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The Late Great Billy Fury Trivia Quiz

Billy Fury was one of the major British Rock 'N' Roll stars of the late 50s and 60s. This is about his life and career

A multiple-choice quiz by Christinap. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Christinap

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
294,261

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
493

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Billy's real name? Hint

Ray Howard

Harry Webb

Ronald Wycherley

Colin Hicks

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Question 2 of 10

2. Billy's big hit "Halfway To Paradise" was a cover version. Which American singer made the original? Hint

Tony Orlando

Dean Martin

Frankie Laine

Johnny Preston

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Question 3 of 10

3. Billy was part of the Larry Parnes stable. Who, out of the following, was NOT also managed by Larry Parnes? Hint

Marty Wilde

Vince Eager

Dickie Pride

Terry Dene

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Question 4 of 10

4. All the songs on the album "The Sound of Fury" were written by Billy himself.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1962 Billy starred in a film, "Play It Cool". Which song from the film, apart from the title track, was a hit for him? Hint

A Wondrous Place

Jealousy

Once Upon A Dream

I Will

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Question 6 of 10

6. Due to ill health Billy stopped touring in 1967 and underwent major surgery.
What problem did he suffer from? Hint

Lung disease

Arthritis

Heart disease

Kidney failure

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Question 7 of 10

7. In 1973 Billy came out of retirement to play which character in the film
"That'll Be The Day"? Hint

Tommy Tornado

Memphis Hurricane

Storm Tempest

Johnny Typhoon

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Question 8 of 10

8. At one stage Billy was backed by The Blue Flames. When he sacked them and auditioned for a new backing group, who failed to get the job? Hint

The Beatles

The Moody Blues

The Swinging Blue Jeans

The Shadows

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Question 9 of 10

9. Where is there a statue of Billy Fury sculpted by Tom Murphy? Hint

The Cavern Club

Outside Dingle Post Office

Outside Liverpool Town Hall

Albert Dock, Liverpool

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Question 10 of 10

10. When did Billy Fury die? Hint

30th January 1982

27th January 1982

28th January 1983

29th January 1983

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Billy's real name?

Answer: Ronald Wycherley

Billy was born Ronald Wycherly on 17 April 1940 at Smithdown (now Sefton General) Hospital, Dingle, Liverpool.

The three incorrect people are Cliff Richard (Harry Webb), Tommy Steele (Colin Hicks) and Duffy Power (Ray Howard).

2. Billy's big hit "Halfway To Paradise" was a cover version. Which American singer made the original?

Answer: Tony Orlando

Billy's version used a slightly different arrangement which had a heavy back beat giving extra emphasis and drama to the song.

3. Billy was part of the Larry Parnes stable. Who, out of the following, was NOT also managed by Larry Parnes?

Answer: Terry Dene

Larry Parnes liked to use strong action type names for his artists, hence Wilde, Pride, Eager, Fury.

He signed Billy in 1959 when Billy went to a gig in Birkenhead hoping to interest Marty Wilde in some songs he had written. Larry Parnes heard him sing and play and put him on stage that very same night. He was such a success Larry Parnes added him to the tour and christened him Billy Fury.

4. All the songs on the album "The Sound of Fury" were written by Billy himself.

Answer: True

Released in 1960, this is generally accepted to be one of the best Rockabilly albums of all time. If you are lucky enough to still have a copy of the 10" original it is now a collectors item.

5. In 1962 Billy starred in a film, "Play It Cool". Which song from the film, apart from the title track, was a hit for him?

Answer: Once Upon A Dream

The film was fairly typical of the vehicles used in the 60s for pop stars such as Elvis, Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele.

It did however feature performances by Helen Shapiro, Danny Rivers, Shane Fenton - who later became Alvin Stardust - and Bobby Vee.

All of the other songs were big hits for Billy; in fact he recorded "A Wondrous Place" no less than four times and it was used in an advertisement for the Toyota Yarris.

6. Due to ill health Billy stopped touring in 1967 and underwent major surgery. What problem did he suffer from?

Answer: Heart disease

Billy suffered from heart problems since his teens, brought on by contracting Rheumatic Fever.

7. In 1973 Billy came out of retirement to play which character in the film "That'll Be The Day"?

Answer: Storm Tempest

To the best of my knowledge no performer by any of the other three names exists; I made them up.

The film starred David Essex and Ringo Starr and was roughly based on the early life of the Beatles. Ringo Starr came from the same area of Dingle as Billy and played drums for a local group called Roy Storm and The Hurricanes, and it is thought that the Stormy Tempest group were modelled on them.

8. At one stage Billy was backed by The Blue Flames. When he sacked them and auditioned for a new backing group, who failed to get the job?

Answer: The Beatles

At that time The Beatles were The Silver Beatles. They were offered the job for �20 a week on condition they sacked guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe, which John Lennon refused to do.

The Tornados became his backing group and stayed with him for many years, as well as having hits of their own, such as "Telstar".

9. Where is there a statue of Billy Fury sculpted by Tom Murphy?

Answer: Albert Dock, Liverpool

The statue was erected in 2003, and was donated to National Museums, Liverpool by "The Sound of Fury" fan club.

10. When did Billy Fury die?

Answer: 28th January 1983

Billy finally succumbed to the heart problems that dogged him for most of his life. He is buried in Paddington District Cemetery, Mill Hill, London. His music lives on through tribute acts and through his friends and fellow performers such as Marty Wilde who have never forgotten him.

Source: Author Christinap

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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