Instrumental hits of the Fifties and Sixties Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A 1961 top ten hit in Australia and the UK for The Dave Brubeck Quartet was?

Answer: Take Five

"Take Five" from the album "Time Out" by the Quartet was a monster hit, remaining on the charts for 24 weeks. It also achieved top ten status in England. The album also sold well staying on the charts for over three years and helped popularise modern jazz.

Another oddity for 1961 was that the track ran for five and a half minutes. The quartet comprised, Dave Brubeck on piano, Joe Morello on drums, Eugene Wright on the bass and the virtuoso Paul Desmond on Alto Sax. Interestingly "Time Out" was Brubeck's 28th studio album.

2. A major worldwide hit in 1958 was "Tequila". Which Los Angeles based group had this hit?

Answer: The Champs

The Champs had a number of catchy instrumental records from 1958-1965 but sadly no other release matched the fame of "Tequila". They had a top twenty in Australia in 1962 with "Limbo Rock" which was quickly overtaken by Chubby Checker's vocal version. Later members of The Champs were Glen Campbell, Jim Seals, Darrel "Dash" Croft and great session guitarist Jerry Cole.

3. "Walk Don't Run" was a major hit for which seminal instrumental group?

Answer: The Ventures

The Ventures hit the big time with their version of the Johnny Smith written "Walk Don't Run". Their recording has reportedly sold over two million copies and the group is credited with all time sales in excess of 100 million.

4. To England, where the group that meant so much to budding guitarists the world over, had a worldwide (except USA) number one hit with "Apache" in 1960. Who is this group?

Answer: The Shadows

Starting out as The Drifters and backing band for Cliff Richard, The Shadows were famous in their own right. They had four number ones in the United Kingdom, five in the Netherlands, Germany and Japan. They are the only act to date to have their first ten releases make the top 10 in Australia.

5. The Dakotas, backing group for Billy J. Kramer had a hit in 1963 which was titled?

Answer: The Cruel Sea

"The Cruel Sea", became a staple in the repetoires of surfing instrumental bands. The tune was a top twenty hit in the UK and Australia. The song was written by the then lead guitarist Mike Maxfield.

6. Surfing music was big in the early 1960's. Who had a hit with "Pipeline"?

Answer: The Chantays

The Chantays from Santa Ana California. They hit the big time with their arpeggio driven instrumental hit, "Pipeline" in 1963. They never troubled the charts again but the success of "Pipeline" ensured there place in Rock 'n' Roll history. The Chantays have a street named after them in Santa Ana. "Pipeline" has been recorded by many acts ranging from Lawrence Welk to Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

7. Another big hit of the surfing instrumental genre was "Wipe Out". Who had the worldwide hit with this tune?

Answer: The Surfaris

The Surfaris released "Wipe Out" IN 1963 as the B side of their single, "Surfer Joe" being the A Side. "Wipe Out" reached the top ten in the UK, Canada, Australia and the USA. Indeed it reached number one in Australia. On the US Billboard charts "Wipe Out" was prevented from reaching the top spot by Stevie Wonder and his breakthrough hit "Fingertips - Part 1".

8. From Australia came The Atlantics riding the surfing boom. They achieved top ten status with their release of which title?

Answer: Bombora

In Australia, The Atlantics were the premiere Surfing instrumental group along with The Denvermen. "Bombora" was a worldwide hit for The Atlantics, they followed with an equally successful instrumental entitled, "The Crusher". The Atlantics became a vocal group in 1966 with the addition of pioneer Aussie rocker, Johnny Rebb.

The Atlantics released a number of singles, the best and most popular was their version of the Screaming Jay Hawkins classic, "I Put A Spell on You".

9. The first British group to hit number one on the US charts were the Tornados with which 1962 hit?

Answer: Telstar

Produced by Joe Meek this timely record coincided with the launch by NASA of Telstar 1, the first communications satellite. The Tornados toured as Billy Fury's backing band in 1961 and 1962. Bass Guitarist Heinz Burt, had chart success in 1963 with "Just Like Eddie", and "Country Boy".

10. The biggest hit of 1960 was an Instrumental by Percy Faith and his Orchestra. It was the theme from which movie?

Answer: A Summer Place

All the above mentioned movies were released in 1960 and all had themes that charted in the USA and elsewhere. The scores for "The Magnificent Seven" and "Exodus" were nominated for an Oscar with Exodus being triumphant. "(The Theme from) A Summer Place" was number one in the USA for eight weeks staying on the US charts for over thirty weeks.

The theme from "The Apartment" was a hit for Ferrante and Teicher who also charted with "Exodus".

Source: Author Desimac

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor 1nn1 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Instrumentals were an integral part of early rock 'n' roll. Many a young man practiced in front of a mirror with a broomstick to Dick Dale or Hank Marvin. The chart reference sources used are explained at the end of the quiz.

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