Under the Boardwalk Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Drifters

The Drifters were a 'doo-wop' singing group formed in New York City in 1953. The "classic" Drifters were started by Clyde McPhatter, with a second group known as "Ben E. King and the Drifters". You couldn't turn on a radio in that era without hearing a Drifters' song: "Up on the Roof", "This Magic Moment", "Save the Last Dance for Me", "On Broadway", "Spanish Harlem" and so many more.

Unfortunately, McPhatter had a heart attack and died in 1972; he was 39.

Answer: 16 Candles

Another 'doo-wop' group started in NYC in the 1950s (i.e., 1956) was called The Crests, founded by J.T. Carter. It was one of the most successful integrated groups of the time and besides "16 Candles", which later became the name of a John Hughes film, they sang "My Special Angel" and "The Way You Look Tonight" with Johnny Maestro.

Answer: Jackie Wilson

The original line-up of the Beach Boys included Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. The Beach Boys were a California based group formed in 1961. They were at the forefront of the "California Sound" which consisted of vocal harmonies, and catered to the youth culture with lyrics about cars and surfing and love. Jackie Wilson was a soul singer and sole performer (in 1957) nicknamed "Mr. Excitement"; among his great hits were "Lonely Teardrops" from 1958 and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" in 1967.

He collapsed on stage in 1975, became comatose and died in 1984 at age 49.

Answer: The Shangri-Las

And let's not forget the 'girl' groups, like the ones mentioned in the choices above. Originating in New York City in 1963, the members of the Shangri-Las hit the charts in the mid-1960s with lyrics about teen melodramas like "The Leader of the Pack" ("and now he's gone").

They were also successful with the song "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" which featured an unknown session musician by the name of Billy Joel.

Answer: The Association

Another band from California was the folk rock/soft rock band, the Association, originating in 1965. Aside from the songs mentioned above, they had hits with "Along Comes Mary" in 1966 and, one of my personal favorites, "Never My Love" released in 1967. They were also the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival.

Answer: The O'Kaysions

O.K., so I threw in a 'toughie"...did you get it? The O'Kaysions were a 'blue-eyed soul' group from North Carolina; they were originally formed in 1959 as The Kays. "Girl Watcher" received 'gold record' status in December 1968. The song was their only major hit and, in 1987, it was reworked to promote the game show "Wheel of Fortune", under the title "I'm A Wheel Watcher".

Answer: Jefferson Airplane

The rock band Jefferson Airplane was formed in San Francisco in 1965 and included Grace Slick, Jack Casady, Marty Balin, Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kantner and Spencer Dryden. They played 'psychedelic' rock with songs like "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love", both in 1967/ In 1974 they turned into Jefferson Starship, where they "Built this City" (1985).

As for the other choices, all girl bands: The Crystals charted with "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "He's A Rebel"; The Dixie Cups were going to the "Chapel of Love"; The Chantels hit 'doo wop' gold with the song "Maybe", released in 1958.

Answer: AC/DC

Back to the 1970s with AC/DC, an Australian hard rock band formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. They performed with a new 'heavy metal' sound and their first album, "High Voltage", was released in 1975. Shortly after "Highway to Hell" was published, their lead singer and co-songwriter, Bon Scott died.

The group thought of disbanding (no pun intended) but, in 1980, they put out their new album, "Back in Black", which was created as a tribute to Scott.

Answer: Rumours

Fleetwood Mac was a blues band formed in London, England in 1967; they are one of the best-selling bands of all time (with over 100 million records sold). The band has a long, strange history but drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie have been there the entire time.

The other longest running version of the band includes Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks; it is these who are responsible for the albums "Fleetwood Mac" (1975) and "Rumours", released in 1977. "Rumours" is the band's most successful album, winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978.

Answer: Blues Image

Blues Image was an American rock band formed in 1966. Unlike the other answers, this group was basically a 'one hit wonder' with "Ride Captain Ride", from their April 1970 album "Open". It was co-written by group members Mike Pinera and Frank Konte, and hit #4 on the US and Canadian charts; it was their only Top 40 hit.

The song was covered by Blood, Sweat and Tears on their album "New City" in 1975, and could be heard in the films "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" (2004) and "Diggers" (2006).