Cover Me, Cover You Trivia Quiz

Answer: Johnny Rivers

Johnny Rivers did many covers during his career, as I hope you KNEW through this quiz. Born John Henry Ramistella, not Juan Rivera as often reported in 1942. "Baby I Need Your Loving" was released by The Four Tops in July, 1964 in the middle of the "British Invasion." It was covered by Johnny Rivers in 1967.

Answer: Left Banke

Though short lived ('66-'69), Left Banke had a distinctive "baroque" sound. One of its background singers was Steven Tyler (yes, Aerosmith). Hard to imagine the metal vocals of Steven Tyler associated with a "baroque" sound.
The Tops are actually the cover band here, releasing it in 1969. It was originally recorded by The Left Banke in 1967 on their debut album "Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina."

Answer: Van Halen

Van Halen's debut hit in 1978. It was surprisingly true to the original rocker released in 1964 by the Kinks. It shows Eddie Van Halen's garage band roots. All garage band did "You Really Got Me". I know mine did.

Answer: Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge was the King of the Covers. Very few of their songs were actually written by them, but they were a mainstay of psychedelia of the late 60s, touring with and opening for such greats as Jimi Hendrix and Cream. At one point in the career on their headlining tour of 1969, a fledgling band named Led Zeppelin opened for them. "Bang Bang" was released in 1967 on the self titled debut album. Cher released the Sono Bono penned "Bang Bang" on her debut solo single in 1966.

Another of Vanilla Fudge's projects was ironically based entirely around the Sonny and Cher hit, "The Beat Goes On," with the 1968 release on the album of the same name.

It is truly a masterpiece, albeit strange.

Answer: The Silkie

The Silkie was another of the multitude of British Invasion bands that hoped to ride the coat tails of the Beatles. Little is known about The Silkie, other than they were a discovery of John Lennon (sounds like Lennon was willing to give them a ride on his coat-tails).

He and George Harrison played Guitar on The Silkie's 1965 cover of the song. The song was #100 of the 1965 Billboard Chart and #98 in 1966 for the Silkie. The Beatles also released it in the Summer of 1965, as part of the soundtrack of their second movie "Help!", which did not "help" The Silkie's effort at stardom.

Answer: The Shadows of Knight

This was The Shadows of Knight's ONLY big hit, released in 1966. They proved time and time again that they were White Suburban kids from Highland Park, IL trying to do blues covers and never quite regaining the momentum that Gloria had. They still exist as a "band", appearing at village summer festivals and "taste ofs" around Chicagoland. Irish rocker and future solo jazz/balladeer Van Morrison wrote and released "Gloria" with Them in 1965.

It was not only covered by The Shadows of Knight, but also by The Doors and Patti Smith. NOTE: Do not confuse this song with the Laura Branigan song of the same name from the 80s.

Answer: Deep Purple

Yes...Deep Purple. Heavy metal warriors best remembered for "Smoke on the Water" (a heads up/tip of the hat nod to RALZZZ for reminding me of THIS CLASSIC. Slipped my mind due to 60s/70s cobwebs?) "My Woman from Tokyo" and "Highway Star". On their 2nd album, "The Book of Taliesyn," released in 1968, Deep Purple recorded a very rocking version of Neil Diamond's 1967 Top 25 hit.

Answer: Shocking Blue

Bananarama is the most sucessful British "girls" band of all time. Released in 1986, "Venus" is a cover of the Dutch band The Shocking Blues 1969 hit. The Shocking Pinks is ONE of Neil Young's many bands. Franky Avalon recorded a song named "Venus" also, but DIFFERENT song and Bobby Darren covered it on stage. Venus is a very popular genre in all art forms. Bananarama broke up in 1987 when Siobhan Fahey married Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.

Answer: Martha and the Vandellas

The Marvelletes released it in (the original in 1959), The Beatles in 1963 on on their debut "Please, Please Me" and the Carpenters in 1974. And yes, there are many, many others that recorded it too. Martha and the Vandellas didn't, but Johnny Rivers (1966) did.

Answer: The Mamas and Papas

David Bowie and Mick Jagger also recorded a version of this song, performed it live at Live AID and made an MTV video of it, along with many others, including Johnny Rivers.

Answer: Barrett Strong

As talented as the Beatles were, one of many successful hit covers they did. They released their cover of Barrett Strong's 1958 classic on their "With the Beatles" album in 1963.

Answer: Shorty Long

Frederick Earl "Shorty" Long recorded a slow, grinding blues original of "Devil With a Blue Dress" in 1962. It barely charted. MitchRyder & the Detroit Wheels" cover in 1966 was a revved up, rocker, that was an instant hit.

Answer: Chubby Checker

Best way TO put it is "Who didn't record it?" Ike and Tina Turner, Buck Owens (yes, & the Buckaroos), Johnny Rivers and many, many others. And who didn't? Chubby Checker...King of the Twist. The Beatles covered the Torpedoes 1958 classic in 1963 on "with The Beatles." Oddly enough it is usually stated that The Beatles covered the Isley Brothers' 1962 cover.

Answer: The Contours

The Contours, one of MoTown Berry Gordy's earliest discoveries released the original in 1962. The DC5 released the cover in 1964. Was the DC5 just another Beatles wannabe band or a Bona Fide member of the British invasion? You be the judge. 15 Albums (not counting "Best of" or "Greatest Hits" albums) in the United States, yielding 8 top ten singles between 1964 and 1967.

They also had more appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show than any band, ever. Bona fide? Yes. The Contour's version was part of the 1987 "Dirty Dancin'" soundtrack, while the DC5 version was a part of the 1985 "Teen Wolf" soundtack.

Answer: Ike and Tina Turner

Somewhat rockier version released by Ike and Tina in 1971 of the CCR 1968 ballad on the "Bayou Country" album. Sometimes more remembered than CCR's original. Could it be Tina's legs?

Answer: Little Richard

Like I said before. Beatles were talented, but they also knew what was classic and the roots of rock and roll. They covered the classic Little Richard 1956 hit on the "Long Tall Sally" EP in 1964. Also on the EP were "I Call Your Name", "Slowdown" and "Matchbox."

Answer: Chuck Berry

The Beatles covered the classic Chuck Berry 1956 hit on 1963's "With The Beatles." This is another of those songs that has been covered by practically everyone...ELO, The Mamas and the Papas, Johnnie Winter and Johnny Rivers, to name a few.

Answer: The Miracles

Beatles covers. As many as their own hits. And just as big of hits as their own. The Beatles covered The Miracles 1962 #10 hit in 1963 on "With the Beatles."

Answer: Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge was a BIGGER cover band than the Beatles. Very few original songs ever appeared on their albums. They covered this 1966 Supremes hit on their 1967 debut album "Vanilla Fudge."

Answer: Frank Sinatra

This Bob Dylan (then unknown) penned song, written about Woody Guthrie was a huge hit in 1962 for Peter, Paul and Mary and springboarded Dylan into the limelight. Folk Icon Pete Seeger recorded it as well in 1962. Dylan didn't record and release it until 1963 on his 3rd "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" album.

Answer: The Four Tops

Depending on your taste dictates your favorite. I like them all. Gladys Knight and the Pips released a cover of the Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong penned Barrett Strong performed (1961)original in 1967 and took it to #2. Marvin Gaye covered it with a slower "more soulful, pained" rendition in 1968 and took it to #1. Creedence Clearwater Revival then took it one step version with a rhythmic, guitar driven 12 minute jam in 1968 on "Bayou Country." The song has also been used (with Marvin Gaye version) as the theme for Hardy's California Raisins. Like I said, I like them all.

Answer: Rotary Connection

The Stones released "Lady Jane" in 1965 on the "Aftermath" album. Rotary Connection was the ultimate cover band. It took ROCK classics and gave them a very classical rendering. The band featured the voice of Minnie Ripperton, the FIVE-OCTAVE solo artist, that had a huge hit in the 70s with the song "Loving You" prior to her death of breast cancer in 1979.

The Rotary Connection cover of "Lady Jane" was on their 1967 self titled "Rotary Connection" album.

Answer: Johnny Rivers

The Chuck Berry classic was released in 1959. Johnny Rivers covered the classic on his debut 1964 album. Johnny Rivers would go on from to cover songs by just about everyone and from just about every musical genre.

Answer: Johnny Rivers

Written and recorded originally by Dale Hawkins in 1957, so looks like CCR covered it also. CCR covered it on the debut album in 1967. Johnny Rivers actually covered it in 1965, even before CCR had a hit with it. I originally put the Rolling Stones as never having covered it, but they too covered it in 1965 on "Rolling Stones #2".

Answer: Johnny Rivers

Yep. Johnny Rivers again, in 1966. Yes he did do originals too, Summer Rain, Secret Agent Man and others, but his forte was covers. The Supremes had a hit with "You Keep Me Hanging On" in 1965. Hope you did ok on the quiz.