One Word Title US Top Forty Hits of 1979 Quiz

Answer: Babe

"Babe" was the first single from Styx's "Cornerstone" album. When the single topped the charts at the end of 1979 it remained there until January of 1980 becoming the first chart-topper of the eighties. Keyboardist/singer Dennis DeYoung composed "Babe" as a birthday present for his wife Suzanne. The song was initially recorded in a demo fashion for Suzanne until the other members of the band persuaded DeYoung to include "Babe" on the "Cornerstone" album.
"Cornerstone" was the ninth album release for Styx and featured real horns and strings instead of synthesizer patches.

The 1974 Number Six release "Lady" was the first Top Ten single by Sytx. "Renegade" from their "Pieces of Eight" album topped out at Number 16 in 1979. "Mademoiselle" from their 1976 "Crystal Ball" LP was the first song to feature Tommy Shaw on vocals.

Answer: Moon

John David "Moon" Martin got his nickname because he used the word "moon" in many of his songs. He released "Rolene" under the name Moon Martin. The Oklahoma native began his musical career as a Rockabilly artist then changed to Pop. His first of five albums for Capitol Records came in 1978 with "Shots From A Cold Nightmare".
His only other entry onto the US charts besides "Rolene" also came in 1979 with the Number 60 "No Chance".
In 1982 he had a successful video on MTV with "X-Ray Vision". His compositions have been recorded by other artists including "Cadillac Walk" by Willy DeVille and Robert Palmer's "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)".

Answer: September

"September" went to Number Eight for Earth Wind and Fire. It was their third Top Ten single since their 1975 Number One single "Shining Star". The song was recorded for their ninth album, "I Am", but was not included on the album. Band members Maurice White and Al McKay teamed up with songwriter Allee Willis to compose "September". She also contributed to Earth Wind and Fire's 1979 Disco hit "Boogie Wonderland".
In 1979 Earth Wind and Fire performed "That's The Way Of The World" and "September" at the Music for UNICEF Concert and donated proceeds from one of their singles to UNICEF.

Answer: The Kingston Trio

When Dave Guard left the Kingston Trio in 1961 remaining members Nick Reynolds and Bob Shane hired John Stewart of The Cumberland Three. The transition was smooth and the trio placed six albums in the Top Ten over the next two years. By the mid-sixties the group faced competition from several other Folk groups as well as the British Invasion.
In 1964 the Beatles signed with Capitol Records, The Kingston Trio's label. The Kingston Trio went to Decca Records when their contract expired. By 1966 members were weary of touring and Stewart wanted to follow a solo career so the trio agreed to disband when their touring schedule ended in 1967.
Stewart composed "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees and released over 50 album between 1968 and 2009.

The Limeliters formed in 1959 with Lou Gottlieb, Alex Hassilev and Glenn Yarbrough. In addition to Chad Mitchell, John Denver and Roger McGuinn are among the alumnus from The Chad Mitchell trio. Dave Fisher, Bob Burnett, Chan Daniels, Steve Butts and Steve Trott formed The Highwaymen in 1958.

Answer: Canada

Canadian group April Wine formed in 1969 and first hit the US Top Forty in 1971 with the Number 32 "You Could Have Been a Lady". The group formed near Halifax, Nova Scotia, and relocated to Montreal in 1970. The following year they released their debut album, "April Wine".

They enjoyed mainstream success when their version of Hot Chocolate's "You Could Have Been a Lady" from their "On Record" album reached the Canadian Top Ten and the US Top Forty. In 1977 the group added a fifth member and was opening for acts such as The Rolling Stones, Styx and Rush on US tours.

In 1981 The Number 21 "Just Between You and Me" became April Wine's highest charting US single.

Answer: Promises

"Promises" was a single release by Clapton from his ninth studio album, "Backless". "Watch Out for Lucy", "Walk Out in the Rain" and "Tulsa Time" were also released as singles. Although the album was attributed to Eric Clapton the single "Promises" was credited to Eric Clapton and his Band. Fellow Derek and the Dominos band mate Carl Radle played bass on the album.
The touring band included Radle along with George Terry, keyboard player Dick Sims, Jamie Oldaker on drums with Yvonne Elliman and Marcy Levy providing backing vocals.

"Cocaine" was a cut from Eric's 1977 "Slowhand" album. "Hungry" was an album track on Eric's 1976 "No Reason to Cry" LP. Eddie Rabbitt released the Number 13 "Suspicions" in 1979.

Answer: "Chase"-Giorgio Moroder

Giorgio Moroder was a producer, songwriter and performer who formed Oasis Records in Munich in the seventies. He collaborated with Donna Summer on her Disco-era hits such as "I Feel Love" and "Love to Love You Baby". He also collaborated with many artists including David Bowie, Blondie, Melissa Manchester and Irene Cara.
He began his career releasing singles under the name Giorgio in the sixties. Moroder went on to earn an Academy Award for the score to "Midnight Express" (1978), one of ten film scored he composed.

The Instrumental "Chase" reached Number 33 in on the US charts 1979.
Santana's "Stormy" reached Number 32 in 1979. "Weekend" by Wet Willie was a Number 29 single the same year and Herbie Mann's "Superman" made it to Number 26.

Answer: "Honesty"-Billy Joel

Although "Honesty" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 1979 Grammy Awards it only reached Number 24 on the Billboard charts. "Honesty" was the third single release from Billy's 1978 "52nd Street" album.
"My Life" from the same album almost topped the charts as a single, reaching Number Two and "Big Shot" topped out at Number 14. "52nd Street" was Joel's sixth studio album and was produced by Phil Ramone. It went on to earn a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1979.

"Tragedy" was written by all three Gibb Brothers and was a Number One single from their "Spirits Having Flown" album. "Still" from The Commodores' "Midnight Magic" album topped both the Pop and Rhythm and Blues charts. "Reunited" from the duo's "2 Hot" album topped the Pop and Soul charts in 1979.

Answer: Little River Band

Little River Band formed in 1979 in Melbourne, Australia. Most of the founding members had been involved with other groups. Glenn Shorrock was the lead singer of The Twilights, Beeb Birtles played bass for Zoot and Graeham Goble had fronted a Folk group called Allison Gros. In 1976 the band began focusing on the US audience and broke the Top Twenty the following year with the Number 14 "Help Is on Its Way". The group underwent some member changes during the touring schedule but still put "Reminiscing" at Number Three in 1978. "Lady", "Lonesome Loser" and "Cool Change" all made the Top Ten the following year.

"Ships" was a Number Nine single from Barry Manilow in 1979. The previous year The Rolling Stones took "Shattered" to Number 31. Steely Dan had a 1978 single titled "Josie" that went to Number 26.

Answer: Smokey Robinson

In 1973 Smokey first hit the US Top Forty as a solo artist after leaving The Miracles with "Baby Come Close". Over the next six years he placed songs on the Billboard 100 but didn't have a Top Ten single until "Cruisin'" went to Number Four in 1979.
After leaving The Miracles, William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. took a year hiatus before releasing his "Smokey" album in 1973. In addition to composing hits during his tenure with The Miracles, Smokey wrote or co-wrote numerous hits for other Motown artists including "The One Who Really Loves You", "Get Ready", "Don't Mess With Bill" and "Ain't That Peculiar" .

Blondie was "Dreamin'" according to their 1979 Number 27 single. Jefferson Starship took "Jane" to Number 14 in 1979 and Atlanta Rhythm Section took "Spooky" to Number 17.