N or M? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Heather Small

M People had their greatest success during the 1990s, led by Heather Small's distinctive vocals. The group was formed in 1990 by Mike Pickering, from whom their name came. Their biggest hit was 'Moving on Up', which reached number two on the UK Singles chart and number one on the US Dance chart. Marti Pellow sang with Wet Wet Wet and Brian Harvey with East 17. Annie Lennox started her career as part of The Eurhythmics before going on to solo success.

Answer: Germany

The original song title was '99 Luftballons' and it reached number two in the USA in the German version in 1983. It was re-recorded in English and made number one on the UK singles charts in 1984. The red colour was inserted in the English version. The song itself is a protest song and is about the balloons being mistaken for a missile.

Answer: Into the Groove

These are all early hits for the Queen of Pop, but 'Into the Groove' was the first to reach number one on the UK Singles chart, in 1985. The lyrics include 'and you can dance for inspiration', so I hope the hint helped. 'Holiday' was her first UK hit, reaching number six in 1984 and 'Like a Virgin' made number three in the same year.

She reached number three in 1985 with 'Material Girl' before cracking the top spot later that year.

Answer: Al Martino

The music magazine, New Musical Express (NME) published the first UK Singles chart on 14 November 1952, and Al Martino remained at number one for the next nine weeks. This first chart was a 'top twelve' rather than a 'top ten'. All the other singers are from the early 1950s and had UK number ones - Dean Martin with 'Memories Are Made of This' in 1956 and Ruby Murray with 'Softly Softly' in 1955. Guy Mitchell reached number one on four occasions, the best known of these probably being 'Singing the Blues' in 1956.

Answer: Bridget

The family was originally from Dublin, moving to Blackpool in 1962. Only Coleen was born in England. The group originally consisted of Anne, Denise, Linda, Maureen and Bernie, who sang lead on most songs. Coleen officially joined the group when Anne left to get married. The band reformed for a tour in 2009 involving only Coleen, Bernie, Linda and Maureen which caused a rift with the remaining two sisters. Their biggest hit was 'I'm in the Mood for Dancing', which reached number three on the UK Singles chart in 1979.

Answer: No Doubt

No Doubt's biggest hit was 'Don't Speak', which reached number one in the UK, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia among others. The group broke up in 2004, and Gwen went on to solo success. No Doubt reformed in 2008. The other bands are all British, while No Doubt are American.

Answer: Pop Muzik

The group was formed by Robin Scott and 'Pop Muzik' reached number two on the UK Singles chart in April 1979 and number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in November of the same year. They had only limited further success, although two of the band members went on to form the group Level 42. 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' was by Ian Dury and the Blockheads and 'Are 'Friends' Electric?' by Tubeway Army. 'Video Killed the Radio Star' was by Buggles, and all of these songs were 1979 hits.

Answer: Gerry Rafferty

All of the options were in the charts during the 1970s. Gerry Rafferty also had a huge hit with 'Baker Street', although even this reached only number three. It managed one place higher on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Rafferty started as a member of The Humblebums, which also featured comedian Billy Connolly, before forming Stealers Wheel.

They had a big hit in 1973 with 'Stuck in the Middle With You', which was used in the film 'Reservoir Dogs' (1972).

Answer: Mud

Mud had three UK number one hits, with 'Tiger Feet', 'Lonely This Christmas'
(both in 1974) and the Buddy Holly song 'Oh Boy' in 1975. Les Gray died in 2004 following a heart attack. Mott the Hoople's singer was Ian Hunter and Motorhead were led by Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister. Marillion were more of the 1980s and their lead singer was 'Fish', whose real name was Derek Dick.

Answer: Phyllis Nelson

'Move Closer' was Phyllis's big, and only, hit in the UK. By far the most successful was Ricky, who had many hits in the 1950s and 1960s, and returned with a minor hit ('Garden Party') in 1972. His highest chart position was in 1961, when 'Hello Mary Lou/Travellin' Man' made number two. Sandy Nelson's highest charting hit was 'Let There Be Drums' at number three in 1961. Willie managed only number seventeen in 1984 with 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before'.