70's One Hit Wonders Vol. 8 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mountain

Billboard number 21, April 4, 1970. These guys couldn't make up their mind. They were formed in 1969, broke up in 1972, reformed in 1974, broke up again, and then reformed. One of the group's members, Felx Pappalardi was shot to death by his wife in 1983. The band reformed (again) in 1985. They are still around today.

Answer: Tom Clay

Billboard number eight, August 14, 1971. Clay was a DJ in the Detroit area, who was involved in the payola scandals of the late 50s. In the 60s, during the Beatles craze, he was working in Detroit and had people send $1 to join "The Beatles Boosters Club", and promised that all would get an item used by the Beatles. Clay received over $80,000.

The listeners got cigarette butts, used tissues, etc. Oops! Fired again. Clay's career then turned to voice over work. He died of stomach cancer in 1995.

Answer: Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen

Billboard number nine, June 3, 1972. A rockabilly type country band formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, they had only the one hit, which has been covered by several other artists, and is considered by many to be the anthem of the hot-rod community.

Answer: Clint Holmes

Billboard number two, June 16, 1973. Holmes was born in England, and raised in Buffalo, New York. He did three years in Vietnam in the late 60s and began his musical career after getting out of the service. He was a popular Las Vegas performer for over 30 years.

He also was the announcer on "Late Show Starring Joan Rivers" which was the first late night variety show from the Fox TV network.

Answer: Johnny Bristol

Billboard number eight, October 5, 1974. Bristol was a producer for Motown in the late 60s and early 70s, along with Harvey Fuqua, who was an original member of the 50s group The Moonglows. Together they produced such songs as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell), "25 Miles" (Edwin Starr), and "My Whole World Ended" (David Ruffin).

This song, however, was his only Top 40 hit as a singer, although he did have some later success on the R&B charts.

Answer: Van McCoy

Billboard number one, July 26, 1975. McCoy was a producer, writer, and orchestra conductor. He produced such artists as Gladys Knight and The Pips, Peaches and Herb, David Ruffin, The Stylistics, and Aretha Franklin among others. This song, which was part of an instrumental album released by McCoy's record label in 1974, was an unexpected smash hit. McCoy died of a heart attack in 1979, at the age of 39.

Answer: Vicki Sue Robinson

Billboard number ten, August 14, 1976. She was actually an actress first, appearing in the Broadway version of "Hair" at age 16. She also appeared in "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1973. This song was recorded as part of her first album, and got her a Grammy nomination.

She never charted Top 40 again, although she did have some success with other music on the Disco/Dance charts. The song was later covered in 1994 by Gloria Estefan. Cancer took Robinson from us in the year 2000.

Answer: Wilton Place Street Band

Billboard number 24, April 9, 1977. A group of studio musician in L. A. thought this would be a great idea. Hmmmm.

Answer: Alicia Bridges

Billboard number five, December 23, 1978. Basically born a star in North Carolina, she started performing at age 10, and had her own radio show at age 12. "Nightlife" earned her a Grammy nomination in 1978.

Answer: Kermit

Billboard number 25, November 24, 1979. The song was written by Paul Williams in conjunction with longtime writing partner Ken Ascher. It has been covered over 20 times by various artists over the years. Williams and Ascher received an Oscar nomination for the song that year as well.