Songs With Numbers in the Title Quiz

Answer: The Dovells

Len Barry was born Leonard Borisoff and was more interested in sports than music, growing up. When he began singing with The Coast Guard Band he decided to pursue a singing career. Upon release from the service he returned to his native Philadelphia and joined the Dovells. He sang lead on their early sixties hits and the group was in the 1962 film "Don't Knock the Twist" singing "Do The New Continental".
His first release after leaving the group in 1964 was "Lyp Sync" which only reached Number 70. The following year "1-2-3" reached Number Two. "Like a Baby" and "Somewhere" made the Top Forty in 1966.
The Olympics made the 1963 Top Forty with "The Bounce". "Hot Pastrami" was an Instrumental hit in 1963 for The Dartells. "Rhythm of the Rain" by The Cascades made it to Number Three in 1963.

Answer: The Marvelettes

Gladys Horton sang lead for The Marvelettes on their US Number 17 hit single "Beechwood 4-5789". Marvin Gaye, William "Mickey" Stevenson and George Gordy wrote the song. Marvin Gaye also played drums.
In 1961 the group's first single, "Please Mr. Postman", topped the US charts. They followed the next year with their "Playboy" album which contained the US Number Seven single "Playboy" and "Beechwood 4-5789".
The Marvelettes began singing at Inkster High School in a suburb of Detroit as The Marvels. The Velvelettes signed with Motown in 1962 and recorded "There He Goes" and "That's the Reason Why". Martha and The Vandellas were the first Motown act to be nominated for a Grammy. The Supremes rivaled the Beatles on the charts in the early sixties.

Answer: Headhunters

Chris Kenner's version of "Land of 1000 Dances" failed to make an impression on the charts. His biggest hit was the 1961 "I Like It Like That" that was covered by The Dave Clark Five four years later.
When Cannibal and The Headhunters formed in 1964 in East Los Angeles they became one of the premier Mexican-American groups to have a national hit with "Land of 1000 Dances". When The Beatles did their second American tour Cannibal and The Headhunters opened for them backed by the King Curtis band.
Singer Frankie "Cannibal" Garcia forgot the lines, leading to the "Na na na" chorus.

Answer: 99

"99" was a single from Toto's second album, "Hydra". The song was inspired by the George Lucas film "THX 1138". "99" was the only Top Forty single from the "Hydra" LP. "I'll Supply the Love" and "Georgy Porgy" were less successful singles from the LP. Toto formed in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. Founding members David Paich and Jeff Porcaro had done session work together and wanted to form a band. Toto released their eponymous debut album in 1978. "Hold the Line" was a single release that reached Number Five in the US. Toto was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and embarked on a tour in support of the album.

Answer: Tulsa

Although Gene composed many of his hits, Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote "Twenty-Four Hours from Tulsa". It reached Number 17 for Gene in the US. In 1961 Gene first entered the US Top Forty with the Number 39 single "(I Wanna) Love My Life Away". He followed up with successful songs from films including "Town Without Pity" and "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance". The closest he came to topping the charts was with the Number Two "Only Love Can Break a Heart" in 1962.
Jay and the Americans recorded a version of "Twenty-Four Hours from Tulsa" on their 1963 "Cafe Wha?" album.
"Memphis" by Lonnie Mack was a 1963 Number Five Instrumental. Gene released "Mecca" the same year. George Hamilton IV took "Abilene" to Number 15 in 1963.

Answer: 1910 Fruitgum Company

In 1967 "Simon Says" by 1910 Fruitgum Company went to Number Four. The following year "1, 2, 3, Red Light" went to Number Five. In 1965 the band was formed as Jeckell and The Hydes by Frank Jeckell in New Jersey. After changing their name they signed with Buddah Records and began a string of hits while opening for bands such as The Beach Boys on tour. In 1969 "Indian Giver" became the band's final US Top Ten single.
The Lemon Pipers' Bubblegum hit was "Green Tambourine". The Ohio Express released "Yummy Yummy Yummy" and The Fifth Estate released "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" in 1967.

Answer: True

"19th Nervous Breakdown" peaked at Number Two behind Nancy's signature tune. In February, 1966, the Rolling Stones performed "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "As Tears Go By" and "19th Nervous Breakdown" on "The Ed Sullivan Show" (1948). "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was the first single by the group to reach the Number One spot in the US.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote "19th Nervous Breakdown" based on an idea by Jagger during their 1965 US tour and included on their 1965 "Aftermath" album.
Between 1961 and 1965 Nancy failed to have a single break the US Top Forty. In 1965 "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" shot to the top of the charts and began a string of successful singles for Nancy. She also enjoyed a film career from 1964 to 1968 including "Speedway" with Elvis in 1968.

Answer: Jeff Lynne

Roy Wood was the guitarist and vocalist of The Move. He wanted to organize a Rock group using orchestral instruments. Jeff Lynne was the frontman The Idle Race and shared Wood's vision. In 1970 they formed ELO and their first release was "10538 Overture", a song originally conceived for The Move. The following year their debut album, "The Electric Light Orchestra", was released but they didn't perform a concert until spring of 1972.
By the mid-eighties there were only three remaining members of ELO and Lynne began pursuing solo projects. In 1988 he began with The Traveling Wilburys and in 1990 he released a solo album titled "Armchair Theatre".
Don Van Vliet used the stage name Captain Beefheart. Justin Hayward and John Lodge are members of The Moody Blues.

Answer: Jenny

"867-5309/Jenny" was written by Alex Call and Jim Keller. Tommy Tutone recorded the song on their "Tommy Tutone 2" album. The single release reached Number Four on the US Pop charts in 1981. The song began a trend of people calling 867-5309 and asking for Jenny.
Tommy Tutone formed in Los Angeles with Tommy Heath on vocals and Jim Keller on guitar. In 1980 they broke the Top Forty with the Number 38 single "Angel Say No". The following year "867-5309/Jenny" became the band's highest charting single. They had various supporting members in the band.
John Cowsill of The Cowsills sang backing vocals and played percussion on "867-5309/Jenny".

Answer: Keith

Tony Powers and George Fischoff composed "98.6". Keith included the song on his 1966 "98.6/Ain't Gonna Lie". His first Top Forty came earlier in 1966 with the Number 39 "Ain't Gonna Lie". "98.6" remained on the charts for 14 weeks and earned a Gold Record.

His follow up album, "Out of Crank" was not successful and the only single release from the album was the Number 79 "Daylight Savin' Time". A switch from Mercury Records to RCA Records in 1969 didn't improve his success. In 1986 Keith established an independent recording studio producing local artists in Redondo Beach, California.

In the nineties he began working in television and played occasional live dates.