Whose Line Was It Anyway: US Groups of the '60s. Quiz

Answer: John Fred & His Playboy Band

John Fred & His Playboy Band sang "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)". It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for John Fred & His Playboy Band in 1968. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

The group first charted on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Shirley" as John Fred and the Playboys in 1959. "Shirley" peaked at number 82. Their third record to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 was "Hey Hey Bunny" which peaked at number 57 in 1968. That alas, was it chartwise for John Fred & His Playboy Band.

Answer: The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys sang "Then I Kissed Her". It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart for The Beach Boys in 1967. It was not released as a single in the USA.

The Beach Boys contained a songwriter on a par with Lennon & McCartney in the form of tortured genius Brian Wilson. He along with brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine formed The Beach Boys. There were other members of the group at different times: David Marks, Bruce Johnston and Ricky Fataar. In 1964 and 1965, Glen Campbell was a temporary replacement for Brian Wilson at Beach Boy concerts.

Answer: The Hondells

The Hondells sang "Little Honda". It peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Hondells in 1964. It did nor chart in the UK.

"Little Honda" was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love of The Beach Boys. It was on The Beach Boys' 1964 album "All Summer Long" and their 1964 EP "Four By The Beach Boys", which was a minor hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The Hondells did not exist as a group but were manufactured by musician, songwriter, and record producer Gary Usher. They had two minor hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964 and 1966 but never bothered the chart again.

Answer: The Byrds

The Byrds sang "Mr. Tambourine Man". It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Byrds in 1965. It was number one for two weeks on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Mr. Tambourine Man" was written by Bob Dylan and was the title track on The Byrds' first album "Mr. Tambourine Man" which peaked at number six on the Billboard album chart in 1965. The Byrds were Gene Clark (percussion), Mike Clarke (drums), David Crosby (guitar), Chris Hillman (bass) and James (later Roger) McGuinn (guitar). On reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart, The Byrds became the first American group to top the UK Chart since B. Bumble and The Stingers with "Nut Rocker" in 1962.

Answer: The Turtles

The Turtles sang "Elenore". It peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Turtles in 1968. It peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Elenore" was written by Howard Kaylan/Mark Volman/Al Nichol/Jim Pons/John Barbata, who were all members of The Turtles at one time or another. The group were formed in Westchester, Los Angeles, as The Crossfires in 1965. They changed their name to The Tyrtles, which became The Turtles. They had their first hit like The Byrds did with a Bob Dylan song when "It Ain't Me Babe" peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.

Answer: The McCoys

The McCoys sang "Hang On Sloopy". It was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 for The McCoys in 1965. It peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Hang On Sloopy" was written by Wes Farrell/Bert Berns. It was first recorded by The Vibrations as "My Girl Sloopy" and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 for them in 1964. The position was reversed with "Sorrow" the B-Side of The McCoys' only other Top Ten hit "Fever". "Sorrow" sung by The Merseys peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart in 1966 and sung by David Bowie "Sorrow" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1973. The line from "Sorrow", "With your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue" is used on The Beatles song "It's All Too Much" on their 1969 album "Yellow Submarine".

Answer: The Lovin' Spoonful

"Daydream" was sung by The Lovin' Spoonful. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Lovin' Spoonful in 1966. It also peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Daydream" was written by John Sebastian. The group at the time were Steve Boone (bass), Joe Butler (drums), John Sebastian (vocals) and Zal Yanovsky (guitar). If not for a dispute over song publishing rights, we may never have heard of The Monkees. The producers of what would later become "The Monkees" TV show initially planned to build the show around The Lovin' Spoonful. Somehow "Hey, hey, we're the Spoonful" doesn't sound right.

Answer: Tommy James And The Shondells

"Hanky Panky" was sung by Tommy James And The Shondells. It was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 for Tommy James and The Shondells in 1966. It peaked at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Hanky Panky" was written in 20 minutes by Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich in 1963, for the B-Side of "That Boy John" by The Raindrops. Jeff Barry thought it was a terrible song and it was only written as a B-Side. Between 1966 and 1980 Tommy James And The Shondells had 11 Top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, eight of which were Top Ten hits that included two number one hits, "Hanky Panky" (number one for two weeks in 1966) and "Crimson And Clover" (number one for two weeks in 1969.

Answer: The Monkees

The Monkees sang "Valleri". It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for The Monkees in 1968. It peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart the same year.

"Valleri" was written by Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart. On the original 1966 recording the instruments were played by the Candy Store Prophets, plus member of the Wrecking Crew Louie Shelton. The released version was recorded in 1967 and produced by the songwriters Tommy Boyce/BobbyHart in 1967. It was to be The Monkees' last US Top Ten hit. When their next single "D. W. Washburn" peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, the writing was on the wall. "The Monkees", Mickey Dolenz (drums, vocals), Davy Jones (vocals), Michael Nesmith (guitar, vocals) and Peter Tork (bass, vocals), TV show was cancelled in 1968.

Answer: Creedence Clearwater Revival

"Down On The Corner" was sung by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. It peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart in 1970.

"Down On The Corner" was written by John Fogerty. Creedence Clearwater Revival were Doug Clifford (drums), Stu Cook (bass, keyboards), John Fogerty (vocals, guitar) and Tom Fogerty (guitar). Between 1968 and 1971 they had 11 Top 20 hits which included nine Top Ten hits of which five, "Proud Mary", "Bad Moon Rising", "Green River", "Travellin' Band" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door" all peaked at number two. CCR never had a US number one hit but "Bad Moon Rising" was number one for three weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1969.