Lyrics Of Lonnie Donegan Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rock Island Line

"Rock Island Line" got to number eight on the UK Singles chart in 1955. [In 1956, it made two Billboard charts in the US, number eight on Best Sellers and number ten on the Top 100.] Its "B" side was "John Henry." "Lorelei" reached number ten in 1960, and "The Comancheros" checked in at number 14 in 1961.

Anthony James Donegan, who became known as Lonnie Donegan, The King Of Skiffle, was born April 29, 1931, in Glascow Scotland of an Irish mother and a Scottish father. The family moved to East Ham, London, in 1933. During and after World War II, he learned to play the banjo and guitar, and formed the Anthony Donegan Jazz Band and performed along side others who were fans of New Orleans jazz. In 1949, the group disbanded when he was called for national service.

Answer: Lost John

The lines come from "Lost John," a number two hit on the UK Singles chart in 1956. [It reached number 58 on the US Billboard Top 100 in the same year.] Its "B" side was "Stewball." In 1957, "My Dixie Darlin'" made it to number ten, and in 1958, "Sally Don't You Grieve" got to number 11.

When he returned from national service, he formed the Tony Donegan Jazzband, eventually opening for the American blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson. Donegan then adopted the name "Lonnie" as a tribute to his idol.

Answer: Gamblin' Man

In 1957, "Gamblin' Man" topped the UK Singles list at number one. "Puttin' On The Style" was side "B." "The Party's Over" reached number nine in 1962, and "Virgin Mary" made number 27 in 1960.

In 1953, Lonnie Donegan joined the Ken Colyer Jazzmen with Chris Barber (trombone), and Monty Sunshine (clarinet). Colyer played trumpet, and Donegan sang and played banjo and guitar. In 1954, Colyer left the group, and it became Chris Barber's Jazz Band, featuring the popular female vocalist Ottilie Patterson.

Answer: Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O

The UK Singles Chart listed "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O" at number four in 1959. In 1961, "Have A Drink On Me" was number eight and "Samantha" was number 13. "Sal's Got A Sugar Lip" reached number 13 in 1959.

Barber's Jazz Band got involved in skiffle music in 1953. Influenced by jazz, blues, and folk music, skiffle uses a variety of traditional and improvised instruments (guitar, banjo, washboard, jugs, tea-chest bass, etc.).

Answer: Tom Dooley

In 1958, Donegan's "Tom Dooley" was a number three hit on the UK Singles chart. Its "B" side was "Rock O' My Soul." Also in 1958, "Lonesome Traveler" got to number 28. "Michael, Row The Boat" was a number six song in 1961.

In July, 1954, Decca records released, under the name "Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group" two songs by Chris Barber's Jazz Band: "Rock Island Line" (written by Lead Belly) and, as the "B" side, "John Henry" (a traditional Afro-American folk song).

Answer: Cumberland Gap

"Cumberland Gap" was a number one smash on the UK Singles list in 1957. "I Wanna Go Home (Wreck Of The John B.)" scored at number five in 1960. "Jack O' Diamonds" made number 14 in 1957, and "Lonnie's Skiffle Party" peaked at number 23 in 1958.

The release of "Rock Island Line"/"John Henry" led to the "skiffle craze" and by the late 1950s, there were an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 skiffle groups in Britain. Leaving Chris Barber's Jazz Band, Donegan formed Lonnie Donegan's Skiffle Group. With an often changing composition, that group had 28 hits on the UK Singles charts.

Answer: Battle Of New Orleans

The UK Singles chart in 1959 listed "Battle Of New Orleans" at number two. It's "B" side was "Darling Corey." "Pick A Bale Of Cotton" reached number 11 in 1962. It's "B" side was "Steal Away."

Despite the popularity of skiffle and skiffle groups, music was rapidly moving to rock 'n roll. For the most part, the skiffle age was over by 1959, and Lonnie Donegan's last top 40 hit was "Pick A Bale Of Cotton" in 1962.

Answer: Grand Coulee Dam

In 1958, "Grand Coulee Dam" reached number six on the UK Singles list. "Nobody Loves Like An Irishman" was side "B." In 1959, "Fort Worth Jail" made number 14. Its "B" side was "Whoa Buck."

For his significant contributions to British music and culture, Lonnie Donegan received the Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. And, in 2000, he was made a Member Of The Order Of The British Empire. Both tributes were well deserved.

Answer: My Old Man's A Dustman

"My Old Man's A Dustman" topped the UK Singles list at number one in 1960. "The Golden Vanity" was its side "B." "Bring A Little Water, Sylvie" got to number seven in 1956. "San Miguel" reached number 19 in 1959.

After his great success as a skiffle artist, Lonnie Donegan kept recording and performing. In spite of increasingly serious heath problems, he also kept touring. On November 3, 2002, fittingly while at a tour date in Peterborough, his damaged heart finally gave out. He was indeed the King of Skiffle, dying on his throne.

Answer: Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On The Bedpost Overnight)?

The UK Singles Chart in 1959 had "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On The Bedpost Overnight)?" as a number three hit. [In 1961, on the USA Billboard Hot 100 list, it was ranked number five.] Its "B" side was "Aunt Rhody." "Lively" made number 13 in 1960, and "Bewildered" did not make the top 40 in 1959.

When he passed away, Lonnie Donegan left behind an amazing legacy of artists who have acknowledged their debt to him. Included in that group are John Lennon's Quarrymen, a skittle group formed in 1957, and the other Beatles (Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison). Among others he inspired are Roger Daltrey, Richard Thompson, Ronnie Wood, Bryan May, Roy Gallagher, Eric Clampton, Elton John, Peter Townshend, Mark Knopfler, Bill Wyman, and Van Morrison.