1950s and '60s Instrumental Hits [Vol.6] Quiz

Answer: Eddie Calvert

"Oh Mein Papa" was written by Paul Burkhard in 1939. It was number one for nine weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Eddie Calvert in 1954. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Top 100 the same year.

"Oh Mein Papa" was the first of many number one hits for producer Norrie Paramor and the first number one hit to be recorded at Abbey Road studios. Eddie Calvert (The Man With The Golden Trumpet) was the first British solo instrumentalist to achieve two number one hits on the UK Singles Chart, the second being "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White" in 1955.

Answer: The Humphrey Lyttelton Band

"Bad Penny Blues" was written by Humphrey Lyttelton. It peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart for The Humphrey Lyttelton Band in 1956.

"Bad Penny Blues" was the first British jazz record to enter the UK Top 20 and it was on the chart for six weeks. Joe "Telstar" Meek was the producer and while Humphrey Lyttelton was away on holiday, Meek altered the sound of the record. When Lyttelton returned he did not like the new sound but as the record was at number 19 he said nothing more about it.

Answer: The Champs

"Tequila" was written by Danny Flores. It was number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Champs in 1958. It peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Tequila" was recorded for Gene 'The Singing Cowboy' Autry's record label Challenge Records, where The Flores Trio had got together with other musicians. They were there to record "Train To Nowhere" with "Tequila" as the B-Side. The record was released on the 15 January but a DJ in Cleveland played the B-Side and it was number one by the 17 March.

Answer: Chris Barber's Jazz Band

"Petite Fleur" was written by Sidney Bechet. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart for Chris Barber's Jazz Band in 1959. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

"Petite Fleur" was first recorded by the American jazz clarinetist/saxophonist/composer Sidney Bechet in 1952,, first with The Sidney Bechet All Stars, then with Claude Luter and his Orchestra. Chris Barber, a notable figure in UK music, helped the careers of others such as blues singer Ottilie Patterson, Skiffle king Lonnie Donegan and singer/musician Alexis Korner.

Answer: Russ Conway

"Roulette" was written by Trevor Stanford (Russ Conway). It was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart for Russ Conway in 1959. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Russ Conway was the only British solo instrumentalist (Piano) to have consecutive UK number one hits in the '50s. His first chart topper was "Side Saddle" which got to number one on the 27 March 1959 and spent four weeks there. Both "Side Saddle" and "Roulette" were awarded silver discs by the "Disc" music magazine for achieving sales in excess of 250,000.

Answer: The Ventures

"Perfidia" was written by Alberto Domínguez. It peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Ventures in 1960. It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Perfidia" was published in 1939 and was a hit for Xavier Cugat in 1940. Since then it has been recorded as an instrumental or vocal by many other people. The Ventures' classic lineup was Don Wilson (rhythm guitar), Bob Bogle (bass guitar), Nokie Edwards (lead guitar) and Mel Taylor (drums). They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

Answer: The Ramrods

"(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" was written by Stan Jones in in 1948. It peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Ramrods in 1961. It peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" has been recorded by many people under various titles such as "Ghost Riders", "Riders In The Sky" and "A Cowboy Legend". Members of the Western Writers of America chose the song as the greatest Western song of all time. One hit wonders The Ramrods were formed in 1956 by Claire Litke (drums) and brother Richard (saxophone).

Answer: David Rose and His Orchestra

"The Stripper" was written by David Rose. It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for David Rose and His Orchestra in 1962. It did not chart on the UK Singles Chart.

It is amazing that "The Stripper" ever got released never mind being a number one hit. The story goes that Rose's record company MGM, wanted a B-Side for his recording of "Ebb Tide". Rose (born in London and once married to Judy Garland), was away so an office boy went through some of Rose's unreleased tapes and found "The Stripper", Rose's last Billboard hit.

Answer: The Shadows

"Guitar Tango" was written by Norman Maine/Georges Liferman. It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart for The Shadows in 1962. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Shadows had the greatest number of instrumental hits (including five number one hits) on the UK Singles Chart between 1960-1981. The classic lineup from 1958-1961 was Jet Harris (bass guitar), Hank Marvin (lead guitar), Tony Meehan (drums) and Bruce Welch (rhythm guitar). Meehan left in 1961, Harris left in 1962; they had three UK Top Ten hits as a duo.

Answer: Duane Eddy

"(Dance With The) Guitar Man" was written by Duane Eddy/Lee Hazlewood. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Duane Eddy in 1962. It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"(Dance With The) Guitar Man" was recorded at the RCA Nashville Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and was produced by Lee Hazlewood. Duane Eddy falls into the group of American acts that have had more Top 20 and Top Ten hits in the UK than in their homeland. USA six Top 20 hits, UK 16 Top 20 hits, USA three Top Ten hits, UK eight Top Ten hits.