Instrumental Hits Trivia

1. Billy Preston, a much in demand session man during the 1960s, broke out on his own in 1972 with what soaring Number Two Billboard Hot 100 instrumental hit?

From Quiz Instrumentals (1970-1985) R.I.P.

Answer: Outa-Space

A child prodigy, Preston was playing the keyboards for Gospel singing legend, Mahalia Jackson, when he was just ten years old in 1956. He was a much-in-demand session man throughout the 1960s for such artists as Little Richard but gained a modicum of fame when he performed on The Beatles' recording "Get Back" and on their "Let It Be" LP. As a result, some regarded him as the "5th Beatle"! This notoriety enabled him to start recording his own material especially after The Beatles split up. Despite his association with the mop-tops, he didn't quite attain the same level of success abroad in Great Britain as he did in the U.S. Interestingly, his first four hits, all top fives, alternated in style between instrumentals and vocals. After "Outa-Space" came the Number One vocal hit "Will It Go Round in Circles", then another instrumental, "Space Race", peaked at Number Four. His last solo hit was also a chart topper, "Nothing From Nothing" in 1974. Although he continued to record for the next three decades, he only managed one more significant hit, the Number Four "With You I'm Born Again", a duet sung with Syreeta in 1980. In late 2005, Preston was stricken with pericarditis, lapsed into a coma and died six months later without ever regaining consciousness. Your other three choices were also instrumental hits in 1972. "Popcorn" peaked at Number Nine for Moog synthesizer player, Stan Free, alias Hot Butter. Dennis Coffey and his group took "Scorpio" to Number Six and "Joy" was also a Number Six hit for the British studio group named Apollo 100.

From Quiz Number One Instrumental Hits 1955-1985

Answer: The Champs

The Champs had a string of hits in the late 1950s through the mid 1960s. "Tequila" was by far their biggest hit and their signature tune. The record hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-March 1958, holding that spot for five weeks. In Australia and the UK "Tequila" was a top ten hit. The Champs had two other top ten hits in Australia where we loved instrumentals, "Too Much Tequila", 1960, and "Limbo Rock" in 1962. Interestingly "Limbo Rock" was originally recorded by The Champs but the song, written by session guitarist Billy Strange, received a new life and became a million seller for Chubby Checker (and started another dance craze) with updated lyrics by Karl Mann in the latter part of 1962.

From Quiz Instrumental hits of the Fifties and Sixties

Answer: Take Five

"Take Five" from the album "Time Out" by the Quartet was a monster hit, remaining on the charts for 24 weeks. It also achieved top ten status in England. The album also sold well staying on the charts for over three years and helped popularise modern jazz. Another oddity for 1961 was that the track ran for five and a half minutes. The quartet comprised, Dave Brubeck on piano, Joe Morello on drums, Eugene Wright on the bass and the virtuoso Paul Desmond on Alto Sax. Interestingly "Time Out" was Brubeck's 28th studio album.

From Quiz No Lyrics--Just Coolness!

Answer: Boots Randolph

Born Homer Louis Randolph in 1927, Boots can be heard on lots of hit recordings that came out of Nashville. But his recording of "Yakety Sax" launched a very successful solo career. He often appeared and toured with legendary guitarist Chet Atkins and pianist Floyd Cramer. They were billed as "The Masters".

From Quiz Instrumental Hits from the '60s and '70s

Answer: Love is Blue

"Love is Blue" was composed in 1967, with music by Andre Popp and lyrics by Pierre Cour. The song was first performed in 1967 at that year's Eurovision Song Contest by Greek singer Vicky Leandros. In late 1967, Paul Mauriat recorded an orchestral version of the song and it reached number one in 1968, making him the first French artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100.

From Quiz They Just Couldn't Shut Up Could They?

Answer: Kraftwerk

The robotic voice effect in this and many other Kraftwerk songs was produced by an instrument called a vocoder, which along with synthesizers, and custom made instruments of their own design, helped Kraftwerk to form their unique and innovative sound which crossed over and influenced artists in many different genres. Even if you don't know their work directly, I guarantee if you are a fan of 1980s popular music you do know many acts who were heavily influenced by their sound.

From Quiz Instrumental Songs and Artists 1959 - 1973

Answer: Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Army

"Scorpio" was a funk instrumental hit for Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Army back in 1971. It was on his second LP titled "Evolution". The single sold over a million copies. In the U.S., it reached number nine on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The LP reached number thirteen on the U.S. Top Soul Albums chart only because of the song "Scorpio". It also reached number thirty six on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums chart.

From Quiz Who Needs Singers?

Answer: Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller and his orchestra released "In the Mood" in 1940. According to the "Billboard" magazine "Best Selling Retail Records" list, it was number one for twelve weeks. Miller was one of the major big band leaders of the 20th century. He died while flying from Bedford, England to Paris in December, 1944 to entertain troops. Some of Miller's last recordings were made at studios owned by the Gramophone Company at 3 Abbey Road in London. Two decades later the Beatles made use of the same studios.

From Quiz Instrumental Hits in the UK

Answer: Trumpet

Calvert was born in Preston, Lancashire in 1922. He was known as the man with the golden trumpet. He joined his first band at the age of 11. He played with various bands before going solo. "Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White)" was another number one hit for Calvert in 1955. "O Mein Papa" was number one for nine weeks.

From Quiz Piano Instrumental Hits

Answer: Autumn Leaves

"Autumn Leaves" spent four weeks at the top of the US Billboard chart in 1955. Louis Weertz began playing piano at the age of three and majored in piano at Drake University before entering the Navy. After returning to college and earning a master's degree he was a contestant on a local show called "Chance of a Lifetime" and took home top honors along with a contract with Kapp Records. After changing his name to Roger Williams he recorded "Autumn Leaves", beginning a long career that included additional hits such as "Born Free", "The Impossible Dream" and "Maria". Mitch Miller and his singers took "The Yellow Rose of Texas" to Number One in 1955. Cuban bandleader Perez Prado also scored a US Number One hit in 1955 with "Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White)". "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" was a vocal hit in 1955 by The Four Aces.

From Quiz They Were Very Instrumental

Answer: "Pick Up The Pieces" by Average White Band

"Pick Up The Pieces" (1975) is mostly instrumental with the title words being shouted out by the band all through the song. Since it's less than 25% vocal, it counts as an instrumental. In 1975 it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

From Quiz 1950s and '60s Instrumental Hits [Vol. 4]

Answer: Santo & Johnny

Santo & Johnny had a number one record for two weeks on the US pop chart in 1959. It reached number 22 on the UK chart the same year. Santo played steel guitar and Johnny played rhythm guitar. Phil & Don/The Everly Brothers had a number four hit on the US pop chart with "('Til) I Kissed You" in 1959. It reached number two on the UK chart the same year. Jan & Dean/Jan & Dean had a number ten hit on the US pop chart with "Baby Talk" in 1959. It did not chart in the UK. Tom & Jerry/Simon & Garfunkel had a number 49 hit on the US pop chart with "Hey, Schoolgirl" in 1958 as Tom & Jerry. It did not chart in the UK.

From Quiz 1950s and '60s Instrumental Hits [Vol. 3]

Answer: Honky Tonk

Bill Dogett was stuck at number two for three weeks on the US pop chart in 1956 with "Honky Tonk". He never had any chart hits in the UK.

From Quiz Obscure Sixties Top Forty Instrumentals

Answer: Jessie Hill

Jessie Hill was a drummer in New Orleans who worked with performers like Professor Longhair and Huey "Piano" Smith before forming his own band called The House Rockers. He had been working on a number called "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" during his show and when he had fine-tuned it Allen Toussaint produced a demo for him. The song became a favorite at the 1960 Mardi Gras, propelling it to the national charts. Jessie never enjoyed another Top Forty hit but he composed songs for artists such as Willie Nelson, Sonny and Cher and Ike and Tina Turner. Bill Black's Combo had 1960 Top Forty hits with "Smokie (Part 2)", "Josephine", "Blue Tango" and "Don't Be Cruel". "Tracy's Theme" was a 1960 Top Twenty for Spencer Ross and "Ruby Duby Du" by Tobin Mathews and Co. reached Number 30 in 1960.

From Quiz 1950s and '60s Instrumental Hits [Vol. 2]

Answer: Bill Justis

Bill Justis had a number two hit on the US pop chart in 1957 with "Raunchy". It reached number eleven on the UK chart. Ernie Freeman also had a hit with "Raunchy" on the US pop chart in 1957. It charted on the same day as the version by Bill Justis but only reached number four on the US pop chart. It did not chart in The UK. Dave "Baby" Cortez had a number one hit on the US pop chart in 1959 with "The Happy Organ". It never charted in the UK. Santo and Johnny had a number one on the US pop chart in 1959 with "Sleep Walk". It reached number 22 on the UK chart.

From Quiz Rock Hit Instrumentals From The Sixties

Answer: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Julian Adderly was dubbed "Cannonball", a derivative of "Cannibal" due to his love of food.

From Quiz 1950s and '60s Instrumental Hits [Vol. 1]

Answer: Hoots Mon

Lord Rockingham's XI spent three weeks at number one on the UK chart in 1958. It never charted in the US. They had a US number 96 with "Fried Onions" in 1958 which failed to chart in the UK. They were the resident band on the British pop music show "Oh Boy" in the late '50s.

From Quiz We Don't Need A Singer Vol. 2

Answer: The Ventures

The Ventures had been recording since the early 1960s and were most famously remembered for their hit recording of "Walk, Don't Run". The song was a number 11 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 U.S. charts in 1960. After that, they continued to record and release songs that would make it onto the Billboard charts, but just barely crack the Top 100 in most cases. They re-released "Walk Don't Run '64" in 1964 and again charted at number 17. Then in 1968 they were asked to do the theme song for "Hawaii Five-O", the hit series starring Jack Lord. They went back to the top of the charts peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that year. In 2008 The Ventures were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

From Quiz We Don't Need A Singer Vol. 1

Answer: Mr. Acker Bilk

This was a clarinet piece written for Bilk's daughter by Bilk, and the song was originally titled "Jenny". It was originally released in the U.K in 1961, and became the biggest selling instrumental of all time in the U.K. It was subsequently released in the U.S. in 1962 and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It was the first recording by a British artist to ever reach the number one spot in the U.S. and was Billboard's number one single for the year.

From Quiz Only Instrumentals

Answer: The Tornadoes

Riding high on the launch of the first telecommunications satellite, the Tornadoes had a hit complete with staticky sound effects.

From Quiz The Instrumental Pop Song

Answer: 1985

The song was "Miami Vice Theme" by Jan Hammer and it was #1 for the week of Nov. 9, 1985. As of Feb. 2004, there have been no #1 instrumentals in the 21st century.

From Quiz Instrumentals (1970-1985) R.I.P.

Answer: Frankenstein

Edgar Winter and his older brother Johnny both have albinism and when their careers were on their upward arc in the early 1970s, I might have thought they were just one person without paying attention. Had I, maybe I would have recognized the traits that distinguished them. Johnny was the guitarist who would largely specialize in the blues-rock genre and never made much of a mark on the Hot 100 despite being a big draw on the concert circuit. Edgar was the multi-instrumentalist who dabbled in various musical styles and had two significant entries on the Hot 100 chart. His biggest hit was the instrumental "Frankenstein" at Number One but perhaps he is best remembered for his follow-up hit, the Number 14 "Free Ride". But, like his brother, commercial success in the way of charting singles would elude him thereafter and he too became an active stage performer while also writing music for the movies. As this is being written in 2020, Edgar is still active in the industry, but Johnny died in 2014.

From Quiz Number One Instrumental Hits 1955-1985

Answer: Joe 'Fingers' Carr

Joe 'Fingers' Carr, born Lou Busch in Louisville Kentucky, had a number one hit in Australia in 1956 with "Portuguese Washerwoman". The song was a top ten on the Billboard pop chart it did not chart in the UK. It was however covered by Winifred Atwell and was released in Australia on a 78rpm as the B-side of "The Poor People of Paris".

From Quiz Instrumental hits of the Fifties and Sixties

Answer: The Champs

The Champs had a number of catchy instrumental records from 1958-1965 but sadly no other release matched the fame of "Tequila". They had a top twenty in Australia in 1962 with "Limbo Rock" which was quickly overtaken by Chubby Checker's vocal version. Later members of The Champs were Glen Campbell, Jim Seals, Darrel "Dash" Croft and great session guitarist Jerry Cole.

From Quiz Instrumental Hits from the '60s and '70s

Answer: Theme from A Summer Place

"Theme from A Summer Place" set a record at the time for most consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a record that stood until 1977, when Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life", spent ten weeks at number one. The tune won the Grammy Award in 1961 for Record of the Year, making it the first movie theme and the first instrumental to do so. "Theme from A Summer Place" also ranked number one on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles from 1960.

From Quiz Songs Without Words

Answer: Tequila!

"Tequila!" is not only the one-word song in question, it is the only word spoken at the end of this song, which has a strong Latin beat. It was released on the 1958 album "Go, Champs, Go!" and won a Grammy for best R&B Performance. Danny Flores, the saxophonist of the group, wrote the song under the name of Chuck Rio because he was under a contract with another record label at the time. Flores was called the "Godfather of Latino Rock". Later band members of The Champs included Glen Campbell and Seals and Crofts. "Eruption" is from Van Halen, "Apache" from The Shadows and "Raunchy" by Bill Justis.

From Quiz Instrumental Songs and Artists 1959 - 1973

Answer: Santo & Johnny

In September of 1959, the song "Sleepwalk" by Santo & Johnny reached number one on The U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number four on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Hits chart. The song has Hawaiian sounding overtones and was created using steel and acoustic guitars. The melody is very haunting and is even more haunting if you have watched the movie "Sleepwalkers" by Stephen King. The scene during which it is played is indeed creepy. There were lyrics written for the song but they were discarded and never used.

From Quiz Instrumental Music- Who Needs Lyrics?

Answer: Mother, Father, Sister, Brother

Mother, Father, Sister, Brother was actually a large group of session musicians, none of them related! They produced a very smooth sound, that ushered in the disco era, and the tune went to the top of the charts. 'TSOP' had a few words of lyrics, supplied by The Three Degrees, but is essentially an instrumental. Malcolm Fraser was a senior Australian politician, who became Prime Minister in 1975, and was not known for his ability to play R&B music. The other two wrong answers are equally silly.

From Quiz Instrumental Hits in the UK

Answer: Side Saddle

"Side Saddle" stayed at number one for four weeks. Conway had another hit later the same year with "Roulette". English pianist Russ Conway was born in Bristol in 1925. He joined the navy during WW2 and stayed until 1955. He became pianist for various artists and subsequently appeared on TV. In 1959 he became a huge success and was top selling artist for the year.

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