1970s Pop Music Trivia Quiz

Answer: Without You

I started off with an easy one here. Harry Nilsson's version of the song "Without You" was and still is one of the most beautifully sad songs I've ever heard. His voice in the is so passionate that it could make angels weep. The Badfinger version was largely ignored. Harry brought the song alive and his version hit number one in February of 1972.

He won a Grammy for it, in fact, for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Unfortunately Harry Nilsson was a homebody and never did concert tours. Towards the end of his life he performed at small festival type affairs, but alas, his voice had begun to falter. Harry was ill. I spoke with a friend of Harry's from New York City and was able to obtain the only early footage of Harry performing back in the day.

It was a special for BBC television. This song has a very special place in my heart and brings back memories that I don't always want to think about. "Without You' has been redone more times than one can count, by all genres of artists.

Answer: You're So Vain

Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" is in the top 100 of Billboard's greatest songs of all time. It was always rumored that the song was about one of Carly's egotistical former lovers. Fans had it narrowed down to either Mick Jagger or Warren Beatty. Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and several others were also former lovers and were very slight possibilities only. I've read that Carly did acknowledge at one time that the song was a little bit about Beatty but that the subject of the song is a composite of three men from her Los Angeles days. I believe it was 2003 when there was a charity auction called Martha's Vineyard Possible Dreams.

The winner of this auction was Dick Ebersol who was the president of NBC Sports and a friend of Carly's. His winning bid was $50,000.00 and the prize was the revelation of the person that "You're So Vain" was about. Along with that the winner received a private performance of "You're So Vain" at Carly's home as well as a lunch.

The lunch was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and vodka on the rocks of which afterwards, the answer as to whom the well known song was about, would be whispered into Ebersol's ear. Carly let him give a clue to the world regarding the song, which was that the letter E was in the name of the person that the song was about.

In 2004 Carly told Regis Philbin that the letter R was also in this person's name. Prior to that Carly had revealed that the letter A was also in the name.

Answer: Sweet City Woman

In 1971 the song "Sweet City Woman" flooded the radio. The melody was absolutely infectious and tough to get out of your mind. Oddly enough this was the one song that took them out of their genre. Their music did have a bit of a romantic side but also incorporated elements of swamp rock and roots rock ala Creedence Clearwater Revival which might be typical of a band playing at bars in the far west of Canada. One time the Stampeders were heading back to Toronto from a concert that they gave.

They were listening to radio station WABC in New York City and heard that "Sweet City Woman" was the number one record of the week.

They pulled their car over to the side of the road at four o'clock in the morning and began jumping all around the car out of sheer excitement.

Answer: Timothy

In 1971 "Timothy" put the Buoys on the charts. It was one of those songs with infectious melodies that made a person want to sing along. Little did I know what the song was really about. In a nutshell this song was about three men trapped in a collapsed mine. Two of these men ate the third who was named Timothy. Even though the songs was censored and even outright banned by radio stations, it still became a big hit.

These guys were surely an unusual "one hit wonder' band.

Answer: Charity Ball

"Charity Ball" by Fanny managed to reach number five in Chicago which explains why I kept hearing this obscure song on the radio. It grabbed me from the beginning. Typical 1970s rock but with female vocals and a catchy melody. David Bowie was a huge fan of the band. Fanny eventually seemed to disappear into obscurity.

They were the first all female rock act to record an entire album for a major record label. All in all they released five albums for major labels and attained a level of success that was simply unheard of for a rock band comprised solely of women. June Millington played guitar and sang, her sister Jean played bass and sang, Alice De Buhr played drums and sang and Nickey Barclay played keyboards and sang.

There is a Fanny box set that was released.

It's unfortunately very expensive but contains demo versions, alternate takes etc. They do a good version of the Cream song "Badge" with June adding some decent fuzz guitar to the mix.

Answer: Climax

Climax with Sonny Geraci at the helm pumped out the massive hit song "Precious And Few in 1972. Climax arose out of the ashes of the Outsiders and Sonny sang lead on their big hit "Time Won't Let Me" which came out in 1966. Climax was a one hit wonder band and "Precious And Few" was it.

It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. This disc sold over one million copies and received a gold disc awarded by the RIAA on February 21, 1972.

Answer: Come And Get Your Love

Redbone was formed in 1968 by brothers Patrich and Lolly Vasquez. They were a Native American rock band with a mixed ancestry. In 1971 they released the hit song "Witch Queen Of New Orleans" and in 1974 they released "Come And Get Your Love." The tune of "Come And Get Your Love" is so infectious that I have to sing along every time I hear the song. Provided nobody is around, of course. Redbone received a gold record from the RIAA for this song.

Answer: Toast And Marmalade For Tea

The song "Toast And Marmalade For Tea" was on Tin Tin's self titled album from 1970. The album sold poorly until 1971 when "Toast And Marmalade For Tea" was finally and belatedly released as a single. The song had eight lines that were repeated over and over with eerie, distorted piano that had a warbled sound and synthesizer backing.

The song eventually builds in intensity when all of the other instruments are added. The distinct sound created by the distorted piano was accidentally discovered when an engineer leaned on a tape machine which happened to create the sound.

Answer: Dancing In The Moonlight

"Dancing In The Moonlight" by King Harvest is another one of those guaranteed to make you feel good songs. Personally, I could easily listen to it once a day and simply never get tired of it. This song was actually written in 1968 by Sherman Kelly, who's brother, Wells Kelly was the drummer for King Harvest. "Dancing In The Moonlight" was originally recorded in 1970 by the obscure US band, Boffalongo.

Answer: Bobby Russell

Bobby Russell's song, "Saturday Morning Confusion", peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Top 40 Hits chart in 1971. Anyone who has raised children needs to hear this song. It's about a poor guy with a bad hangover who hears his children waking up on Saturday morning and all of the typical shenanigans that occur throughout the day while his head is about to pop. What a great song with a good melody and hook that just reach out and grab you. I can sure relate and I'll bet that you can too. Wryly humorous comes to mind when I think of the song. Russell penned several other successful songs such as "Honey", "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia", "Used To Be" and "Little Green Apples." Most of the songs in this quiz can be found in a series called Super Hits Of The '70s - Have A Nice Day on the Rhino label. I have the entire series on cassette and there are twenty two tapes total.

There may be more by now because I've had mine for about twelve years already and it's been out since 1990.

It was issued on CD as well.

Answer: Moonlight Feels Right

Another great pop song, "Moonlight Feels Right" by Starbuck was most probably the definitive AM radio cruising song of the 1970s. It was well crafted and melodic song. For me it is definitely a classic and a fine representative of the synth pop genre. Several band members belonged to the band Mississippi prior to Starbuck. Before that they were members of the sunshine pop band Eternity's Children, who had scored a top one hundred hit with "Mr. Bluebird" in 1968.

They also appeared on American Bandstand several times.

Answer: Delaney And Bonnie And Friends

In 1971 Delaney And Bonnie And Friends released the hit song "Never Ending Song Of Love." Delaney And Bonnie Bramlett were considered a rock/soul revue and were husband/wife singer songwriters. Eric Clapton would often appear on stage with Delaney And Bonnie.

After the breakup of Blind Faith he continued to record and tour with them. "Never Ending Song Of Love" was on the "Motel Shot" album. It was a catchy hippie type song.

Answer: Austin Roberts

Austin Roberts was lead singer for a few different bands and eventually wound up with the Buchanan Brothers. Later he sang for the Arkades and then went solo. One of his most remembered hits appears to be "Keep On Singing." In my book it doesn't compare with "Something's Wrong With Me" which peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Roberts co-wrote/produced music for the 1970s cartoon series' "Scooby Doo" and "Josie And The Pussycats."

Answer: Zabriskie Point

The band Pink Floyd was featured on the "Zabriskie Point" soundtrack. The other three soundtracks featured the song "Something In The Air." It was also featured on the soundtracks of "Kingpin", "The Dish" and "The Girl Next Door." It appeared on and was the title of the second disc in the Deluxe Edition of the "Easy Rider" soundtrack.

The song hit number one on the UK charts only three weeks after its release, holding off Elvis! In the US "Something In The Air" only reached number thirty seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Daddy Dewdrop

Daddy Dewdrop is the pseudonym used by American songwriter Dick Monda. He was a one hit wonder with his only hit being "Chick-A-Boom." It was released in 1971 and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. Monda wrote the song for the cartoon "Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies."

Answer: Timmy Thomas

"Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas is a very special song to my ears and has haunted me off and on for many years. It was recorded as a demo which was given to TK Records staff producer Steve Alaimo to listen to. At first he thought of rerecording it with a full band but then decided that it was already a finished product. Good thing too, because a full band added would have ruined a masterpiece.

It's a minimal, stripped down production with soulful organ, a simple drum machine and passionate, pleading vocals.

The stark, existential organ is one of the keys to this incredible piece. The atmosphere is mournful and even has an ominous overtone. Between the vocals and organ one can sense Thomas' deep convictions as far as racial harmony goes.

A memorable and heartfelt masterpiece of soul pop. I just paid for a vinyl pressing of the album which will arrive next week. I've only heard the one song so far but I'm expecting great things from the rest of the album. I read that it's similar in style.

It's about time I figured out who the artist was on the song that has bothered me on and off for years, and bought a copy. Thanks go to this quiz for reminding me.

Answer: Smokie

"Living Next Door To Alice" is a song about a young man's long-standing crush on Alice who was the girl next door and his neighbor for 24 years. His feelings are left unrequited after she moves away. It was the biggest hit for Smokie. The band started out in 1965 with the name The Yen and had so many more name changes that it bordered on ludicrous.

After The Yen we have The Sphynx, Essence, The Black Cats, The Four Corners, The Elizabethans, Kindness, Smokey and finally Smokie. Whew! They are considered to be a glam rock band.

The 1976 version spawned a more risque version in 1995 by the Dutch band Gompie, titled "Alice, Who The F_ _ _ Is Alice?

Answer: Afternoon Delight

The Starland Vocal Band began as Fat City who were the husband and wife duo of Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert. Their debut album as The Starland Vocal Band was self titled and included the song "Afternoon Delight." The song went to number one and the album also charted.

The band was nominated for five Grammy Awards and wound up winning two. One was best arrangement (vocals) and the other was best new act. The band hosted a variety show for six weeks in the summer of 1977. "Afternoon Delight" as a pop song has a bit of everything.

The harmonies are gorgeous and alive, the melody grabs you and makes you want to sing along and the lyrics are very cleverly well crafted. I'm surprised that censors didn't become alarmed. That's where the cleverness of the lyrics came in.

The song sailed right by them. Versions of the song were used in the movies "Anchorman" and "Starsky And Hutch."

Answer: The Last Game Of The Season (A Blind Man In The Bleachers)

"The Last Game Of The Season" (A Blind Man In The Bleachers) was a number eighteen hit for David Geddes. It's a sad song about a boy who was on his school's football team and never got to play until the last game of the season. His blind father always attended his games and would listen for his son's name to be called as he came in to play in one of the games.

He went into the last game and played his heart out as his team came from behind to win. His coach asked him what made him play so well. He said to the coach that you knew my dad was blind but tonight he passed away.

It's the first time that my father's seen me play. David Cole Idema is Geddes' birth name. Under that name he played drums and was vocalist for the cult band the Fredric, also known as Rock Garden.

This was in the early 1970s.

Answer: Cymarron

In 1971 the vocal trio Cymarron released their only hit song titled "Rings." They named their group after "Cimarron Strip", a short-lived TV western from 1967. "Rings" was written by outside songwriters Eddie Reeves and Alex Harvey. Eddie said that a couple he knew, Bob and Chris, were going to be married, so he and Alex wrote the song a month before they got married, as a wedding present. Alex and Eddie sang the song at the rehearsal dinner and several more times on the wedding day. All references in the song are related to their relationship.

The wedding had taken place on the beach at 6:00 AM in front of the beach house that was referred to in the song. That's why "the sun comes up across the city" lyric was in the song. Before the song was written, everyone knew the wedding was going to be at sunrise on the beach.

This has to be a fairly unknown fact about this song.

Answer: Emma

"Emma" by the English pop band Hot Chocolate, rose to number eight on the Billboard Top 40 Hits of 1975. Front man Errol Brown said that the song was tied to the death of his mother at age thirty eight. They almost didn't release it because of how slow it was as well as being somewhat morbid. Errol was from Jamaica and I think that influence comes out in "Emma." it's quite a unique sounding song and it's always been a favorite of mine. Hot Chocolate had at least one hit every year between 1970 and 1984.

Answer: Python Lee Jackson

I am a huge fan of Rod Stewart in his earlier day. In 1969 he went into the studio with the Australian band Python Lee Jackson to record three songs to be released on their album and as singles. Stewart was brought in mainly for the song "In A Broken Dream" because the bands lead singer thought his voice simply was not right for the song.

It was the best move the band ever made. It took until the songs third release for it to take off and then it reached number three on the UK singles chart and number fifty six on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

This is probably my all time favorite Rod Stewart song. It was a blues based melodic pop rock song with wailing fuzz guitar. I didn't expect much when I heard that Stewart had recorded with some unknown band but I was bowled over the very first time I heard this song.

The song has been released on a few Rod Stewart compilations. The album and 45 RPM's can still be found very cheaply. "Doin' Fine" and "The Blues" are the other two songs that Stewart sang on.

He later commented that the fee he was paid for singing these three tracks was a set of new mats for his car.

Answer: Stevie Nicks

John Stewart's song "Gold" made it to the number five single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1979. It was a catchy tune with a melody that I found to be somewhat haunting with a lonely or sad feel to it. There is no mistaking the unique voice of Stevie Nicks (of Fleetwood Mac) as it suddenly comes in and duets with John on a few different lines. Lindsey Buckingham, also of Fleetwood Mac, played guitar on the song. Stewart was once a member of the Kingston Trio who helped to give folk music its name.

He unfortunately passed away at the age of 68 in January of 2008 of a massive stroke. Billboard Magazine once called John a master wordsmith who captures the souls of people in his words. That may not be their exact words but you get the idea which is all that I want. Stewart also wrote "Daydream Believer" which was a number one hit for the Monkees.

Answer: Troglodyte (Cave Man)

"Troglodyte" (Cave Man) by The Jimmy Castor Bunch reached number six on the Billboard charts in the summer of 1972. The song is spoken with a pounding beat in the background with light fuzz guitar at times. I couldn't remember the names of this song at first because Castor had another song that was out in 1974 called "The Bertha Butt Boogie, Part 1." What confused me is that "Troglodyte" has some lyrics in it about Bertha Butt. So I'm thinking that the "Bertha Butt Boogie" is a followup to "Troglodyte" although it wasn't released until 1974.

It reached number sixteen that year. If you've not hear "Troglodyte" yet, do yourself a favor and go to Youtube or another website and give it a listen. It's crazy but also very memorable as a song.

Answer: El Chicano

In 1973 El Chicano released a self titled album that contained the future hit song "Tell Her She's Lovely." They started out as a band called the VIP's and were formed in the barrio of East Los Angeles. El Chicano was the most successful band to come out of the East LA area. That may have changed by now in 2009 though. Once they became noticed back in the 1970s they began to travel to jazz festivals and were even booked into the Apollo Theatre in New York.

The theater is located in Harlem which is in New York City's borough of Manhattan. Harlem is one of the most historically significant, traditionally black neighborhoods in the United States. El Chicano's music is an eclectic mix of rock, soul, funk, jazz, blues and salsa.

They are often compared to Santana.