US Music

I went a bit over the top writing the Fantômas questions in Ellesmere Port’s Milk Bar, simply because at some time in the past I’d managed to get through all of Louis Feuillade’s silent classic.

Questions

Featuring the hits “Motownphilly” and “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” that reached US number 3 and 2 respectively, what was the debut studio album by Boyz II Men? Its name makes reference to a former school in Chicago.

COOLEYHIGHHARMONY

Released in 1983 and going on to win the Best Album Grammy Award, which second studio album by Lionel Richie featured some up his most well known hits including “All Night Long (All Night)”, “Stuck on You” and “Hello”?

CAN’T SLOW DOWN

Residente, Visitante and iLe make up which Puerto Rican hip-hop group that have won over 20 Latin Grammy Awards, this including Best Urban Song in 2007 for “Pa’l Norte”? They were joined on that track by Cuban group Orishas.

CALLE 13

Known as ‘El Cantante de los Cantantes’, Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Lavoe was portrayed by which American Grammy Award winner in a 2006 biographical film?

MARC ANTHONY

Lead singer of the heavy metal supergroup Fantômas, Mike Patton became the frontman of which other band for their 1989 album “The Real Thing”? Its tracks include “From Out of Nowhere”, “Falling to Pieces” and the instrumental “Woodpecker from Mars”.

FAITH NO MORE

Born in Havana and playing drums for heavy metal outfit Fantômas, Dave Lombardo came to prominence during his lengthy stint with which band? They first hit the Billboard 200 in 1986 with “Reign in Blood” and had their highest placing album on that chart when they released “Repentless” nearly 30 years later.

SLAYER

Though influenced by bands like Black Sabbath, Buzz Osborne is not related to the famous Ozzy. As well as being part of Fantômas he was the lead singer of which band who released the 1987 album “Gluey Porch Treatments”, this being considered an example of the subgenre sludge metal?

THE MELVINS

The 2020 album “The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo” saw the return of the experimental Mr. Bungle with Fantômas members Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn and Dave Lombardo all playing a part. Also involved was which co-founder of thrash metal band Anthrax, a rhythm guitarist with the birth name Scott Rosenfeld? His stage surname is his real middle name.

SCOTT IAN

Containing two songs to win Grammy Record of the Year, “Bad Guy” and “Everything I Wanted” in 2020 and 2021 respectively, what is the nine-word title of the debut studio album by Billie Eilish?

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?

Later marrying Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer, which American singer’s first single was “Wassermann”, a German-language version of the “Hair” song “Aquarius”? The track was released under her maiden name.

DONNA SUMMER / DONNA GAINES

Kept off the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 by Bobby Vinton’s “Blue Velvet”, which 1963 single by girl group The Jaynetts was their only notable success? Donna Summer released a version while she was still known as Donna Gaines.

SALLY GO ‘ROUND THE ROSES

Classical Music

Some composers I really struggle to place and the person responsible for “Faust” is one of those. This despite having written myself a question that contained all the key details I needed.

Questions

Set in the Orkney Islands town of Stromness as referenced in an interlude from it called “Farewell to Stromness”, “The Yellow Cake Revue” is a work by which Salford-born composer?

PETER MAXWELL DAVIES

Getting its nickname from the way it sounds rather than any intent by the composer, the “‘Raindrop’ Prelude” is one of the most well known works by whom?

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN

A graphic novel adaptation released in 2024, the opera “The Emperor of Atlantis” was composed at the Czech concentration camp of Theresienstadt by which Austrian, who along with its librettist Petr Kien died at Auschwitz?

VIKTOR ULLMAN

Its 1791 premiere taking place at the Estates Theatre in Prague, “La Clemenza di Tito” is an opera seria that features Emperor Vitellius’ daughter Vitellia in the soprano role. It was brought to us by which composer?

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

Commissioned by Maria Theresa, Mozart’s “Ascanio in Alba” is set in Italy and features a title character who is the son of Venus along with which mythological figure?

AENEAS

In the hexachord of Guido d’Arezzo the ‘re’, ‘mi’, ‘fa’, ‘sol’ and ‘la’ have continued to be familiar as part of the solfège. Replaced by ‘do’ in the 17th century, which Aretinian syllable was originally used for the its first note?

UT

In the opening of Edith Wharton’s “Age of Innocence” real-life Swedish opera singer Charlotte Nilsson is singing in the opera “Faust”, a work composed by which 19th century Frenchman who is also known for their “Roméo et Juliette”?

CHARLES GOUNOD

Opened in 1854, which New York City venue was supplanted as the city’s premier opera house when the Metropolitan opened in 1883? Demolished in 1926, its site is now occupied by the Consolidated Edison Building.

ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Also heard in F.W. Murnau’s “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans”, which short piece by Charles Gounod served as the theme tune for “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”?

FUNERAL MARCH OF A MARIONETTE

Charles Gounod’s 1864 opera “Mireille” was an adaptation of the poem “Mirèio” by which writer, the original work having been written in Occitan?

FRÉDÉRIC MISTRAL

UK Music – Mainly 2013 number ones

A reminder that most of 2013’s popular music has probably passed me by. Which can easily be substituted with any subsequent year…

Questions

Opening with the over 10 minutes long “Achilles Last Stand”, Led Zeppelin’s seventh studio album “Presence” was their second to be released on which record label that they founded in 1974? The first was “Physical Graffiti”.

SWAN SONG (RECORDS)

Released in 1979, the year before they disbanded following drummer John Bonham’s death, what was the eighth and final studio album of Led Zeppelin? It included their final US single “Fool in the Rain”, this song reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR

Born in London in 1961, Bilinda Butcher is a co-vocalist with Kevin Shields in which alternative rock band?

MY BLOODY VALENTINE

Anohni Hegarty became the first openly transgender nominee for an Oscar when “Manta Ray” went up for Best Original Song after featuring in the 2015 documentary “Racing Extinction”. By what name was her band known when they won the Mercury Prize?

ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS

Featuring Boy George’s vocals on the track “You Are My Sister”, which album by Antony and the Johnsons brought them mainstream attention when it took home the 2005 Mercury Prize?

I AM A BIRD NOW

Released in 2013, “The Bones of What You Believe” was the first studio album by which Scottish synth-pop band? The album’s title can be found in the lyrics to their song “Strong Hand”, a bonus track that featured on some later editions.

CHVRCHES

Reaching the UK top 5 in 1969, the instrumental hit “Return of Django” was a success for The Upsetters. The builder of the Black Ark reggae recording studio in Jamaica, who was that band’s main man?

LEE ‘SCRATCH’ PERRY

James Arthur released the song “Impossible” after winning “X-Factor” in 2012. This was a cover of a hit for which Barbadian singer who has a writing credit on Rihanna’s song “Man Down”?

SHONTELLE

Teaming up with Britney Spears, “Scream & Shout” saw

Will.i.am reach UK number one in early 2013. The track comes from which fourth studio album of his that contains a hashtag in its title?

#WILLPOWER

Featuring hip hop stars Far East Movement of “Like a G6” and “Rocketeer” fame, which Dutch house duo reached the top of the UK charts in 2013 with “Get Up (Rattle)”? Member Paul Bäumer passed away later that year.

BINGO PLAYERS

His stage name being short for his surname Wansley, on which 2013 UK number one was Seattle-born Wanz the featured artist?

THRIFT SHOP

Also known as Monocule, which Dutch DJ was ‘vs.’ Avicii when they hit top spot in the UK with “I Could Be the One” in 2013? Born Nick Rotteveel, his solo hits include “Toulouse”.

NICKY ROMERO

Released for the 2013 edition of Comic Relief, One Direction’s version of “One Way or Another” includes lyrics from which rock classic that was recorded in 1978?

TEENAGE KICKS

With the help of Sean Paul, which song from their “Living for the Weekend” album saw The Saturdays get their only UK number one?

WHAT ABOUT US

Vocals being provides by A*M*E, which alliterative British DJ reached UK number one in 2013 with “Need U (100%)”? He was back at the top of the charts in 2014 with the help of Jax Jones, seemingly not improving his spelling for “I Got U”.

DUKE DUMONT

Their album “Home” being nominated for the 2013 Mercury Music Prize, which drum and bass band reached the apex of the UK chart when they teamed up with Ella Eyre for “Waiting All Night”? Their next number one was the 2018 featuring fest “These Days”.

RUDIMENTAL

Taken from his album “Hotel Cabana”, producer Naughty Boy topped the UK charts in 2013 with what repetitively titled track? Vocals were provided by Sam Smith.

LA LA LA

Joining Robin Thicke and Pharrell on the megahit “Blurred Lines” was Clifford Harris. He is better known by what stage name, under which he twice hit UK number one in 2008?

T.I.

Her first UK number one, Ellie’s Goulding’s “Burn” was co-written by which frontman of pop rock band OneRepublic? This singer featured on the Far East Movement single “Rocketeer”.

RYAN TEDDER

Coming to prominence as part of hip hop duo Playaz Circle, Tauheed Epps was initially known by the unflattering sounding Tity Boi. How was he known when he featured on Jason Derulo’s 2013 UK number one “Talk Dirty”?

2 CHAINZ

The stage name of American record producer Morgan Geist, who hit UK number one in 2013 after his track “Look Right Through” was remixed by MK?

STORM QUEEN

Not to be confused with a Maroon 5 track, which hit from “Gold Skies” catapulted Dutch DJ Martin Garrix into the limelight when it was a UK chart topper in 2013?

ANIMALS

His other successes including the Tove Lo featuring “Heroes (We Could Be)”, by which stage name is Swedish DJ Alessandro Lindblad known? He reached the top of the UK chart in 2013 when he teamed up with hit machine Calvin Harris on “Under Control”.

ALESSO

Along with Alesso and Calvin Harris, which formed in Manchester synth-pop duo were credited on the 2013 UK number one “Under Control”? Their songs include “Wonderful Life” and “All I Want for Christmas Is New Year’s Day”.

HURTS

Musicals

It seems I’m unfamiliar about Stephen Sondheim writing a musical about Aristophanes’ “The Frogs” and I croaked by giving my default answer of “The Clouds”.

Questions

The song “We’re in the Money” used to celebrate its opening, what is the name of the musical that is being staged in the 1933 film “42nd Street”?

PRETTY LADY

Ginger Rogers sung one verse of “We’re in the Money” in Pig Latin during which film that has a title consisting of two words followed by “of 1933”? Based on a play by Avery Hopwood, it sparked a series which celebrated the class “of 35”, “of 37” and “in Paris”.

GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933

Opening in a factory that produces the titular garments, musical “The Pajama Game” is based on the novel “7 1/2 Cents” by which author? He shares his name with a CIA officer who helped select the location of the Bay of Pigs for the 1961 invasion.

RICHARD BISSELL

Featuring music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, what is the sub-title of the Spiderman musical that includes highly technical stunts such as actors swinging from webs?

TURN OFF THE DARK

Who provided the music for the “Aida” musical that premiered on Broadway in 2000, going on to win Best Score at the Tony Awards?

ELTON JOHN

Performed by Elton John and LeAnn Rimes, which song from the “Aida” musical reached no. 2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 29 on the Hot 100?

WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Stephen Sondheim’s 1974 musical “The Frogs” sees the Greek god Dionysus go to the underworld to bring which writer back from the dead? This person then does battle against William Shakespeare to try and determine who is the best playwright.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

First performed nearly two years after Stephen Sondheim’s death, the 2023 musical “Here We Are” is partly based on the 1962 film “The Exterminating Angel” by which director?

LUIS BUÑUEL

Originally being performed under the name “Bounce”, which Stephen Sondheim musical was staged under a revised name in 2008? Its plot sees the real life brothers Addison and Wilson Mizner take part in the Klondike gold rush.

ROAD SHOW

A 1981 Italian film by Ettore Scola inspired Stephen Sondheim to create which 1994 musical that is set in Risorgimento Italy?

PASSION

US music mix

Unexpectedly I’d come across “Love Lies” before realising it was by someone from Fifth Harmony. I love links like that.

Questions

Its second track being “Achy Breaky Heart”, which debut studio album by Billy Ray Cyrus also contains a rendition of “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” as well as the title track?

SOME GAVE ALL

Followed up by the remix album “Money Is Still A Major Issue”, which first album by Pitbull is named for the city where he was born and saw its lead single “Culo” reach no. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100?

M.I.A.M.I.

Taken from his “Songs in the Key of Life” album, what is the name of the Stevie Wonder song that was sampled by Coolio on “Gangsta’s Paradise” and Weird Al Yankovic on the subsequent parody “Amish Paradise”?

PASTIME PARADISE

Taken from the 2004 album “Here for the Party”, what has been the only song by Gretchen Wilson to reach the top of the US country chart, also being her highest placing track on the Billboard and UK charts? “American Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee performed a rendition in the musical TV series “Smash”.

REDNECK WOMAN

The song “Carbona Not Glue” was removed from which band’s 1977 album “Leave Home” to avoid a potential trademark violation of the carbon tetrachloride-based stain removal product Carbona? It was re-added in later editions.

THE RAMONES

Containing the Billboard Hot 100 hits “Boss”, “Sledgehammer” and “Worth It”, what was the one-word title of Fifth Harmony’s debut studio album from 2015?

REFLECTION

Fifth Harmony’s second studio album “7/27” refers to the date the group formed after competing on which TV show, where they performed songs like the possibly prophetic “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”?

THE X FACTOR

Though not quite gaining the same level of stardom as Camila Cabello, which member of Fifth Harmony collaborated with Khalid to hit the Billboard Hot 100 top ten with “Love Lies”? She repeated the trick with Sam Smith when “Dancing with a Stranger” reached number 7.

NORMANI / NORMANI HAMILTON

Wu-Tang Clan member Dennis Coles derived his stage name of Ghostface Killah from which 1979 Hong Kong kung fu film that contains a sport in its title?

THE MYSTERY OF CHESS BOXING

Later to star in “Charlie’s Angels”, Cheryl Ladd was known as Cherie Moor when she was part of which 1970s girl group who were a real life version of an Archie comics and cartoon band?

JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS

UK Music – Mainly Kasabian

Kasabian have never really connected for me, apart from “Shoot the Runner” which I think is ace. I don’t know why I never questioned what their name meant before, but such is the fog I allow myself to live under.

Question

His writing credits including David Soul’s 1977 UK number one hit “Silver Lady”, Geoff Stephens formed which band in 1966, with them going on to win a Grammy Award in the following year thanks to a US number one hit?

NEW VAUDEVILLE BAND

Lead singer of English new wave band Classix Nouveaux, who reached number 15 in the UK charts with a 1985 solo hit called “San Damiano (Heart and Soul)”, the location in this title referring to the name of a church near Assisi?

SAL SOLO

“No distraction”, “no more fighting” and “no backbiting” prompt Classic Nouveaux to ask which question in the title of their highest placing UK hit that reached number 11 in 1982?

IS IT A DREAM?

Kasabian’s 2022 album “The Alchemist’s Euphoria” is the first to feature which member of the band as lead singer after Tom Meighan was kicked out for domestic abuse?

SERGE PIZZORNO

Taken from their album “For Crying Out Loud”, which Kasabian track won Best Song at the 2017 Q Awards despite not making the UK top 40?

YOU’RE IN LOVE WITH A PSYCHO

How many minutes and seconds make up the title of the Kasabian album that includes the tracks “Eez-eh”, “Bumblebee” and “Stevie”?

48:13

Kasabian’s band name comes from the surname of a girl named Linda who was involved with which cult? She became an important witness in a subsequent murder trial.

MANSON FAMILY

Nominated for the 2009 Mercury Music Prize, which three words precede “Lunatic Asylum” in the name of the Kasabian album that contains their highest charting single “Fire”, which reached number 3 in 2009?

WEST RYDER PAUPER

High energy track “Shoot the Runner” comes from which second studio album by Kasabian, it having a title track that reached the UK top ten?

EMPIRE

Taken from their self-titled debut album, Kasabian’s track “L.S.F.” was their first UK top ten hit. What do its initials stand for?

LOST SOULS FOREVER

Billboard No. 1s 2023

OK, so the year isn’t over yet, but I leak points here and need to start doing something about it. Plus I hit the Zach Bryan flag, and while I decide to keep that personal rule these run throughs will keep randomly appearing.

Questions

Though the song was from his 2016 “Starboy” album, which track by The Weeknd only reached the top of the Billboard chart when a remix was released in 2023 that featured Ariana Grande, this being two years after the pair last collaborated on “Save Your Tears”?

DIE FOR YOU

Preposterously finding all 36 songs off his “One Thing at a Time” album hitting the Billboard Hot 100 in one week, this improving on Drake’s record of 27, what was the Morgan Wallen track that managed to reach number 1 in 2023? It spent an incredible 16 non-consecutive weeks at the top.

LAST NIGHT

One of the songs that interspersed the lengthy reign of Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” at the Billboard number 1 spot in 2023, “Like Crazy” was performed by which member of BTS?

JIMIN

Solána Rowe temporarily pushed Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” off the top of the Billboard Hot 100 with her homage to the “Kill Bill” films. Under what stage name does she perform?

SZA

Sneaking to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 during Morgan Wallen’s ridiculous 2023 run, “Vampire” comes from which second album by Olivia Rodrigo?

GUTS

Joined by Latto, the winner of the first season of “The Rap Game” back in 2016, which number provides the title of a 2023 Billboard number 1 for BTS member Jungkook?

SEVEN

Despite being no stranger to the top of the US country charts his previous high in the Billboard Hot 100 had been number 7 with “Dirt Road Anthem” back in 2011. With which track did Jason Aldean get his first number one in 2023?

TRY THAT IN A SMALL TOWN

Releasing music under the name Oliver Anthony Music, Christopher Lunsford had a viral hit that referred to “Rich Men North of” what city? On the back of the song debuting at number one, his earlier track “Aint Gotta Dollar” also entered the Billboard Hot 100.

RICHMOND

Yet another country music song to reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023, Zach Bryan brought Kacey Musgraves along as they both bagged their first chart topper with which song?

I REMEMBER EVERYTHING

Making an appearance at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023 was Doja Cat with “Paint the Town Red”, a song that samples which Billboard number 6 hit from 1964?

WALK ON BY

A second visit to Billboard number 1 in 2023 for SZA, with which track did she team up with Drake, it coming from his “For All the Dogs” album?

SLIME YOU OUT

Another Billboard number one from Drake’s “For All the Dogs” album, “First Person Shooter” saw the Canadian team up with which German-born rapper?

J. COLE

Co-written by St. Vincent, which Taylor Swift Billboard number 1 from 2023 is not a cover of a Bananarama song despite sharing the same name?

CRUEL SUMMER

Temporarily knocking her own track “Cruel Summer” off the top of the Billboard Hot 100, what question provides the name of a 2023 Taylor Swift number one hit? It would have found appropriate use each time Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” had been dislodged from the chart’s apex.

IS IT OVER NOW?

UK number 1s 2011 – mostly…

I was shocked at how many of these I hadn’t heard of. This unfortunately means that I have a huge amount of catching up to do, probably because I’d rather pay attention to bands like The Ninth Wave.

Questions

Should you be able to read what they say don’t expect it to give you the answer as they were arranged just to look good. On which album cover by The Beatles can you find the ‘Fab Four’ dressed in blue and using semaphore?

HELP! (They spell ‘NUJV’ or ‘NVUJ’ depending on the release)

With a four word title, what is the second album by Scottish band The Ninth Wave? Its tracks include “What Makes You a Man”, which can be enjoyed in season 3 of “The Umbrella Academy”.

HEAVY LIKE A HEADACHE

Released as a spin-off from the BBC TV show “The Choir: Military Wives”, which song took the honours of being the UK Christmas number 1 in 2011 with the ladies singing under the direction of Gareth Malone?

WHEREVER YOU ARE

His third UK number one, in which 2011 hit does Olly Murs think it’s important to remind everyone who he is by including the amazing lyrics “My name is Olly”?

DANCE WITH ME TONIGHT

Performed by X-Factor contestants along with JLS and One Direction, “Wishing on a Star” was a 2011 UK number one. It has been recorded by numerous artists, with the original being by which 1970s group who reached number 3 with it in 1978?

ROSE ROYCE

Sharing its title with a much more famous ABBA song, which JLS track from their “Jukebox” album reached UK number two in 2011?

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

Emeli Sandé provided vocals on Stephen Manderson’s UK number one hit “Read All About It” in 2011. Under which stage name does he perform?

PROFESSOR GREEN

Catalan DJ Sak Noel reached UK number one in 2011 with what song that has a two-word title? Sometimes brackets are used to include additional words to this, one version including an expletive.

LOCA PEOPLE

“No Regrets” was a UK number one in 2011 and the debut solo single of which rapper, who is best known for being part of another group alongside his cousins?

DAPPY

Taken from the album “Young Foolish Happy”, the 2011 UK number one “All About Tonight” was the third to hit the top of the chart for which singer who has the first name Victoria?

PIXIE LOTT

Elliot Greaves had success under what stage name, with his 2011 UK number one “Stay Awake” showing everyone how to write lyrics by including lines like “Stick around yeah like Elastoplast”?

EXAMPLE

While Olly Murs is no stranger to the top of the UK charts, which hip-hop duo’s only trip to UK number one came in 2011 when they featured on “Heart Skips a Beat”?

RIZZLE KICKS

Featuring Josh Kumra, the song “Don’t Go” that reached the top of the UK charts in 2011 was the only number one for which rapper, whose “Black and White” album saw him collaborate with Ed Sheeran on the track “Hush Little Baby”?

WRETCH 32

Sharing their name with a Roman emperor, which electronic act had a UK number one in 2011 with “Promises”? A remix with Skrillex won a Grammy Award.

NERO

The JLS 2011 UK number one “She Makes Me Wanna” featured vocals from which female American singer who also contributed to the Far East Movement’s US number one “Like A G6”? Her most successful solo hits include “In the Dark”.

DEV

Kosheen singer Sian Evans told us it was going to get “Louder” on a 2011 UK number one for which DJ, who is associated with the dubstep genre and has the real name Daniel Stein?

DJ FRESH

Its video featuring Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton, which American artist had a UK number one in 2011 with “Don’t Wanna Go Home”?

JASON DERULO

Like “Stay Awake” coming from his “Playing in the Shadows” album, which 2011 number one was the first to hit the top of the UK charts for Example?

CHANGED THE WAY YOU KISS ME

Including Ne-Yo among its extensive featuring cast, who had a UK number one in 2011 with “Give Me Everything”, this being his first chart topper as the lead artist?

PITBULL

With “Give Me Everything” being his first UK number one as a lead artist, on which other 2011 hit did Pitbull feature to reach the top of the charts?

ON THE FLOOR

Coming from her album “Killer Love”, what was the first solo number one for Nicole Scherzinger, this hitting the top of the charts in 2011?

DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH

Bobby Simmons was the featured artist on Jessie J’s 2011 UK number one “Price Tag”. Under what stage name is he known, having previously had chart toppers as lead artist in 2009 and 2010.

B.O.B.

Billboard no. 1s 1976

I hit the Bellamy Brothers flag, which now explains why “Ein Bett im Kornfeld” sounded familiar when I was listening to a German paylist on Spotify.

Questions

Not a chart hit in the UK, “Saturday Night” became the only US Billboard no. 1 for which British band? In case you have trouble spelling that day of the week, they do it for you. Many times!

BAY CITY ROLLERS

Shown in the brackets of the song title, the lyrics “Do You Know Where You’re Going To” were part of the ‘Theme’ to which 1975 romance, with the song hitting Billboard no. 1 in early 1976? Diana Ross sung the hit and also starred in the film.

MAHOGANY

The second Billboard no. 1 for this band, who had a hit with “Love Rollercoaster” in 1976? They were also noted for their erotic album covers.

OHIO PLAYERS

Rhythm Heritage had a Billboard no. 1 in 1976 with the theme from which crime TV series, which had the illustrious Aaron Spelling among its producers?

S.W.A.T.

Not to be confused with the song by Girls Aloud that featured ‘gift-wrapped kitty cats’, who reached Billboard no. 1 in 1976 with “Love Machine”? Lead vocals were provided by Billy Griffin.

THE MIRACLES

Being the first Billboard no. 1 to feature the word ‘Disco’ in its title, who reached the top of the charts with “Disco Lady”?

JOHNNIE TAYLOR

Being adapted by Jürgen Drews into the German no. 1 “Ein Bett im Kornfeld”, which song rose to the top of the the US charts in 1976 for the Bellamy Brothers?

LET YOUR LOVE FLOW

Scoring a solo Billboard no. 1 with “Welcome Back” in 1976, John Sebastian was a member of which band from 1964 to 1968, a period when they had all their massive hits?

THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL

A family vocal group who later had a number 5 hit with “Hot Line”, the Sylvers reached Billboard no. 1 singing about what ‘disease’ that they thought was going around?

BOOGIE FEVER

In which Billboard no. 1 from the “Wings at the Speed of Sound” album did the McCartney’s pen the repetitive and catchy lyrics of “I Love You” in its chorus?

SILLY LOVE SONGS

Diana Ross didn’t want a cure for what in a 1976 Billboard no. 1 that was later used as a sample in Monica’s 1998 chart topper “The First Night”?

LOVE HANGOVER

The winner of the Best New Artist at the 1977 Grammy Awards, which band’s success was short lived with the 1976 Billboard no. 1 “Afternoon Delight” being by light years their biggest hit?

STARLAND VOCAL BAND

Also known for the top ten hit “Shining Star”, The Manhattans had their only Billboard no. 1 in 1976 with which song? It was covered by UB40 for their album “Who You Fighting For?”, their version reaching the UK top 20.

KISS AND SAY GOODBYE

One of five American chart toppers for the band, who must have put a lot of thought into how many shakes went into the brackets in their “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty” from their “Part 3” album, which confusingly is the group’s fourth?

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND

Disco crossed with classical music, “A Fifth of Beethoven” saw Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band reach the top of the Billboard charts in 1976 with a take on the famous “5th Symphony”. This caused which other group to change their name from The Big Apple Band?

CHIC

Making it to the top of the Billboard charts in 1976 was which radio host of a “Weekly Top 40 Countdown” along with ‘His Cast of Idiots’? The suspiciously named song was “Disco Duck”.

RICK DEES

At Billboard no. 1 for pretty much the last two months of 1976, Rod Stewart’s huge hit “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright” featured whispered vocals from which actress and model, who was dating the singer at the time?

BRITT EKLAND

Mainly 1957 UK number ones

A couple of random questions to start with, then the list learning kicks in. Although I’ve supposedly listened to all the old UK chart toppers at some point, the Andy Williams one rung no bells whatsoever so on to the Spotify playlist it goes.

Questions

A version being recorded by Robbie Williams for his album “Rudebox”, as part of what band with a repetitive name did ex-Duran Duran member Stephen Duffy release the song “Kiss Me” in 1982?

TIN TIN

The most successful single from their “Seven and the Ragged Tiger” album, what was the only Duran Duran song to reach no. 1 in both the UK and The US?

THE REFLEX

Host of his own variety show from 1962 to 1971, Andy Williams hit UK number one in 1957 with a song titled for which member of the animal kingdom? An earlier recording by Charlie Gracie had reached number 12.

BUTTERFLY

Later a massive hit for Boney M, “Mary’s Boy Child” first hit the UK number one spot in 1957 for which American singer? This occasional film star had his last appearance in “BlacKkKansman”.

HARRY BELAFONTE

Written by Woody Guthrie, which track was Lonnie Donegan’s follow up single to “Cumberland Gap”, both these songs reaching UK number one in 1957?

GAMBLIN’ MAN

The 1957 hit “Yes Tonight Josephine” was the last of the three UK number ones for which American singer, his being one of the many names included in Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”?

JOHNNIE RAY

Sharing its name with a genre of music, albeit with a couple of hyphens added to its title for style, which 1957 number one was the last of Guy Mitchell’s UK chart toppers?

ROCK-A-BILLY

A version by Donny Osmond reaching UK number one in 1973, “Young Love” saw which American actor reach the top of the UK charts in 1957? His film appearances include “Damn Yankees”, where he played Washington Senators baseball player Joe Hardy.

TAB HUNTER

Later also topping the charts with “Tower of Strength”, what biblical location gave Frankie Vaughan his first UK number one in 1957?

THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Knocking Guy Mitchell’s version of the same song off the top of the charts, which Englishman with the birth name Thomas Hicks scored his only UK number one with “Singing the Blues”? Its reign only lasted for one week before Mitchell’s returned to the apex for a second spell.

TOMMY STEELE