he passed, even getting a Stax Records contract. "Michael" was a number one for the Highwaymen. Tom Dooley was The Kingston Trio's breakthrough 1957 hit, and "Sally Go 'Round The Roses" was a 1963 hit for the Jaynetts.

From Quiz Hits of 1963

Answer: Nino Tempo & April Stevens

Brother and sister Nino Tempo and April Stevens took their version of "Deep Purple" to number one in the US and number seventeen in the UK. In 1976 Donny and Marie Osmond had a top twenty hit with it.

From Quiz BRI's Top Ten Hits of 1963

Answer: My Boyfriend's Back

"My Boyfriend's Back" was originally recorded by The Angels, as a demo that the songwriters could use to try and sell the song to The Shirelles. The result was so good that it was released under The Angels' name, giving them their one and only number one hit.

From Quiz Transistor Memories 1963

Answer: Neither was sung in English

Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto, and Dominique by The singing Nun, were sung in Japanese and French respectively. Not being able to understand these lyrics helped prepare us for appreciating the more contemporary "Rap" music of today!

From Quiz Lyrical Questions - 1963

Answer: Walk Like A Man

This hit #1 for the Four Seasons in March of the year. At this point, they had released four singles and three of them were #1's. Their reign as "Kings of the Musical Hill" had about eleven months to go before the Beatles would usurp their crown.

From Quiz Hits Of 1963

Answer: Johnny

By Lesley Gore. Remember the follow up - 'Judy's Turn to Cry'?

From Quiz Hits of 1963 - Part 2

Answer: The Caravelles

"You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry" was recorded by English duo The Caravelles. It got to number three in the US and number six in the UK. It had previously been recorded by Moon Mullican and Ernest Tubb in the 1950's.

From Quiz My Birthday Top Ten - 1963

Answer: (You're The) Devil In Disguise

On a British TV programme of the time called "Juke Box Jury", on which celebrity guests reviewed newly released discs and voted on whether they would be a Hit or a Miss, John Lennon voted "(You're The)"Devil In Disguise" a miss, as he said that "Elvis had turned into Bing Crosby"!

From Quiz 1963 One-Word Title US Top Forty Songs

Answer: Abilene

Although George Hamilton IV was a North Carolina native he had a successful single with "Abilene". He began singing as a Teen Idol in 1956 when he released the Top Ten "A Rose and a Baby Ruth". He relocated to Nashville and became a member of The Grand Ole Opry, changing his style to Country music. In 1963 "Abilene" became his biggest selling single to date when it topped the US Country charts and became a crossover hit. Although George continued to chart Top Ten hits on the Country charts "Abilene" was his last Billboard Pop Top Ten hit. "Twenty-Four Hours from Tulsa" was a 1963 hit by Gene Pitney. "Dean Martin recorded "Houston" in 1965 and "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" was a 1960 Top Forty by Freddy "Boom-Boom" Cannon.

From Quiz UK number 1s 1963

Answer: Jet Harris / Tony Meehan

Terence 'Jet' Harris joined 'The Drifters' - NOT the American group - in 1959. This band were the forerunners of the Shadows. He left the group in 1962. Tony Meehan was a founding member of the Shadows and left them in 1961. Bruce Welch and Hank Marvin are still members of the Shadows. *Useless information* Jet Harris was awarded the 'Most Excellent Order of the British Empire' (MBE) by HM Queen Elizabeth II in the 2010 new year's honours list. Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin fame) played the acoustic rhythm guitar on 'Diamonds'. 'Hank Marvin' has entered British rhyming slang meaning 'a Feeling of hunger' as in "Cor! I'm Hank (or Hank Marvin)"... Starving.

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