Number One Hits Of 1961 - Part 3 Quiz

Answer: The Mavellettes

The Marvelettes were the first all girl Motown group to claim the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was covered by The Beatles on their first album and later by The Carpenters.

Answer: Neil Sedaka

Little Devil was Neil's first number one hit in Australia, having made the top ten before with "Oh Carol".

Answer: The Highwaymen

"Michael" was the Highwaymen's first single release and their only number one. In Australia, "Michael reached the number two slot and stayed there for three week, behind Roy Orbison's "Crying".

Answer: Pat Boone

Pat Boone achieved the last of his six number ones with "Moody River". The song stayed at number one on the Billboard charts for only one week in May 1961. "Moody River" made top ten in Australia and top twenty in the UK. Pat Boone was second only to Elvis Presley for chart successes in the 1950s. Pat's number ones on the Billboard Hot 100 were, "Ain't That A Shame" in 1956, "I Almost Lost My Mind", "Don't Forbid Me", "Love Letters In The Sand" and "April Love" all in 1957.

Then "Moody River" in 1961.

Answer: Bob Moore

"Mexico" by Bob Moore was a mariachi styled rockin' instrumental that stayed on the Australian charts for three months. The record made the top ten on the Billboard chart but did not chart in the UK. Bob Moore was a well known bass playing session man and arranger in Nashville. He appeared on recordings of Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee and many others.

Answer: Chubby Checker

"Pony Time" gave Chubby Checker his second number one hit. Oddly enough his first and third number ones were with the same recording, "The Twist" was number one in September 1960 then again in for two weeks in January 1962. Thus "The Twist" by Chubby Checker is the only number one record to re-enter the charts and go to the top again. "Pony Time" made the top twenty in Australia and the UK.

Answer: Bobby Vee

In Australia "Rubber Ball" stayed at number one for two weeks and was replaced by "One Last Kiss" by Bobby Vee for one week then another version of the song by Billy (Crash) Craddock took over the top spot. "Rubber Ball" was a top ten in the USA and top ten in the UK for both Bobby Vee and Marty Wilde.

Answer: Elvis Presley

Based on "Come Back to Sorrento", "Surrender" was Elvis's second number one of 1961. The record made number one in Australia and the UK.

Answer: Bobby Lewis

"Tossin' and Turnin'" was the biggest chart success on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 staying at Number one for seven weeks. Bobby Lewis had another top ten song in 1961 with "One Track Mind". Bobby continued recording through the sixties but never made an impression on the charts again.

Answer: Helen Shapiro

"Walking Back To Happiness" charted for two weeks in the USA barely making a dent in the charts. In Australia the record made the top ten. Helen's popularity was primarily in the UK and Europe. However in 1963 Helen had a double sided number one in Australia with "No Trespassing"/"Not Responsible". That particular record did not chart in the UK.

Interestingly, "It's My Party", the first major hit for Lesley Gore, was originally recorded by Helen Shapiro on her 1963 Album "Helen In Nashville".