The Better Half Immortalized Quiz

Answer: Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, the seventh of nine children to Joseph and Katherine Jackson. He began his musical career in 1963 at age 5 and went on to a solo career in 1979. As lead singer of the Jackson 5, his hits included "Ben" (about a rat), "I'll be There", and "Got to be There". His solo career has included the album "Thriller" ( best-selling album of all time, 50 million copies), 13 Grammy Awards, 13 Number-one singles on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, and the title Best-selling Male Solo Artist of the Millennium. "Billie Jean" is from the album "Thriller" (1982). Michael Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

(First lyrics: "She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene. I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one").

Answer: The Beatles

What can I say about the Beatles that isn't already known? The song was recorded in 1965 but was never released as a single. "Michelle" was composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

(First Lyrics: Michelle, ma belle, these are words that go together well, my Michelle).

Answer: Simon and Garfunkel

Paul Simon and Arthur " Art " Garfunkel rose to prominence in the mid sixties with hits such as "Sounds of Silence" (1965), "Homeward Bound" (1966), "Feelin' Groovy" (1967), and "Scarborough Fair" (1967). The late sixties-early seventies saw their greatest output namely "Mrs. Robinson" (1968), "The Boxer" (1969), "Bridge over Troubled Water" (1970), and America (1972). Although Simon and Garfunkel officially split up in 1970, their most notable reunion occurred on September 19, 1981, in New York's Central Park to a massive open air audience of approximately half a million people. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Although Ernie had a hit with "Rubber Ducky", I can find no evidence that either him or Bert sang the song in question. Cecilia was composed by Paul Simon.

(First Lyrics: Celia, you're breaking my heart, you're shaking my confidence daily).

(In my opinion, Art Garfunkel has one of the best voices).

Answer: Barry Manilow

Barry Alan Pincus a.k.a. Barry Manilow, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 17, 1943. Musically, He hit his stride in the mid - seventies with hits such as "Mandy" (1974), "Could it be magic?" (1975) , "Weekend in New England" (1976), and "Copacabana" (1978). Barry Manilow continues to release new albums and re-recordings of his older classics. I am glad to see that he "made it through the rain".

(First Lyrics: I remember all my life, raining down as cold as ice).

Answer: (A loaf of) Bread

In the early seventies, the soft - rock group Bread was responsible for some of the most poignant and gentle music to hit the airwaves. Their ballads include "Make it with You" (1970), "If" (1971), "Diary" (1972), "Guitar Man" (1973), and "Aubrey" (1973). The group was comprised of James Griffin, Rob Royer, Jim Gordon, Mike Botts, Larry Knechtel (replacing Royer in 1972), and David Gates (lead vocals and primary song composer of the group). Bread disbanded in 1973, but they temporarily regrouped in 1977 to record the album "Lost without Your Love". "Aubrey" was composed by David Gates.

(First Lyrics: And Aubrey was her name, a not so very ordinary girl or name, but who's to blame. For a love that wouldn't bloom, for the hearts that never played in tune).

Answer: Kiss

The heavy metal band Kiss was founded in 1973 in New York City by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Through the years they have remained as the only original members of the four man group. Currently, the other two are Tommy Thayer (lead guitar) and Eric Singer (drums). "Beth" was composed by Peter Criss, Bob Ezrin, and Stanley Penridge.

(First Lyrics: Beth, I hear you calling, but I can't come home right now. Me and the boys are playing, and we just can't find the sound).

Answer: Tom Jones

Thomas John Woodward a.k.a. Tom Jones, was born in Pontypridd, Wales, on June 7, 1940. A high school dropout, he worked at odd jobs such as a vacuum cleaner salesman and a common labourer. He rose to prominence in the mid sixties and his stage performances became legendary. At any given time during his performance, women in the audience would throw their panties at him, whereupon he would wipe his brow or chest with the undergarment and toss it back into the screaming crowd. Needless to say, the women went wild. Nowadays, Tom performs in Las Vegas, where the women now throw hotel room keys (!) instead of panties. In addition to "Delilah", his hits include "She's a Lady", "Green Green Grass of Home", "It's not Unusual", and "What's New Pussycat." Tom Jones was awarded a Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth in the 2006 New Year s Honour List, making him officially Sir Thomas John Woodward , O.B.E.. "Delilah" was composed by Les Reed and Barry Mason.

(First Lyrics: I saw the light on the night that I passed by her window).

Answer: Gilbert O ' Sullivan

Raymond Edward O'Sullivan a.k.a. Gilbert O'Sullivan, was born in Waterford, Ireland on December 1, 1946. He is best remembered for his 1971 Billboard #1 hit "Alone Again, Naturally". He is married with two children and lives in Jersey, U.K..

(First Lyrics: Clair, the moment I met you I swear, I felt as if something, somewhere, had happened to me, which I couldn't see).

Answer: America

The three original members of America met and teamed up in England in the late 60's. All three were sons of U.S. Air Force Servicemen who were stationed overseas at the time. They are Gerry Beckley (born Forth Worth, Texas, on September 12, 1952), Dewey Bunnell (born Yorkshire, England, on January 19, 1952) and Dan Peek (born Panama City, Florida, on November 1, 1950). Some of their biggest hits include "Horse with No Name", "Ventura Highway", "Lonely People", and "Sister Golden Hair". "Daisy Jane" was composed by Gerry Beckley.

(First Lyrics: Flying me back to Memphis, got to find my Daisy Jane. 'Cause the summer's gone and I hope she's .. feeling the same).

Answer: Johnny Mathis

John Royce Mathis was born in Gilmer, Texas, on September 30, 1935. In addition to being a talented singer, Mathis excelled at sports in college. He reached a crossroads in his career in the mid fifties when he had to choose whether to attend Olympic Trials (invited) or to keep an appointment to record songs for Columbia Records. He chose the latter and has not looked back since then. Among his fans' perennial favourites are "Misty", "Gina," "Chances Are", and "The Theme from Romeo and Juliet (A Time for Us)". "Gina" debuted in 1962 and was composed by Paul Vance and Leon Carr.

(First Lyrics: Gina, Gina, I kissed you once and then, it felt so wonderful, so very wonderful, let's do it over...again).

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Special dedications to Rebecca, Susan, and Tanya.

( Thank you for playing my second quiz creation )