One Hit Wonders in the UK Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Overlanders

"Michelle" written by Lennon/McCartney was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for The Overlanders in 1966. It did not chart in the USA.

The original group was a trio with Paul Arnold (lead guitar, vocals), Peter Bartholomew (guitar, vocals) and Laurie Mason (piano, percussion, vocals). They had a minor hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when "Yesterday's Gone" peaked at number 75 in 1964.

Another version of "Michelle" by David & Jonathon and produced by George Martin peaked at number 11 on the UK singles chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.

"Michelle" was written for The Beatles' sixth UK album, "Rubber Soul", which was released in December 1965. The Beatles' version of "Michelle" was released in some countries and was number one in Belgium, France, Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway.

Answer: Crazy World of Arthur Brown

"Fire", written by Brown/Crane/Finesilver/Ker, was number one for one week on the UK singles chart for the Crazy World of Arthur Brown in 1968. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

The first incarnation of the Crazy World of Arthur Brown included Arthur Brown (vocals), Vincent Crane (Hammond organ and piano), Nick Greenwood (bass) and Drachen Theaker (drums). The record was produced by The Who's manager Kit Lambert and lead guitarist Pete Townshend; it sold in excess of 1,000,000 copies. Arthur Brown was known for the flaming helmet that he wore on stage and which occasionally led to him being burned. He also had a penchant for stripping naked while performing.

Answer: Zager And Evans

"In The Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus)", written by Rick Evans, was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for Zager And Evans in 1969. It was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Zager And Evans were Denny Zager, born in Wymore, Nebraska, USA, in 1944 and Rick Evans, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, in 1943. They met each other at the Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1962. After their demise, Denny Zager builds custom guitars at Zager Guitars in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA and Rick Evans has retired from public life. They never bothered the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA and the singles chart in the UK again.

Answer: Norman Greenbaum

"Spirit In The Sky", written by Norman Greenbaum, was number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart for Norman Greenbaum in 1970. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Norman Joel Greenbaum was born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA, in 1942. He studied music at Boston University but dropped out after two years and relocated to Los Angeles in 1965. Although a one hit wonder in the UK he did have two minor hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Canned Ham". (number 46 in 1970) and "California Earthquake", (number 93 in 1971).

Answer: Matthews Southern Comfort

"Woodstock", written by Joni Mitchell, was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for Matthews Southern Comfort in 1970. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Matthews Southern Comfort leader, Iain Matthews in 1971.

Matthews Southern Comfort completely rearranged the song but when Iain Matthews met Joni Mitchell she told him that she preferred their arrangement to her own. It was released on the Uni label in the UK but the parent record company, MCA, only agreed to its release if the version by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young did not enter the UK singles chart.

Answer: Float On

"Float On", written by Ingram/Mitchell/Willis, was number one for one week on the UK singles chart for The Floaters in 1977. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

The Floaters, from Detroit, Michigan, USA, were Charles Clarke, Larry Cunningham, Paul Mitchell and Ralph Mitchell. After their success with "Float On" they had two minor hits on the Billboard R&B chart with "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (1977) and "I Just Want to Be with You" (1988). They also recorded four studio albums.

Answer: Bell

"Ring My Bell", written by Frederick Knight, was number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart for Anita Ward in 1979. It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.

Disco queen Anita Ward was born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, in 1957. She had one later minor hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Don't Drop My Love" which peaked at number 87 in 1979. It was an ironic title as she was dropped from her record label by the owner Frederick Knight, himself a one hit wonder with "I've Been Lonely So Long" in 1972. Not only did he own the record label and write the song, he produced "Ring My Bell" and played all the instruments on the track.

Answer: Together We Are Beautiful

"Together We Are Beautiful", written by Ken Leray, was number one for one week on the UK singles chart for Fern Kinney in 1980. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Fern Kinney, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, is not only a one hit number one wonder in the UK, the record did not even make the Billboard Hot 100 at home. She did have one minor hit when "Groove Me" peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979. She had been a backing singer before her number one hit and had returned to that career by 1983.

Answer: Steve "Silk" Hurley

"Jack Your Body", written by Steve Hurley, was number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart for Steve "Silk" Hurley in 1987. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Steve "Silk" Hurley was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1962. "Jack Your Body" was the first house music number one hit. It is a wonder that it ever got to number one as most of its sales were on the 12" version. Under the chart rules of the time, the 12" single should not have counted towards its chart position as its running time exceeded the then 25-minute limit. Fortunately for Steve "Silk" Hurley, this fact was not brought to the attention of the chart compilers until the record was already at number one. C'est la vie.

Answer: The First Time

"The First Time", written by Spencer/Anthony/Boyle, was number one for three weeks on the UK singles chart for Robin Beck in 1988. It did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Robin Beck was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, in 1954. Unfortunately for Robin Beck there was no second, third or fourth time and not even a first time in her homeland. Less than a year before her number one hit we had three consecutive number one hits in the UK by female singers, Belinda Carlisle ("Heaven Is A Place On Earth"), Tiffany ("I Think We're Alone Now") and Kylie Minogue ("I Should Be So Lucky"). The last time it had happened was in 1954 with Vera Lynn ("My Son My Son"), Rosemary Clooney ("This Old House") and Winifred Atwell ("Let's Have Another Party"). Robin Beck completed the third occurrence with Whitney Houston ("One Moment In Time"), Enya ("Orinoco Flow") and Robin Beck ("The First Time"). Her second claim to fame on the UK singles chart.