Vienna. The Life and Music of Midge Ure Quiz

Answer: James

It is strange how nicknames are created, and Ure's nickname certainly bears that out. The shortened version of James is Jim, which when written backwards becomes "mij", pronounced midge, hence Midge Ure.

Answer: Alfie

"Alfie" (1966) was written by Bacharach and David for the movie "Alfie" of the same year, which starred Michael Caine. The song was a top ten UK hit for Cilla Black in 1966 and in USA, Cher took it to number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the same year, while Dionne Warwick climbed to number 15 on US Billboard Hot 100 in 1967.

Answer: Slik

"Forever And Ever" was Slik's only top 20 hit, as their only other chart success came with "Requiem" in the same year which only reached number 24. In 1977, Slik changed their name to PVC2 and started writing punk style songs, with new bass player Russell Webb who would go on to play with John Lydon in Public Image Ltd.

Answer: Sex Pistols

Much like Slik, The Rich Kids were short lived, releasing only one album, "Ghosts of Princes in Towers" in 1978. The band did provide the platform for greater success for both Ure and Matlock who went on to record with Iggy Pop. Mick Jones was also an original member of the band who left to join The Clash, before eventually forming Big Audio Dynamite.

Answer: Fade To Grey

"Fade To Grey" went to number eight in UK charts as well as hitting the top ten in charts around the world. The song also had a big influence on U2 bass player Adam Clayton, who has recounted the tale of him attempting to learn the bass line to "Fade To Grey" and coming up with the bass line to "New Year's Day" which became U2's first UK top ten hit.

Answer: Thin Lizzy

After Moore quit mid tour, Ure stepped in as guitarist. By the time the tour reached Japan, Lynott had hired Snowy White as a replacement for Moore, so Ure switched to keyboards for the remainder of the tour.

Answer: Joe Dolce

Although all four possible answers had huge hits in 1981, with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Ennio Morricone reaching number two and Shakin' Stevens reaching number one, it was the novelty hit "Shaddup You Face" (1981) that kept Midge and Ultravox off the top spot for three weeks.

In the year end charts however, "Vienna" was the eighth best selling single, whereas "Shaddup You Face" could only manage number 15.

Answer: Bob Geldof

"Do They Know It's Christmas" was written in response to the UK government's lack of response to the famine in Ethiopia and in the first week of sales sold over a million copies, becoming the fastest selling single in UK chart history. Geldof and Ure hoped that the star studded ensemble on the record would raise in the region of £70,000 for Ethiopia but that hope was far surpassed when it raised over £8 million in just one year.

It has been re-released many times since and has become one of the all time great Christmas records.

Answer: If I Was

"If I Was" was a love song about what Ure would do for his love if he were a soldier, or sailor, or poet. The album the track was taken from, "The Gift" (1985) also contained a cover of the Jethro Tull track, "Living In The Past" and reached number two on the UK album charts.

Answer: Dancing With Tears in My Eyes

"Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" was a number three hit for the band and the biggest hit they had had after "Vienna". Ultravox took the stage early at Live Aid, starting at 1:15 in the afternoon, between Adam Ant and Spandau Ballet.