Lead Singers and their Backing Bands Quiz

Answer: The Wailers

Founded in Kingston, Jamaica, Bob Marley and The Wailers recorded and performed together between 1965 and 1981 (though the line-ups did change from time to time). They had to wait until 1975 for their first international hit when "No Woman, No Cry" reached number eight in the UK singles charts. Two years later, "One Love/People Get Ready" reached number one in the New Zealand charts.

It also topped the UK singles charts. Success in the USA largely eluded them, although in 1980 "Could You Be Loved" reached number six in the US dance charts. Bob Marley died in 1981.

Answer: The Silver Bullet Band

Bob Seger hailed from Michigan, as did many of the core members of the Silver Bullet Band. Seger put together the Silver Bullet Band in 1974. Two years later, the title track from the "Night Moves" album hit number four in the Billboard singles charts, a position that "Still The Same" would reach three years later. "Shame On The Moon" was a Billboard number two in 1982 and in 1987, "Shakedown" took the outfit to the top of the Billboard charts. "Hey Hey Hey Hey (Going Back to Birmingham)" was a US rock charts number one in 2011.

As well as the singles and critically-acclaimed albums, the band built a reputation as one of the tightest-rocking outfits on tour.

Answer: The Crickets

Over too soon: What more needs to be said about Buddy Holly's time with The Crickets? Their first success came with the Billboard Hot 100 topper "That'll Be The Day" in 1957. Surprisingly, given the quality of the songs, that was to be the only chart-topper and Holly died in a road crash in 1958. Still, Holly's legacy was assured and he was to be one of the biggest influences on the early days of rock and roll.

The Crickets continued to record and tour and were still active when this quiz was written in 2016.

Answer: Quiver

The Scottish brothers Iain and Gavin Sutherland were signed by Island records as The Sutherland Brothers Band in 1971. They were subsequently put together with an existing band, "Quiver", in 1972. Five SB&Q albums followed before they broke up in 1979.

Their biggest hit was "Arms of Mary", which reached number five in the UK singles charts in 1976. Bonus interesting information: Gavin Sutherland wrote "Sailing", which was to be a massive hit for Rod Stewart in 1976.

Answer: The Rumour

Founded in 1975, Graham Parker and The Rumour established a reputation as a tightly performing rock band. Critical acclaim did not, though, lead to commercial success. The best album result was number 11 in the UK album charts in 1980 for "The Up Escalator".

In the UK singles charts, "Hold Back The Night" (a cover of a 1975 song by The Tramps) and "(Let Me Get) Sweet on You" both reached number 24 in 1977. In 1988, "The Mona Lisa's Sister" album ended their initial time together. They reformed for the "Three Chords Good" album in 2012. Between times, Parker established himself as a solo artist, and attracted appreciation in both the UK and the USA for his intelligent rock/blues style.

Answer: The Blackhearts

Joan Jett hailed from Pennsylvania and formed a band after placing an advert in the 'L.A. Weekly' in 1979. Their biggest hit was "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and US rock charts, and was also a chart topper in Canada, New Zealand and Sweden.

It reached number four in the UK charts in 1981. An album of the same name was a Billboard number two in the same year. Subsequent releases had less impact, but they enjoyed success on live tours.

Answer: The Dreamers

Freddie and the Dreamers were an English outfit that was active in the early and mid 1960s. They had number three UK pop single hits with "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" and "You Were Made for Me", which bracketed "I'm Telling You Now", a number two in the same charts.

After this early success, and some acclaim in the USA, they continued to tour. Almost interesting information: Freddie and the Dreamers were the first pop band that darksplash ever saw live - as a very, very, young pup.

Answer: The Waves

Founded in England as The Waves, the group were rebranded shortly after when Katrina Leskanich took over lead vocals to become Katrina and the Waves. Initially something of a punk band, their luck changed when "Walking On Sunshine", their first album, was released, initially in Canada.

The title track was a top 10 hit in both the UK charts and US Billboard charts. In 1997, "Love Shine a Light" was a UK singles chart number three, and also won the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1998, Katrina left the band amid some acrimony, and legal proceedings over her use of her name followed.

Answer: Cockney Rebel

Steven Harley and Cockney Rebel formed in 1972 and had a number of UK pop chart entries before breaking up in 1977. They reformed in 1998. The biggest hit was the UK number one "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" in 1975.

Answer: The Stooges

Iggy and the Stooges were influential in the setting the scene for the punk rock revolution. They formed in 1967, only to disband in 1974 and reform in 2003. While the rarely troubled the compilers of any of the musical charts, the band were known for their raw power in performance.