Music in the 1960s, UK. Trivia Quiz

Answer: From Me To You

The Beatles went to number one in May 1963 with "From Me To You". They had 17 number one hits between May 1963 and June 1969. Their last hit, "The Ballad of John and Yoko" was not strictly a full Beatles recording as Ringo and George did not play on the track. The boys broke up very soon after this release.

Answer: Radio London

Radio London, sometimes known as "The Big L" was broadcast from The MV Galaxy, a former US Navy minesweeper. Started by US businessman Don Pierson, it broadcast from its anchorage in the North sea from December 1964 to August 1967. Amongst the many DJs to feature on Radio London were Tony Blackburn, Dave Cash and Kenny Everett.

Answer: It was too erotic

"Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus" went top of the chart for one week on 11th October 1969. Sung by Serge Gainsbourg and his then lover, Jane Birkin, the record was considered too sexy to be played on the BBC. Apart from the suggestive words, the end of the record simulated, so we believe, a mutual orgasm between the two singers.

The record was banned in several countries and was denounced by the Vatican.

Answer: Tony Blackburn

On the 30th September 1967, Tony Blackburn launched Radio One at 7.00am with his Breakfast Show. The first track played was "Flowers in the Rain" by The Move. Radio One was set up to take the place of the pirate radio stations that had been banned from transmitting from international waters. The original budget allocated to Radio One was £200,000 per year.

Answer: O Sole Mio

"It's Now or Never" was Elvis Presley's fifth British number one. Based on the Italian tune "O Sole Mio", it remained number one for eight weeks.

Answer: Because they did not exist as a band

The Archies had a massive number one hit in October 1969 with "Sugar, Sugar". Although it remained number one in the UK for 8 weeks, the group never toured Britain because the band did not exist. Created by Don Kirshner, The Archies appeared on the Saturday Morning Cartoon Show "The Archie Show".

The idea was to introduce a new song each week, with the band being made up from various session musicians. Most of the lead vocal was done by the session singer Ron Dante. However, at the start of the series no one expected the songs to become so successful

Answer: Accidental Death

Although Brian Epstein died of a drugs overdose, the coroner ruled that his death was accidental. Brian had been not only been taking illegal drugs but he also took pills to help him sleep and as the dosage taken was large, the Coroner ruled that his body probably had become intolerant to those drugs.
The Beatles did not attend the funeral as they thought that they would attract too many fans. However they did attend the memorial service that was held a few weeks after.

Answer: Paul McCartney

The Scaffold had a Christmas number one hit in 1968 with "Lily the Pink". Member Mike Mcgear was born Michael McCartney, brother of Paul McCartney. He kept the relationship quiet as he did not want to succeed on the back of his famous brother. "Lily the Pink", a song all about medicinal compounds, was based on Lydia Pinkham, who began developing homemade remedies for all sorts of ills and ailments, and it stayed in the number one spot for four weeks.

Answer: Chippenham

On the evening of April 16th 1960, the car that Eddie was travelling in hit a lamp post on Rowden Hill Chippenham. Eddie was rushed to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where he was pronounced dead. Apart from the driver, the other passengers in the car were Gene Vincent and Sharon Sheeley (Eddie's fiancee). They both survived.

There is a plaque marking the spot where the crash occurred, and each year an Eddie Cochrane weekend is held in Chippenham celebrating the life and music of this fine star.

Answer: Jimmy Saville

Top of the Pops was first broadcast in January 1st 1964 with Jimmy Saville as the presenter. For three years Jimmy rotated the presenter spot with Alan Freeman, Pete Murray and David Jacobs. The first show had, amongst others, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies and The Beatles who sang their current number one hit of that time "I Want to Hold Your Hand"

Answer: Wendy Richard

Wendy Richard appeared with Mike Sarne on the novelty record "Come Outside" which became number one for two weeks knocking Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" off the top spot, and it stayed in the top twenty for a total of 19 weeks.

Answer: Big Bopper

"Running Bear" was number one for Johnny Preston for two weeks. Written by the Big Bopper, under his real name of J.P.Richardson, the vocal backing was supplied by Big Bopper and George Jones. Big Bopper was once a DJ and held the world record for continuous broadcasting and he span over 1,600 records in 122 hours.

He was killed with Buddy Holly in the ill fated aircrash. In 2007 his son wanted to disprove the rumours that the crash was due to a gun being fired on the plane, and that Big Bopper died while attempting to get help.

After his body was exhumed the second autopsy showed that Big Bopper had died instantly from multiple breaks and fractures and there was no sign of a bullet wound.

Answer: Helen Shapiro

Helen Shapiro was 14 years old when "You Don't Know" went to number one. It was in the top spot for three weeks and was quickly followed by "Walking Back to Happiness" in October 1961. Before she was 16 years old she was voted "Britain's Top Female Vocalist".

Answer: Frank Ifield

Frank Ifield, at that time, was only the second person to have three straight number one hits, the other person being Elvis Presley. Although a lot of people consider Frank as being a true Australian he was, in actual fact born in Coventry, his parents later emigrating to Australia.

"Lovesick Blues" remained in the number one spot for five weeks. The other two hits were "I Remember You" and "The Wayward Wind"

Answer: Israeli

Born in Israel this husband and wife duo never really clicked in the UK apart from this single number one hit. However, they were very popular in the rest of Europe.