Number One Instrumental Hits 1955-1985 Quiz

Answer: The Champs

The Champs had a string of hits in the late 1950s through the mid 1960s. "Tequila" was by far their biggest hit and their signature tune. The record hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-March 1958, holding that spot for five weeks. In Australia and the UK "Tequila" was a top ten hit.

The Champs had two other top ten hits in Australia where we loved instrumentals, "Too Much Tequila", 1960, and "Limbo Rock" in 1962. Interestingly "Limbo Rock" was originally recorded by The Champs but the song, written by session guitarist Billy Strange, received a new life and became a million seller for Chubby Checker (and started another dance craze) with updated lyrics by Karl Mann in the latter part of 1962.

Answer: Joe 'Fingers' Carr

Joe 'Fingers' Carr, born Lou Busch in Louisville Kentucky, had a number one hit in Australia in 1956 with "Portuguese Washerwoman". The song was a top ten on the Billboard pop chart it did not chart in the UK. It was however covered by Winifred Atwell and was released in Australia on a 78rpm as the B-side of "The Poor People of Paris".

Answer: Perez Prado

Number one on the Billboard Chart for eight weeks, "Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White" in 1955 for Perez Prado and his orchestra. In the UK the record was number one for two weeks, then a number one for four weeks by English trumpeter Eddie Calvert. Down in Australia the song was on the charts for 25 weeks, twelve of these in the top ten. Perez Prado had a number one in Australia in 1959 with "Patricia".

Answer: The Atlantics

The Atlantics, a local Sydney instrumental band, like many other groups of the time played covers of tunes by The Shadows and to a lesser level The Ventures and the Spotniks. In late 1962 The Atlantics started to stand out with the addition of another guitarist making them unique by having two lead guitarists.

This led to the band writing their own music which led to their smash hit and number one single "Bombora". They followed this late in 1963 with "The Crusher" another surfing instrumental which was a top ten hit for the group. "Bombora" was not a national hit in the USA but was a favourite on DJ playlists and made the California and Oregon charts.

Answer: Herb Alpert

It had been eleven years since Herb Alpert's name had been at the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 when in August 1979 "Rise" made it to number one. Herb Alpert's recording of "Rise" made number thirteen on both the UK and Australian Charts. In 1968 Herb released the Bacharach/David song, "This Guy's In Love With You" which was number one for four weeks.
This makes Herb Alpert the only act in the 'Rock Era', i.e. the last 65 years, to have both a vocal and an instrumental number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Answer: Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac in their earliest incarnation were basically a blues band consisting of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer. It was this lineup with the addition of Danny Kirwan that recorded "Albatross". The tune was Fleetwood Mac's first and only number one single in their native country.

The record topped the British chart late in 1968 and made the top ten in the USA and Australia.

Answer: David Rose

An accidental hit, recorded as a joke, describes "The Stripper" written and recorded by composer, orchestra leader and arranger, David Rose. In fact the song was recorded by Rose in 1958 for a long lost TV documentary on burlesque. When in 1962 the record company wanted a 'b' side for a David Rose release "The Stripper" was rediscovered and released.

As often happened disc jockeys liked the B side and it became a number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song made the top ten in Australia but did not chart in the UK.

Answer: Edgar Winter Group

The Edgar Winter Group hit the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Frankenstein" in 1973. The record reached number eighteen on both the Australian and UK Charts. The Crypt Kickers were studio musicians who backed Bobby Picket on his hit "Monster Mash". Dante and The Evergreens had a hit with "Alley Oop" in 1960. Drack and the Leeches are a figment of my imagination.

Answer: The Shadows

The Shadows had their biggest chart hit in 1962 with "Wonderful Land". Eight weeks at number one on the UK chart, number one in many European countries, number two in Australia for four weeks (kept out of the top spot by Elvis with "Good Luck Charm") and a top five in New Zealand and Canada.
The flip side of this record, "Stars Fell on Stockton" also reached the top ten in Australia and the UK. As with other Shadows releases, no airplay in the USA resulted in no chart activity.

Answer: Jan Hammer

Jan Hammer, composer, producer and excellent keyboardist recorded the "Miami Vice Theme" for the 1980s hit TV series of the same name. The "Miami Vice Theme" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of 1985. The record was a top ten entry in Australia and a number five hit in the UK. Jan Hammer has released over 25 albums under his own name and has been part of a group or a collaborator on at least 50 albums.

He has recorded as part of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, with Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, Santana, Elvin Jones and Steve Lukather to name a few.