Musicians From Pennsylvania Trivia Quiz

Answer: Toni Basil

Antonia Christina Basilotta was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took the name Toni Basil as a performer. She became a standout dancer and choreographer, choreographing dance routines for "Shindig" and appearing on "The T.A.M.I. Show". Before her 1982 hit "Mickey" she had already made a few appearances on "Saturday Night Live" as a musical guest. "Mickey" came out at the dawn of the MTV era and the "Mickey" video got heavy airplay.

Although she had a major hit, she only released two albums in her singing career.

She primarily focused on doing dance routines for singers like David Bowie, David Byrne, Bette Midler and a cast of many others. Her work with Bette led her to doing choreography for "The Rose", "Legally Blonde", the AIP "Beach Party" films and The Monkees' film, "Head", among others. Kim Wilde was born Kim Smith in Chiswick, West London.

Sheena Easton was born Sheena Shirley Orr in Scotland and Juice Newton comes from Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Answer: Danny and the Juniors

Danny and the Juniors formed in Philly as the Juvenairs. Danny Rapp composed a song called "Do the Bop" to capitalize on a dance craze of the same name. By the time they came to the attention of Dick Clark they had reformed as Danny and the Juniors. Before they performed the song on "American Bandstand", Clark suggested they rename the song "At the Hop".

After their appearance the song shot to the top of the charts and has become a classic rock and roll staple synonymous with the fifties-era music scene. Dick Clark signed them to his label, but they were unable to release another song that equaled the success of "At the Hop". Band member Dave White wrote several rock classics including Leslie Gore's "You Don't Own Me".

He wrote "1-2-3" and "Like A Baby" for fellow Philly singer Len Barry after Barry left The Dovells for a solo career. Booth's Corner, Pennsylvania, is where Bill Haley was born. "Tighten Up" singers Archie Bell and the Drells recorded for Philadelphia International Records.

Answer: Jim Croce

Jim Croce played with various groups performing around the college campus circuit in the sixties. Before long, Jim settled into a steady gig at the Riddle Paddock in Lima, Pennsylvania. He developed a loyal following as he played a mixture of folk, blues and ballads. During this time he compiled a list of over 250 compositions.

In 1972 he signed a deal with ABC Records and began releasing hits such as "Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels)", "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" and "Time in a Bottle". Maury Muehleisen accompanied Croce on guitar and their combined playing gave Jim's songs a unique guitar-driven appeal.

In 1973 a plane crash took the lives of Croce, Muehleisen and everyone aboard. Croce was laid to rest in his home town of Philadelphia. Todd Rundgren was born in Upper Darby, PA. Dan Fogelberg was born in Peoria, Illinois, and Chapin is a New York native.

Answer: The Cyrkle

The Cyrkle was formed by classmates at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Although they became a band while attending the college, none of the original members were from Pennsylvania. Under the name of the Rondells they became well known on the college frat circuit.

While playing at Atlantic City a friend of Brian Epstein heard them and Brian became their manager. John Lennon is reputed to have dubbed them The Cyrkle. They landed a steady engagement at The Downtown Discoteque in New York before opening for The Beatles during one of their concert tours stateside.

In 1966 their recording of "Red Rubber Ball" made it to number two. The song was composed by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Paul Simon. After the British Invasion days came to a close, some members of the band became involved in writing commercial jingles.

The keyboard player became a surgeon and the drummer is a lawyer. Although their name evokes the British Invasion, The Sir Douglas Quintet comes from San Antonio, Texas.

Their 1965 hit was "She's About A Mover". Sopwith Camel was a Bay Area band who charted "Hello, Hello". The Knickerbockers formed in Bergenfield, New Jersey, in 1964 and recorded "Lies".

Answer: Perry Como

Perry Como was born the seventh son of a seventh son. He had his sights set on a career as a barber in his hometown of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. His vocal abilities soon landed him stints as a singer for some of the big bands in the forties. After one of the bands he was fronting dissolved, Perry was offered his own radio show.

When he wasn't broadcasting his "Chesterfield Supper Club" show he sang in night clubs. In 1945 his number one RCA recording of "Till The End Of Time" gained him a national audience and during the fifties, "Chesterfield Supper Club" made the transition to TV as "The Perry Como Show".

His career with RCA spanned over 50 years and he hosted four television shows and over 20 television specials before his death at age 88 in Florida. Singers Eddie Fisher, Bobby Vinton and Al Martino were also born in Pennsylvania.

Answer: Joan Jett

Joan Jett was born Joan Marie Larkin in Wynnewood. She left for California while still in her mid-teens. In the seventies she was a co-founder of the Runaways. She sang, played guitar and composed many of the group's hits on their four LPs. She left in 1979 to try her hand at a solo career. With musicians she had formed acquaintances with she put together The Blackhearts in the early eighties.

In 1982 the band recorded their first LP and released "I Love Rock and Roll" as a single. The song topped the charts and solidified the group's career as a touring and recording band. Dee Dee Sharp was born Dione LaRue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She had sixties success with "Mashed Potato Time" and other dance hits. Singer Joan La Barbara was also born in Philadelphia. Greensburg, Pennsylvania, born Peggy King was a singer on "The George Gobel Show" and appeared in several other variety shows.

Answer: Shirley Jones

Shirley Jones was one of Richard Rogers' favorite vocalists and he cast her in some of his films including "The Music Man", "Oklahoma" and "Carousel". Her stage and movie credentials are lengthy. She appeared in 18 plays, over 30 films and was awarded an Oscar for her work in "Elmer Gantry".

She made the transition from film to television in the seventies with "The Partridge Family" series. After the season's four-year run she had her own short-lived show and appeared on "The Drew Carey Show" in guest roles.

She also has the distinction of being the only singer to date to have a number one hit ("I think I Love You") and also have a son hit number one. Her son Shaun topped the charts with "Da Do Ron Ron." Indiana native Florence Henderson played Mrs. Brady on "The Brady Bunch". Monica, California is the home state of Bonnie Franklin, who played Ann Romero on "One Day at A Time". Meredith Baxter is a California native who portrayed Elyse Keaton on "Family Ties".

Answer: Lou Christie

Blessed with a unique vocal range, Lou Christy went to New York after graduating from high school and found work as a backing vocalist on recording sessions. In 1962 a solo recording titled "The Gypsy Cried" was released. Without his knowledge or approval the label had used the name Lou Christy and the name stuck.

The song languished as a regional hit until a larger label picked it up and distributed it. In 1963 it hit the national charts and Christy followed with the number six "Two Faces Have I".

While he was cranking out hits Uncle Same called and imparted a two-year hiatus on his career. When he was discharged he promptly returned to the charts with "Lightnin' Strikes", "Rhapsody in the Rain" and a few other moderate hits. Christy still performs regularly on the "Oldies Circuits". Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell are all Philadelphia boys.

Answer: The Vogues

Turtle Creek is the Pittsburgh suburb where the Vogues were formed as The Val-Airs in the early sixties. Vogue Terrace was a dance club near the recording studio where they recorded a local hit titled "Laurie, My Love". The band soon assumed the name The Vogues.

After changing names and record labels they released "You're The One", which hit number four. They quickly followed with another number four, "Five O'Clock World". After a string of releases singing their renditions of fifties-era cover tunes, the group had ceased charting any records by the seventies. Original member Chuck Blasko continued to tour with variations of the band on oldies revues.

The doo-wop version of"Blue Moon" was done by The Marcels, The Skyliners recorded "Since I Don't Have you" in 1959 and the Del Vikings hit it big in the fifties with "Come Go With Me". All three groups formed in Pittsburgh.

Answer: George Benson

Benson played with a variety of jazz ensembles into the sixties. He eventually worked with Miles Davis as a guitarist. Ahmad Jamal comes from Pittsburgh. He in known for his piano work with Miles Davis. After performing with a number of jazz luminaries Benson recorded some solo efforts including covers of Beatle tunes.

In the mid-seventies Benson signed with RCA Records and their distributing network exposed Benson to a national audience. His first chart success was the instrumental tune, "Breezin'".

He began to expiriment with vocals on his recordings and was rewarded when "This Masquerade" won him a Grammy and charted on the pop and R&B charts. In 1977 George recorded "Greatest Love of All" for a documentary about Muhammad Ali. The song later became a smash for Whitney Houston. Billy Eckstine is from the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh.

He was a bandleader during the forties. Pittsburgh native Errol Garner composed such classics as "Misty".