Match the Artist to their Debut 45 Record Quiz

Answer: "Salt Lick" / "Miller's Farm"

In 1969 ZZ Top released their U.S. debut 45 on the very obscure Scat label. This 45 was a very limited release and wound up being reissued in the U.S. in 1970 on the London Records label.
"Salt Lick" from 1969, was released prior to their first L.P., which was issued in 1971 and was simply titled "First Album." During my research I was not able to find that "Salt Lick" was ever released on any L.P.

If any music in this quiz has you curious and you would like to hear it, YouTube is a good place to go.

Answer: "Sunshine Day" / "Aeroplane"

In 1968 Jethro Tull released their debut 45 on the U.K. MGM Records label. It was recorded at CBS Studios. It was also released as a promotional 45 with a pink label and a huge gold colored A on the label. This 45 was credited to Jethro Toe! I have read that this was done in error and also that the producer didn't "get" Tull, so he changed it to Toe. I mostly find the B side of this 45 listed just as Aeroplane. Through research I've seen it listed several times as: "AEROPLANE over Pompey on a SUNSHINE DAY - a BLUE 18th." I've not been able to find any information at all regarding this long title.

Answer: "Porterville" / "Call It Pretending"

In the U.S. during February of 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) released their debut 45 R.P.M. record on the obscure Scorpio label. The A side is "Porterville" and the B side is "Call It Pretending." Band member John Fogerty wrote both songs under the pseudonym of "T. Spicebush Swallowtail". Prior to Creedence Clearwater Revival, the band was called The Golliwogs. Both songs were written by John when they were still The Golliwogs.

This 45 was released on the U.S. Scorpio label under The Golliwogs name as well.

It was the final single released by The Golliwogs and the debut single released by CCR.

Answer: "Wrapping Paper" / "Cat's Squirrel"

In 1966 on the U.K. Reaction label, the band Cream released their debut 45 R.P.M. The A side is "Wrapping Paper" backed with "Cat's Squirrel." The 45 reached number 34 on the U.K. singles charts.
Cream was one of the greatest supergroups of all time. Unfortunately they only lasted just under two and a half years. Members: Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar), Jack Bruce (vocals, bass), and Ginger Baker (drums).

Answer: "Clown Town" / "At Night"

In 1963 Neil Diamond released his debut 45 R.P.M. titled "Clown Town" on side one and "At Night" on side two, on the U.S. Columbia label. This release was a big flop. These two songs are on Neil's three C.D. compilation titled "In My Lifetime.

Answer: "I Believe My Time Ain't Long" / "Rambling Pony"

This debut 45 R.P.M., "I Believe My Time Ain't Long" b/w "Rambling Pony", was by Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac from 1967, long before Stevie Nicks was a band member. It was released on the U.K. Blue Horizon label. At this point they were a blues/blues rock band. Members at the time of these two songs were: Peter Green-Vocals, Harmonica, and Guitar, Jeremy Spencer-Vocals & Guitar, Mick Fleetwood-Drums, and Bob Brunning-Bass. The A side of this record, "I Believe My Time Ain't Long" is based on an old blues song titled "Dust My Broom." This song was done by Robert Johnson in 1936 as "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom" and 15 years later in 1951, a version of "Dust My Broom" was done by Elmore James.

Answer: "Paper Sun" / "Giving To You"

In 1967, the band Traffic released their first 45 R.P.M. on the U.K. Island Records label. The songs were "Paper Sun" b/w "Giving To You." Band members at the time were Steve Winwood - vocals & keyboards, Chris Wood - flute & saxophone, Dave Mason - guitar, and Jim Capaldi - drums. If you decide to buy this 45, the song "Paper Sun" should be 4:10 long. Some versions from various countries have been shortened. From what I've found, the U.K. version on the pink Island label WIP-6002-A, is 4:10 long.

Answer: "Steal Your Heart Away" / "Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)"

In 1964, the Moody Blues released their debut 45 R.P.M. on the U.K. Decca label. It was "Steal Your Heart Away" b/w "Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)." On the A side and B Side labels, the songs were credited to The Moodyblues. Band members at the time were: Ray Thomas-flute, vocals, harmonica, Mike Pinder-Mellotron, keyboards, Denny Laine-vocals, guitar, Clint Warwick-bass, and Graeme Edge-drums.

Answer: "To Play Some Music" / "Topaz"

In 1975 Journey released their debut 45 R.P.M. on the Columbia label. This release is prior to Steve Perry joining the band. The vocalist at the time was Gregg Rolie. He had left Santana and joined Journey in 1973 when they first formed. Gregg was lead vocalist on Journey's first two L.P.s and shared vocals with Neal Schon. Journey's first three L.P.s as well as the "To Play Some Music" / "Topaz" 45, are progressive rock that borders on psychedelic rock and nothing at all like the pop rock music Journey played when Steve Perry joined the band. You would be hard pressed to recognize their early music as being Journey if you've not heard any of it yet.

Answer: "157 Riverside Avenue" / "Five Men Were Killed Today"

REO Speedwagon released their debut 45 R.P.M. in 1971 on the Epic label. They formed in 1967 and were from the Illinois college town of Champaign. REO named themselves after the 1915 truck which was developed by Ransom Eli Olds, who was a true pioneer in the automobile industry.
The first two L.P.s REO released were raw sounding rock, a bit on the hard side. Some say arena rock. As time went on, REO became very polished and pumped out hit song after hit song. The 45 R.P.M. this quiz is about features the song "157 Riverside Avenue" which is the standout song on their self titled first L.P.