Stellar Songs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Edwin Starr

Charles Edwin Hatcher was born in Nashville. In 1957 he formed a doo-wop group called The Future Tones. Taking the name Edwin Starr, he moved to Detroit and recorded for the minor Ric-Tic label. After Motown absorbed the label, Starr became part of their roster. "War" was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown artists The Temptations in 1969.

After Motown began receiving requests to release "War" as a single, Whitfield recorded the song with Edwin Starr as the singer. Starr had little studio time and the vocals were reportedly done in one take.

The label was concerned that the song may be too controversial for the Temptations. Starr's version of "War" went to number one in 1970. It became one of the most recognized protest songs ever recorded. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band took their version to the Top 10 in 1986. Starr moved to England in 1973 where he maintained his recording career.

He passed away at age 61. Atlantic Starr recorded "Masterpiece". Lonestar did "Amazed" in 1999 and Starship had several hits including "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now".

Answer: Photographs and Memories

"Photographs and Memories" is a single by Jim Croce. ABC Records released a compilation album of Croce's hits also titled "Photographs and Memories" after Jim's 1973 death. Ringo Starr's cover of Hoyt Axton and David Jackson's "No No Song" is from his 1974 album "Goodnight Vienna".

It peaked at number three hit on the US charts. "You're Sixteen" originally reached number eight in December, 1960, by Johnny Burnette. Ringo revived it and it became a hit solo release. Paul McCartney played the kazoo solo on Ringo's 1974 version and Harry Nilsson sang backing vocals.

The song is on Ringo's self-titled album. "It Don't Come Easy" was released on Apple Records as a single by Ringo in April, 1971. It reached number four on the US singles charts.

It was Starr's second US hit. "Photograph" is a George Harrison/Richard Starkey composition that became another hit for Ringo.

Answer: The Elegants

"Little Star" was originally recorded by The Elegants. Group members Vito Picone and Arthur Venosa co-wrote the lyrics. The music was loosely adapted from the classic "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." When the song was released as a single in 1958 it topped the Billboard Hot 100.

It was the only song that The Elegants ever charted. The band received little air play on their follow up recordings. "Little Star" remains a timeless example of doo wop music. Other artists to record this song include Randy and the Rainbows, The Slades, Vera Lynn and Bobby Vee. Dion also did a version and had a number 30 record with "When You Wish Upon A Star". "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" was done by The Spaniels.

Answer: Rose Royce

"Wishing on a Star" is a single by Rose Royce for Whitfield Records from their 1978 second album, "Rose Royce II: In Full Bloom". "Wishing on a Star" was written by Billie Rae Calvin. Billie Rae was formerly with the band The Undisputed Truth. The Rose Royce version of "Wishing on a Star" was not a big hit when it was first released.

It peaked at number 52 on the R&B charts. The Cover Girls' 1992 version reached number nine on Billboard's Hot 100. Beyonce Knowles recorded the song on a concert DVD and for the 2005 feature film "Roll Bounce".

Her version was nominated for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" in 2006. Paul Weller's single release from his 2004 album "Studio 150" reached number 11.

Answer: The Fifth Dimension

The five original members of the Fifth Dimension were Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore and Ron Townson. They had huge hits with "Up, Up and Away" and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In". Marilyn McCoo was an ex-beauty pageant winner and Billy Davis, Jr. started singing in gospel choirs at an early age.

He owned a cocktail lounge in St. Louis before being asked to join the band. Their demo tape was rejected by Motown so they connected with Johnny Rivers, who had just started his own label called Soul City Records.

Their first Soul City single was a flop, but a cover of the Mamas and the Papas' song, "Go Where You Wanna Go", climbed into the Top Twenty. The First Edition later became Kenny Rogers and The First Edition.

They formed in 1967, signed with Reprise Records and recorded the psychedelic "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)". In 1969 they hit the charts again with "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town". Spanky and Our Gang is a sixties band led by Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane.

Their breakout hit was "Sunday Will Never be the Same". The New Edition with Bobby Brown came much later.

Answer: Shooting Star

"Shooting Star" is a song by Bad Company. It was originally released on their album "Straight Shooter" and completes the first side of the album. "Shooting Star" can also be found on their "The Original Bad Company Anthology" and "10 from 6" compilation albums. Tesla covered the song on their "Real to Reel" album. Bon Jovi members Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora have done acoustic versions during concerts. "Shining Star" is an Earth, Wind and Fire release. "Flaming Star" is the title of an Elvis Presley movie and record. "All Star" is a 1999 Smash Mouth recording. Elton John also did a different song titled "Shooting Star" on the "A Single Man" album.

Answer: The Byrds

"So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" was done by the Byrds and features Roger McGuinn's signature 12-string electric guitar riffs. McGuinn wrote the song with fellow Byrds member Chris Hillman. It first appeared on their their 1967 album, "Younger Than Yesterday". "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" features a horn part played by South African musician Hugh Masekela.

The song was done in concert by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during their "Southern Accents" tour. Buffalo Springfield had a hit during the same era with "For What It's Worth". David Crosby left the Byrds to form Crosby, Stills and Nash, who recorded a song titled "Dark Star".

Their first major gig was at Woodstock. The Lovin' Spoonful had several number two hits, then hit the number one spot in 1966 with "Summer in the City".

Answer: Deep Purple

"Highway Star" is from Deep Purple's sixth studio album, "Machine Head". The song features very tight organ and guitar solos by Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore. "Machine Head" was recorded at the Grand Hotel in Switzerland at the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio and released in March, 1972.

Their classic hit "Smoke on the Water" is from the same album. Molly Hatchet formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1974. They had a hit with "Flirtin' with Disaster" from the album of the same title. The band took its name from a legendary Southern prostitute who supposedly decapitated her clients. Uriah Heep formed in 1969.

Their highest charting US single was "Easy Living". Grand Funk formed in 1969 and had several hits including "We're an American Band".

Answer: Superstar

"Superstar" was written by Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett and Leon Russell in 1969. It was recorded by both Bette Midler and Delaney and Bonnie before Richard Carpenter heard Bette sing it on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". He promptly did an arrangement of the song for The Carpenters to record.

His rendition is on the album "Carpenters", released in 1971. It was also released as a single the same year. It rose to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart and earned a gold record. Richard Carpenter was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist. "You're the Star" was done by Rod Stewart. "Movie Star" is a recording by Harpo and "Lucky Star" is by Madonna.

Answer: Sly and the Family Stone

"Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" is backed with the hit "Everybody is a Star" by Sly and the Family Stone. As a result of the success of their hit, "Stand!", Sly & the Family Stone secured a slot at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival. The year 1969 saw the band chart several hits such as "I Want to Take You Higher", "Hot Fun in the Summertime", "Fun", "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" and "Everybody is a Star".

After a brief hiatus from the charts Sly & the Family Stone released "Family Affair".

It is the lead single from the band's fifth album, "There's a Riot Goin' On". Sly & the Family Stone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Tears for Fears recorded "New Star". "Waiting for a Star to Fall" is by Boy Meets Girl and David Essex recorded "Gonna Make You A Star".