Women On Top: '60s Number One Hits USA Quiz

Answer: Everybody's Somebody's Fool

"Everybody's Somebody's Fool" written by Howard Greenfield/Jack Keller, gave Connie Francis a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. It reached number five on the UK singles chart the same year.

Connie Francis was born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey, USA, in 1938. She had released nine singles in the '50s which had all flopped. A duet with Marvin Rainwater "The Majesty Of Love" reached number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957. MGM were not going to renew her recording contract after what was going to be her last recording for them. That recording turned out to be a song written by Bert Kalmar/Harry Ruby in 1923, "Who's Sorry Now". It reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and was number one for six weeks on the UK singles chart in 1958.

When "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" hit the top on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 it became the first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 by a solo female singer since "Tammy" by actress Debbie Reynolds in 1957. Between 1957 and 1963 Connie Francis had 22 Billboard Top 20 hits which included 16 Top Ten hits and three number one hits. She was the number one female Pop music vocalist from the late '50s to the mid-'60s. After 1963 she did not have any more Top 20 hits but continued to have hits on the Billboard Hot 100 until 1969.

Her recording contract with MGM ran out in 1969 but she did not renew it or sign with another label and lived in semi-retirement for the next few years. In 1973 she recorded an answer song to "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree" by Dawn, "(Should I) Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree?" which "bubbled under" at 104. She began performing again but while appearing at the Westbury Music Fair in New York in 1974 and staying at the Jericho Turnpike Howard Johnson's Lodge she was raped and nearly suffocated. She later sued the motel chain for failing to provide adequate security and reportedly won a $2.5 million judgment. Her rapist was never found.

Answer: I'm Sorry

"I'm Sorry" written by Dub Albritten/Ronnie Self, gave Brenda Lee a number one hit for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. It reached number 12 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Brenda Lee was born Brenda Mae Tarpley in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in 1944. Standing 4 ft 9 ins and after recording "Dynamite" in 1957 she was given the nickname "Little Miss Dynamite". "I'm Sorry" was her first number one hit and earned a Gold Disc. Between 1960 and 1963 she had 12 Billboard Top Ten hits which included two number one hits.

"I'm Sorry" has sold in excess of 15,000,000 copies world wide. "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" written by Johnny Marks and featuring Hank Garland on guitar and Boots Randolph on saxophone has sold over 5,000,000 copies. Brenda Lee recorded it in 1958 when she was 13 years old. It reached the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 (peaking at number 14), 1961 and 1962.

When the Pop hits dried up, she started to have the first of many hits on the Billboard Country chart. She had seven Top Ten hits between 1973 and 1979. In 1982 the album "The Winning Hand" with Brenda Lee, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton reached number four on the Billboard Country album chart. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

Answer: Angel

"Johnny Angel" written by Lyn Duddy/Lee Pockriss, gave Shelley Fabares a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. It reached number 41 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Shelley Fabares was born Michele Ann Marie Fabares in Santa Monica, California, USA, in 1944. She starred in "The Donna Reed Show" which ran on US TV from 1958 to 1966. She sang "Johnny Angel" on the show, it sold over 1,000,000 copies and won a Gold Disc. Although she had three other hits this was her only Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. She appeared in numerous TV shows and movies including three movies with Elvis Presley, "Girl Happy" (1965), "Spinout" (1966) and "Clambake" (1967).

Answer: Goffin/King

"The Loco-Motion" written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King, gave Little Eva a number one hit for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. It reached number two on the UK singles chart the same year.

Little Eva was born Eva Narcissus Boyd in Kinston, North Carolina, USA, in 1943. Prolific songwriting husband and wife team Gerry Goffin and Carole King had their then nanny/babysitter Eva record "The Loco-Motion" as a demo. It was intended for singer Dee Dee Sharp but when record producer Don Kirshner of Dimension Records heard the demo he had it released. It sold over 1,000,000 copies and earned a Gold Disc.

The persistent rumour is that she was only earning $50 per week from her recordings (and that was an increase from what she earned as the nanny/babysitter for Goffin and King). Penniless, she left the music industry in 1971 and moved her family to South Carolina were she lived on welfare. She did make a comeback on the oldies circuit after Kylie Minogue had a hit with a cover version of "The Loco-Motion" in 1988. Little Eva died of cervical cancer in 2003 aged 59.

Answer: March

I Will Follow Him" written by Arthur Altman/Norman Gimble/J. W. Stole/Del Roma/Jacques Plante, gave Little Peggy March a number one hit for three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. It did not chart in the UK.

Little Peggy March was born Margaret Annemarie Battavio in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1944. She got her stage name from record producers Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti. They produced her first record "Little Me" when she was 13 years old and 4 ft 9 ins and her birthday was in March. When "I Will Follow Him" reached number one in April 1963 she became the youngest female singer to have a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 at the age of 15. She had four more minor chart hits in 1963/64 and in 1966 it was discovered that her manager Russell Smith had misappropriated her money which left her with only $500.

Answer: Judy

"It's My Party" written by Walter Gold/John Gluck Jr./Herb Weiner, gave Lesley Gore a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. It reached number nine on the UK singles chart the same year.

Lesley Gore was born Lesley Sue Goldstein in New York City, New York, USA, in 1946. Another singer starting young, she was 16 years old and still at school when she recorded "It's My Party". Between 1963 and 1965 she had seven Top 20 hits which included four Top Five hits but only one of them reached number one. All of them were produced by one of the most famous music producers of all time, Quincy Jones. In the UK she only had one other Top 20 hit when "Maybe I Know" reached number 20 in 1964.

Like a lot of other singers at the time, the British invasion happened and careers were cut short if not ended all together. She returned to the Billboard Top 20 when "California Nights" reached number 16 in 1967. She later wrote songs for the 1980 movie "Fame" including "Out Here On My Own" written with her brother Michael. It reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Irene Cara in 1980 and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1999 she appeared in the musical "Smokey Joe's Cafe" on Broadway.

Answer: The Singing Nun

"Dominique" written by Soeur Sourire (Sister Smile) gave The Singing Nun a number one hit for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. It reached number seven on the UK singles chart the same year.

The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire) was born Jeanne-Paule-Marie Deckers in Brussels, Belgium, in 1933. She was a member of the Missionary Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Fichermont, in Waterloo when she wrote and recorded "Dominique". She became an overnight sensation and appeared on the "Ed Sullivan" show in 1964 but it was downhill after that. A movie called "The Singing Nun" starring Debbie Reynolds was released in 1966 which she rejected as fiction. Her second album "Her Joys, Her Songs" disappeared without trace. Her earnings went to her producer, Philips Records and her religious order.

She left the convent in 1967 to pursue her musical career but the Dominican sisters owned the right to the name Soeur Sourire and would not give her permission to use it. By the '70s the Belgian government was after her for unpaid taxes, her former religious order who had benefited from her royalties claimed they had no responsibility for her or her tax debt. In 1985 at the age of 51 she and her long time companion Annie Pecher committed suicide citing their financial troubles in a suicide note.

Answer: Mary Wells

"My Guy" written by Smokey Robinson gave Mary Wells a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. It reached number five on the UK singles chart the same year.

Mary Wells was born Mary Esther Wells in Detroit, Michigan, USA, in 1943. Hers is another sad story of disputes, financial troubles and illness. In 1960 she went to see Tamla Records founder Berry Gordy with a song she wrote for Jackie Wilson. She ended up recording it and had a number 45 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Bye Bye Baby" in 1961. Over the next two years she had three Top Ten hits. In 1964 she recorded the Smokey Robinson song "My Guy" and her career went international. The Beatles stated that she was their favourite American singer and invited her to appear on their UK tour.

Problems started with Gordy over her original contract and she was not pleased that money made from the sales of "My Guy" was being used to promote The Supremes. It went to court, she won and signed with 20th Century Fox Records. She only had five minor hits with them and left the same year. She had a similar lack of success at Atco, Jubilee and Reprise records during the '60s. In 1972 "My Guy" was re-released in the UK and reached number 14 and she appeared on the BBC show "Top Of The Pops" to promote the record.

In 1990 she was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer; the treatment wiped out her finances and she had to sell her home. Martha Reeves, members of The Supremes Diana Ross and Mary Wilson and members of The Temptations, made donations to support her. Help also came from Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Rod Stewart and Dionne Warwick. A benefit concert was held by Anita Baker and a tribute was given by Stevie Wonder and Little Richard on "The Joan Rivers Show". In 1992 the cancer returned and she was rushed to the Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles with pneumonia. With the combined effects of the cancer treatment and a weakened immune system, Mary Wells died on July 26 1992, aged 49.

Answer: Petula Clark

"Downtown" written by Tony Hatch gave Petula Clark a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. It reached number two on the UK singles chart in 1964.

Petula Clark was born Petula Sally Olwen Clark in Epsom, Surrey, UK, in 1932. She made her first radio broadcast for the BBC in 1942 at the age of nine. She appeared in over 20 British movies between 1944 and 1957 and had four Top Ten hits on the UK singles chart during the '50s. She had a further seven Top Ten hits on the UK singles chart during the '60s which included two number one hits. "Sailor" in 1961 which did not chart in the US and "This Is My Song" which reached number three in the US and was written by Charlie Chaplin for the 1967 movie "A Countess from Hong Kong" which he wrote and directed.

At the age of 32 she had her first hit and first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Downtown". In 1966 she had her second and last number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with "My Love". Neither of her two US number one hits were number one hits in the UK. It was pure happenstance that she had a career revival in the UK with "Downtown" in 1964, (her first UK Top Ten hit since "My Friend The Sea" in 1961) just as the "British invasion" got underway.

Answer: These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" written by Lee Hazlewood, gave Nancy Sinatra a number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. It was number one for four weeks on the UK singles chart the same year.

Nancy Sinatra was born Nancy Sandra Sinatra in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA, in 1940. She is the daughter of Frank Sinatra and was signed to his Reprise record label in 1961. Her first single "Cuff Links And A Tie Clip" disappeared without trace. The Alternative choices are all Nancy Sinatra hits. "How Does That Grab You Darlin'" was a number seven hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. It reached number 19 on the UK singles chart the same year. "Sugar Town" a duet with Lee Hazlewood was a number five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. It reached number eight on the UK singles chart in 1967. "Somethin' Stupid" a duet with Frank Sinatra was a number one hit for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. It was number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart the same year.

Singer/songwriter/producer Lee Hazlewood was born Barton Lee Hazlewood in Mannford, Oklahoma, USA, in 1929. Before working with Nancy Sinatra he was best known as co-writer with and record producer for Duane Eddy.

Answer: Respect

"Respect" written by Otis Redding, gave Aretha Franklin a number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. It reached number ten on the UK singles chart the same year.

Aretha Franklin was born Aretha Louise Franklin in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, in 1942. Known as the "Queen of Soul", she had been offered a record deal with Motown by Berry Gordy but turned it down in favour of Columbia Records. Her first hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was "Won't Be Long" in 1961 which reached number 76. She had 11 minor hits on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1961 and 1967. As soon as she signed up with Atlantic records in 1967 she had a number nine hit with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)".

She had to wait 20 years until 1987 for her second number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" a duet with George Michael, it was number one for two weeks. It was also number one for two weeks on the UK singles chart the same year. It was Aretha Franklin's first UK number one and made George Michael the first person to reach number one on the UK singles chart as part of two different duos, the first being with Andrew Ridgeley in Wham!

Aretha Franklin has amassed more R&B and Pop hits in the US than any other female artist. She was the first female singer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1999 she was awarded The National Medal of Arts by President Clinton. In 2005 she was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. In 2012 she was inducted to the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She has won numerous other awards including 20 Grammy Awards.

Answer: Tupelo

"Ode To Billie Joe" written by Bobbie Gentry, gave her a number one hit for four weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. It reached number 13 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Bobbie Gentry was born Roberta Lee Streeter in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, USA, in 1944. "Ode To Billie Joe" was originally the B-side of the single "Mississippi Delta" but it was the B-Side which received most air play. "Ode To Billie Joe" also reached number 17 on the Billboard Country chart and the album of the same name knocked The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" off the top of the Billboard album chart. A re-issue of the original single reached number 54 and a new version from the movie "Ode To Billie Joe" reached number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.

Her biggest hit after "Ode To Billie Joe" was a duet with Glen Campbell "All I Have To Do Is Dream" which reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. It reached number three on the UK singles chart in 1969. Her 1978 single "He Did Me Wrong, But He Did It Right" did not chart and she retired from the music business. In 2012 BBC Radio 2 broadcast a documentary entitled "Whatever Happened To Bobbie Gentry?", it was presented by Rosanne Cash, the eldest daughter of Johnny Cash.

Answer: Lulu

The actor was Sidney Poitier, he starred in the movie and Lulu sang the title song from "To Sir, With Love". The song written by Don Black/Mark London, was number one for five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. It did not chart in the UK.

Lulu was born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, Scotland, in 1948. She first hit the UK chart in 1964 as part of the group Lulu and The Luvvers with a cover version of the Isley Brothers "Shout". It reached number seven on the UK singles chart and number 94 on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year. It entered the US chart again in 1967 and reached number 96. In 1986 her re-recorded version reached number eight on the UK singles chart but her original version was re-released and that reached number eight too.

She had six Top Ten hits on the UK singles chart in the '60s but only one Billboard Top 20 hit "To Sir, With Love". The five weeks it spent at number one in the US was the longest for a female singer in the '60s. It is also the only record by a British artist to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 but not chart in the UK. It was relegated to the B-side of her 1967 UK number 11 hit "Let's Pretend" which did not chart in the US.

Lulu was married to Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees from 1969 to 1973. He died of a cardiac arrest while waiting to undergo surgery in Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, in 2003.

Answer: Harper Valley

"Harper Valley P. T. A." written by Tom T. Hall, was number one for one week on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. It reached number 12 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Jeannie C. Riley was born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson in Stamford, Texas, USA in 1945. The writer Tom T. Hall first offered the song to singer Skeeter Davis who turned it down. It was rush released by Plantation Records when they learned that established country singers Billie Jo Spears and Margie Singleton (who recorded the song first) had recorded versions of the song. The song became a phenomenon and somewhat bigger than the singer herself. It reached number one on the Billboard Country chart making Jeannie C. Riley the first woman to hit the number one spot on both Billboard charts with the same song.

The single sold over 6,000,000 copies world wide and earned a Gold Disc only four weeks after its release. The album of the same name sold over 1,000,000 and also earned a Gold Disc. She won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and the Country Music Association Single of the Year award. In the '70s she appeared on many TV shows but her later record sales declined. She became a born again Christian and recorded gospel music.

In the '90s she suffered from clinical depression after the split from her husband and her manager which left her broke. She was bed-ridden for six years and received disability benefits, her weight ballooned from a size 6 to a size 26 during this period. She later got help from her family and treatment for depression.

Answer: Connie Francis

Connie Francis had three number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The first "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" written by Howard Greenfield/Jack Keller, was number one for two weeks in 1960. It reached number five on the UK singles chart the same year. The Second "My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own" written by Howard Greenfield/Jack Keller, was number one for two weeks in 1960. It reached number three on the UK singles chart the same year. The third "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" written by Benny Davis/Ted Murry, was number one for one week in 1962. It reached number 39 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Brenda Lee had two number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The first "I'm Sorry" written by Dub Albritten/Ronnie Self, was number one for three weeks in 1960. It reached number 12 on the UK singles chart the same year. The second "I Want To Be Wanted" written by Pino Spotti/Alberto Testaas/Kim Gannon, was number one for one week in 1960. It reached number 31 on the UK singles chart the same year.

Petula Clark had two number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The first "Downtown" written by Tony Hatch, was number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. It reached number two on the UK singles chart in 1964. The second "My Love" written by Tony Hatch/Jackie Trent, was number one for two weeks in 1966. It reached number four on the UK singles chart the same year.

Lesley Gore had one number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It was "It's My Party" written by Walter Gold/John Gluck Jr./Herb Weiner, number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. It reached number nine on the UK singles chart the same year.