Music from 1979 Trivia

1. Can you name this extremely famous song about a school shooting?

From Quiz Great Songs From 1979 That Aren't Disco

Answer: I Don't Like Mondays

This song by The Boomtown Rats was released in 1979 and spent four weeks at number one on the UK charts. It is based on the true story of a sixteen year old girl who shot at a school in San Diego, California, killing two adults and injuring eight children and a police officer. Allegedly, when Brenda Spencer, the shooter, was asked why she did it, she replied that she doesn't like Mondays and that was the inspiration for the song. The song only reached number seventy-three on the Billboard Top 100 and some radio stations in San Diego declined to play the song due to its sensitive and too close to home subject matter.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? US Number One Hits 1979

Answer: Peaches & Herb

"Reunited" was written by Dino Fekaris/Freddie Perren. It was number one for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Peaches & Herb in 1979. It peaked at number four on the UK singles chart the same year. The original Peaches was born Francine Hurd Barker in Washington, D. C., USA, in 1947. She became a member of two groups, The Keynotes were the first but in 1965 she formed a trio with Dyanne Stewart and Nancy J. Johnson called the Darlettes and released the single "Lost". Later they changed their name to the Sweet Things and released the single "You're My Loving Baby" in 1966, neither record dented the Billboard Hot 100. She died in Washington, D. C., in 2005 aged 58 after a long illness. There have been a number of "Peaches" over the years and the one that sang on Peaches & Herb's only US number one hit "Reunited", was Linda Greene. Herb Fame was born Herbert Feemster in Washington D. C., USA, in 1942. He was signed up to Date Records by producer Van McCoy who he met in the record store where he worked after graduation. Van McCoy was also the producer for the Sweet Things and it was he who decided to put Peaches & Herb together. Their first record was "We're In This Thing Together", which was going nowhere fast. A St. Louis disc jockey flipped the record and the B-Side "Let's Fall In Love" peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. In the early '70s Herb joined the police department of Washington D. C. In 1986 he joined the U. S. Marshals Service.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? UK number One Hits 1979

Answer: Y.M.C.A.

"Y.M.C.A." was written by Jacques Morali/Victor Willis. It was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for The Village People in 1979. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year. The Village People were created by Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and Victor Willis. They needed a group to promote the music so they put this add in a trade magazine "Macho Types Wanted: Must Dance And Have A Moustache". The original line-up was Alex Briley (G.I./Sailor), David Hodo (Construction Worker), Glenn Hughes (Leather-Clad Biker), Randy Jones (Cowboy), Felipe Rose (Native American) and Victor Willis (Cop). The line-up changed many times over the years. Between 1978 and 1979 The Village People had two Top 10 hits on the UK singles chart, the number one hit "Y.M.C.A.", in 1978 and the number two hit "In The Navy", in 1979. A re-mix of "Y.M.C.A." peaked at number 12 on the UK singles chart in 1993 and at number 35 in 1999. A re-mix of "In The Navy" peaked at number 36 on the UK singles chart in 1994.

From Quiz One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1979

Answer: Babe

"Babe" was the first single from Styx's "Cornerstone" album. When the single topped the charts at the end of 1979 it remained there until January of 1980 becoming the first chart-topper of the eighties. Keyboardist/singer Dennis DeYoung composed "Babe" as a birthday present for his wife Suzanne. The song was initially recorded in a demo fashion for Suzanne until the other members of the band persuaded DeYoung to include "Babe" on the "Cornerstone" album. "Cornerstone" was the ninth album release for Styx and featured real horns and strings instead of synthesizer patches. The 1974 Number Six release "Lady" was the first Top Ten single by Sytx. "Renegade" from their "Pieces of Eight" album topped out at Number 16 in 1979. "Mademoiselle" from their 1976 "Crystal Ball" LP was the first song to feature Tommy Shaw on vocals.

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1979

Answer: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team used the hit single "We Are Family" as its theme song. The Pirates, led by Willie Stargell, defeated the Baltimore Orioles to win the 1979 World Series title. Sister Sledge, a group from Philadelphia, reached the number two position on the U.S. Billboard singles chart with "We Are Family."

From Quiz Mods MayDay '79

Answer: The Bridge House

Murphy released "Mods Mayday '79" on his own Bridgehouse record label. It was the inclusion of the Secret Affair tracks, "Time for Action" and "Let Your Heart Dance", which ensured the future iconic status of the album, as they were both Top 40 hits within weeks of the Mayday show.

From Quiz The Sounds of 1979

Answer: The Police

"Message in a Bottle" was the first single to hit the number one spot in the UK by The Police, It only reached the 74th position on the Billboard Hot 100. The Police was formed in 1977 by the American Stewart Copeland. Other members of the band in 1977 was Sting (Gordon Sumner), Andy Summers and guitarist Henry Padovani. In August 1977 Henry Padovani left the band. The Police recorded 5 hits on the UK singles charts in 1979. Their second number one in the UK charts was "Walking on the Moon" which hit the top spot on December 8, 1979.

From Quiz Billboard Number One Songs of 1979

Answer: Too Much Heaven

In a 1978 "Crawdaddy" interview the Bee Gees related that they intended to donate the proceeds from their next single to UNICEF as part of the January, 1979, concert for UNICEF. Under pressure to follow up with a success like the "Saturday Night fever" album they cloistered themselves in a Miami studio for 10 months and produced the "Spirits Having Flown" LP. "Too Much Heaven" was a cut from the LP and originally had a more soulful arrangement. They went back to their early seventies sound and redid the song with lush strings. The proceeds from the sale of the single were indeed donated to UNICEF and the song appropriately became number one the same day as "A Gift of Music-The Concert for UNICEF" was telecast. "Love You Inside Out" went number one for the Bee Gees in June of 1979. "Tragedy" took them to the top in March, 1979, and number seven "Nights on Broadway" was from the "Main Course" album in 1975.

From Quiz Hits of 1979

Answer: Blondie

"Heart of Glass" is from the 1978 Blondie album "Parallel Lines". "Heart of Glass" was originally recorded in 1975 with the name "Once I Had a Love".

From Quiz Solo Artists of 1979

Answer: Rupert Holmes

The lyrics are from Rupert Holmes' smash hit "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)". Rupert had a couple of follow-up hits, including "Him", before disappearing from the charts altogether.

From Quiz Who Sings What In 1979

Answer: Peaches and Herb

From Quiz Great Songs From 1979 That Aren't Disco

Answer: Debbie Harry

Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie, is a singer, songwriter and actress who worked as a secretary and Playboy Bunny before breaking into the music industry. Blondie had a lot of success in the late 70s and early 80s and had six number one singles off their third studio album, called "Parallel Lines." It was off this album that "Heart of Glass" was released in early 1979. The single went to number one in both the UK and the US. Although Blondie was a new wave band and part of a growing New York new wave scene, this song definitely had more of a disco vibe to it and the band was criticized for selling out.

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? UK number One Hits 1979

Answer: The Blockheads

"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" was written by Ian Dury/Chaz Jankel. It was number one for one week on the UK singles chart for Ian Dury and The Blockheads in 1979. It did not chart in the US. Ian Dury was born Ian Robins Dury in Harrow Weald, Middlesex, England, in 1942. After WW11 the family moved to Switzerland but moved back to England in 1946. At the age of seven he contracted Poliomyelitis during the 1949 epidemic and spent 18 months in hospital. He attended the Royal College of Art and studied under the British artist Peter Blake in 1964. From 1967 he taught art at a number of south of England colleges. He died of metastatic colorectal in London, England, in 2000 aged 57. The groups changing line up started in 1977 with Charlie Charles, Ian Dury, Mick Gallagher, Chaz Jankel, John Turnbull, Davey Payne and Norman Watt-Roy. They signed with Stiff records and had their first hit with "What A Waste" which peaked at number nine on the UK singles chart in 1978. "A re-mix of "Hit Me With You Rhythm Stick" peaked at number 55 in 1985 and at number 73 in 1991 on the UK singles chart. Ian Dury and The Blockheads had no hit records in the US.

From Quiz One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1979

Answer: Moon

John David "Moon" Martin got his nickname because he used the word "moon" in many of his songs. He released "Rolene" under the name Moon Martin. The Oklahoma native began his musical career as a Rockabilly artist then changed to Pop. His first of five albums for Capitol Records came in 1978 with "Shots From A Cold Nightmare". His only other entry onto the US charts besides "Rolene" also came in 1979 with the Number 60 "No Chance". In 1982 he had a successful video on MTV with "X-Ray Vision". His compositions have been recorded by other artists including "Cadillac Walk" by Willy DeVille and Robert Palmer's "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)".

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1979

Answer: Milk and coffee

Rod Stewart's song "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" was released in late 1978 and climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard singles charts in February 1979. According to the song's lyrics, the narrator and his lover woke up at dawn in his apartment. Stewart then sang these words: "He says I'm sorry but we're out of milk and coffee Never mind, sugar, we can watch the early movie..."

From Quiz Mods MayDay '79

Answer: Squire

The Little Roosters were originally booked to open the show, but they didn't turn up. Squire had loaded up their gear and gone to the venue in the hopes of "blagging their way onstage" and were offered the chance of the opening slot, which they took.

From Quiz The Sounds of 1979

Answer: Gary Numan

Released in August, 1979 "Cars" made the number one spot in the UK charts on September 18, 1979. The single also reached the number 10 position in 1980 on the Billboard chart. Gary Numan was the front runner in the electronic/synthesizer sound. "Are 'Friends' Electric?" was also a number one in the UK in 1979.

From Quiz Billboard Number One Songs of 1979

Answer: Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?

In a "Rolling Stone" interview Rod said that he was not the domestic type and enjoyed the club circuit. His lifestyle inspired his third number one song "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" causing some fans to believe that he had sold out to disco. As a matter of fact the LP extended version of the song has the reputed distinction of being the first 48-track disco mix. A few months after the song was released Rod married George Hamilton's ex-wife Alana. Carmine Appice was Rod's drummer at the time and also co-wrote "Young Turks". He was the drummer for Vanilla Fudge and has also recorded with Stanley Clarke, Ted Nugent, and Pink Floyd. Appice and Vanilla Fudge bassist Tim Bogert went on to found the power trio of Beck, Bogert and Appice. "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)" was a 1976 hit for Rod. "Blondes Have More Fun" was the title of his 1978 LP.

From Quiz Hits of 1979

Answer: The Pretenders

"Brass In Pocket" was written by Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott. It was their third single, and reached number one in the UK and number fourteen in the US.

From Quiz Solo Artists of 1979

Answer: Herb Alpert

Herb Alpert, formerly with the Tijuana Brass, was not very thrilled about the idea of recording "Rise" with a disco beat. He finally decided to give it a try after some coaxing from his friend, writer-producer Randy Badazz.

From Quiz Song Lyrics from 1979

Answer: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

From 'Don't Do Me Like That'.

From Quiz Who Sings What In 1979

Answer: Patrick Hernandez

From Quiz Whose Line Was It Anyway? US Number One Hits 1979

Answer: Donna Summer

"Bad Girls" was written by Donna Summer/Eddie Hokenson/Bruce Sudano/Joe Esposito. It was number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Donna Summer in 1979. It peaked at number 14 on the UK singles chart the same year. Donna Summer (The Queen of Disco), was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, in 1946. Her first single "Wassermann" was taken from the German production of "Hair" in which she performed but it did not chart anywhere. She first charted a single in The Netherlands when "The Hostage" peaked at number two in 1974. Donna Summer died of lung cancer in Naples, Florida, USA, in 2012 aged 63. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. The year previously the chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee John Landau, had said that he regretted that although she had been nominated on numerous occasions she was never inducted. Between 1976 and 1989 she had 14 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 which included four number one hits. They were "MacArthur Park" (1978), "Hot Stuff" (1979), "Bad Girls" (1979) and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" (1979), a duet with Barbra Streisand.

From Quiz One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1979

Answer: September

"September" went to Number Eight for Earth Wind and Fire. It was their third Top Ten single since their 1975 Number One single "Shining Star". The song was recorded for their ninth album, "I Am", but was not included on the album. Band members Maurice White and Al McKay teamed up with songwriter Allee Willis to compose "September". She also contributed to Earth Wind and Fire's 1979 Disco hit "Boogie Wonderland". In 1979 Earth Wind and Fire performed "That's The Way Of The World" and "September" at the Music for UNICEF Concert and donated proceeds from one of their singles to UNICEF.

From Quiz Pop Music Hits of 1979

Answer: Supertramp

Roger Hodgson and the band Supertramp reached the number six spot in the U.S. Billboard singles chart with "The Logical Song." This song came from the highly successful "Breakfast in America" album. The opening lyrics of this song read: "When I was young, it seemed that life was wonderful It was beautiful, magical... But then they sent me away to teach me how to be Sensible, logical, responsible, practical..."

From Quiz Mods MayDay '79

Answer: Mick Talbot

On the original vinyl release, the Merton Parkas' songs were pulled as they had signed a recording deal with Beggars Banquet Records, but their set is on the CD of the show which includes all the surviving recordings from the day. During the 1980s, Mick Talbot and Paul Weller had six Top Ten hits in the UK Singles Chart as the Style Council.

From Quiz The Sounds of 1979

Answer: Charlie Daniels Band

The song tells a story about a duel between the devil and Johnny. Both play the fiddle and Johnny calls him self "the best there's ever been". The devil challenges Johnny to a contest to see who is the best. If Johnny wins he gets a golden fiddle. If the devil wins he gets Johnny's soul. Johnny wins the contest and gets his golden fiddle. The song peaked at number 15 in the UK singles chart.

From Quiz Billboard Number One Songs of 1979

Answer: Gloria Gaynor

Gloria will forever be associated with this defiant song about emancipation. She had been enjoying moderate success with various disco style songs, including a cover of the Jackson Five song "Never Can Say Goodbye" and was performing in Europe when she fell and required back surgery. Upon recovery she was paired with producers Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris who produced her album titled "Love Tracks". The single release from the album was a song called "Substitute" but Gloria was drawn to the "B" side, the Perren and Fekaris composition "I Will Survive". Apparently radio station deejays concurred and gave "I Will Survive" the airplay. The song took 12 weeks to reach number one, but Gloria wasn't able to follow up with an equally dynamic song and soon faded from the music charts. Alicia Bridges had number five success with "I Love the Night Life" in January, 1979. Anita Ward saw number one success in June, 1979, with "Ring My Bell". Evelyn "Champagne" King had a disco era hit with "Shame". (Her original nickname was actually "bubbles").

From Quiz Hits of 1979

Answer: The Knack

"My Sharona" was written by Doug Fieger and Berton Averre, and was The Knack's debut single. It reached number one in the US and number six in the UK.

From Quiz Solo Artists of 1979

Answer: Randy Vanwarmer

Vanwarmer, a native of Colorado, did not make the Top 40 again but he did dabble in country music in the 1980's.

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