IS IT TRUE OR IS IT FALSE?

It’s a relatively easy quiz this week.  Five true or false questions.  Your chances are 50/50 that’ll you’ll be right.  Not much else to say, except --- good luck and have fun!   

QUESTIONS:

1.  Olivia Newton-John is the granddaughter of a Nobel Prize winner?  True or False?  

                                                                                      

2.  Richard M. Nixon, the former President of the United States, was once nominated for a Grammy Award.  True or False?        

3.  Telma Hopkins, who was one third of Tony Orlando and Dawn (“Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree”), also sang back up on several Elvis Presley recordings.  True or False?        

4.  Former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and guitar legend Eric Clapton were once married to the same woman (although obviously not at the same time).  True or False?       

5.  After lead guitar player Randy Bachman left The Guess Who, but before he launched Bachman-Turner Overdrive with Fred Turner, he had a band called Brass Belt.  True or False?    

ANSWERS

1.  It is absolutely true.  Olivia’s grandfather, Max Born, won the Novel Prize for Physics (specifically Quantum Mechanics) in 1954.  Born had two daughters and one son.  His daughter Irene, is the mother of Olivia Newton-John, who may not have won a Nobel Prize, but she did see 5 of her hits make it to # 1.  ON-J’s # 1’s are: “I Honestly Love You” (1974), “Have You Never been Mellow” (1975), “You’re The One That I Want” [with John Travolta] (1979), “Magic” (1980” and “Physical” (1981).       

2.  Oh yes, that is most definitely true.  Richard Nixon’s interview with British journalist David Frost was nominated for a 1978 Grammy Award in the ‘Spoken Word’ category.  Nixon/Frost didn’t win.  That Grammy went to actress Julie Harris with “The Belle of Amherst”.    

3.  False.  Telma may not have sung backup for Elvis, but she did sing behind some Motown greats such as Marvin Gaye and The Four Tops in Detroit.  In 1971, Telma was recruited to join Dawn (along with Joyce Wilson) and never looked back.  Tony Orlando & Dawn hit a hit TV variety show from 1974 until 1976.  After Dawn turned to dusk, Telma turned to acting (which she still does today) and has starred in such hit TV shows as “Bosom Buddies” (1980-82), “Gimme A Break” (1984-87), “Family Matters” (1989-93) “The Hughley’s” and “Are We There Yet?” (2010-present). 

4.  Yep, it’s true.  The woman in question is Patti Boyd, who’d met Harrison on the set of “A Hard Day’s Night”.  Patti was a successful model and the filmmakers needed a couple of young, beautiful models to play school girls for a train sequence in which ‘The Boys” aka The Beatles, flirt with said girls.  Patti and George Harrison married in January of 1966.  Harrison wrote the song “Something” about Patti.  Harrison and Boyd separated in 1974 and divorced in ’77.  She married Eric Clapton in 1979 and they divorced a decade later.  Patti was the inspiration for two Clapton classics: “Layla” and “Wonderful Tonight”.  In 2007, Patti’s autobiography, “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me” was published and went on to make the New York Times bestseller list.  Patti is an amazing photographer and her photographs sell for thousands of dollars.  Keeping it all in the rock & roll family, Patti’s younger sister Jenny married Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood in 1970.  They were divorced, later re-married each other, then divorced one last time.     

5.  That is false.  Between The Guess Who years and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Randy did have a band that also featured original Guess Who lead singer Chad Allan, but it was called Brave Belt, not Brass Belt.  Brave Belt had a minor hit in Canada in 1971 with the song, “Crazy Arms, Crazy Eyes” and released two albums during their short time together (“Brave Belt I” and “Brave Belt II”).  Fred Turner was brought in to play bass and he became the lead singer for “Brave Belt II”.  Not long after, Brave Belt evolved into BTO.     

Telma Hopkins, one of the two female members of Tony Orlando and Dawn sang backup on Isaac Hayes 1971 number one hit “The Theme From Shaft”.  True or False? (Very true.  Telma was a part of Hayes’ backing group Hot Buttered Soul)

THOSE PESKY APRIL SHOWERS HAVE GONE AWAY

Now that we’re finally in May, let the warmth of the sun begin.  To celebrate the merry month of May, our quiz this time out is about # 1 songs that happened during May.  The decades we’re looking for are – the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.  Remember, these songs were all HUGE hits, so it should be easy right.  Yah I know, you say that every time.  But maybe this time, you’ll be correct.   

QUESTIONS:

1. The year was 1985.  This # 1 song had been at the top of the chart since the week of April 13^th.  It was still # 1 during the first week in May and featured dozens of world famous musicians singing for charity.  Some of the performers included Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Cyndi Lauper, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.  The last two names on that list also co-wrote the song.  It was a massive hit around ‘the world’ (HINT ALERT).  So what’s the name of this charitable # 1?                                                                                       

2.   During the first week in May, 1969 this song was # 1.  In fact, it had been sitting at the top of the charts since the week of April 12^th and continued in the # 1 spot for several more weeks. It came from a successful Broadway play and since this was the ‘60’s, it was ‘the dawning of the age of...?’  What’s the name of this May 1969 masterpiece that was actually two songs combined.        

3.  Let’s check out the 1990’s shall we?  This 1997 # 1 song came from a trio of brothers who hail from Tulsa, Oklahoma – first names Isaac, Taylor and Zac.  The # 1 song we’re looking for was their first chart hit and their only # 1, although they did chart several other songs.  Isaac was 16 when this song went to the top of the charts – brother Taylor was 14 and the third sibling, Zac was 11. (HINT ALERT) Mmmm, I wonder, what the title of this song could be?        

4.  This classic hit was # 1 for only one week, but remains a regular staple on Classic Rock radio today.  It’s from a group that were formerly Linda Ronstadt’s back up band, but went on to bigger chart success on their own.  The drummer of the group sang this hit and also co-wrote the lyrics.  A famous lyric from the song is:  “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”.  What’s the name of this # 1 May hit?  

5.  In 1980, this song was # 1 for six weeks during April and May.  The band came from New York’s new wave and punk scene of the mid 1970’s.  This song was the second of four # 1 hits the group would have.  The female lead singer was a former waitress and Playboy Club bunny and went on to have a successful solo career with several mid to lower chart single hits.  She also acted in a bunch of movies and a few episodes of “Wiseguys” TV series.  Her ‘heart’ was not definitely not made ‘of glass’ (HINT ALERT), so can you re ‘call’ the title of this song?    

ANSWERS

1.  If you interpreted that clue correctly, you knew the song was “We Are The World”.  Quincy Jones conducted the session (collectively called U.S.A. For Africa) on January 28^th, 1985 at A&M recording studios in Los Angeles.  Proceeds from the sale of the song went to help end hunger and AIDS in Africa.   

     

2.  The 5^th Dimension took “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” to  # 1 for six weeks during April and May of 1969.  The Beatles “Get Back” replaced it at the top of the charts for the week of May 24^th.  The two songs, combined in the studio by record producer Bones Howe, came from the Broadway play “Hair”.

3.  “MMMBop” was # 1 for Hanson on Billboards’ Hot 100 chart for three weeks (the final two weeks of May 1997 and the first week of June), then it stuck around at # 2 for an additional four weeks.  “MMMBop” came from Hanson’s debut album, “The Middle of Nowhere”.  The three Hanson brothers are still recording and touring.

4.  It was The Eagles # 1 smash from 1977, “Hotel California”.  Drummer Don Henley sang lead and also co-wrote the song with Don Felder and Glenn Frey.  The following year, The Eagles won a Grammy Award for ‘Record of the Year’ for “Hotel California”.  In Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”, “Hotel California was ranked at # 49 while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lists “Hotel California” as one of the ‘500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll’.             

5.  Blondie was the group.  Debbie Harry was the lead singer.  The song in question was “Call Me”, which won a Grammy Award for ‘Best Rock Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocal’ in 1981.  Blondie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside Black Sabbeth, Miles Davis, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Sex Pistols.  Blondie’s first # 1 hit was “Heart of Glass” in 1979.  “Call Me” was their second in ‘80.  “The Tide Is High” was their third chart topper in 1981 with “Rapture”, also in ’81, as their fourth and final # 1.   

THE 42nd ANNUAL JUNO AWARDS ARE HISTORY

Congratulations to Carly Rae Jepsen and Leonard Cohen for winning big at the JUNO Awards in Regina last weekend.  Carly Rae won three JUNO’s and Leonard won won.  To wrap it all up, our final JUNO quiz for 2013 is about various winners over the years.  We won’t go back too far, we’ll keep it within the last 20 years, and once again, they’re multiple choice questions, so really, take a shot if you don’t know the answer.  Chances are you’ll be correct a third of the time (and maybe even more, hey I’m not a mathematician for gosh sake).   

QUESTIONS:

1. The 42^nd annual JUNO Awards were held in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Which member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame was born in the province of Saskatchewan?  Is it:  

a. Joni Mitchell  b. Carly Rae Jepsen  c. Buffy Sainte-Marie 

2.  The 2013 JUNO Award for Group of the Year went to Marianas Trench.  But which group won this honour in 2009?  Was it:   a. Arcade Fire  b. Nickelback  c. Blue Rodeo         

3.  Carly Rae Jepsen won 3 JUNO Awards this year – ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Pop Album of the Year’ for “Kiss” as well as ‘Single of the Year’ for “Call Me Maybe”.  Since 2003, when the ‘Pop Album of the Year’ JUNO award was introduced, which of these three JUNO winning performers have also won ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Pop Album of the Album’ and ‘Single of the Year’ in the same year?  Is it: a. Avril Lavigne  b. Feist  c. Michael Buble

4.  Legendary singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen, who won JUNO’s for ‘Songwriter of the Year’ and ‘Artist of the Year’ was born in Montreal.  Which other famous Canadian musicians were born there?  Is it:  a. Andy Kim  b. Gino Vanelli  c. Oscar Peterson  

5.  k.d lang was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by her musical hero, Anne Murray.  In 1993, Anne was inducted into that very same Hall of Fame in 1993.  Which Canadian performer went in the following year (1994)?  Was it:  a. Rush b. Bruce Cockburn  c. Tom Cochrane    

ANSWERS

1.  That would be c. Buffy Sainte-Marie who was born on the Cree Indian reserve in the Qu’Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan.  Joni Mitchell was born in Alberta and raised in Saskatchewan and Carly Rae Jepsen hails from Mission, British Columbia.       

2.  The JUNO for ‘Group of the Year’ in 2009 went to b. Nickelback.  Blue Rodeo won it the previous year (2008) and Arcade Fire took home the ‘Group of the Year’ JUNO in 2011.

3.  First trick question of the week.  All three of those performers have won ‘Album of the Year’, ‘Pop Album of the Year’ and ‘Single of the Year’ in the same year.  In 2003, Avil Lavigne won ‘Pop Album’ and ‘Album of the Year’ for “Let’s Go”.  She won ‘Single of the Year’ in 2003 for “Complicated”.  Feist won all three in 2008 when she won “Album’ and ‘Pop Album of the Year’ for “The Reminder” and ‘Single of the Year’ for “1-2-3-4”.  Michael Buble, that little overachiever, has won all 3 JUNO Awards twice.  The first time was in 2006.  ‘Album’ and ‘Pop Album of the Year’ went to “It’s Time” and 2006’s ‘Single of the Year’ JUNO was for Michael Buble’s “Home”.  His second time happened in 2010.  Michael’s “Crazy Love” won ‘Album’ and ‘Pop Album of the Year’.  Mr. Bubles’ “Haven’t Met You Yet” won the 2010 JUNO for ‘Single of the Year’.

4.  Aha!  Yet another trick question.  All three were born in Montreal.      

5.  OK, I promise no more trick questions.  Anne Murray was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1993.  Folk duo Ian & Sylvia went in the previous year (1992) and a. the members of Rush (Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart) were inducted the following year (1994).  Rush was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18th this year.  Bruce Cockburn went into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and Tom Cochrane received his honours in 2003.  

THE JUNO AWARDS ARE THIS WEEKEND

The JUNO Awards are on CTV Sunday from Regina, so to get you prepared for the big event, our questions this week will be about this years’ nominees or special award winners.  If you paid attention to our last column and/or listened to the radio regularly, these should all be easy, peasy. Plus, they’re multiple choice questions, so you’ve got a 33 1/3 chance of getting it right if you’re guessing.  OK, here we go.   

QUESTIONS:

1. Who is the host of the JUNO Awards this year?  Is it:                                                                                    a. Justin Beiber  b. Carly Rae Jepsen  c. Michael Buble 

2.  Which Canadian musical icon is being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame this year?  Is it:   a. Leonard Cohen  b. k.d. lang  c. Rush         

3.  Saskatoon rockers The Sheepdogs are nominated in several JUNO categories this year, including ‘Single of the Year’ for “The Way It Is”, ‘Rock Album of the Year’ for “The Sheepdogs” as well as ‘Group of the Year’.  In 2011, they became the first unsigned band to be featured on the cover of what famous U.S. magazine?  Was it:     a. People Magazine  b. Rolling Stone Magazine  c.  Musician Magazine 

4.  Which 2013 JUNO nominated singer placed third on CTV’s “Canadian Idol” in 2007?  Was it:  a. Justin Beiber  b. Serena Ryder  c. Carly Rae Jepsen  

5.  Bob Ezrin is a legendary Canadian record producer (KISS, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Hanoi Rocks) who’s nominated this year for the ‘Jack Richardson Producer of the Year’ JUNO award.  Which Pink Floyd album did Bob Ezrin produce?  Was it:  a. The Wall  b. A Momentary Lapse of Reason  c. Division Bell    

ANSWERS

1.  The correct answer is c. Michael Buble.  Michael has won 11 JUNO Awards thus far in his career.  Carly Rae Jepsen is nominated in several categories and Justin Beiber is way too busy putting his foot in his mouth to host.     

2.  Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1991.  Rush in 1994, so that would mean that c. Alberta born k.d. lang is the correct answer.  Kathy Dawn Lang has also been honoured with the Order of Canada in 1997.  She was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2008.

3.  The Sheepdogs (who won 3 JUNO Awards last year for ‘New Group of the Year’, ‘Sing of the Year’ and ‘Rock Album of the Year’) appeared on the cover of b. Rolling Stone Magazine on August 18, 2011.  The group won an international ‘Choose The Cover’ competition, beating out 15 other performers.                

4.  c. 27 year old Carly Rae Jepsen from Mission, British Columbia is the correct answer.  Jepsen, who’s nominated for the most JUNO Awards this year (that would be 5, count ‘em, 5, ‘Single of the Year’, ‘Album of the Year’, ‘JUNO Fan Choice’, ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘Pop Album of the Year’), came in third on the fifth season of “Canadian Idol”.  Carly Rae also participated in the subsequent “Canadian Idol” Top 3 concert tour.   

5.  OK, it’s a trick question because Bob Ezrin produced ALL THREE of those Pink Floyd albums, so whichever one you chose, you were correct.  Congratulations and enjoy the JUNO Awards.