Let's Have a "Ball" Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Temptations

The Temptations followed their 1969 hit, "Psychedelic Shack", with "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)". The group's bass singer, Melvin Franklin, sang "And the band played on" after each verse. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" dealt with a variety of topics of the early seventies including drug abuse, politics, the Vietnam War and segregation. Stevie Wonder played the harmonica intro to the song.
Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong were the composers.
In 1982 Tina Turners album, "Music of Quality And Distinction Volume One" opened with a version of "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)".
The Undisputed Truth, The Neville Brothers and Tesla are among the artists that have recorded versions of the tune.

Answer: Balls and My Word

"Balls And My Word" was released by the Houston, Texas, group The Geto Boys from their 1988 album "Making Trouble".
"She's Got Balls" was recorded on AC/DC's 1975 debut album, "High Voltage". Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Bon Scott composed "She's Got Balls", inspired by Bon's ex-wife.
"Big Balls" was from the 1976 "Dirty Deeds and They're Done Dirt Cheap" album. All the tracks on the LP were credited to the four members of the group. "Ballbreaker" was the title of their 13th LP released in 1995. Cartoon characters Beavis and Butthead appeared in the intro to the band's "Ballbreaker World Tour".

Answer: False

"Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" was previously released and reached Number Three. The following year "Breathless" would become Lewis' last Top Ten single on the US Billboard Pop chart. Lewis' first single was a cover of Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" in 1956. It failed to chart in the US when it was first released.
"Great Balls of Fire" was performed by Jerry Lee Lewis for the film, "Jamboree" (1957). Also appearing in the movie were Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, Buddy Knox and Dick Clark.
When ukulele player Tiny Tim released "Tiptoe through the Tulips" in 1968 he recorded a version of "Great Balls of Fire" as the "flip" side.

Answer: Bobby Vee

Fargo, North Dakota, native Robert Thomas Velline hastily assembled a band to perform at a date following the tragic death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper in a 1959 plane crash. Bobby was a big Buddy Holly fan and was was disappointed when he learned of his death. A local radio station put out a call for local bands to perform and Vee and other local musicians calling themselves The shadows were picked.
In 1960 "Rubber Ball" and Vee's version of "Devil or Angel" both reached Number Six. The following year he topped the US charts with "Take Good Care of My Baby".
Gene Pitney co-wrote "Rubber Ball" with Aaron Schroeder using his mother's maiden name, Orlowski. Vee's first single was a Buddy Holly inspired song titled "Suzie Baby". Brian Hyland received national attention after releasing "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini".

Answer: The United States

The Cyrcle consisted of American musicians who were students at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. They were performing fraternity club dates as The Rhondells when they came to the attention of Brian Epstein. Before they knew it they had a new name and were opening for the Beatles.
Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley co-wrote "Red Rubber Ball" for The Seekers when they were opening for Simon and Garfunkel. When The Cyrcle released the song it became a 1966 US Number Two hit. The group followed up with "Turn Down Day".
The Cyrcle was on the bill when the Beatles played their final US concert in Candlestick Park. The Cyrcle disbanded in 1967.

Answer: Big Mama Thornton

Big Mama Thornton composed and recorded "Ball 'n' Chain". She was also the first artist to record "Hound Dog", later made popular by Elvis Presley. In 1951 Thornton signed with with Peacock Records and remained with the label for six years. She also toured with Junior Parker and Esther Phillips.
In 1966 Big Mama Thornton recorded "Big Mama Thornton With The Muddy Waters Blues Band" and followed up with her "Ball 'n' Chain" LP in 1968. She continued to record and appear live in venues as varied as the Newport Jazz Festival and the Apollo Theater until her death in 1984 at age 57.
Janis performed "Ball 'n' Chain" live at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and twice at Woodstock in 1969 after fans demanded an encore.
"(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" was one of Ruth Brown's hits. Etta James recorded several hits for Chess Records including "At Last".

Answer: Tommy James and the Shondells

"Crimson and Clover" was a 1969 Number One single by Tommy James and the Shondells, one of many chart hits by the group that year. "Sweet Cherry Wine" was a Top ten hit and "Ball of Fire" reached Number 19 but "She" stalled at Number 29.
The group scored their first US hit in 1966 when they re-released "Hanky Panky". The song had been a regional hit when it was first released in 1964 but garnered national exposure when a DJ in Pittsburgh revived the song two years later. The group would go on to earn six Gold Records.
The McCoys had a major US hit with "Hang on Sloopy" in 1965. "I'd Wait A Million Years" was a 1969 release from The Grass Roots and The Youngbloods had a hit with "Get Together" the same year.

Answer: Roger Daltry

When the Rock Opera was made into a film version Roger Daltrey portrayed Tommy Walker.
"Pinball Wizard" was a last-minute addition to the "Tommy" album. When Pete Townshend composed the song he was not entirely happy with it but the tune went on to become commercially successful.
Rod Stewart sang "Pinball Wizard" during a 1972 orchestral concert version of "Tommy" at London's Rainbow Theater. Elton John was The Champ in the film and released a single of "Pinball Wizard" in 1976 that failed to chart in the US but made the Top Ten in the UK. Pete Townshend portrayed himself.

Answer: Deep Purple

"Fireball" was the fifth studio album from Deep Purple. "Fireball" was naturally the opening song of the LP. Instead of a Ritche Blackmore guitar solo the song featured a bass solo courtesy of Roger Glover. Drummer Ian pace used a double bass drum after borrowing another bass drum from Who drummer Keith Moon. The Who were recording in the adjacent studio. To imitate the sound of an engine starting up for the intro to the song engineer assistant Mike Thorne fired up an air conditioner.
Pink Floyd released their "Relics" album and King Crimson released the "Islands" LP in 1971.

Answer: Neil Young

"Freedom" was Neil Young's 19th studio album. Neil wrote all the songs on the album with the exception of his version of "On Broadway". Linda Ronstadt helped out on vocals for the album.
"Wrecking Ball" was also the name of a 1995 album by Emmylou Harris featuring Neil's song as well as Neil providing backing vocals and harmonica. The following year Harris won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording for "Fireball".
In 1989 John Mellencamp released his tenth album, "Big Daddy". "Heaven" was a 1985 single from Bryan Adams and Glenn Frey released "You Belong To The City" the same year.