QUIZ: Can You Name The Band Behind These ’70s One Hit Wonders?
From Jimi Hendrix to Abba, the 1970s were a time of musical revolution. While many can ramble off names like Janis Joplin or Led Zeppelin, only the most diehard fans of ’70s music can recall more obscure artists like Nick Lowe or Derek and the Dominos. They’re the ones whose hit song you’ll recognize as one of the most played of the decade, though their name may be harder to pull from memory. If you think you’re up to the challenge, take this quiz to test how many bands you can name based on their one hit from the ’70s.
This band commanded a white boy to “Play That Funky Music”
A. Wild Wild West
B. Down And Out
C. Cherry Lipstick
D. Wild Cherry
Answer: Wild Cherry
Wild Cherry made it to the US Billboard Hot 100 list for their 1976 song “Play That Funky Music,” and the hit is still being played at parties everywhere today.
This R&B duo mixed funk and disco into their hit “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”
A. McFadden & Whitehead
B. Murtle & Williams
C. Megamax & Delta Jones
D. Hootie & The Blowfish
Answer: McFadden & Whitehead
McFadden & Whitehead were discovered by Otis Redding, who they toured with in the 1960s. By the 1970s, they were on top with their hit “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.”
Though she’s known for her hit “Turn The Beat Around,” this singer was also an actress
A. Angela Crosby
B. Naomi Ann Moore
C. Rita Marshall
D. Vicki Sue Robinson
Answer: Vicki Sue Robinson
Though you may not recognize Vicki Sue Robinson for her acting, you’re sure to recall her catchy song “Turn The Beat Around,” which remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for six months!
This Jamaican artist recorded his hit song “Kung Fu Fighting” in just two takes
A. Mark Johnson
B. Carl Douglas
C. Albert Noma
D. Bobby Maxwell
Answer: Carl Douglas
Carl Douglas wrote and recorded “Kung Fu Fighting” in a rush, but it still managed to become an international success. The hit has been used in movies and shows ever since.
This artists’ catchy hit “Ring My Bell” reached number one in three countries
A. Bethany Cosgrove
B. Anita Ward
C. Charlotte Anthony
D. Charmaign Laurence
Answer: Anita Ward
School teacher-turned-singer Anita Ward wowed audiences with her hit “Ring My Bell,” which hit number one in the US, the UK, and Canada. Her latest album was released in 2011.
These Irish rockers became internationally known for their hit “The Boys Are Back In Town”
A. Big Bobby
B. The Beauty and the Bad
C. Thin Lizzy
D. Lightning Town
Answer: Thin Lizzy
Hard rock band Thin Lizzy released their hit “The Boys Are Back in Town” in 1976 and it went on to become their first single to hit the US charts.
This Scottish band put out arguably the best breakup song ever: “Love Hurts”
A. Bad Blood
B. Omega
C. Nazareth
D. Babel
Answer: Nazareth
Nazareth reached international acclaim for their ballad “Love Hurts,” which reached #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The timeless lyrics are sure to resonate with any heartbroken listeners today.
This artist managed to win a Grammy with just five words in his hit song “The Hustle”
A. Van McCoy
B. Daryl Adams
C. Sawyer Brown
D. Charlie Winston
Answer: Van McCoy
Musician, producer, and orchestra composer Van McCoy proved his brilliance when he created one of the most quintessential and catchy disco songs of all time using minimal lyrics rearranged throughout.
This band’s hit song “Afternoon Delight” was inspired by an afternoon appetizer menu
A. Voices That Carry
B. Starland Vocal Band
C. Harmony Band
D. Ships in the Night
Answer: Starland Vocal Band
Starland Vocal Band’s hit “Afternoon Delight” made it to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and won the group a Grammy, proving that no source of inspiration is too small.
This band made everyone feel like a musician with their hit “I’ve Got The Music In Me”
A. Dee and the Bumble Bees
B. Kiki and the Diamonds
C. The Darling Band
D. The Kiki Dee Band
Answer: The Kiki Dee Band
The Kiki Dee Band’s “I’ve Got The Music In Me” was one of two huge hits for singer Kiki Dee. Her second was “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” which she performed without her band alongside Elton John, who is the song’s credited artist.
He was known for his song “Just When I Needed You Most”
A. Randy VanWarmer
B. The James Gang
C. Styx
D. America
Answer: Randy VanWarmer
Randy VanWarmer was an American singer and guitarist, best-known for his pop hit “Just When I Needed You Most.” It reached No.8 on the UK Singles Chart in 1979 and No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This artist’s love ballad “You Light Up My Life” was a popular choice at weddings
A. Marsha Lawrence
B. Patty Bloom
C. Charlize Anderson
D. Debby Boone
Answer: Debby Boone
Debby Boone’s hit “You Light Up My Life” stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a whopping ten weeks! The hit also scored her a Grammy.
This family group created the timeless song “O-o-h Child”
A. Five Points of the Star
B. Five Stairsteps
C. Five Steps at a Time
D. High Five
Answer: Five Stairsteps
Five Stairsteps was the family group that gave us the timeless, mellow classic “O-o-h Child.” Rolling Stone listed the meaningful smash hit on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
This singer helped come up with the name of her smash hit “I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round)”
A. Alicia Bridges
B. Amy Davey
C. Charlie Rae
D. Maridyth Marsh
Answer: Alicia Bridges
Alicia Bridges pushed songwriter Susan Hutcheson from “Disco Round” to “I Love The Nightlife” since Alicia believed the song to be more R&B than disco. Genre aside, the hit peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This country-rock group disbanded three years after their hit “Third Rate Romance”
A. The Awesome Rat Pack
B. Amazing Rhythm Aces
C. The Ace of Blues
D. Grass Roots
Answer: Amazing Rhythm Aces
Though Amazing Rhythm Aces is best known for “Third Rate Romance,” they’ve put out a whopping 18 albums. The band broke up in 1978, but they reunited in ’94 and have been rocking ever since.
This singer’s hit “Got to Be Real” was the first song she’d ever released
A. Cheryl Lynn
B. Amy Francis
C. Jen Parker
D. Gayle Foster
Answer: Cheryl Lynn
Cheryl Lynn was just 21-years-old when her first released song “Got to Be Real” became a hit. The early attention made her first two albums a success, though her other songs struggled to compete with the smash hit.
This blues musician both performed and wrote his timeless hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”
A. Elvin Bishop
B. Josh Nickels
C. David Burns
D. Arnold Chase
Answer: Elvin Bishop
Elvin Bishop’s hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song is so timeless that Miranda Lambert recorded a rendition of the song decades later.
This artist was acclaimed for his rendition of The Beatles hit “Here Comes The Sun”
A. Richie Havens
B. Roy Davis
C. Reginald Swift
D. Thomas Leo
Answer: Richie Havens
Though Richie Havens performed at Woodstock in 1969, his first album to reach the Billboard Top 30 was Alarm Clock, which contained his highly-acclaimed rendition of “Here Comes The Sun.”
This rock band’s hit “All The Young Dudes” was written for them by David Bowie
A. Mob the Stops
B. Hoops and Ladders
C. The Mop Heads
D. Mott the Hoople
Answer: Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople was on the verve of splitting up when David Bowie convinced them to stay together, and ultimately wrote their biggest hit “All the Young Dudes.” Talk about a helpful friend!
This singer’s hit “Emotion” featured the Bee Gees
A. Suzanne Thomas
B. Rachel Zein
C. Samantha Sang
D. Jessica Ralph
Answer: Samantha Sang
Samantha Sang had a 1967 hit in her native country, Australia, but it wasn’t until her 1977 collaboration with the Bee Gees that she reached the US charts with the song “Emotion.”
