Big Bands of Yesteryear Quiz | Big Band

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This band from the flapper era was led by Rudy Vallee, who often sang through a megaphone. Their signature tune was "Vagabond Lover". What was the band called?

Answer: The Connecticut Yankees

Vallee wasn't from Connecticut, but came from Vermont. Very popular in the late 20s, two other notable songs in their repetoire included "As Time Goes By" and "Life is just a Bowl of Cherries". The band originally consisted of 2 violins, 2 saxophones, piano, banjo and drums.

2. "Rippling Rhythms" was what this band played. In fact, that was the name of their theme song. Another hit was "Ritual Fire Dance". Name their leader.

Answer: Shep Fields

Shep Fields was originally the leader of an orchestra that traveled with the dance team of Veloz and Yolande, and was billed as "The Veloz and Yolande Orchestra, under the direction of Shep Fields". He broke away and began playing what was termed "sweet music".

He would blow bubbles through a straw at the beginning of "Rippling Rhythms", thus the term, "Rippling". He later changed styles and was billed as "Shep Fields and His New Music." His band included, at one time or another, Sid Caesar (Saxophone) and Ken Curtis (Vocalist).

3. This band was known for loud, raucous send ups of popular songs of its day, with music punctuated by cowbells, gun shots, bicycle horns, screams, etc. Spike Jones was its leader. What was its name?

Answer: The City Slickers

Jones usually dressed in a loud, wide lapeled, checkered suit and often played the wash board, along with firing guns into the air, tooting horns, etc. Their most notable hits included "In der Fuhrer's Face", a WWII reference to Adolph Hitler and "Cocktails for Two", much to the consternation of the original composer, it is said. Band members included, at various times, George Rock, Mickey Katz, and Doodles Weaver.

4. This band was known as the "Band of Renown" and appeared on virtually every Bob Hope television show and USO tour. Whose band am I talking about?

Answer: Les Brown

The Les Brown band is remembered for introducing "Sentimental Journey", vocalized by Doris Day, whose release coincided with the end of World War II. They were also the house band for the old Steve Allen late night television show. As late as 2001, they were still performing under the direction of Les Brown, Jr.

5. Woody Herman's band, remembered for their big hit, "Woodchopper's Ball" was often referred to by what name?

Answer: The Herd

Woody Herman played clarinet and sax. Stan Getz was among the members of his band for a time. Among their other hits was "I've got You Under my Skin". His was a 'swing' style, influnced by Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Dizzy Gillespie arranged another hit for the band, titled "Swing Shift."

6. The Glen Gray orchestra was a jazz band, heard on many a radio broadcast in the 1930s. The band was referred to by what name?

Answer: The Casa Loma Orchestra

The name came from the Casa Loma club in Toronto, where the band played for an extended time. "Smoke Rings" was one of the band's hit songs. Gray played saxophone.

7. "The Bob Cats" played dixie land style. One of their hits was "Rampart Steet Parade". Their leader had a voice very similar to his brother Bing's. Who was he?

Answer: Bob Crosby

Another hit for the band was "Summer Time". Crosby may also be remembered for his treatment of the song "Big Wind Blew in From Winetka". Though similar in voice to his brother, Bob's lacked the range that Bing had.

8. This leader called his music and band "The Wall of Sound". He was a pianist and composer. One of the bands early hits was "Eager Beaver". Who was he?

Answer: Stan Kenton

Another hit that may be remembered is "Tampico", with Anita O'Day doing the vocal. Yet another is "The Girl from Ipanema." His band included, among other great musicians, Kai Winding (Trombone) and Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet).

9. Perhaps this orchestra's most notable feature was the fact that they were all girls. They appeared on numerous radio broadcasts during the 1930s and 1940s. Who was their leader?

Answer: Phil Spitalny

The introduction of the band went, "Phil Spitalny and his all girl orchestra, featuring Evelyn and her Magic Violin". The band was known as the "Hour of Charm Orchestra" after the name of a radio program hosted by Arlene Francis. Sweet Sue was the leader of the band of ladies in the movie "Some Like it Hot."

10. This band was simply known by its leader's name. Possibly the most famous of the big bands, they play the same music today as they did when their leader disappeared over the English Channel during World War II. Who was this band leader?

Answer: Glenn Miller

Shame on you if you didn't get this one. The great sound of the Glenn Miller Band, coupled with unforgettable arrangements produced such hits as "Sunrise Serenade", "String of Pearls", "Tuxedo Junction" and "Little Brown Jug". Strangely, even today, some music critics grumble about the "too perfect" orchestration of these songs.

11. This band, led by Guy Lombardo, was a long time fixture of New Year's eve broadcasts and would break into "Auld Lang Syne" promptly at midnight. What was this band called?

Answer: The Royal Canadians

Guy Lombardo's orchestra included brothers Victor, Carmen and Lebert. A big song for them was "Boo Hoo". They played at the Roosevelt Grill in New York City for an amazing 30 years. The billing included the phrase "The Sweetest Music this Side of Heaven".

12. This band had a huge hit, "Nola" in the 1920s. Its leader was featured on the piano. Who am I talking about?

Answer: Vincent Lopez

They also recorded "I'm Just Wild About Harry". Vincent Lopez always began a radio broadcast with the words, "Lopez speaking" and it became his trademark. Both Betty and Marion Hutton began their careers singing with the Lopez band.

13. This band leader was arguably the best trumpet player of the 1940s swing era. He dubbed for Kirk Douglas in the movie "Young Man with a Horn." Who am I talking about?

Answer: Harry James

"You Made Me Love You" was the big hit for James and his band. He was the first to employ Frank Sinatra for vocals and later, Buddy Rich on drums. He is commonly remembered for marrying movie star Betty Grable, his second wife. He toured until the mid 1980s when ill health forced his retirement.

14. This band was one of the most popular of the 1920's. It's leader was called the "King of Jazz" by the press. "Rhapsody in Blue" was one of their recordings which has often been copied but never duplicated. Who am I talking about?

Answer: Paul Whiteman

Many critics don't consider his music jazz, as it is highly and tightly orchestrated, and supposedly lacks spontenaity. He is credited with working with as many black musicians and arrangers as his era permitted. Louis Armstrong was a particular fan of his music.

His band included, at various times, Jack Teagarden and Bunny Berigan. Another great recording of theirs is "Grand Canyon Suite".

15. This band was also known by its leader's name. He has been called "the finest jazz clarinetist in music". "Begin the Beguine" is its signature song. It was one of the most popular bands of the late 30s and 40s. Who directed this band?

Answer: Artie Shaw

His bands included Billy Butterfield on trumpet. A small group within the band was known as the "Gramercy Five". There is still active a band that bears Shaw's name and plays his music. Unfortunately, Shaw is maybe best remembered for his eight marriages, two of them to movie stars Evelyn Keyes and Ava Gardner.

Source: Author Pick61

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ertrum before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Big Bands of Yesteryear Trivia Quiz

This quiz is for those who remember and appreciate the Big Band era of the 20s, 30s and 40s.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>