Songs From KROQ'S 1981 Countdown Quiz

Answer: The Ramones

While the members of the group adopted the surname "Ramone", none of them actually had that name. Joey's real name was Jeffry Hyman, Dee Dee's real name was Douglas Colvin, and Johnny's real name was John Cummings. Marc Bell joined the Ramones in 1978 and went by the stage name "Marky Ramone"
The song "We Want the Airwaves" is from the Ramones' sixth album entitled "Pleasant Dreams". It was neither a commercial nor critical success as some felt the Ramones were continuing to "sell-out" from their original punk sound.
Unfortunately, by 2004, Joey, Dee Dee, and Johnny had all passed away, a sad note to this influential band.

Answer: We Got the Beat

The song was being played often by KROQ in 1981 from its UK single release(1980) as an import, and it became popular in L.A. clubs. A year later in 1982, its US release saw it rise up to number two in the USA for three weeks on Billboards Hot 100 list. That same year, "Beauty and the Beat" hit number one on Billboard's Album chart.
"Mad About You" was a solo effort by former Go-Go Belinda Carlisle in 1986.
"Walk Like An Egyptian" was from the Bangles.
"Tainted Love" was done by Soft Cell, who were not an all-girl group!

Answer: U2

Sonny and Cher had the last name Bono, but that's probably the only thing they had in common with U2.
Mumford and Sons hit it big in 2012, but they weren't around performing in 1981 and are from England.
Stiff Little Fingers are best known in L.A. for their classic punk song "Alternative Ulster" released in 1978.

Answer: Electricity

There are four versions of the song "Electricity" released at different times starting in 1979. The version that became popular in 1980-81 on KROQ, from OMD's self-titled debut album in the USA, is version three.

Answer: The Specials

While the song didn't get much airplay on radio in the USA, it made it to the top of the UK Singles Chart in 1981. Here in L.A, we had to listen to it on KROQ or college radio stations, as Ska was not mainstream enough for our Top 40 radio station's paylists.
The song was written by Specials' keyboardist Jerry Dammers. The song was a social commentary on what was happening in the UK in 1980, and it was released about the same time as riots were happening across the country in 1981.
The video was at once comical with the group packed in a Vauxhall Cresta mugging for the cameras, and yet it had an eerie touch to it with the streets of London empty.

Answer: X

ABC was a new wave/pop band from the UK, and of course, there are three letters in their name.
As for P and Q, I'm sure somewhere, sometime there were bands that used those letters, but they weren't on the 1981 countdown.
The popular opinion for the meaning of "White Girl" has to do with lead singer John Doe's affair with (L.A. punk band) Germ's bassist Lorna Doom. It is on the "Wild Gift" album, which was ranked number 334 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Answer: Funny Face

"Funny Face" was on the "Whomp That Sucker" album, which was recorded in Munich, Germany.
"Ode to Billie Joe" was performed by Bobbie Gentry, and released in 1967.
"Cool Places" was a Sparks and Jane Wiedlin collaboration.
"Always On My Mind" has been recorded by over 300 artists according to Allmusic, but originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972, the same year Elvis Presley did his top 10 version.

Answer: Under Pressure

"Once In a Lifetime" was recorded by the Talking Heads in 1980.

"Spread Your Wings" was done by Queen without Bowie from the "News of the World" album released in 1977.

"Rebel, Rebel" was done by Bowie without Queen. It is from the "Diamond Dogs" album released in 1974.

Answer: People Who Died

Jim Carroll achieved some notoriety from his book "The Basketball Diaries" which was made into a movie released in 1995. In the movie, the role of Carroll was played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Mark Wahlberg got good reviews for his supporting role in the movie.
An interesting side note, "People Who Died" was chosen by Steven Spielberg for the first scene with the kids (about eight minutes into the movie) in his blockbuster movie "E.T.-The Extraterrestrial".
"Waiting on a Friend" is by the Rolling Stones.
"Don't You Forget About Me" was done by the Simple Minds.
"Oliver's Army" was recorded by Elvis Costello.

Answer: Janitor

The Suburban Lawns were a popular club group in the L.A. punk scene during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were so popular that the Go-Gos were their OPENING act at Perkins Palace in Pasadena California in 1979.
An interesting note, "Janitor" lead singer Sue "Su Tissue" McLane played the role Peggy Dillman in the 1986 Jonathan Demme movie "Something Wild". Demme had directed the Suburban Lawns first video. It was for their song "Gidget Goes to Hell".