Help, I've Lost My US Backing Group - Vol.II Quiz

Answer: The Blue Notes

Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes in 1960 were Roosevelt Brodie, Jessie Gillis, Harold Melvin, Franklin Peaker and Bernard Williams.

They had a minor hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 with "My Hero" which peaked at number 78. The group had many personnel changes but no more hits during the '60s. In 1973 they had their biggest hit when "If You Don't Know Me By Now" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number nine on the UK singles chart in 1973.

Harold Melvin suffered a stroke in 1996 and died in Philadelphia in 1997 aged 57.

Answer: The Americans

Jay and The Americans had many personnel changes including the original Jay, (John Traynor). He left the group after their first hit on the Billboard Hot 100 "She Cried", which peaked at number five in 1962.

The next Jay (David Black) joined and the group and they had seven Billboard Top 20 hits between 1964 and 1970. They included the three Top Ten hits "Come A Little Bit Closer" (number three in 1964), "Cara, Mia" (number four in 1965) and "This Magic Moment" (number six in 1969).

David 'Jay' Black filed for bankruptcy in 2006 due to gambling debts. His ownership of the name "Jay & The Americans" was sold by the bankruptcy trustee to former Jay and The Americans group member Sandy Yaguda for $100,000.

Answer: The Jumping Jacks

Danny Peppermint and The Jumping Jacks became one hit wonders when "The Peppermint Twist" peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. The song is not the same as the 1962 number one hit "Peppermint Twist - Part 1" by "Joey Dee and The Starliters.

Danny Peppermint was born Daniel Lamego in Brooklyn, New York, New York, USA. He was electrocuted on stage at the Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas in 1962. He made a full recovery but Danny and The Jumping Jacks never bothered the Billboard chart again.

Answer: The Crypt-Kickers

Robert George Pickett was Bobby 'Boris' Pickett and Johnny McCrae, Rickie Page, Gary Paxton and Leaon Russell were The Crypt-Kickers.

Bobby Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers had a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Monster Mash" in 1962. In 1973 it returned to the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number ten. Also in 1973 it entered the UK singles chart for the first time and peaked at number three.

Actor, comedian, singer, songwriter, Bobby 'Boris' Pickett died of leukemia in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 2007 aged 69.

Answer: The Detroit Wheels

William S. Levise, Jr. was Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels were John Badanjek (drums), Joe Kubert (rhythm guitar), Mark Manko (lead guitar), Jim McAllister (bass) and Jim McCarty (lead guitar).

The group were formed in Detroit in 1964 as Billy Lee and the Rivieras. Later while being produced by Bob Crewe they changed their name to Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, after discovering there was already a group recording as The Rivieras. Their first hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was "Jenny Take A Ride" which peaked at number ten for Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels in 1965.

Answer: The Union Gap

The Outcasts became The Union Gap featuring Gary Puckett in 1967 who then became Gary Puckett and The Union Gap in 1968.

Between 1967 and 1969 they had six Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, five of which made the Top Ten. They never had a number one hit but "Young Girl" (1967) and "Lady Willpower" (1968), both peaked at number two. The group disbanded in 1971 and Gary Puckett had two minor hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" (number 61 in 1970) and "Keep The Customer Satisfied" (number 71 in 1971).

Answer: The First Edition

The First Edition were formed in 1967 and the original line up was Thelma Camacho, Mickey Jones, Kenny Rogers, Mike Settle and Terry Williams. Most of them had been members of The New Christy Minstrels.

They had five Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 as The First edition and Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. Two of those hits made the Top Ten. Kenny Rogers split from the group in 1973 and between 1977 and 1984 had 16 Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Nine of those made the Top Five and two, "Lady" (1980) and "Islands In The Stream" (1983) with Dolly Parton, made it to number one.

Answer: The Sunshine Band

KC and The Sunshine Band were formed in Florida in 1973 by Harry Wayne "KC" Casey (vocals, keyboards) and Richard Finch (bass guitar). Robert Johnson (drums) and Jerome Smith (rhythm guitar) were added later. There were many personnel changes after that.

Between 1975 and 1984 KC and The Sunshine Band had eight Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Seven of those made the Top Ten, five of which were number one hits. "Get Down Tonight" (1975), "That's The Way (I Like It)" (1975), "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Body" (1976), "I'm Your Boogie Man" (1977) and "Please Don't Go" (1980).

In 1981 the partnership between Casey and Finch ended acrimoniously. In 2000 Jerome Smith (rhythm guitar) died while working as a bulldozer operator.

Answer: The Blackhearts

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, who were Ricky Byrd (guitar), Lee Crystal (drums) and Gary Ryan (bass) became a group during the recording of the album "I Love Rock 'n Roll" in 1981.

Joan Jett was born Joan Marie Larkin in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1958. Between 1982 and 1989 Joan Jett and The Blackhearts had five Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 which included three Top Ten hits which included their only number one hit "I Love Rock 'n Roll" which was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982.

Answer: The Range

Bruce Hornsby and The Range who were David Mansfield (guitar, mandolin, violin), George Marinelli (guitars, backing vocals), John Molo (drums) and Joe Puerta (bass guitar, backing vocals), were formed in 1984.

Bruce Randall Hornsby was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA, in 1954. In 1980 he and his brother were writers for 20th Century Fox and he also played as a session musician. In the early '80s he was also a member of Sheena Easton's backing group.

Between 1987 and 1990 Bruce Hornsby and The Range had five top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 of which three made the Top Ten. One of those Top Ten hits, "The Way It Is", was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.