Welcome to trivia 6  strange or uninteresting facts that you should know or want to argue whether they are true or false  including offsprings names !!! That will be the day by Buddy Holly, was a phrase that Buddy heard in the sons of Katie Elder starring John Wayne . . . . . Dave Hill outrageous guitarist from Slade was colour blind Get down & get with it by Slade by originally a Little Richard Song. Would Jimi Hendrix had the same success as James Hendricks Sex Pistols got paid 30k to leave Emi after their TV outburst Chas Chandler allegedly had friends who managed to get "Hey Joe" into the charts. The Blondie hit "Hanging on the telephone" in 1978 was written by Jack Lee for his band "the Nerves" in 1974, inspired by a illustration in Alan Aldridges book about the Beatles & an ex girlfriend. Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll by Ian Dury was based on Ornette Colemans "the face of the bass" Last band to play at the old Wembley Stadium was Bon Jovi in 2000 Bowie's phone box from the sleeve of Ziggy Stardust LP can be found on Heddon Street, in Central London. Oasis got there name from a Leisure centre in Swindon,when Noel Gallagher was a roadie. Prestwick Airport was the only place in Britain Elvis Presley set foot on, when his plane refueled in March 1960. T in the Park is Scotlands biggest festival, the T comes from the sponsors Tennants Lager. Rod Stewart was the first in his family to be born in England. Slash from Guns n Roses lived in Stoke on Trent until he was 11 years old. Free played there first gig at the Nags Head pub in Northamptonshie. NEC was christened by a Queen gig in 1980. Last Joy Division Gig was at Birmingham Uni in May 1980. Paul Simon wrote the song "Homeward Bound" waiting for a train at Widnes Station.  The Sex Pistols first gig at  Manchester Free Trade Hall was witnessed allegedly by a crowd of 35 on the 4th June 1976. Don Arden Manager of the Samll Faces & Others, plus record Mogul & father of Sharon Osbourne was a Mancunian.  Judas Priest LP "Britsh Steel" was a reference to the striking Sheffield Steel Workers. The Cowsill brothers (from the 60's) were the real life inspiration for the 70's TV show the Partridge Family. . . . . Blues Artist Robert Johnson recorded a grand total of 29 tracks in his short life of 27 years. (all between 1936/7) The Darkness based their song "I believe in a thing called love" on Rene Bergs "Rob the Bank"  Joni Mitchell was due to play Woodstock but turned back due to the traffic . . . .  Eno (Ex Roxy Music) got paid $30k by Microsoft to write the 6 second intro to Windows 95 Paul Weller played guitar on "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis As a boy, David Bowie was taught art by Peter Frampton's father, Owen Frampton, at Bromley Technical School     David Howell Evans, U2's 'The Edge' used to live in the Los Angeles house where Eric and Lyle Menendez killed their parents in 1989. Paul McCartney has used several pseudonyms in his career including 'Paul Ramone', 'Bernard Webb', 'A. Smith', 'Apollo C. Vermouth', 'Country Hams', "Percy 'Thrills' Thrillington" and 'The Fireman' Sheryl Crow started her singing career as a backup singer for Michael Jackson's. George Harrison, Joe Cocker, and Rod Stewart before going solo Jimmy Page's first session job for the Decca Label was the recording of "Diamonds" by Jet Harris & Tony Meehan, which went to Number 1 on the singles chart in 1963   As of 2005, Queen albums have spent a total of 1,422 weeks or 27 years on the UK album charts; more time than any other musical act including The Beatles and Elvis Presley.   Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' by Wham! was inspired by a sign Andrew Ridgeley used to put on his bedroom door for his mum to wake him before she went to work. The singing voice of Lauren Bacall, in her screen debut, 'To Have And Not Have' was dubbed by Andy Williams .. when he was a teenager. Rock band Van Halen had a provision in their contract demanding M&Ms backstage with the brown ones removed. This was a way of seeing if the promoters read the contract.   January 2002, George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" replaced Aaliyah's "More Than A Woman" at #1 - the only time that a deceased artist has taken over from another deceased artist at number 1. Aerosmith Steve Tyler's daughter, Liv, was born in 1976 to Bebe Buell, a legendary groupie who also had affairs with Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, Elvis Costello, and Todd Rundgren. She told Liv that Rundgren was her father, and Liv didn't find out the truth until she was 11. Neil Sedaka played piano on Bobby Darin's hit "Dream Lover"   Billy Joel played piano on The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack" (1964)   The MGs were the backup band for Otis Redding when he recorded "Dock Of The Bay" in 1967. The famous whistling in the third verse of that song was something Redding did to fill time until he could fill it in with some words. He never had the chance, he died in a plane crash 3 days later During their 30 odd year career, Black Sabbath have had 29 different members. The Harmonica is the world's best-selling music instrument.   Each KISS member represents a character. Simmons is The Demon, Frehley is The Spaceman, Stanley is The Star Child, Criss is The Cat, and Carr was The Fox. Vincent briefly wore makeup with an Ankh design in his early concerts with the group. Cynthia 'Plaster' Caster, a groupie became famous for making plaster cast's of rock star's penises and breasts. Clients include Jimi Hendrix and members from MC5, Television, The Kinks and various road managers The Star-Spangled Banner became the US national anthem in 1931. Prior to that, it was My Country 'Tis of Thee," which had the same melody as Britian's national anthem God Save the Queen, which is based on music written by John Bull in 1619. Cockney Rebel bass player Paul Jeffreys was one of the 270 passengers on Pan-Am flight 103 killed by a terrorist bomb when the plane crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland. Sex Pistol John Lydon and his wife, Nora missed the flight because his wife hadn't packed in time. The Four Tops also had been booked onto the flight returning to the States for Christmas but missed it after a recording session over ran. Nazareth had a similar Plane miss by declining to fly with Lynyrd Skynyrd. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen contains the famous "mamma mia, mamma mia, mamma mia let me go" line. It was knocked off the No.1 position on the UK chart by Abba's 'Mamma Mia' (January 1976). In a 1997 TV interview Mick Jagger attributed the original classic design of the Stones' tongue logo to John Pasch, not Andy Warhol.  Elvis' favourite collectibles were official badges. He collected police badges  Axl Rose wanted Nazareths Dan McCafferty to sing at his wedding The first video to premier on MTV was " Video Killed The Radio Star" by Buggles on August 1st 1981. The most aired video in MTV's history is Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" AC/DC were featured on the front cover of the first issue of Kerrang Magazine, launched in 1981 The LP (long-playing) record was invented by Paul Goldmark in 1948.  Nazareth were allegedly the most bootlegged band in Russia. Frank Sinatra once called Rock and Roll "The most brutal, ugly, degenerate, vicious form of expression it has been my displeasure to hear." The title of Phil Spector's song by The Teddy Bears, 'To Know Him Is To Love Him' was taken from the inscription on Spector's father's tombstone. I Fought The Law' a hit for The Clash was written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly's Crickets Elvis Presley made only one television commercial, an ad for "Southern Maid Doughnuts" that ran in 1954 Country singer Waylon Jennings was a guitar player in Buddy Holly's backup band. He gave up his plane seat to J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) just moments before it took off. The plane crashed, killing all on board, including Buddy Holly. The lead vocal of the Beach Boys hit, "Barbara Ann" was actually sung by Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean Despite all of the hits that they've had, The Who have never had a number one record in the UK or the US The Everly Brothers world hit "Bye Bye Love," was rejected by 30 labels before Cadence Records picked it up Petula Clark's hit, "This Is My Song" was written by movie actor Charlie Chaplin. Roy Orbison's trademark look came about when he misplaced his regular glasses and had to rely on a pair of prescription sun-glasses.  Even though he has recorded some of the most memorable rock and roll classics, the only gold record that Chuck Berry ever received was for "My Ding-a-ling". The original Eagles, Glen Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon first met when they were members of Linda Ronstadt's backup band Barry Manilow's hit, "I Write The Songs" was actually written by Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys EMI stands for Electrical & Musical Instruments Over 400 musicians applied for a part in The Monkees, including Stephen Stills, John Sebastian and Harry Nilsson Sonny and Cher were initially known as Caesar and Cleo. Lou Reed's parents sent him for Electroshop therapy at the age of 17 to cure him of his homosexual tendancies. . . . Jimmy Page allegedly played guitar on the Kinks 'You Really Got Me'  Rock Guitarist Rick Derringer was the main man in the McCoys "Hang on Sloopy" Marc Bolans "Ride a white swan" was about his White Fender Stratacaster. There's a memorial stone for Joe Strummer at Glastonbury. Ry Cooder has a glass eye due to accident at the age of 4 . . . Eric Clapton wanted a Les Paul Gold Top like Freddie King but couldn't afford it so ended up with a Sunburst. . . . Link Wray was part Shawnee Indian . . . . .  FreeBird by Lynyrd Skynrd was a tribute to Duanne Allman (nickname SkyDog) Stoke on Trents finest Slash played the guitar solo on Michael Jacksons "Black or white' Scotty Parker was Elvis Presleys first manager & charged 10% as opposed to Col Parkers 50%. . . . .  Frank Zappa has an Asteroid named 3834 Zappa Frank named after him. . . . .  Johnny Marr supports Nottingham Forest / David Essex & Iron Maiden support West Ham . . . Tony Iommi Before Sabbath played for Jethro Tull . . .  Tommy Johnson was the original Faustian Park subject of selling his soul at the "crossroads" The Beatles "I want to hold your hand" is still the biggest british single on the US bill board charts. The Ramones were not first choice for the film "Rock n Roll high school' - Cheap Trick were too busy to accept. Debbie Harrys first recording venture was with a band called "Wind in the Willows' in 1968 Elton Johns "Someone saved my life tonight' was written about his failed suicide attempt. The Pistols original title for 'God save the Queen' was 'no future' & had Steve Jones playing bass not Sid Vicious. "James & the cold gun' was the record labels choice for a first single for Kate Bush who held out for 'wuthering heights' Link Wrays song "the rumble" was banned for being obscene despite being an instrumental. . . . . . Joe Moretti played guitar on 'shaking all over' by the pirates & not as thought Mick green. Lee Brilleaux from Dr Feelgood has a public Park bench named after him in Jackson Sq Park, New york scribed "wolfman calling in memoriam lee brilleaux' Ari Up from the Slits father in law is a certain john lydon Cotswold Railways have named two Locomotives after Joe Strummer & John peel - Rock n Roll The Pogues "fairytale of new york" started two years previously in 1985 as a story line about a sailor & distant shores written by Jem Finer - his wife said it was shit !!! and it was suggested it was changed to a story about a hard up couple at christmas - the man gambles away all of their money on the horses, leading to confrontation & final redemption. This was mixed with another song & the two songs combined the melody of the first & words of the second.   The opening chord progression in "Stairway to Heaven" is similar to that of the 1968 instrumental "Taurus" by the group Spirit. The group opened for Spirit on a 1968 tour. While nobody in the group has ever cited influence from the track, the band was known to cover the Spirit song 'Fresh Garbage' during their early days. The inspiration behind the Rolling Stones song 'Angie'? was Angie Bowie, then David Bowie's wife (who allegedly found her husband in bed with Mick Jagger). Number one when England won the world cup in 1966 was "Out of Time' by Chris Farlowe. . . . . . . The Plasmatics were originally called "Captain Kinks Sex Show Theatre' Before settling for the nickname 'Bono' - U2's Paul Hewson called himself "Steinvic Von Huyseman" - catchy or wot !!! Jimmy Page bought  satanists Alistair crowley's house The name of the apartment building where John Lennon died was the Dakota  The three main members of the 27 Club - were Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix "Fairytale of new york" song title came from a book by JP Donleeavy which was about an Irish American mortician returning to new york after studying in ireland. The boomtown rat stars pete briquette & fingers were real life cousins Debbie Harry's first band was the Wind In The Willows The name of Gene Simmons's and Paul Stanley's band before KISS was Wicked Lester Alice Cooper's main hobby is collecting old watches. Prince wrote "Manic Monday" for "The Bangles". "Let me be the one" by the osmonds was written by Johnny Bristol (hang on in there baby fame) Ray Dorset of Mungo Jerry wrote kelly maries biggest hit ' feels like I'm in love" Sutherland brother wrote "sailing" covered by Rod Stewart. The Blockheads played the music for Frankie Goes to Hollywoods biggest hit 'Relax & Two tribes" backup  singer on Carly Simon's hit 'You're So Vain'  was Mick Jagger Beach Boys Album Cover "Pet Sounds"  was photographed at San Diego Zoo  !!!! Ivor Cutler played the tour guide in the Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour'  and his name was Buster Bloodvessel !!!  Tony Burrows has the distinction of being the lead singer with 5 different 70's groups: Edison Lighthouse(Love Grows), White Plains(My Baby Loves Lovin'), The Brotherhood Of Man(United We Stand), The Pipkins(Gimme Dat Ding), and First Class(Beach Baby) The Hooters were cyndi laupers backing band and co wrote her hits Joe Satriani once played lead guitar for Greg Kihn U2 were originally going to be called 'The Hype' Van Halen were  making of the video "Jump", and the band spent more money on beer than they did on the production of the video. White ladder by David Gray went platinum in Ireland 29 times. Pete Townshend song "Pictures of Lily" was released by The Who as a single reaching the UK top 5 in 1967. It tells the story of a father who gives his son pictures of Lily Langtry, a theater star from the 1800`s. Considered one of Britain`s most beautiful actresses, she was also notorious as the mistress of the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII. On the surface, the story is a simple one, a boy who can`t sleep at night recounts how pictures of Lily helped him do so, but in fact it was banned by many radio stations for it`s sexual connotations! Millions of people first heard "Heavy Metal Thunder" in the lyrics of STEPPENWOLF's song "Born to be Wild", which was a huge hit in 1968.  The song is referring to the sound of a motorcycle, not music. Otis Blackwell is sitting in his office at Shalamar Music, desperately trying to come up with a follow-up to his composition "Don't Be Cruel".Then Al Stanton, one of the partners at Shalamar, happened to wander in.  "He walked in with a bottle of Pepsi, shaking it as they did at the time. Al said, 'Otis, I've got an idea. Why don't you write a song called "All Shook Up"?'  The Bo Diddley riff actually goes all the way back to West Africa, and the "patted juba" rhythms of pre-slavery days. the first artist to put the heavily accented rhythm on record was a Chicago youngster named Sammy McGrier. Bo Diddley went to audition, taking with him a song he'd written called "Uncle John." It had that famous rhythm pattern, which intrigued the Chess Brothers, but the words were too dirty to put on a record. So they told him to rewrite the tune and come back. When he returned, he'd named it after himself - "Bo Diddley."  People who work for the Mutual of New York Insurance Company--also known as M.O.N.Y.--can’t imagine that the staid, conservative company would have anything to do with rock ‘n’ roll, but Tommy James saw the illuminated sign & Mony Mony was created. It’s Now or Never by Elvis Presley  is based on an Italian operatic theme called “0 Sole Mio.” That song was composed in 1901 by Eduardo di Capua. It was popularized in America by Mario Lanza, who sang it in Italian, and then popularized again in an English “translation” by Tony Martin. His version was called “There’s No Tomorrow”, and it hit #2 on the pop charts in 1949. Linda by Jan and  Dean & My Love by Paul McCartney and Wings were composed for Linda Louise Eastman McCartney. “Linda” was written for her while she was a little girl. Her father, Lee Eastman, was one of the top show-business lawyers in the country and in 1947 a client named Jack Lawrence--a song-writer--owed him some legal fees. Eastman suggested an easy way for Lawrence to pay his bill--write a song dedicated to his five-year-old daughter. The tune would be published through an Eastman-controlled company, and the royalties would offset Lawrence’s debt. It was a good deal all around, and Lawrence wrote “Linda” as his part of the bargain. & “My Love,” which husband Paul described as a “smootchy ballad” about his wife. Claptons song “Layla”’s real name was Patti Boyd -- or more accurately, Patti Boyd Harrison. She was the wife of Beatle George Harrison when Eric Clapton began pursuing her. You may be wondering how “Patti” became “Layla.” The answer: Clapton lifted the name “Layla” from a Persian love story called “Layla and Mashoun.” The tale had little similarity to the Eric/Patti/George love triangle. Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds,  The song that changed the face of rock music (it launched the Byrds, convinced Dylan to "go electric;" and started the folk-rock movement) was inspired by a folk guitarist named Bruce Langhorne. Bruce who? Let Dylan explain it: "Bruce was playing with me on a bunch of early records. On one session, [producer] Tom Wilson had asked him to play tambourine. And he had this gigantic tambourine. It was, like, really big. It was as big as a wagon wheel. He was playing and this vision of him playing just stuck in my mind." Are You Lonesome Tonight?" the 1960 hit for Elvis Presley was written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926 as a vaudeville recitation and first recorded by Al Jolson. Loads of Nuclear War Songs  "Tomahawk Cruise" by TV Smith's Explorers / "The Dead Next Door" by Billy Idol / "Ronnie Talk to Russia" by Prince / "Domino" by Genesis / "French Letter" by Herbs / "Protect & Survive" by Jethro Tull / "Maralinga" by Urban Guerillas / "The Walls Came Down" by The Call / "Athena" by The Who / "I Found That Essence Rare" by Gang of Four / "Breathing" by Kate Bush / "This World Over" by XTC / "It's A Mistake" by Men at Work / "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 / "Political Science" by Randy Newman / "Nagasaki Nightmare" by Crass / "Who's Gonna Win The War" by Hawkwind / "Always the Sun" by The Stranglers / "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads / "Dancing With Myself" by Billy Idol / "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" by Ultravox / "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House / "Down Under" by Men At Work / "Enola Gay" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark / "Euroshima" by John Waite / "The Final Countdown" by Europe / "Land of Confusion" by Genesis / "Minutes to Midnight" by Midnight Oil / "Silent Running" by Mike And The Mechanics / "2 Minutes to Midnight" by Iron Maiden / "99 Luft Balloons" by Nena Ex Armed forces rockers -  UK army - BILLY BRAGG / IAN ASTBURY / JOHN MAYALL / BILL WYMAN / James blunt Us army - elvis / ice t / jimi hendrix / mc hammer / shaggy / terence trent d'arby Murdered Musicians : - Al Jackson (booker T) - Shot in his own home / Bobby Fuller -- Found dead - possibly mobsters / Carlton Barrett (wailers) - shot / Don Myrick (E W F) - Shot by police / Felix Pappalardi (mountain) - killed by wife / Jaco Pastorius(weather report) - killed by Bouncer  / John Lennon - shot by Mark Chapman / Marvin Gaye - shot by his father / Sam Cooke - shot by jealous lover / Notorious b i g - shot outside a party / Peter Tosh - killed by burglars / Tupac Shakur - shot outside nightclub Please dont get on that plane : - great losses to music due to flights are as follows: Glenn Miller / Buddy Holly / Big Bopper / Richie Valens / Patsy Cline / Randy Rhoads / Jim Reeves / Otis Redding / Jim Croce / Ronnie Van Zant & Steve Gaines / Ricky Nelson / John Denver Always wanted to be able to paint or be Picasso : - musicians who dabble with brushes include: David Bowie / Ronnie Wood / Paul Mccartney / Holly Johnson / Ian Dury / Paul Simonon / Joni Mitchell / Bono  Millions of people first heard "Heavy Metal Thunder" in the lyrics of STEPPENWOLF's song "Born to be Wild", which was a huge hit in 1968.  The song is referring to the sound of a motorcycle, not music.   Songs that were covered and you either loved the original and wanted to shoot the artist doing the new cover or has made old age a better place for the original artist. (Your choice !!!!!) Without You" - Badfinger, 1970 - Harry Nilsson, 1971 - Mariah Carey,1994 "With a Little Help from My Friends" - The Beatles, 1967 - Joe Cocker, 1969 - Wet Wet Wet, 1988 - Sam and Mark, 2004 "Tainted Love" - Gloria Jones, 1964 - Soft Cell, 1981 - Marilyn Manson, 2002 Relight My Fire" - Dan Hartman, 1979 - Take That featuring Lulu "Red Red Wine" - Neil Diamond, 1968 - Tony Tribe, 1969 - UB40, 1983 "All Along The Watchtower" -Bob Dylan, 1968 - Jimi Hendrix, 1968 American Pie" - Don McLean, 1971 - Madonna, 2000 Bette Davis Eyes" - Jackie DeShannon, 1974 - Kim Carnes, 1981 "Blinded by the Light" - Bruce Springsteen, 1973 - Manfred Mann, 1976 The First Cut Is The Deepest" - Cat Stevens, 1967 - P.P. Arnold, 1967 - Keith Hamps, 1973 - Rod Stewart, 1977 - Sheryl Crow, 2003 Hey Joe" - Love, 1966 - The Byrds, 1967 - Jimi Hendrix, 1967 "I Fought the Law" - Bobby Fuller Four, 1966 - Roy Orbison, 1967 - The Clash, 1979 - Dead Kennedys, 1987 - Green Day, 2004 "I Love Rock 'n Roll" - The Arrows, 1975 - Joan Jett, 1981 - Britney Spears, 2001 "I'm a Believer" - Neil Diamond, 1966 - The Monkees, 1966 - Robert Wyatt, 1974 - Smashmouth, 2001 Love is All Around" - The Troggs, 1967 - Wet Wet Wet, 1994 Money (That's What I Want)" - Barrett Strong, 1960 - The Beatles, 1963 - The Supremes, 1966 - The Flying Lizards, 1979 My Way" - Frank Sinatra, 1969 - Elvis Presley, 1977 - Sid Vicious, 1978 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" - Mel Carter, 1965 - U2, 1992   Rock offspring & their fab names (thank god for parents) Apple (Chris Martin coldplay) / Blue Angel (The Edge U2) / Dandelion (Keith Richards) / dweezil (Frank Zappa) / fifi trixabelle (Bob Geldolf & Paula Yates) / Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily (see above) / Rolan (Marc Bolan) / Jermajesty (Jermaine Jackson) / Moon Unit & weezil  & ahmet emuuka rodin (Frank Zappa) / Peaches (Bob Geldolf) / Prince michael (Michael Jackson) / Ross (Diana Ross) / Zowie (David Bowie) / Keith Richards - Dandelion / Posh Spice - Brooklyn & Romeo / Grace Slick - China / Smokey Robinson - Tamla / Liam Gallagher - Lennon / Buffy St Marie - Dakota Star Blanket Wolfchild / Aretha Franklin - Kecalf / Billy Swan - Planet / Donovan - Oriole / Eric Burdon - Mirage / Bono - Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q & Memphis Eve / Sonny And Cher - Chastity / Dave Stewart - Django & Sam Hurricane / Scary Spice - Phoenix Chi / Madonna - Lourdes General Chart Trivia Westlife hold the record for getting into double-figures in the shortest time (2 years and 10 months [ie. 149 weeks] - more than 3 months quicker than The Beatles (who took 165 weeks). Unlike Westlife, however, The Beatles tended to spend several weeks at the summit, slowing down their release rate.) It is worth pointing out that Paul McCartney has appeared on more Number 1s than any other artist under a diverse range of credits. He has, in fact, appeared on 24 Number 1s; solo (1), with Wings (1), Stevie Wonder, The Christians et al (1), Ferry Aid (1), Band Aid (1), Band Aid 20 (1) and The Beatles (17). In total, sixteen artists have appeared on ten or more number one singles. They are: Paul McCartney (24), Elvis Presley (21), John Lennon (20), George Harrison (18), Ringo Starr (16), Cliff Richard (15), Robbie Williams (14), Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan (13), Brian McFadden (12), Madonna, Geri Halliwell, Mel C (11), Mel B (10). Artist with Most Weeks at Number 1 It's Elvis Presley. He has topped the chart for a total of 80 weeks (as of w/e 5th Feb 2005). Top group is The Beatles (69 weeks). Top female performer is Madonna (24 weeks - as of w/e 3rd Dec 2005). In his many different manifestations, however, Paul McCartney has spent 93 weeks at the top. Most Consecutive Number 1s 7 - by The Beatles and Westlife. The Beatles' stretch began with "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964 and lasted to "Yellow Submarine"/"Eleanor Rigby" in 1966. The run was broken when "Penny Lane"/"Strawberry Fields Forever" merely made the number 2 position the following year! Westlife's stint began with their debut, "Swear it Again" in 1999 and ran through to "My Love" in November 2000 (though one hit was a 'duet' with Mariah Carey). It was broken by "What Makes A Man" which peaked at number 2 the following month. Beatles fans are, however, quick to point out that "Ain't She Sweet" (which made number 29 in 1964) was recorded in 1961, well before their EMI contract. It was issued by Polydor to 'cash in' on the success of the fab four. Fans argue that this was not an "official" Beatles release. If this logic is accepted (though the track did make the charts), The Beatles run of successive number ones begins with "From Me To You" in April 1963 - making a total of 11. Top female group is The Spice Girls (6 in a row from "Wannabe" through to "Too Much"). Longest Span of Number 1 Singles 47 years, 6 months and 23 days. Held by Elvis Presley. His first number 1 was "All Shook Up" in 1957 (w/e 13th June). His most recent chart-topper was the re-issue of "It's Now Or Never" in 2005 (w/e 5th Feb). Runner up is Cliff Richard. His first chart-topper was "Living Doll" in 1959. His latest was "The Millennium Prayer" in 1999, a span of 40, 4 months and 15 days. (+ 21 days for total span). Longest span for a female artist with solo credit is Madonna on 20 Years, 3 Months, 30 Days (from "Into The Groove", 3rd Aug 1985 to "Hung Up", 3rd Dec 2005 - ie. a total span of 1060 weeks). This is an ongoing battle though. Kyie Minogue is on 15 Years, 9 Months, and 23 Days (ie. 825 weeks from "I Should Be So Lucky", 23rd Jan 1988 to "Slow"; 15th Nov 2003). If we allow 'credits' on singles rather than solo performances, Cher easily takes the record. Her duet with Sony, "I Got You Babe" (Aug 1965) to "Believe" (Oct-Dec 1998) gives a total span of 33 years, 3 months, and 14 days [ie. 1738 weeks]. Also worthy of a mention is Tammy Wynette. Her single "Stand By Your Man" made no. 1 in 1975. She was a guest vocalist on the 'various artists' single "Perfect Day" which topped the chart in 1997-8 (22 Years, 7 Months, 24 Days - ie. 1183 weeks). Diana Ross, though not individually credited, provided vocals on the Supremes 1964 chart-topper "Baby Love". She most recently had a solo no. 1 with "Chain Reaction" in 1986 (21 Years, 4 Months, 1 Day - or 1114 weeks - total span). First Artist To Enter At Number 1 Al Martino's "Here In My Heart" was the track to Top the first ever chart (Nov 1952) so, technically, this was the first track to debut at Number 1. But ignoring this, the first artist to enter at Number 1 in the established chart was Elvis Presley ("Jailhouse Rock", Jan 1958). First Artist To Enter At Number 1 With Consecutive Releases Slade. In 1973 they debuted at the top with both "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me." Fastest Hat-Trick of Number 1s A one-a-week series of re-issued Elvis Presley singles in 2005 enabled him to have three different chart-toppers in just four weeks; ("Jailhouse Rock" w/e 15th Jan; "One Night" / "I Got Stung" w/e 22nd Jan; "It's Now Or Never" w/e 5th Feb). The record for the fastest hat-trick of non re-issued number ones is held by John Lennon. Following his death in December 1980, there was an almost frenzied buying of his singles. This resulted in him topping the chart no fewer than three times within an 8 week period ["(Just Like) Starting Over" w/e 20th Dec 1980; "Imagine" (a re-entry but nevertheless, not a re-issue, w/e 10th Jan 1981; "Woman" w/e 7th Feb 1981.] First Artist To Enter At Number 1 With A Hat-Trick of Consecutive Releases Take That. In fact, from July 1993 to April 1994, all four of their single releases went straight in at No.1 ("Pray", "Relight My Fire" [featuring Lulu], "Babe", "Everything Changes"). The band repeated this feat in the period from Oct 1994 to March 1996. Most Entries at Number 1 From May 1999 to October 2005, Westlife entered the chart at No. 1 on 13 occasions. First Entry At Number 1 By A Debuting Act Excluding Al Martino, who was No. 1 in the first ever chart, Billy Preston was the first artist to enter at No. 1 with a debut single. To be fair, he performed the song ("Get Back," 1969) with The Beatles and so, quite literally, can't claim the entire credit for this feat. The Band Aid charity ensemble made its debut at No. 1 ("Do They Know It's Christmas?", 1984) but this comprised a number of already successful artistes. The first act to make its chart debut at No. 1 on its own 'merit' was the Danish vocalist Whigfield (1994). Her song "Saturday Night" (with its associated dance) had been huge on the continent for some months and the demand from Brits returning home built up an enormous head of steam prior to its release. First British act to debut at No. 1 was Robson & Jerome ("Unchained Melody" / "White Cliffs Of Dover", 1995). First solo male to debut at No. 1 was Babylon Zoo (a name used by British vocalist/multi-instrumentalist, Jas Mann) with "Spaceman" (1996). First British female act to make her debut at No. 1 was Billie ("Because We Want To", 1998). First all-girl group to make their chart debut at No. 1 was the Irish quartet B*Witched (with "C'est La Vie") in 1998. First British all-girl group to make its debut at No. 1 was Girls Aloud ("Sound Of The Underground", 2002). Most Entries at Number 1 by a Debuting Act On 11 Nov 2000, Westlife became the first act to have their first seven singles enter the chart at Number 1 as "My Love" crashed in at the top spot. First Act To Reach Number 1 With Their First Three Releases Gerry And The Pacemakers. Their debut single, "How Do You Do It?" was released in March 1963. After five weeks it made number 1. It was followed later that year by "I Like It" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (both topped the charts four weeks after first appearing in the Top 40). This feat was not matched until 21 years later when Frankie Goes To Hollwood took each of their first three singles to the top (1984). Self-Replacement At Number One On nine occasions in history, one title by an act has knocked another hit, by the same act, off the number one spot: Ray Conniff and his Orchestra (Jan 1957) "Just Walking In The Rain" replaced by "Singing The Blues." Norrie Paramor and the string section of his orchestra (Mar 1963) - "The Wayward Wind" was replaced by "Summer Holiday." The Shadows (Aug 1960) "Please Don't Tease" knocked off the top spot by "Apache." The Shadows (Jan 1963) "The Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy" replaced by "Dance On!" The Shadows (Mar 1963) "Summer Holiday" replaced by "Foot Tapper." The Shadows (Apr 1963) "Foot Tapper" replaced by "Summer Holiday." The Beatles (Dec 1963) "She Loves You" replaced by "I Want To Hold Your Hand." John Lennon (Feb 1981) "Imagine" replaced by "Woman." Elvis Presley (Jan 2005) "Jailhouse Rock" replaced by "One Night" / "I Got Stung." NB: Full credits: -"Just Walking In The Rain" - Johnnie Ray, Ray Conniff and his Orchestra / "Singing The Blues" - Guy Mitchell, Ray Conniff and his Orchestra. - "The Wayward Wind" - Frank Ifield, with Norrie Paramor and his Orchestra / "Summer Holiday" - Cliff Richard, The Shadows and the Norrie Paramor Strings. - "Please Don't Tease", "The Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy" and "Summer Holiday" were credited to Cliff Richard and The Shadows. Longest Gap Between Number 1s 31 years 0 months - for George Harrison. "My Sweet Lord" first made the top spot in Jan 1971. A few weeks after his death, it returned to number 1 (Jan 2002). In second place is the act which also holds the record for the longest gap between number 1s with different tracks and the record for longest gap between number 1s within the lifetime of the artist(s); The Righteous Brothers (25 years 8 months). In Feb 1965 they hit the top with "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'". They didn't return until 1990 - with "Unchained Melody". The longest run between original number 1s (i.e not a re-release) is 18 years and 3 months for Blondie (Nov 1980, "The Tide is High", to Feb 1999, "Maria"). Biggest run for a female artist is 14 years 6 months by Diana Ross - from the prophetic "I'm Still Waiting" (Sep 1971) til "Chain Reaction" (Mar 1986). Special mention must be made here of Stevie Winwood. Though not specifically credited, he hit number 1 with The Spencer Davis Group ("Somebody Help Me") in Apr 1966. A barren period then followed before a sample of his solo hit "Valerie" formed the basis of Eric Prydz's chart-topper "Call On Me" in Sep 2004; an hiatus of 38 years and 5 months between appearances, albeit uncredited, at number 1. Longest Time For An Artist To Get To Number 1 34 Years, 10 Months, and 2 Days; Tony Christie. His first single, "Las Vegas", entered the Top 40 on w/e 16th Jan 1971, peaking at no. 21. His single from November of that year, "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" was used in 2005 by comedian Peter Kaye in various TV performances, ultimately leading to a re-release in aid of Comic Relief. That catapulted the track back into the chart - at no. 1 - on w/e 26th Mar 2005. This broke the record set over 18 years previously by Jackie Wilson. His "Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town)" topped the chart in Dec 1986; 29 Years, 1 Month, and 11 Days after it first entered the chart. The longest time for a female soloist to take to reach Number 1 is 25 Years, 8 Months and 15 Days for Cher [from her first solo hit, "All I Really Want To Do", 19th Aug 1965 to "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)", 4th May 1991]. She had, though, previously topped the chart as half of Sonny and Cher before going solo. In terms of contributing to a Number 1: Ozzy Osbourne holds the male record. He first hit the Top 40 as a member of Black Sabbath with "Paranoid" on w/e 12th Sep 1970. 33 years, 3 months and 8 days later (w/e 20th Dec 2003; a total of 1736 weeks) he achieved the top spot with "Changes" (a duet with daughter Kelly - and a version of a Black Sabbath album track from 1972). The previous record holder was Eric Clapton. He first hit the chart as a member of the Yardbirds in 1965 ("For Your Love", w/e 20th Mar 1965) but did not form part of a chart-topping combo until hit collaboration with Cher (her again!), Chrissie Hynde and Neneh Cherry ("Love Can Build A Bridge", w/e 25 Mar 1995); 30 years, 0 months and 5 days [1567 weeks]. Lulu holds the female record. Her first Top 40 hit was "Shout" (w/e 16th May 1964). She finally hit the top spot with Take That ("Relight My Fire", 9th Oct, 1993); 29 Years, 4 Months and 23 Days. Posthumous Number 1s A morbid one - but one about which, nonetheless, we receive constant emails. Twelve artists have topped the chart following their death. They are: Artist Cause of death date of death Post humus no. 1 date/s of no. 1 Buddy Holly plane crash Feb 1959 It Doesn't Matter Anymore Apr 1959 Eddie Cochran taxi crash April 1960 Three Steps To Heaven June 1960 Jim Reeves plane crash July 1964 Distant Drums Sept 1966 Jimi Hendrix drugs Sept 1970 Voodoo Chile Nov 1970 Elvis Presley heart failure Aug 1977 Way Down As 'Elvis vs JXL' - A Little Less Conversation Jailhouse Rock (re-issue) One Night / I Got Stung (re-issue) It's Now Or Never Sept 1977 / June 2002 / Jan 2005 / Jan 2005 / Feb 2005 John Lennon shot Dec 1980 (Just Like) Starting Over Imagine (re-entry) Woman Dec 1980 / Jan 1981 / Feb 1981 Jackie Wilson pneumonia Jan 1984 Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl In Town) (re-issue) Nov 1986 Freddie Mercury AIDS Nov 1991 Living On My Own and with Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody (re-issue) / These Are The Days Of Our Lives Aug 1993 2Pac shot Sep 1996 As '2Pac featuring Elton John' - Ghetto Gospel Jul 2005 Aaliyah plane crash Aug 2001 More Than A Woman Jan 2002 George Harrison cancer Nov 2001 My Sweet Lord (re-issue) Jan 2002 Notorious B.I.G. shot Mar 1997 Nasty Girl (with Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm) Feb 2006 On 20th January 2002, George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" replaced Aaliyah's "More Than A Woman" at the top spot. This is the only time in chart history that one deceased artist has taken over from another at number 1 (though John Lennon and Elvis Presley have each replaced themselves at no. 1 posthumously.) The biggest posthumous hit by an artist not making no. 1 is also the first after-death success for a duo; Laurel & Hardy's "Trail Of The Lonesome Pine" which made no.2 in Dec 1975. They died in 1965 and 1957 respectively. (The only other duo to have a posthumous hit are 2Pac & Notorious BIG. "Runnin'" made no. 15 in July 1998, the fastest hit after the death of the first-deceased member of a duo; less than 2 years. 2Pac died in Sep 1996, Notorious BIG in Mar 1997.) Elvis (vs JXL), "A Little Less Conversation", 2Pac (featuring Elton John) "Ghetto Gospel", and Notorious BIG (featuring Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm) "Nasty Girl" were all produced/remixed after the artists' death, 'sampling' their vocals. One-Hit Wonders These are artists who had one number one single and have been involved in no other hit. ("Hit" here meaning a Top 40 placing). Artists marked * have experienced some further success outside the Top 40. Year Artist Title 1954 Kitty Kallen Little Things Mean A Lot 1956 Dreamweavers It's Almost Tomorrow 1958 Kalin Twins When 1959 Jerry Keller Here Comes Summer 1960 Ricky Valance Tell Laura I Love Her 1961 * The Marcels Blue Moon 1961 * The Highwaymen Michael 1962 B. Bumble & The Stingers Nut Rocker 1966 Overlanders Michelle 1967 * Scott McKenzie San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair) 1968 Crazy World Of Arthur Brown Fire 1968 * Hugo Montenegro The Good The Bad And The Ugly 1969 * Thunderclap Newman Something In The Air 1969 Zager & Evans In The Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus) 1969 Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg Je T'aime...Moi Non Plus 1969 Archies Sugar Sugar 1970 * Edison Lighthouse Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) 1970 Lee Marvin Wand'rin' Star 1970 Norman Greenbaum Spirit In The Sky 1970 Matthew's Southern Comfort Woodstock 1971 Clive Dunn Grandad 1973 Simon Park Orchestra Eye Level 1974 * John Denver Annie's Song 1975 * Telly Savalas If 1975 * Windsor Davies & Don Estelle Whispering Grass 1975 Typically Tropical Barbados 1976 J.J. Barrie No Charge 1977 Floaters Float On 1978 Althia & Donna Uptown Top Ranking 1978 Brian & Michael Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs 1979 Anita Ward Ring My Bell 1979 Lena Martell One Day At A Time 1980 Fern Kinney Together We Are Beautiful 1980 M*A*S*H Theme From Mash 1981 Joe Dolce Music Theatre Shaddap Your Face 1981 * Aneka Japanese Boy 1982 * Goombay Dance Band Seven Tears 1982 * Nicole A Little Peace 1982 Charlene I've Never Been To Me 1982 * Renee & Renato Save Your Love 1984 * Nena 99 Red Balloons 1985 Phyllis Nelson Move Closer 1987 Steve 'Silk' Hurley Jack Your Body 1987 M/A/R/R/S Pump Up The Volume 1988 Robin Beck The First Time 1990 Partners In Kryme Turtle Power 1991 Hale & Pace The Stonk 1994 Doop Doop 1997 * White Town Your Woman 1997 Teletubbies Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh 1999 Mr Oizo Flat Beat 1999 Baz Luhrmann Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) 1999 * Lou Bega Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...) 2001 Rui Da Silva Touch Me 2001 DJ Pied Piper & The Master Of Ceremonies Do You Really Like It 2002 Elvis vs * JXL A Little Less Conversation 2002 Las Ketchup The Ketchup Song (Asereje) 2002 DJ Sammy & Yanou Heaven 2003 * Tomcraft Loneliness 2003 Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules Mad World 2004 Frankee F.U.R.B. (F U Right Back) 2004 3 Of A Kind Babycakes 2004 * Eric Prydz Call On Me 2005 Steve Brookstein Against All Odds 2005 Ciara featuring *Petey Pablo Goodies 2005 Nelly featuring Tim McGraw Over And Over 2005 Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay (Is This The Way To) Amarillo 2005 Nizlopi The JCB Song 2005 Shayne Ward That's My Goal 2006 Notorious BIG featuring Diddy, Nelly, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm Nasty Girl Last one-hit wonder to be removed from the list: Arctic Monkeys (removed w/e 28th Jan 2006) Notes about One-Hit Wonders: Charity ensembles containing one or more hit artist are not included. St. Winifred's School Choir's "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" is exempted from this list as, two years previously, they appeared (though uncredited) on Brian & Michael's 1978 chart-topper, "Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs." Tubeway Army's "Are Friends Electric" is exempted from this list as it is a pseudonym of Gary Numan. The Young Ones "Living Doll" is exempted. As well as Cliff Richard and Hank Marvin, the single also features 'Neil,' who had a solo hit with "Hole In My Shoe" in 1984. The Timelords' "Doctorin' The Tardis" is exempted as the group also had hits as The KLF / Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu / 2K. Chef's "Chocolate Salty Balls" is exempted as the vocals were by Isaac Hayes who had two previous hits. JXL made the Top 75 as Junkie XL. Though "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" is credited to 'Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay', the latter did not perform on the single. His name was linked to the track as an endorsement to raise its profile for Comic Relief. The video for the song shows Kay miming to the track! The Archies track "Sugar Sugar" is widely acknowledged in music folklore as the most successful track by a One-Hit Wonder in terms of its chart performance; it spent eight weeks at number one (and 23 weeks in the Top 40). A note of controversy about its status as a one-hit wonder should be sounded as one of the artistes providing the vocals for this fictitious animated group was Ron Dante. He was also lead vocalist with The Cufflinks who had two Top 40 hits ("Tracy", 1969 and "When Julie Comes Around", 1970). Applying some of the logic from the previous exemptions, perhaps the Archies should be disqualified from the list on One-Hit Wonders. This being the case, The Kalin Twins' "When" (5 weeks at no. 1 in 1958) becomes the most successful track by a One-Hit Wonder judged on chart performance. Two one-hit wonders have sold over a million copies. They are "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh" (by The Teletubbies, 1997, 1.1m) and "Eye Level" (by The Simon Park Orchestra, 1970, 1.0m). Most Successful Acts Not To Have A Number 1 Single Depeche Mode have had most Top 40 hits without making No. 1 (39 of them up to Dec 2005!). In fact, they've never risen above No. 4. Billy Fury has spent 231 weeks on the Top 40. No other artist has spent longer on the chart without making No. 1. His best chart placing was Number 2 for "Jealousy" in 1961. Special mention must also go to Sash! who has made Number 2 on five occasions. No other artist has been 'runner up' with so many singles without ever making it to Number 1. (Jon) Bon Jovi has featured on nineteen Top 10 singles but never made the number 1 position. Two hits behind, Janet Jackson has appeared on seventeen Top 10 singles without reaching the top spot. And finally Actual Titles of Some Country Music Songs:~ - If My Nose Were Full of Nickels, I'd Blow It All On You - Do You Love As Good As You Look? - Drop Kick Me, Jesus, Through The Goalposts Of Life - Get Your Tongue Outta My Mouth 'Cause I'm Kissing You Goodbye - Her Teeth Were Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure - Here's A Quarter, Call Someone Who Cares - How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away? - Been Roped And Thrown By Jesus In The Holy Ghost Corral - I Changed Her Oil, She Changed My Life - I Don't Know Whether To Kill Myself Or Go Bowling - I Fell In A Pile Of You And Got Love All Over Me - I Flushed You From The Toilets Of My Heart. - I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You - I Wanna Whip Your Cow - I Would Have Wrote You A Letter, But I Couldn't Spell Yuck! - I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dawg Fight, Cause I'm Afraid She'd Win - I'd Rather Have A Bottle In Front Of Me Than A Frontal Lobotomy - I'm Just A Bug On The Windshield Of Life - I've Been Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart - I've Got The Hungries For Your Love And I'm Waiting In YourWelfare Line - If I Can't Be Number One In Your Life, Then Number Two On You - If Love Were Oil, I'd Be A Quart Low - If The Phone Don't Ring, Baby, You'll Know It's Me - If You Don't Leave Me Alone, I'll Go And Find Someone Else Who Will - If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too? - Mama Get The Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head) - May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose - My Every Day Silver Is Plastic - My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, And I Don't Love Jesus - My John Deere Was Breaking Your Field, While Your Dear John Was Breaking My Heart - My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, And I Sure Do Miss Him - Oh, I've Got Hair Oil On My Ears And My Glasses Are Slipping Down, But Baby I Can See Through You - Pardon Me, I've Got Someone To Kill - She Got The Gold Mine And I Got The Shaft; She Got The Ring And I Got The Finger - She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart - She's Got Freckles On Her, But She's Pretty - Thank God And Greyhound She's Gone - They May Put Me In Prison, But They Can't Stop My Face From Breakin' Out - Velcro Arms, Teflon Heart - When You Leave Walk Out Backwards, So I'll Think You're Walking In - You Can't Have Your Kate And Edith Too - You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd - You Done Tore Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat - You Were Only A Splinter In My Ass As I Slid Down The Bannister Of Life   - you're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly - "I Wouldn't Take You to a Dog Fight Even If I Thought You Could Win" - "My John Deere Was Breaking Your Field, While Your Dear John Was Breaking My Heart" - "I Liked You Better Before I Knew You So Well" - "I Still Miss You, Baby, But My Aim's Gettin' Better" - "Her Teeth Was Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure" - "I Wish I Were in Dixie Tonight, But She's Out of Town" - "You May Put Me In Prison, But You Can't Keep My Face From Breakin' Out"    If you know of any others drop us an email        (We believe most of the information is accurate but dont bet money on it as we cant be held responsible for your losses) Trivia 1 - First hits for artists and Number One Hit Wonders Trivia 2 - Songs and bands about numbers  Trivia 3 - Songs about actors & fans & places Trivia 4 - What bands / artists did for jobs along with bands who were named after animals & Famous Left Handers Trivia 5 - Misheard lyrics Trivia 6 - Is it true or false - music facts - including general info about songs / bands or rock stars kids names - your be hooked on this!! Trivia 7 - Is about those Bands from record, TV, Video, DVD who used nom de plumes etc Trivia 8 - Songs & Bands about colours   This page was last updated on 10/03/09 . Web Design by the Geezer