Obscure Bands and Artists with Automobile Names Quiz

Answer: The Critters

After disbanding Don and the Chevelles Don Ciccone and sax player Bob Podstawski joined a group called The Vibratones in 1964. In an effort to capitalize on British sounding band names they decided on The Critters, in deference to The Animals. They signed with Kapp Records and recorded a version of a John Sebastian composition titled "Younger Girl". The song broke the US Top Forty and the band followed up with a Ciccone composition titled "Mr. Dieingly Sad" that reached Number 17 on the US charts. Military service and college led to the breakup of The Critters after "Mr. Dieingly Sad" was released.
Don Ciccone went on to join Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and also toured with Tommy James and the Shondells.
"Bread and Butter" was a 1964 Top Ten by The Newbeats. The Reflections had Top Ten US success with "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" and "Mercy, Mercy" by Don Covay and The Goodtimers made the US Top Forty.

Answer: The Cheater

"The Cheater" was a Rock-A-Billy song released by Bobby Desoto. He was 16 years old when he composed the song. "The Cheater" was his only release for Claro records. The flip side was titled "Don't Talk Just Kiss".
"The Cheater" released by Bob Kuban and the In Men was written by John Krenski and was not the same song recorded by Desoto. Bob Kuban was actually the drummer. The lead vocal was done by Walter Scott.
"Come Softly To Me" was by The Fleetwoods, "Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home)" was done by The Impalas and "You're So Fine" was by The Falcons.

Answer: The Valiants

The Valiants recorded "This Is the Night for Love" and "Please Wait My Love" along with an album also titled "Please Wait My Love". The group formed in 1955. Lead singer Billy Storm was inspired by singer Clyde McPhatter.
The Valiants released singles on the Keen and Early Bird labels using the Bumps Blackwell Orchestra for backing musicians.
The other names listed were other Chrysler product models from the fifties.

Answer: Mr. Moto

Eddie Bertrand and Paul Johnson were 16-year-old guitarists when they recorded "Mr. Moto" in 1961 after forming The Bel-Airs. Former Mouseketeer Dick Dodd was a drummer for the band. Following disagreements about recording techniques the Challengers was formed by a remaining member of the Bel-Airs, Richard Delvy, in 1963. They scraped up enough money to rent a studio and recorded their "Surfbeat" album in under four hours. It went on to become one of the highest-selling Surf genre albums. A version of "Mr. Moto" was included on "Surfbeat".
Dick Dale was among the artists who released "Let's Go Trippin'". The Trashmen reached Number Four with "Surfin' Bird" and The Rivieras had a hit with "California Sun".
The Bel Air was a Chevrolet model and Dodge produced The Challenger.

Answer: The Suburbans

The Suburbans released "I Remember" and "Leave My Gal Alone" on Baton Records. The group formed in 1952. Their first release called "That Feeling" failed to chart. Singer/songwriter Sylvester Bradford composed "I Remember", their first successful recording. The group dissolved when no further releases charted. Bradford recorded a solo effort called "I Like Girls" for Atco Records.
Due to failing eyesight Bradford focused on songwriting and co-wrote such classics as "Tears on My Pillow", "I'm Ready" and "Right Now".
The Chevies released "Love That Girl" in 1959. "I Saw You Go" was recorded by The Nomads in 1965 and The Biscaynes recorded "Yellow Moon" in 1961.

Answer: Jack the Ripper

The Mustangs recorded "Jack the Ripper" on the Smek label. It was the only national US recording by the Rochester, Minnesota, group. John Waters used "Jack the Ripper" for the opening segment of his "Mondo Trasho" film (1970).
"Jack the Ripper" was co-written and originally recorded by Link Wray. The song was named after a dance that was popular in the Baltimore area and later made famous in the John Waters film, "Hairspray" (1988).
Wray also recorded "Rumble" and "Comanche". "Surfrider" was by The Waves.

Answer: The El Dorados

"At My Front Door" also became a Number One hit on the US Rhythm and Blues chart for The El Dorados. They formed in 1952 as Pirkle Lee and the Five Stars in Chicago and changed their name two years later when they signed with Vee-Jay Records. Pirkle Lee Moses Jr. was the lead singer.

The original lineup disbanded in 1957 and their label dropped them the following year after 11 singles had been released. The group re-formed and toured with various members throughout the succeeding years. The Skyliners had a hit with "Since I Don't Have You" in 1959.

The Cadillacs were known for "Speedo" (1955). "Time Waits" was a 1961 release from The Corsairs.

Answer: The Adventurers

"Easy Baby" by The Adventurers featured soulful horns and a popular dance groove. The Compass Records release was backed with "A Good Girl Is So Hard to Find". The group also recorded "Something Bad/Nobody Can Save Me" for the Blue Rock label. The Detroit based group disbanded in the early seventies and some members of the group went on to form a band called The Chosen Few that released "Taking All The Love I Can" in 1973.
Firesweep, Firedome, Fireflite and Adventurer were all models of the Desoto automobile.

Answer: True

The Firebirds' recording from their "Light my Fire" LP was an instrumental that was loosely based on the Doors' hit, "Light my Fire". The band featured fuzz-driven guitars and was made up of primarily studio musicians for the Crown label. The same musicians recorded the "Hair" album under the name 31 Flavors.

Answer: The Corvairs

Little Joe Williams was the lead singer for The Corvairs when they recorded a cover version of "Gee Whiz" on the Twin label. They also recorded "Love Her So" for Clock Records backed by Ross Aldrich's orchestra.
Carla Thomas wrote "Gee Whiz" when she was 15 years old and recorded it for Atlantic Records. The label was lukewarm about it and it failed to gain traction on the charts. She later recorded the song for Satellite Records and it gradually became a national hit.
The LaSalles recorded a version of "Chopsticks" on Back Beat Records in 1958. "Don't You Dare" and "Skydive" were early sixties hits from the Bonnevilles. The Corvans released "Sleepless Nights" on the Cabot Label in 1959.