UK Number 1s - 1960 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Starry Eyed

I suppose that the first number one was 'What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes At Me For' by Emile Ford and the Checkmates but as that was a number one from December 1959 it was not the first song to reach the ultimate spot.

'Starry Eyed' was Michael Holliday's second and final number one in the UK (the other one being 'The Story of my Life' which hit the top spot in 1958)

*Useless information* Michael Holliday was paid £2000 to sing 'Four Feather Falls', the theme tune to a 'Gerry Anderson' puppet-based television programme of the same name.

Answer: dustman

How can you describe 'skiffle'? Homemade musical instruments including the 'tea chest double bass', 'musical saws', and NO skiffle band was complete without the 'washboard'.
'My Old Man's a Dustman' was Lonnie Donegan's third number one hit in the UK.

*Useless information* Lonnie Donegan had 24 successive top 30 hits in the UK making him the most successful artist before The Beatles. He was also the FIRST UK male recording artist to have two top ten hits in the US.

Answer: Heaven

'Three Steps to Heaven' became a posthumous number one for Eddie Cochran following his death in a car accident whilst touring in the UK.

*Useless information* Gene Vincent survived the car accident that killed Eddie Cochran.
A police cadet named Dave Dee is rumoured to have learned to play using Eddie Cochran's Gretsch guitar which was impounded by the police after the accident. - He went on to become one of the founding members of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.
Eddie's guitar was carried to his car, during the tour, by a fan who became Marc Bolan of T.Rex fame. He also died in a car crash when his car hit an oak tree.

Answer: Pirates

There's not really a lot can be said about Johnny Kidd and the Pirates,they began recording in 1959 and 'Shakin' All Over' is one of their best known songs.

*Useless information* Chad Allan and the Expressions were a Canadian group who released a cover version of 'Shakin' All Over' in 1965. Due to the British Invasion, the Canadian record company had concerns regarding the chances of a Canadian group becoming a success in the US, so the record was released in the US on a white label with the artist listed as Guess Who. Chad Allan and the Expressions changed the name of the band and thus was born one of the great Canadian rock bands.

Answer: Ricky Valance

Ricky Valance released his cover version of Ray Petersons 'Tell Laura I Love Her' after Peterson's record company decided not to release the single in the UK. This was Ricky Valance's only UK number one hit.

*Useless information* Ricky Valance was the first Welshman to reach number one in the UK. Shirley Bassey was the first Welsh person to reach the top spot.

Answer: It's Now or Never

'It's Now or Never' was Elvis Presley's only UK number one in 1960.

Answer: Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison reached the magical UK number one spot with 'Only the Lonely' in October of 1960. This was his first number one record in the UK.

*Useless information* Roy Orbison died suddenly of a heart attack in December 1988 - His last album 'Mystery Girl' was released posthumously by his record company in 1989 reaching number five in the US. At the same time the 'Traveling Wilbury's Vol.1' was at number three in the US and so Roy Orbison became only the second person to have two albums in the US top five simultaneously and posthumously (Elvis Presley being the first - these two were joined by Michael Jackson in this feat in 2009). Not something I would wish to be recognised for!

Answer: True

Cliff and the Shadows reached number one with 'Please Don't Tease' on 28th July 1960 and remained there for one week. The next week, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates took the top spot, only to be deposed a week later by 'Please Don't Tease', thus becoming the only UK single in 1960 to reach number one twice.

*Useless information* (and a great 'Pub Quiz' question) Contrary to popular belief, Cliff Richard's first hit records were not recorded with The Shadows. 'Move It', 'Living Doll'(his first number one) and 'High Class Baby' along with four other top 40 hits were credited to Cliff Richard and The Drifters. After a line-up and name change, The Drifters became The Shadows in 1959 with their first hit being 'Traveling' Light' being released in October 1959.

Answer: Apache

With a total of 69 UK charted singles (34 with Cliff Richard and 35 as an instrumental band), The Shadows are one of Britain's most successful instrumental groups.

*Useless information* The Shadows are, according to 'British Hit Singles & Albums (19th edition)', the third most successful UK charted hit-singles act, behind Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard.

Answer: I Love You

Not a lot to say about this record. This was the first Christmas single of the 1960s, and Cliff Richard's second number one of the year.
This track was written by Bruce Welch, the rhythm guitarist for The Shadows.