1970s FM Radio Songs, Part IV Trivia Quiz

Answer: James Gang

The Cleveland, Ohio, band James Gang released the song "Funk # 49" in 1970. Joe Walsh was a guitarist and vocalist on this popular track which appeared on the album "James Gang Rides Again." The song featured some funky guitar licks and an extended percussion solo.

The other musicians on "Funk # 49" included Dale Peters and Jim Fox. Walsh left James Gang in late 1971 to embark on a successful solo career.

Answer: Gregg Rolie

Gregg Rolie was the keyboardist and lead singer on Santana's 1970 hit song "Black Magic Woman." This song was included on the group's highly successful "Abraxas" album. This tune, of course, highlighted the guitar wizardry of Carlos Santana. The drummer on this track was Michael Shrieve, David Brown was the bassist, and Michael Carabello played congas. Rolie sang these lyrics:

"But she's a black magic woman
And she's trying to make a devil out of me..."

Answer: Dudes

The glam-rock classic "All the Young Dudes" was recorded by the group Mott the Hoople in 1972. This song, written by David Bowie, featured the lead vocals of Ian Hunter. "All the Young Dudes" discussed such themes as suicide and juvenile delinquency. Hunter sang these words from the song's chorus:

"All the young dudes, carry the news
Boogaloo dudes, carry the news..."

Answer: Tupelo

In 1971, Van Morrison released a song and an album called "Tupelo Honey." The tupelo tree is indigenous to the southeastern region of the USA. This song featured some soulful vocals from Morrison and a saxophone solo from Jack Schroer. Van the Man sang these lyrics:

"She's as sweet as tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee..."

Answer: Truckin'

The song "Truckin" became one of the most popular songs by The Grateful Dead. This song was included on the Dead's "American Beauty" album and featured lead vocals by Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia. "Truckin" discussed the trials and tribulations of a traveling rock band. These lyrics were included in the song:

"Busted down on Bourbon Street
Set up like a bowling pin
Knocked down, it gets to wearing thin
They just won't let you be, oh no..."

"Friend of the Devil" and "Sugar Magnolia" also appeared on "American Beauty." The song "Bertha" was released in 1971. What a long, strange trip, indeed!

Answer: Ireland

The band Thin Lizzy was formed in Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1960s. In 1976, the group was successful with the song "The Boys Are Back In Town." This rock classic featured Phil Lynott on bass and lead vocals and was included on the album "Jailbreak." Other musicians on this hit song included Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham on guitars, and Brian Downey on drums. The group sang these words:

"Guess who just got back today
Them wild-eyed boys that'd been away
Haven't changed, haven't much to say
But man I still think those cats are crazy...
The boys are back in town..."

Answer: Really need it

Elvis Costello made listeners pump up the volume with his 1978 dance tune "Pump It Up." Costello (Declan P. McManus) was born in London, England. The tune "Pump It Up" was included on the album "This Year's Model." A band called The Attractions backed up Costello on this song. Costello sang these lyrics:

"Pump it up until you can feel it
Pump it up when you don't really need it..."

Answer: David Lee Roth

The dynamic band Van Halen burst onto the FM radio rock scene in the 1970s. The California band's original lineup included the flamboyant David Lee Roth on lead vocals, Eddie Van Halen on guitars, Alex Van Halen on percussion, and Michael Anthony on bass guitar. Roth was Van Halen's vocalist until the mid 1980s. The song "Runnin' With the Devil" appeared on the group's first album, released in May 1978. Roth sang these words:

"I live my life like there's no tomorrow
And all I've got, I had to steal
Least I don't need to beg or borrow
Yes, I'm livin' at a pace that kills
Oh yeah, runnin' with the devil..."

Answer: Band on the Run

Sir Paul McCartney achieved international success in 1973 with his album "Band on the Run." One of the most popular FM radio songs of this collection was the song "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five." This song featured Paul McCartney, Denny Laine, and Linda McCartney. McCartney belted out these words:

"Oh, no one ever left alive
In 1985 will ever do
She may be right, she may be fine
She may get love, but she won't get mine
'Cause I got you..."

Answer: Paul Simon

The song "Duncan" was recorded by New Jersey-born singer Paul Simon; it appeared on the 1972 "Paul Simon" album. The song told the story of a man named Lincoln Duncan who hailed from the maritime provinces in Canada and then journeyed "down the turnpike" to New England in the USA. This tune featured Peruvian-style instrumental interludes by a group called Los Incas. Simon ended Duncan's tale by singing these words:

"I was playin' my guitar
Lying underneath the stars
Just thankin' the Lord for my fingers
For my fingers"

The other three singers listed in this question were not born in the USA.