One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1975 Quiz

Answer: Bluebird

"Bluebird" reached Number 35 in the US top Forty for Helen Reddy. She scored a Top Ten the same year with "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady". "Bluebird" and "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady" were single releases from Helen's "No Way to Treat a Lady" album. "Somewhere in the Night" from the same album made the US Top Twenty.
Helen Reddy was no stranger to the charts before 1975. In 1972 her single "I Am Woman" topped the US charts. The following year she reached Number One again with "Delta Dawn" and followed in 1974 with the chart-topping "Angie Baby".
The Melbourne, Australia, native charted over a dozen US Top Forty hits in her career.
In 1970 Anne Murray's version of "Snowbird" reached Number Eight in the US. In 1975 "Nightingale" was a Top Ten hit from Carole King. "Sparrow" was on Marvin Gaye's 1978 "Here, My Dear" LP.

Answer: New York

B. T. Express was part of the "Brooklyn Sound" and were originally called Madison Street Express before becoming Brooklyn Trucking Express then shortening it to B. T. Express. Three members of a dance band called King Davis House Rockers left to form their own group in the early seventies.

They landed a deal with Scepter Records who suggester the change from Madison Street Express to Brooklyn Trucking Express. In 1974 B. T. Express released "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" as a single that reached Number Five on the US charts.

The following year "Express" rose to Number Four. "Express" was their final US Top Ten but the group continued to place hits on the Rhythm and Blues charts through the mid-eighties but occasional label changes resulted in less promotion and exposure.

Answer: Hudson Brothers

Mark, Brett and Bill Hudson formed The New Yorkers in Portland, Oregon, in 1965. After winning a battle of the bands competition two years later they signed with Scepter Records. In 1970 they changed their name to Everyday Hudson when they released a single for Decca Records titled "Love Is The Word". The following year they simply became "Hudson" and signed with Playboy Records. Their single "Leavin' It's Over" didn't make the Hot 100.
In 1974 they were signed to the Casablanca Label as the Hudson Brothers and released The Number 21 "So You Are A Star" and landed their own Variety show. The following year "Rendezvous" went to Number 26.
The act has been signed to 11 labels during their career.
Bill Hudson married Goldie Hawn in 1976. Mark and Brett became producers.
The Doobie Brothers topped the 1975 charts with "Black Water". "Fight the Power (Part 1)" was a Top Ten from The Isley Brothers. "Dream On" was a 1974 single from The Righteous Brothers that made it to Number 32.

Answer: The Manhattan Transfer

"Operator" was from The Manhattan Transfer's 1975 self-titled album. The Gospel tune was their first Top Forty US single.
The first formation of The Manhattan Transfer came together in 1969. In 1974 the original lineup went their own ways citing differing visions regarding the group's style. Remaining member Tim Hauser reformed the group in 1973 and developed a fan base which resulted in an album offer from Atlantic Records. After releasing their eponymous Atlantic Records debut album "Operator" became a hit and the group had their own one hour television special. The Jazz influenced group went on to place three more singles in the US Top Forty and has continually released albums into the 21st century
The Philadelphia based Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes took "Bad Luck (Part 1)" to the Number 15 spot in 1975. "Don't Take Your Love" was a 1975 Top Forty from the Jersey City based The Manhattans. The Detroit based Spinners had a 1975 Top Forty with "Living a Little, Laughing a Little".

Answer: George Harrison

"You" was a single release from George Harrison's fifth studio album "Extra Texture (Read All About It)". The album was recorded in the US and featured tracks from musicians including Gary Wright, Leon Russell, Billy Preston and Jim Keltner. "Extra Texture (Read All About It)" was Harrison's last album for Apple Records and was a departure from his previous Rock influenced LPs. "You" was released as a single before the album was completed to generate interest. George had composed "You" for a 1971 Ronnie Spector album on Apple Records that was never completed. George used the original backing tracks to record his version.

The single was well received critically. The LP also contained "This Guitar (Can't Keep from Crying)".

Answer: Ray Stevens

Ray Stevens was known primarily for his Novelty songs since his breakthrough "Ahab the Arab" in 1962. The single was followed by "Harry the Hairy Ape" in 1963 and "Gitarzan" in 1969. The following year he topped the charts with a ballad titled "Everything Is Beautiful" and again in 1974 with "The Streak".
The Georgia native and versatile musician began his recording career in the late fifties when he signed with Columbia Records. After releasing minor singles he signed with Mercury in 1960 and began releasing Novelty songs. He switched to Monument Records six years later in an effort to record serious songs. In 1969 his version of "Sunday Morning Coming Down" made the country charts. In 1975 his Grammy Award winning version of "Misty" became his biggest Country crossover single.
Herbie Mann's single "Hijack" went to Number 14. "Rocky" was a Top Ten from Austin Roberts in 1975. C. W. McCall had a 1975 Number One with "Convoy".

Answer: Pure Prairie League

Vince Gill was not an original member of Pure Prairie League when it was formed in the late sixties in Ohio. The group was inspired to select their name from a temperance league featured in the 1939 film, "Dodge City". The group obtained a recording contract with RCA and began as the house band for a joint called New Dilly's opening for national acts.

Their self titled debut album was recorded in 1972. Later the same year they recorded the "Bustin' Out" album and released "Amie" as a single. Their biggest hit, "Let Me Love You Tonight", came out in 1980. Member Larry Goshorn's departed to form The Goshorn Brothers in 1977. Craig Fuller went on to work with Little Feat.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces' Jeff "Stick" Davis had a brief stint as a drummer for the Pure Prairie League.

Answer: Al Martino

Al Martino made it to Number 33 with his rendition of the 1958 Domenico Modugno song. Some of the many artists to have success with the song included Connie Francis, Bobby Rydell, David Bowie and The Gipsy Kings.
The tune was composed as "Nel blu dipinto di blu" but became known as simply "Volare".
Jasper "Al" Cini was born in New York and began his singing career upon returning from serving in the Navy. His appearance on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" after changing his name to Al Martino led to a recording contract. "Here in My Heart" was a successful release in 1952. In 1963 he scored a Number Three hit with "I Love You".
Bobby Vinton took his version of "Beer Barrel Polka" to Number 33 in 1975. "Full of Fire" was a Number 26 single from Al Green. "Supernatural Thing (Part 1)" was a Ben E. King Top Ten.

Answer: Miracles

By the early seventies members of Jefferson Airplane had begun working on their own projects. The group was reformed as Jefferson Starship. "Miracles" from their "Red Octopus" album became the first Top Ten single released as Jefferson Starship. The group would have to wait another decade before placing a song at the Number One slot with the release of "We Built This City". Marty Balin composed "Miracles". The same year the song was released Papa John Creech left the group to pursue a solo career.
In 1984 the only remaining original Jefferson Airplane member, Paul Kantner, formed Starship.
"Magic" was a 1975 Top Ten single from Pilot. The Miracles released the Number 37 "Glasshouse". Hot Chocolate sang about "Emma" on their Number Eight 1975 single.

Answer: The Ritchie Family

"Brazil" was an Instrumental released by The Ritchie Family in 1975. The members of the group were not actually related and derived their name by adding a "t" to their producer Richie Rome's name. Brazil was a Disco version of a popular thirties tune and was their first Top Forty single. Following the success of "Brazil" the group released another album of revived thirties songs entitled "Life is Music" that was not well received.
They worked with The Village People in 1980 on a film venture titled "Can't Stop the Music". Their final album, "All Night, All Right", was released in 1983.
Kraftwerk placed "Autobahn" at Number 25 in 1975. "The Entertainer" by Marvin Hamlisch reached Number Three in 1974. "Machine Gun" was a 1974 Number 22 Instrumental from The Commodores.