Billboard Firsts and Milestones Quiz

Answer: "Catch a Falling Star"/Perry Como

Originally gold records were merely publicity gimmicks using gold paint on actual recordings done by various labels. The award recognized today as a Gold Record was started when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took a cue from those publicity stunts and trademarked the Gold Record.

The first RIAA Gold Record single was awarded to Perry Como in 1958 for his recording of "Catch A Falling Star". Gold Records are awarded to releases that achieve 500,000 sales. The Penguins' rendition of "Earth Angel" is considered by many to be one of the first records which could be described as rock and roll to hit the national pop charts.

When Elvis performed in Vegas in the fifties he went to The Sands to check out Freddie Bell and the Bellboys. Elvis heard their rendition of "Hound Dog" and asked Freddie if he had any objections if he recorded his own version. "Rock Around the Clock" is considered by many to be the song that put rock and roll on the map for good.

Answer: "The Cast of 'Oklahoma!'"/Gordon McRae

The first album Gold Record was earned by Gordon McRae and the cast of "Oklahoma!" for the soundtrack release of "Oklahoma!". The original Gold Record was an off-white linen plaque displayed in a wood frame with a mini-cover of the album or replica mounted next to the certification of dedication.

In 1985 a hologram was added to prevent unauthorized duplication. After the hologram was introduced the traditional style of the awards was altered to allow record companies to customize their awards. For the Diamond Record designation Wayne Yenawine crafted a 12" high lead crystal award. To date 58 artists and 78 titles have been awarded a Diamond Record.

The top selling album of all time is "The Eagles' Greatest Hits 1971-1975" with 26 million copies sold to date. Albums that surpassed 20 million in sales are "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, "The Wall" by Pink Floyd, "Led Zeppelin IV" by Led Zeppelin and Billy Joel's "Greatest Hits". "His Hand in Mine" is Elvis Presley's first gospel album released in 1960. "High School Confidential" and "The Fabulous Johnny Cash" were popular 1958 albums.

Answer: "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy"/Elton John

"Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" debuted at number one on the Billboard US Pop Albums chart and remained there for seven weeks. It has gone on to be certified as triple platinum. In 2003 the album was ranked number 158 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. John Lennon plays guitar on the album and is credited as Dr. Winston O'Boogie.

The number four "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is the only single release from the album. The 2006 album "The Captain & The Kid" is a sequel to the concept album. "Diamonds & Rust" is a 1975 album by Joan Baez on which she covers songs by Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Jackson Browne. "Double Dynamite" is a 1975 compilation album by Elvis Presley.

Answer: Acker Bilk

British clarinetist Acker Bilk recorded "Stranger on the Shore" which reached number one on the US charts in 1962. "Stranger on the Shore" was originally named "Jenny" in honor of Acker Bilk's daughter and was Billboard's number one single of 1962. "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" is a spiritual that made the popular song charts in a 1958 version by Laurie London.

It went all the way to number one on the "Most Played by Jockeys" song list in the USA. The single was London's only hit record. "Telstar" by the Tornadoes followed "Stranger on the Shore" the same year and was the first US Billboard number one by a British group.

The Caravelles were a British duo girl band best known for their 1963 number three hit single "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry".

Answer: "The Twist"/Chubby Checker

"The Twist" was written and originally released in 1959 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters as a B-side to "Teardrops on Your Letter" but their version was only a minor hit. The song was covered by Chubby Checker the following year. His single became a smash hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 19 for one week and then set a record by being the only single to reach number one in two different chart runs when it resurfaced and topped the chart again on January 13, 1962, for two weeks.

In 1988 "The Twist" became popular once again due to a new recording by The Fat Boys featuring Chubby Checker. This version also reached number two in the United Kingdom and number one in Germany.

Answer: Wanted: The Outlaws

"Wanted! The Outlaws" is an album by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser. It was released by RCA Victor in 1976 and consisted of previously released material by the artists. Intended to capitalize on the outlaw country movement "Wanted! The Outlaws" earned its place in music history by becoming the first country album to sell a million copies. Two hit singles from the LP, "Suspicious Minds" and "Good Hearted Woman", were also released. "Are You Ready For The Country" is a 1976 Waylon Jennings album for A&M Records. "Golden Ring" is a 1976 duet album by George Jones and Tammy Wynette. "Native Sons" is by the duo of Loggins and Messina and was released in early 1976.

Answer: Fantasia

"I Believe" was written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman in 1953. The song has been recorded by many artists and has become both a popular and religious standard. "I Believe" was an instant success for "American Idol" alumni Fantasia when it was released on June 22, 2004.

It did well on the radio play and sales charts, debuting at number one. This feat made Fantasia the first artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to debut at number one with their first record release. "I Believe" is also the winner of three Billboard Awards. Michael Jackson holds the Billboard record for the most number one songs from an album.

His "Bad" LP spawned five number ones. Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" spent 741 consecutive weeks (14 years) on the Billboard 200 album chart, the longest duration of any album in history.

It is one of three albums tied for the claim of second highest selling album globally of all time. Paul McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles.

Answer: I Want to Hold Your hand

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" is the first Beatles record made using four-track equipment and the Beatles' first number one song on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It started a string of 19 more number one singles by the Fab Four. A million copies of the single had already been ordered upon its release. Paul's girlfriend at the time was Jane Asher and her mother, Margaret Asher, taught music in a music room in their basement.

It was there that Lennon and McCartney composed "I Want to Hold Your Hand" after Brian Epstein suggested they write a song that would appeal to American audiences.

The song was intended for release to coincide with their upcoming Ed Sullivan appearance; however, a stewardess with BOAC smuggled a copy to New York deejays and the song broke before record companies had it in the racks.

Answer: Mariah Carey

Mariah has recorded the most number one singles (not albums) for a solo artist in the United States. According to the Recording Industry Association of America she is the third best-selling female recording artist. In addition to her commercial accomplishments Carey has earned five Grammy Awards and is well-known for her vocal range.

She made her recording debut in 1990 under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Mariah also has the most songs to debut at number one on the Hot 100 with three. Madonna rose to stardom in 1983 producing three consecutive number one studio albums on the Billboard 200 "Like a Virgin", "True Blue" and "Like a Prayer".

In addition to her recording accomplishments Cher became the oldest female singer to have a number one on the Billboard Hot 100 at 52 years old with "Believe". Whitney Houston spent most of her teenage years touring night clubs with her mother.

Her "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" holds the record for the most weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 with 11 weeks.

Answer: "Autumn Leaves"/Roger Williams

One evening Louis Weertz was scheduled to play as an accompanist for a fellow Juilliard student who was scheduled to sing on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts". The singer failed to appear so Louis Weertz performed as a piano soloist, winning the night's contest. Louis changed his name after signing with Kapp records and as Roger Williams he has 18 Gold and Platinum albums to his credit.

In addition to "Autumn Leaves" he recorded such other piano classic hits as "Born Free", "The Impossible Dream", and "Lara's Theme from 'Dr. Zhivago'". Williams has played for eight presidents and is the first pianist to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "The Yellow Rose of Texas" and "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" were both vocal recordings. "Poor People of Paris" by Les Baxter hit number one in March, 1956.