Ciao, I Can Sing Trivia Quiz

Answer: Frankie Valli

Francis Stephen Castellucio was born in Newark, New Jersey on May 3, 1934. He actually began his professional career way back in 1951 with a group called The Variety Trio. His first recordings were with a group called The Four Lovers in 1956, and they had some minor success.

The group changed members a few times, and in 1960 were joined by Bob Gaudio, and became The Four Seasons. Frankie's career spans over 50 years, and he has reached the Billboard Top 40 a total of 39 times, as both lead singer of The Four Seasons, and as a solo artist.

Answer: Dion

Dion Francis DiMucci was born to an Italian family in the Bronx, New York on July 18, 1939. His first recording with his friends from the neighborhood, The Belmonts (they named their group after the name of the street they lived on, Belmont Avenue), was the aformentioned "I Wonder Why" which peaked at number 22 on the Billboard charts.

They followed with a couple of lesser tunes after that one, until 1959 when they scored with both "Teenager In Love" (Billboard number five) and "Where Or When" (Billboard number three). Dion left the group in 1960 to embark on a solo career and scored that year with "Lonely Teenager" which peaked at number 12 on Billboard, followed in 1961 by two hits, namely "Runaround Sue" which reached the top of the charts, and "The Wanderer" which made it to number two.

He is also remembered for his tribute song in 1968, called "Abraham, Martin, and John", which was released following the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy earlier that year.

Answer: Johnny Maestro

John Mastrangelo was born in Brooklyn New York on May 7, 1939. In 1957 he became the lead singer of The Crests, who were one of the first interracial groups in the recording industry. The group had a number of Top 40 hits in the late 50s such as "16 Candles", "Step By Step", and "The Angels Listened In". Maestro left the group in 1960 to pursue a solo career and he had only limited success.

In 1967, he was approached by members of The Del-Satins (who had previously backed up Dion DiMucci during his solo career), about joining them as lead singer.

After initially refusing, he did later join the group, which renamed itself The Brooklyn Bridge, and in 1968 they had the smash hit "The Worst That Could Happen" which topped out at number three on the Billboard charts.

Other songs followed such as "Blessed Is The Rain", "Welcome Me Love", and the controversial "Your Husband, My Wife", which documented an extra-marital affair.

Answer: Freddy Cannon

Freddy Cannon was born December 4, 1940, to an Italian family in the Boston suburb of Lynn, Massachusetts. He signed a record deal in the late 50s and was brought to national prominence by his appearances on "American Bandstand". He hit the Billboard Top 10 three times, with "Palisades Park" (number three), "Tallahassee Lassie (number six), and "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans" (number six), all in the early 60s.

He also sang the theme song from the musical dance show "Where The Action Is" in the mid 60s.

Answer: Connie Francis

Connie was born in the Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey on December 12, 1938. Her initial nine (yes nine) recordings were unsuccessful, and her record label was about to drop her when she recorded "Who's Sorry Now?" at the behest of her father. Surprisingly, she listened to him.

She was very upset over the fact that her father forbid her to see her would-be boyfriend, one Bobby Darin. Anyway, the song was played on American Bandstand, and shot to number four on the U.S. Billboard charts in 1958. Connie went on to have over a dozen Top ten hits in the late 50s and early 60s, Some of the songs included "Stupid Cupid", "Everybody's Somebody's Fool", "Lipstick On Your Collar", and "Vacation", as well as many ballads in both English and Italian.

The story of her assault in the early 70s is well known, and the trauma of her attack stopped her from performing for many years, however she did, thankfully, resume her singing career after 15 years, in 1989.

Answer: Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan on August 16, 1958. He mother, Madonna Fortin, was French-Canadian, and her father, Silvio Ciccone, was a first generation descendant of a couple who came the the U. S. from Pacentro, Italy. Rather than recount Madonna's career, let's just say that she is regarded as the best selling female rock artist of the 20th century, and has sold over 200 million records worldwide.

She also has found the time to act in 22 films, and won a Golden Globe award for her portrayal of Evita Peron in the 1996 film "Evita".

Answer: Bobby Rydell

Bobby was born to an Italian family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1942. He had 19 Top 40 hits on the Billboard charts during the 60s including such notables as "Wild One", "Swingin' School", "Volare", and "Forget Him". He also had the role of Hugo Peabody in the movie version of "Bye Bye Birdie" in 1963.

Answer: Mickey Dolenz

George Michael Dolenz, Jr. was born on March 8, 1945 in Los Angeles. His mother was Janelle, and his dad was George Dolenz, a Hollywood character actor, born in Trieste, Italy. In his three year run on "Circus Boy" he was credited under the name of Mickey Braddock.

After the show ended, he bounced around from band to band after graduating high school, before hitting the big time as a member of The Monkees.

Answer: Jon Bon Jovi

John Francis Bongiovi Jr., was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on March 2, 1962 to parents John Sr., and one-time Playboy bunny Carol Sharkey. His dad was born in Sicily. He grew up in Sayreville, New Jersey, and released a song in 1983 called "Runaway" which did not receive much airplay until a radio DJ in Manhattan decided to play it.

It became a hit, and Jon got a recording contract shortly thereafter. He put his band together, and "Bon Jovi" was formed. To date, he has sold over 120 million records worldwide.

He also has become a fair actor, appearing in such film as "Moonlight and Valentino", "Pay It Forward", and "U-571". His TV appearances include the aformentioned "Ally McBeal", as well as "The West Wing", and "Las Vegas". He also owns the Philadelphia Storm of the Arena Football League in the U.S.

Answer: Fabian

Fabiano Anthony Forte was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1943, to Josephine and Dominic Forte. He got into the record business purely by accident, as he needed the money for bills since his father was ill and could no longer work. In total he had 11 Billboard Top 100 hits, the biggest of which were "Turn Me Loose" which hit number nine on the U.S. Billboard charts, and "Tiger" which made it to number three.

He did pose for "Playgirl" magazine in 1973, and also has appeared in over 30 feature films including "The Longest Day", "North To Alaska", and "Ride The Wild Surf".

Answer: Cyndi Lauper

Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 22, 1953. Her dad was German-Swiss and her mother Italian. She started performing in the mid 1970s singing for various cover bands. In 1977 she damaged her vocal cords and doctor told her she couldn't sing anymore.

She did take a year off but started singing again after that. She released an album in 1980 which did poorly on the charts, and it wasn't until 1983's "She's So Unusual" that she hit with mainstream success. The album stayed in Billboard's Top 40 for 65 weeks, and Lauper became the first female artist in history to have four Top five songs from one album. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" became a female anthem of the times, thanks in part, to almost continuous play on MTV. Cyndi also became affiliated with professional wrestling, during its "Rock and Wrestling" phase, and frequently appeared at wrestling shows throughout the country.

In 1992 she recorded the "duet" with Sinatra, singing a version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town".

Her studio tracks were dubbed onto Sinatra's original recording and thus the "duet" was released. Into the 21st century, Cyndi has become a human rights advocate and travels the world in support of the cause.

Answer: Steven Tyler

Steven Victor Tallerico was born on March 26, 1948 in Yonkers, New York. Of course, he is the lead singer for Aerosmith, and his beautiful daughter is actress Liv Tyler. His father was Italian, and his mother was part Native American. He formed the group in 1973, and had such hits as "Dream On", "Walk This Way", and "Sweet Emotion".

He also was allegedly involved in heavy drug use during that time. The band had a resurgence in the late 80s due to a re-release of "Walk This Way" which was performed as a duet with the rap stars Run D.M.C.

They continue to perform into the 21st century, and happily, Tyler has been drug free for over 20 years.

Answer: Lou Christie

Luigi Sacco was born on February 19, 1943, and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He made his way to New York, after graduating high school and found work as a session vocalist. In 1963 his first single of note "The Gypsy Cried" was released under the name of Lou Christie, which was a name he did not choose.

He always has claimed that he was angry about it for many years, and would not have chosen that particular stage name. Anyway "Gypsy" was a national charting hit, reaching number 24 on Billboard's U.S. charts.

He followed with "Two Faces Have I" which reached number six. His career after that was temporarily derailed by a stint in the U.S. Army, and when he went back to recording in 1966, he cut a song that the record company didn't like and refused to promote.

He did some self promotion in California along with his manager and the song finally began to get airplay in California. MGM records reluctantly agreed to release the tune, called "Lightnin' Strikes". Of course it went on to be a number one hit for Lou.

He followed with the controversial "Rhapsody In The Rain" whose lyrics were suggestive of two lovers in the back seat of a car. Many stations refused to play the tune, but it made it to number 16 on the Billboard charts. Lou then released a number of other songs that didn't chart very well and in 1969, changed record labels again, and after his second 3 year hiatus from the top of the charts, scored with the Top 10 hit "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" that year. Into the 21st century, Lou still performs on the oldies circuit.

Answer: Steven Van Zandt

Steve Lento was born on November 22, 1950 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. His family moved to Middletown New Jersey when he was seven years old. He met Bruce Springsteen as a teen, in their pre-E Street Band days. Steve was working as a guitarist in the 70s and was playing for a number of local New Jersey bands.

In 1975 when Springsteen was putting together his "Born To Run" album, Van Zandt came on board, and the rest, as they say, is history. Vna Zandt has also had an on again, off again career as a solo artist in between gigs with the E Street Band, and has worked as a radio DJ as well.

In 1999 he was offered the part of Silvio Dante, a major role on the critically acclaimed show "The Sopranos". He was cast without any prior acting experience, and has received good reviews for his work on that show.

Answer: Annette Funicello

Annette Joanne Funicello was born on October 22, 1942, in Utica, New York. Her family moved to California when she was four years old, and she was picked to be a Mouseketeer by Walt Disney himself, when she was 12 years old. She became the most popular of the Mouseketeers, and received a recording contract based on a song from one of the shows.

The song was called "How Will I Know My Love?". After the Mickey Mouse Club, she made a number of Disney movies including "The Shaggy Dog", and "Babes In Toyland", and appeared on the TV series "Zorro".

She also had a number of hits on the Billboard charts in 1959-1960, most notably "Tall Paul" which made number seven on the Billboard U. S. charts, and "O Do Mio", which reached number ten. She also was involved in the series of beach inspired movies in the early 60s such as "Beach Blanket Bingo", and "Muscle Beach Party", among others with fellow teen-idol and musician Frankie Avalon.

In the 1990s it was revealed that Annette suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, and she is a spokesperson for that disease into the 21st century.

Answer: Johnny Rivers

Johnny was born November 7, 1942 in New York. His family set up shop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when he was five years old. He learned guitar on his own, and returned to New York in 1958 and met Alan Freed. He changed his name to Johnny Rivers, and went to recording in Nashville Tennessee in 1960.

He initially had no success, moved to L.A. in 1961, and took a job as a studio musician. His first major success came in 1964 when a live album from his sessions at a club called The Whiskey A Go-Go was released.

The song from the album called "Memphis", which was a Chuck Berry cover, was released and Rivers was on his way. He subsequently recorded "Maybelline",(another Berry cover) "Mountain Of Love", "Midnight Special", and "Seventh Son", and all these became hits.

His own composition "Poor Side Of Town" was his biggest hit, reaching the top of the charts in 1966. Rivers then covered other songs which became hits such as "Baby I Need Your Lovin" (The Four Tops),and "The Track Of My Tears (The Miracles). "Summer Rain" was his final Top 20 hit of the 60s.

After a five year hiatus, Rivers returned to Billboard's Top 20 with another cover in 1972, this time he did "Rockin' Pneumonia/Boogie Woogie Flu", a cover of a 1957 hit by Huey "Piano" Smith.

Answer: Sonny Bono

Salvatore Philip Bono was born February 16, 1935 in Detroit Michigan, to Jean and Santo Bono. He went to work for Phil Spector in the early 60s and did backup work on many of the Spector recordings. He also found the time to write a song called "Needles and Pins" which brought Sonny into prominence. Of course the fact that he was part of Sonny and Cher didn't hurt. Sonny had the writing and technical skills and she had the voice.

He wrote "I Got You Babe", "The Beat Goes On", and a number of other hits.

After their well publicized breakup in the 70s, Sonny did some minor acting on TV and in the movies, and in the 80s went into politics, first becoming the mayor of Palm Springs, California, and later winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.

He passed away after a skiing accident in 1998.

Answer: "Weird Al" Yankovic

Alfred Matthew Yankovic was born on October 23, 1959 in Downey California. The son of an American father and Italian mother started taking accordion lessons at age seven. He loved Elton John and eventually learned how the play "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" on the accordion.

He also was a big fan of some of the finest parody musicians of the 50s and 60s such as Allan Sherman and Spike Jones, among others. Al came into prominence in the late 70s with the parody song "My Bologna", a parody of the song "My Sharona" by The Knack.

He followed with "Another One Rides The Bus" (Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust"), "I Love Rocky Road" (Joan Jett), and the amazingly popular "Eat It" (Michael Jackson). This song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard U. S. charts. Al has also appeared on numerous TV shows, and in 1989 starred in "UHF", a film he co-wrote about a fictitious TV station.

The film also had a cast that included Michael Richards, Fran Drescher and Victoria Jackson.

Answer: Liberty DeVitto

Liberty DeVitto was born August 8, 1950 in New York City to an Italian family. His dad was a former New York City policeman. Liberty taught himself the drums in the 1960s after seeing Ringo Starr perform with the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. He hooked up with Billy Joel in the 70s and followed Joel's success as his drummer for over 30 years.

Answer: Bobby Darin

Walden Robert Casotto was born in the Bronx, New York on May 14, 1936, to a working class Italian family. He never knew his father who disappeared when he was an infant. He was a sickly child and in later years he found out that the woman he thought to be his sister was actually his mother, giving birth to him when she was 14 years old.

He developed into a brilliant student with a genius level IQ, graduated high school and went to college on a scholarship. He dropped out of college to begin performing, but needed to change his name.

He allegedly chose the name "Darin" out of the phone book, although there is another common story about a neon sign that was out of order which he could see from his window advertising "manDARIN duck", with the first three letters being out of order, Bobby thought the rest of it looked good in lights. Bobby had such hits as "Splish Splash", "Dream Lover", "Mack The Knife", and "Beyond The Sea". Darin passed away in 1973 due to heart complications.