Number One Hits of 1962- Part 3 Quiz

Answer: The Tokens

Taken from an African folksong and revamped with English lyrics by George David Weiss,"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" became a smash hit for the Tokens in early 1962. The record was number one on the Billboard Hot 100, number eleven in the UK and number two in Australia.

The background chant of "Wimoweh" was the basis of a hit in 1950 for Peruvian singer, Yma Sumac. In 1955 The weavers had some success with a version of "Wimoweh", as did Scotsman Karl Denver in 1962 with a rock 'n' roll version. Karl Denver's version was a UK and Australian top ten.

In its incarnation as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" there are over 65 recorded versions by artists as varied as The New Christy Minstrels, NSync and Chet Atkins.

Answer: Bobby Vinton

With a song written by Al Byron and singer/composer Paul Evans, Bobby Vinton achieved his first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Roses Are Red (My Love)". The song was number one for four weeks in July/August 1962. The recording got as high as number three on the Australian chart and made number fifteen in the UK.

Answer: The Four Seasons

Written by band member Bob Gaudio, "Sherry" was the first number one hit for the Four Seasons. "Sherry" was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks; the record made it to number eight on the UK chart and number three in Australia. The Four Seasons went on to have a total of five number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Bobby Darin

Written for the soundtrack and performed in the movie "Come September" by Bobby Darin. The song was a smash hit in Australia staying at number one for three weeks on the charts. In the UK the song peaked at number five, on the Billboard Hot 100 the song only made it to number 30.

The flipside "Irresistible You" was a top twenty on the Hot 100. The UK and US chart performances occurred during late 1961 but due to the way records were released in the early sixties, the song entered the Australian chart in January and was number one for the first three weeks of March 1962.

Answer: Elvis Presley

Singing a song written by Otis Blackwell (who wrote many songs for Presley) and Winfield Scott, Elvis Presley had his fourth number one hit of 1962 with "Return to Sender". Whilst the song only reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, the Cashbox charts showed the song reaching number one position. The song was number one on both the UK and Australian charts.

Answer: Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers

Bobby 'Boris' Pickett and the Crypt Kickers had a number one on the Billboard Hot 100 just before Halloween in 1962. The record revisited the charts a number of times over the years. The record was a top ten on the Australian charts and was originally banned in the UK, eventually making the charts in the early 1970s where it peaked at number three. Bobby Pickett continued to release novelty songs and in the mid 1980s he released "Monster Rap" which charted in Australia.

Answer: Tommy Roe

With a pulsating rhythm much like Buddy Holly's 1957 hit, "Peggy Sue", "Sheila" by Tommy Roe raced up the charts in mid 1962. The record reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Australian charts and reached number three in the UK. The song was written by Tommy Roe who had to wait until 1969 for his next number one hit, "Dizzy".

Answer: Gene Chandler

"Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl", were the lyrics to the chorus of "Duke of Earl". Written by Bernice Williams, Earl Edwards and Gene Chandler and recorded by Gene Chandler the recording made the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in 1962.

In Australia, with a lot of airplay, the record made the top ten, while in the UK the record barely entered the charts.

Answer: Frank Ifield

"Lovesick Blues" was written in the 1920s and recorded a number of times over the years. Hank Williams heard versions of the song and rearranged it to suit his style and had a number one country hit in 1949. In 1962 as a follow up to "I Remember You", Frank Ifield recorded the song and had his second UK number one of 1962.

The recording reached number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top ten in Australia.

Answer: The Crystals

Written by Gene Pitney "He's a Rebel" credited to the Crystals went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1962. The song was actually recorded in Los Angeles by The Blossoms who sang background on many Phil Spector productions. He released the record and credited the Crystals in order to be on the market before the version recorded by Vicki Carr hit the stores.

The record made the top twenty in the UK. In Australia, despite much airplay, The Crystals' version did not chart, however the version by Vicki Carr made it to number five on the charts.