Buried Treasures of Rock and Roll, Volume I Quiz

Answer: Rocket 88

While the label for "Rocket 88" lists Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats as the band, the song was really recorded by Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in the first week of March, 1951. Over the years, Turner maintained it was not rock and roll but a rhythm and blues song; it was, however, of a style that led to rock and roll. That sounds a bit esoteric but that's what he said. Bill Haley and his pre-Comets band, the Saddlemen, recorded a version in June, 1951, changing one of the lyrics which was "everybody in my car is gonna take a little pill".

The song was supposedly about an Oldsmobile model 88 convertible with the Rocket V-8 engine option.

Answer: Hey Joe

The Leaves learned "Hey Joe" from the Byrds but recorded it before they did in 1965; it became a favorite of garage bands. Originally fast-paced, Jimi Hendrix slowed the tempo down and got the definitive hit record. Why would a song about a man who shot his wife become identified with the psychedelic era? Maybe it was the paisley design on the record jacket of the Leaves' version, or maybe it was homage given to a band that inspired Hendrix. Stranger still, perhaps, the Leaves were discovered by straight-arrow singer Pat Boone, who got them their first recording contract.

Answer: Little Queenie

"Go Johnny, Go!" was a, shall we say, thinly-plotted movie starring pioneering rock and roll disk jockey Alan Freed about the search for a new rock and roll star. Chuck Berry performed "Little Queenie" for the 1959 movie. The Rolling Stones often perform the song in the small-stage portion of their concerts.

Answer: Cry Baby Cry

John Lennon wrote "Cry Baby Cry" in late 1967, based on an advertisement he had read; he was also thinking of the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence". The song was on side four of the 1968 "The Beatles" album.

Answer: Chuck Willis

Often cited as an important early rock and roll song, "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes" (1958) was one of several hits by Chuck Willis. In the song, the singer's mother told him rock and roll was a fad; he noted that the kids were "rock and rollin' from 8 to 25". The rockers have gotten a little older since then. Willis kept his rock and roll shoes on long enough to become known as the King of the Stroll for the tempo of several of his songs which helped popularize the Stroll dance.

Answer: James Gang

Joe Walsh got to be a member of the Eagles but when "The Bomber" was recorded he was with the James Gang; it was on the "james gang rides again" album. Walsh added a bit of "Bolero" and "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" in the middle of the song. Ravel's estate threatened to sue so that part was removed from reissues of the album for a few years, all the more reason for late night disk jockeys to play the original version.

Answer: Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Originally planned as a refined ballad, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and his band were intoxicated when they recorded "I Put a Spell on You" in 1956; it emerged a raucous, wild rant. Hawkins later added funereal and voodoo elements to his act. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named the song to its list of 500 that shaped rock and roll.

Answer: Glenn Frey

As the Eagles split up to do solo projects, Glenn Frey recorded "Smuggler's Blues" on his "The Allnighter" album. The lyrics revealed that smuggled goods were hidden in Telluride. The song inspired an episode of the same name on the "Miami Vice" TV show. Frey made his acting debut in the episode.

Answer: The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones put the song on the b-side of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" in 1965. It was about a representative of Decca Records who was escorting the Stones on an American tour. Writing credits for the song were attributed to Nanker Phelge. This was a code used by the Stones to indicate that all members of the band would receive royalty payments for the song. Or maybe Mick and Keith just wanted to spread the blame around a little!

Answer: Humble Pie

"Thirty Days" was recorded by Humble Pie in 1972. It was about punishment received for possession of small amounts of marijuana and various drugs. It was included on the perhaps unintentionally-titled album "Smokin' ".