Billboard Number 1 Songs of 1965 Quiz

Answer: Petula Clark

Although Petula was already an international star in the early sixties, she was a relative unknown in America. Her arranger, Tony Hatch, was playing a song on the piano and Petula thought it would be a great song if it had lyrics. After adding lyrics Tony had Petula record "Downtown" and it entered the hot 100 at 87, hitting the top spot five weeks later. Dusty Springfield sang "I Only Want to Be With You" and went on to do "Son of A Preacher Man." Cilla Black was a hat check girl at the Cavern Club during the Beatles' early days there and later recorded "You're My World." Marianne Faithfull's first American hit was the Jagger/Richards composition, "As Tears Go By."

Answer: The Righteous Brothers

The Righteous Brothers adopted their name when they were performing for black Marines at the Black Derby in Santa Ana, California, who claimed the boys were "righteous". Bill Medley was formerly in a group called The Paramours and Bobby Hatfield was a member of the Variations.

They teamed up and after hearing them at the Rendezvous Ballroom a producer decided to record them. Their original song, "Little Latin Lupe Lu," had hot local sales. They started appearing with major acts including the Ronettes and eventually came to the attention of Phil Spector, who recorded them singing the Spector/Mann/Weil song. Jan and Dean sang "Surf City." Sonny and Cher had a hit with "I've Got You, Babe." Sonny also worked for Spector at one time.

The McCoys charted with "Hang On Sloopy."

Answer: This Diamond Ring

"This Diamond Ring" was written by Al Kooper, Bobby Brass and Irwin Levine and was intended for a R&B group such as The Four Tops to record. Gary Lewis and his band were performing at Disneyland when Liberty Records' producer Snuff Garret heard them. Bobby Vee was with the same label as Snuff and Bobby had turned down "This Diamond Ring" so Snuff thought Gary's band might have success with the song. Gary's mother financed the production that featured Leon Russell as keyboardist and arranger. When the record broke in New York they ended up on "The Ed Sullivan Show." "Hold What You Got" charted earlier the same month for Joe Tex. "The Jolly Green Giant" was by The Kingsmen and "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat?" was one of Herman's Hermits' hits.

Answer: The Temptations

The Temptations took the Smokey Robinson/Ronald White song to number one. The Temptations were the first male Motown group to top the charts with "My Girl." The Temptations were originally called the Primes and there was a sister group called the Primettes.

The Primettes changed their name to the Supremes. David Ruffin had been signed to Motown as a solo artist, but Berry Gordy had him sing the lead vocal on "My Girl" and he was one of the Temptations from then on. The Four Tops had many hits including "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)." Smokey Robinson and the Miracles had a string of Motown hits starting with the 1960 single "Shop Around." The Countours did "Do You Love Me?"

Answer: Stop! In The Name of Love

With the success of "Stop! In The Name of Love" The Supremes became the first group in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to chart four consecutive number one songs. By the time they had recorded the song in February of 1965 there were already signs of conflict within the band as Diana Ross was emerging as the featured singer.

They were barely speaking to each other during the European Motown tour that followed "Stop! In The Name of Love." During that tour they invented the signature choreography for the song with their hands held up like a police officer. Shirley Ellis sang "The Name Game." "My Love" was a Petula Clark single and "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?" charted for Nancy Sinatra.

Answer: Freddie and The Dreamers

Freddie and the Dreamers enjoyed number one success with their composition. Freddie and the Dreamers had already appeared on "Shindig" and "Hullabaloo" doing their dance hit "Do The Freddie." Front man Freddie Garrity would leap in the air while doing the dance. "I'm Telling You Now" had already been a 1963 hit for them in England. Freddie started out in a skiffle band while working as a milkman.

He eventually put together a band he called The Dreamers and started appearing in local shows. Herman's Hermits had several hits including "Henry The VIII." Manfred Mann did "Doo Wah Diddy Diddy." Wayne Fontana and his Mindbenders had a number one hit with "The Game of Love" on April 24, 1965.

Answer: Herman's Hermits

Peter Noone was trained at the Manchester School of Music before becoming the front man for Herman's Hermits. They enjoyed considerable chart success in the 1960s. The song entered the Hot 100 at number 12, the highest entry for any song to date and it was the third number one for the group.

The song was from their "Introducing Herman's Hermits" album, but when requests for the song were strong it was issued as a single. "Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" was the name of a film starring the Manchester lads in 1967.

In the movie Mrs. Brown was a racing Greyhound. Gerry and the Pacemakers sang "Ferry 'Cross the Mersey." Billy J. Kramer enjoyed success with "Little Children" and The Searchers had a string of hits starting with "Needles and Pins."

Answer: Help Me, Rhonda

"Help Me, Rhonda" topped the charts that week. "California Girls" would come later. The other songs were earlier Beach Boy releases. Eight days before the song was released, Bruce Johnson became a member of the band. He replaced Brian Wilson on tour who needed to focus on writing, producing and arranging. Before Bruce joined, a guitarist named Glen Campbell had filled in touring, replacing Brian for six months. Bruce was a proficient guitarist and vocalist who had worked with Bobby Vee and Richie Valens as well as singing lead on the Rip Chords' song, "Hey Little Cobra." He composed Barry Manilow's hit "I Write the Songs." Of course, Glen went on to have many hits and his own TV show.

Answer: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

Guitarist Keith Richard came up with the progression while in Clearwater, Florida, during a tour. Upon hearing the riff, singer Mick Jagger suggested the title and the song came together quickly. Keith never believed that the song was commercial enough to be released as a single.

It was first recorded at Chess Studios and the final recording was done at a session at the RCA studios in Hollywood. Keith wanted the signature riff to be played by horns but he was overruled. The song became their first US Billboard number one. "Heart of Stone" was 1965 number 19 song for the band. "19th Nervous Breakdown" reached number two in 1966 and "Angie" made it to number one in 1973.

Answer: The Dave Clark Five

The song was The Dave Clark Five's first US number one on the Billboard charts, although they are better remembered for hits such as "Bits and Pieces" and "Glad All Over." The band was originally formed to raise money for Dave Clark's rugby team to travel and play in Holland.

After lineup changes the band was finally intact and started on their road to success with a minor hit instrumental titled "Chaquita." "Over and Over" was a cover of a 1958 Bobby Day song. Status Quo did "Pictures of Matchstick Men." The Troggs had a hit with "Wild Thing" and The Swinging Blue Jeans had chart success with "Hippy Hippy Shake."