Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1958 Quiz

Answer: Danny and The Juniors

Danny and the Juniors kicked off 1958 with this staple of the oldies stations. The group got started on the streets of Philadelphia, where they sang together in high school as "The Juvenairs." With Dick Clark's encouragement, advice, and a name change, their song became a hit.

They followed up with "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay," which charted at number 19. The group continued to chart until early 1963. Lead singer Danny Rapp passed away in 1983 but they regrouped and continue to perform into the new millennium. Dion and the Belmonts sang "Teenager in Love," Little Anthony sang "Tears on my Pillow" and Dickie Doo and the Don'ts were a Philly novelty group.

Answer: Tequila

"Tequila" had that distinction. The Champs' members included Glen Campbell, Jim Seals and Dash Crofts. They joined after "Tequila" charted. Lead guitarist Dave Burgess was head of A&R and the first artist to be signed to Gene Autry's Challenge label. He recorded an instrumental called "Train to Nowhere" adding session saxophone player Danny Flores.

They had to compose a "B" side and "Tequila" was hastily written and recorded. The song won the first Grammy ever awarded for the "Best R&B Performance" category. "Teen Beat" was by Sandy Nelson, "Sleep Walk" was a hit for Santo & Johnny and Cozy Cole recorded "Topsy, Part II."

Answer: "Witch Doctor" / David Seville

Ross Bagdasarian recorded the song under the name of David Seville. Ross was inspired from the book "Duel with the Witch Doctor." He recorded the song into his tape recorder and came up with the idea of recording at half speed then changing back and forth.

The novel idea later spawned "The Chipmunk Song" and the empire that became the chipmunk craze. The catchy "Witch Doctor" actually knocked an Elvis tune from the charts. "Purple People Eater" was a novelty hit for Sheb Wooley, "Ahab The Arab" was indeed a later hit by Ray Stevens and Bill Justis recorded the instrumental "Raunchy."

Answer: All I Have to do is Dream

"All I Have to do is Dream" continued a successful run at the charts by the famed duo. After recording this song they continued on to have 5 more top ten songs with the Cadence label. During the same week in 1958, NARAS held their first meeting and conceived of the idea of giving music awards annually.

This idea would become the Grammys. The Everly brothers consider "All I Have to do is Dream" one of the most important songs they recorded. The other songs are also Everly Brothers hits.

Answer: The Teddy Bears

Along with Marshall Lieb and Annette Kleinbard, Phil recorded "To Know Him is to Love Him." in August of 1958. Phil wrote and produced the song. Their appearance on Dick Clark's show helped launch the song. The group disbanded because Phil decided to focus his attention on producing rather than performing. Additionally, Annette had a car accident requiring several plastic surgery operations.

After recovering she went on to a songwriting career under the name of Carol Connors. The Playmates charted "Beep Beep" the same week in 1958 and The Elegants recorded "Little Star" in 1958.

The Fleetwoods had chart success in 1959 with "Mr. Blue" and "Come Softly to Me." Interesting note; Phil was originally commissioned to produce Elvis' "Blue Hawaii" soundtrack.

Answer: It's Only Make Believe

Conway co-wrote "It's Only Make Believe" with Jack Nance and took it to number one. He was born Harold Lloyd Jenkins and derived his stage name from the towns of Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. He considered becoming a minister but excelled in baseball in school and was offered a contract with the Phillies.

He was drafted before he could join the team and sang with bands while in the military. Upon departing he was performing in a lounge and wrote "It's Only Make Believe" on a break. "Stagger Lee" was recorded by Lloyd Price, "It's All in the Game" charted for Tommy Edwards at number 4 the following week and "Rockin' Robin" was a number 4 hit for Bobby Day earlier in 1958.

Answer: Tom Dooley

"Tom Dooley" was actually titled "Tom Dula" and told of an actual hanging in 1868. The Kingston Trio is credited with paving the way for the folk craze. The trio started in San Francisco when Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds were performing in coffee houses while in college.

Originally known as "Dave Guard and the Calypsonians" they met their manager during a performance and he groomed them for recording success. The original trio stayed together until 1961, but with personnel changes they continued to chart for several more years. "Stagger Lee" was recorded by Lloyd Price, "Tragedy" was by Thomas Wayne and "The Three Bells" was a 1958 recording by The Browns.

Answer: Poor Little Fool

"Poor Little Fool" was Ricky's sixth hit single. His first was a cover of Fats Domino's "I'm Walking" which was earlier launched during "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" television show that featured the Nelson family. "Poor Little Fool" was written by Sharon Sheeley, who was Eddie Cochran's ("Summertime Blues") girlfriend. Nelson went on to have significant chart success recording with the Imperial label and appeared in movies such as "Rio Bravo" in the early 1960's. "Traveling Man" and "I Believe What you Say" were also hits by Ricky.

Answer: The Platters

The Platters took the song to the number one spot. They had already enjoyed success with "Only You" and "The Great Pretender" when they performed "Twilight Time" on Dick Clark's show, launching it into the charts. The song has another distinction. Mercury records produced two three minutes films, one of the Platters and one of the Diamonds in an effort to market their music and gave them to 200 television deejays.

The music video was born. The Ink Spots were a notable vocal group of the 1940's, the Four Preps had a number 5 hit with "Twenty Six Miles" in 1958 and the Drifters recorded numerous classics such as "This magic Moment" and "Save the Last Dance for Me."

Answer: Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Du Blu)

Domenico Modugno was a four-time winner of Italy's San Remo Music festival. He composed the song "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Du Blu)" earlier in 1958 and it was covered by many artists, including Dean Martin. Dean Martin's version peaked at number 12, but Modugno's reached the number one spot. Domenico Modugno was an Italian actor who portrayed Athos in "The Three Musketeers." "Return to Me" was another hit for Dean Martin, "Surrender" was an Elvis hit based on an Italian song and "I'm Sorry" was a Brenda Lee hit.