Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Twin-Pick(Music Trivia Quiz) -- Name That First African-American Act of the Rock Era

I find it interesting to look back at the beginnings of modern music. I am old enough to have been on the fringe of the birth of rock n' roll -- I was in grade school and earlier but I remember the top songs as oldies.

In the trivia contest yesterday, I asked what was the first rock song to chart so high that it established rock n' roll as a viable force in the music business. The answer was Bill Haley and the Comets with Rock Around the Clock.

In perusing the early charts, it is noted that the artists who hit #1, in the weeks right after Bill Haley, were quite the assortment -- Guy Mitchell, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, Gogi Grant. In looking at those early charts, I realized that the first African-American act to hit big -- in the so-called rock era -- landed at the top of the charts 13 months after Haley's big splash. 

It is time to, once again, tickle your memory glands. Twin-pick is easy and self-scoring. You have choices below. If you get the question correct, you know right on the spot because you will be taken to an original performance by the original artist. If you are wrong, you will get, instead, the Bronx cheer. No losers here, just those who can try and try again.

Question: After the birth of the rock era, the first #1 song by an African-American act topped the charts in August 1956.  (Lacking a credible video of the original artist(s) singing that very hit song, we will use another classic video of one of the artists performances). Which, of the choices below, was the first top charting single, by an African-American act, in the rock era? 

A. Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers

B. Jackie Wilson

C. The Ink Spots 

D. The Platters

E. Ruth Brown

 

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

9 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 30 2009 10:30AM

Twin-Pick (Music Trivia Quiz) -- The Birth of Rock and Roll

This time on our nostalgic music trivia quiz known as "Twin-Pick" (dedicated to a 1960's KPUG deejay in Bellingham, WA named Kirk Wilde) we have a quiz that is guaranteed to tickle your memory gland.
I do not think it is too hard this time. On the other hand, it might be for someone who is quite a bit younger than me.

There are many arguments about what qualifies as the first recorded rock n' roll song. And, coming up with a definitive answer is about as easy as a definitive answer as to who was the best U.S. President in history. Who knows? Probably the best two options for what qualifies as the first rock song would be Rocket 88 by Jackie Brenston, which was actually the Ike Turner band, and Good Rockin' Tonight by Wynonie Harris. The first nominee is from the 1950's and the second is from the late 1940's.

While the aficionados can argue that one. There is one fact that is not in dispute. On July 9, 1955, a song went to the top of the Billboard charts. That song is, without any doubt, the first rock n' roll record to be #1 in the nation. And, as a result of that peak chart position, a new form of music was accepted as marketable and popular. Things would not be the same again.

Twin-pick contests are easy, charming, highly stimulating, automatic and fun. You have choices below. If you get the question correct, you will learn on the spot if you are right or wrong -- because a right answer takes you live to an original performance by the original artist. If you are wrong, you will get, shall we say, the proverbial raspberry -- the famous Bronx cheer. There is no other polite way to set you straight. But, have no fear, nobody knows if you got it right or wrong, unless you leave a comment below. There are no losers here, just those who can try and try, try again.

Question: One record, more so than any other, is credited with having established rock and roll as a viable art form that was not only popular but that would sell American hot wax as well. Which of the following songs topped the Billboard charts on July 9, 1955 and is credited by music historians as having signaled the birth of rock n' roll as a major force in pop culture?

A. That's All Right Mama -- Elvis Presley

B. Maybellene -- Chuck Berry

C. Rock Around the Clock -- Bill Haley and his Comets

D. I Got A Woman -- Ray Charles

E. Rock The Joint -- Johnny Preston

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

12 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 29 2009 11:58PM

Ah Pardon Me, But Regarding Your Dryer Duct

I see this issue at more than half of the home inspections that I conduct in Bellingham and Whatcom County. The photos below tend to go together as often as not. First, to the left, we have a dryer duct and draft hood that is full of lint. When we get inside the home, we see our old friend -- not -- the accordion pleated flex-duct. This stuff is not our friend at the best of times but, in this case, the dryer has been pushed up against that wall and any exit for the dryer exhaust is essentially choked off.

This creates a potential fire hazard. It can be a bigger problem yet with a gas dryer, where the combustion exhaust vents out this duct. And, as some friends of mine found out, when the dryer exhaust is cut off like that, it can lead to overheating of components in the dryer. When that happens, typically, there is at least one part that has to be replaced and that usually requires a service call.

Best thing to do is get rid of flex-duct all together. If you cannot, or do not want to, do that, then you should at least keep it short and clean it often. Usually smooth metal ducting can be installed and it is so much better. If you do that, your dryer will love you for it.

 

 

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

17 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 29 2009 06:46PM

Twin-Pick (Music Trivia Quiz) -- The Supremes

Once again, we will take a look at the differences between the two most important music charts in the world -- the USA and the UK. We tend to think that what is popular in one English speaking country is always popular in another at the same time -- wrong!

Our Twin-Pick quiz today revolves around one of the most successful female music groups in all of music history. The Supremes, when first signed to Motown by Berry Gordy, had trouble getting that first hit in the USA -- or anywhere else. But, once they had arrived on the top 40, they were dynamos and were some of the most consistent hit-makers ever. They were listed as one of the favorite groups of the fab four.

Our Twin-Pick quiz, as before, is in two parts. Remember, when you click on your answer, if you are wrong you will get a big raspberry. If you are right, the time machine takes you to a performance by the original artist performing the original hit. We call this a self-scoring quiz. You know on the spot if you are right or wrong. Do let us know how you did in the comments below.

Question 1: The Supremes had their first #1 song in the USA on July 4, 1964. Billboard referred to the record as music to "hand-clap and foot-stomp." Which of the following entries was the first chart-topper back home for the group once called the "no hit" Supremes?

 A. The Happening

B. Where Did Our Love Go

C. You Can't Hurry Love

Question 2: Which Supremes song was the first to go to #1 in Great Britain, in October 1964, a mere three months after they had their first #1 hit in the USA?

A. Run, Run, Run

B. I Hear a Symphony

C. Baby Love

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar  

  Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

12 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 29 2009 09:10AM

Twin Pick (Music Trivia Quiz) -- The Beachboys As An American Institution

A couple weeks back, I described that there is a big difference between the music charts in the USA and in Great Britain. We tend to think that what is popular in one English speaking country is, likewise, a monster hit in another English speaking land. Nope. That is not always the case.

Previously we looked at the Beatles and Elvis. We are going to look at another American super group that is as all American as motherhood and apple pie. The Beachboys are favorites and national icons as a band. I remember when then President Ronald, and his wife Nancy, Reagan stood up for the group when James Watt, who was in the cabinet, canceled one of their performances saying that rock n' roll attracted an unsavory element. 

The Beachboys, a group comprised of brothers, cousins and friends, got their start in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. Late that same year their first national release, called "Surfin" cracked the top 100 at home. They had their first American #1 in 1964. While the song entered the top 10 in the UK, it would be two more years before the Beachboys would have a #1 song in Great Britain.

Our Twin-Pick quiz, as before, is in two parts. Remember, when you click on your answer, if you are wrong you will get a big raspberry. If you are right, the time machine takes you to a performance by the original artist performing the original hit. We call this a self-scoring quiz. You know on the spot if you are right or wrong. Do let us know how you did in the comments below.

Question 1: The Beachboys were known for performing songs about teenagers, school, cars and surfing. Which of the following three songs became the top hit, and their first #1 in the USA, on Independence day 1964?

 A. Be True to Your School

B. I Get Around

C. Fun, Fun, Fun

Question 2: The Beachboys first UK #1 came about on November 3, 1966. Which song are we talking about here?

A. Good Vibrations

B. Help Me Rhonda

C. Wouldn't It Be Nice

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

8 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 27 2009 06:30PM

Twin Pick -- Biggest Hits of the Rock Era

Be prepared to be stumped. This quiz is tough. I have had any number of these self-grading multiple choice quizzes over the past couple of weeks. This one gets to the very core of the top 40 charts. Billboard magazine, in the early 2000's, named the 5000 biggest hits of the rock era based on the peak position and the number of weeks the entries were on the charts.

This question will tickle your memory gland and test your knowledge of the monster hits. Below is the list of the artists involved, and their all time biggest songs. It is your job to pick the exception. One of these artists DID NOT place a song on the all-time top 40.

Not familiar with Twin-Pick? It is easy. You do not have to wait for me to post an answer. The quiz self-corrects on the spot. When you click on the choices A - E, if you are correct, you will be transported in the time machine to a video of the artist performing the song . If you get any of them wrong, then you get a big red raspberry as you click. Put on your thinking hat.

Consider the facts: All of the songs below were #1 for several weeks. All of these songs, with no exceptions, were the all-time highest ranking songs for the artists listed. These singles were their biggest hits. Which artist(s) is/are the exception and failed to place an entry in the Billboard all-time top 40 of the rock era? In other words -- which song is not, and which artist does not have an entry in, the all-time top 40.

A. Elvis Presley -- Don't Be Cruel/Hound dog (1956)

B. Debbie Boone -- You Light Up My Life (1977) 

C. Hey Jude -- Beatles (1968)

D. Chubby Checker -- The Twist (1960)

E. Whitney Houston -- I Will Always Love You ((1992)

 

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

13 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 26 2009 09:20PM

Bellingham Home Inspector (King of the House) -- My Corner of the Northwest

I have lived in the extreme northwest corner of the country all of my life. Even though many things have changed over the years, many of the landmarks in this region remain the same. Downtown Bellingham, despite different names on the shops, has basically the same commercial buildings that I remember from my youth. A longtime friend, John Kamrar, a local attorney, and I will look at various buildings and recite exactly what was in there back when we were at Bellingham High School in the 1960's. The Assumption Catholic Church, the Whatcom County Museum, the Bellingham Towers, the YMCA are buildings that have had some face lifts over time but very little has changed since I was a kid riding my bike to the "Y" for swimming lessons.

Leaving the buildings and Bellingham proper behind, Chuckanut drive is one of the most scenic drives in the region. It has not changed much over time. There are two destinations on Chuckanut that are, ultimately, a couple of my favorite reasons for living in this area. 

Both of them are farther down Chuckanut -- officially in Skagit County. The first destination is now called  Taylor's Shellfish Farm. Back in the 1960's my aunt worked as an oyster shucker at this same place when it was called Rockpoint Oysters. You go around the bend, and take this one-lane road down to the water. The building has changed a bit, but the road is as I remember it from 50 years ago.

Taylor's is a delight for any shellfish lover. Their mussels are second to none. When my wife and I have people for dinner, assuming they like shellfish, mussels are a favorite. We cook them with a few secret ingredients that include lime and saffron. Taylor oysters are farmed right at the Bow location. (The mussels they bring in from one of their other farms). You can buy oysters in the shell, shucked or various smoked varieties that are way better than what you get out of the can. You can also choose from steamer clams, live crabs and other delectables as well.

          

 Another favorite destination of mine, again heading south on Chuckanut Drive, is the Rhododendron Cafe. This exquisite restaurant is a favorite of mine and the wife on summer weekends and in the winter too. You depart Chuckanut, at the south end, and go a short distance toward Bow to the Rhody.

 

Carol and Don Shank are the owners and have been running the cafe for about 25 years. They have it down. The Rhody features all sorts of menu items, including fine wines, red meat, chicken, pork, pasta, fish and Taylor oysters. Seasonally, they feature dishes from other parts of the world -- see the ethnic odyssey.

 If you live where I live -- Whatcom or Skagit County -- then these are two destination spots that you need to mark on the map or program into the trusty GPS.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

2 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 26 2009 09:37AM

The Weirdest of the Weird -- Remembering Spike Jones

Back when I was a kid, a friend of mine and I stumbled on his folk's collection of Spike Jones albums. Spike Jones, if you never heard of him, was one of the craziest performers ever. He was a band leader popular on the radio, on record, on film and live in the 1940's and early 1950's. Jones was reported to be a good musician but Spike Jones and his City Slickers relied more on zany sound effects and antics than on anything that could be called serious musicianship.

Jones records, and filmed appearances, were orchestrated with gunshots, screaming, horns, rude noises, cross-dressers, short people, you name it. If it got a laugh, they used it. Jones pulled out all the stops to make his act bizarre -- even by today's standards he did strange stuff. Weird Al Yankovic says that his inspiration comes from a childhood of grooving to Spike Jones.

If you have heard Spike's albums, you never forgot them. One of the trademarks of Jones and his City Slickers was murdering popular songs of the era. They did that not only with sound but with clowning around and visuals. Cocktails for Two, was one of their weird popular hits back in 1944. This video will take you back to simpler times.

By the way, the composer of that song hated that rendition of it. Jones and his City Slickers had a big hit during the war years with an anti-Hitler song called Der Fuhrer's Face.  This material must look pretty bizarre to those people who are not old enough to remember Spike Jones. And, if you are old enough to remember Spike, and the nostalgia is fun, you can find many of his videos available online.

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

17 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 25 2009 12:27PM

Twin-Pick Music Trivia -- The World's Biggest Canadian

This is a blog post about the World's biggest Canadian. They come big from up north. Some of those famous Canadians are way bigger than life.

In this post, we shall talk music. Canada, over the years, has placed any number of entertainers squarely into the world spotlight. The music of Canada, today and in days gone by, has been prominently featured on charts in the USA, Great Britain and all of the English speaking world.

The first Canadian hitmaker that I became familiar with -- excluding Bonanza's Lorne Greene and his ballad of Ringo -- was the Guess Who from Winnipeg. That goes back to the 1960's. Canada. for the size of the population, has a track record of providing the world with an astonishing number of popular songs.

This is a lead-in to our Twin-Pick music trivia quiz for today. You get to choose the world's biggest Canadian. And, I will tell you right now, I would not have gotten this one right without some inside information.

If you do not know how Twin-Pick is played, then you are in for a surprise. It is simple. You do not have to wait around for me to post an answer. The quiz self-corrects on the spot. Just click on the choices A - E. If you are correct , your answer will give you a free ride on the time machine back to an important event in music history. You will see the original artist perform the original song. If you get it wrong, well, then you get the big red raspberry. There are no losers -- only those who get to try and try again.  Here is today's question that should be popular with the Canucks.

Billboard states that a Canadian artist(s) holds the position of the #13 most successful song of the rock era here in the USA.  I have a clue -- the theme involves a tumultuous relationship between a young man and a young woman. Of the choices below, which one is the most popular song to ever be released by a Canadian artist(s)?

A. My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic) -- Celine Dion (1998)

B. How You Remind Me -- Nickelback (2001)

C. American Woman -- Guess Who (1970)

D. You're Still the One -- Shania Twain (1998)

E. Diana -- Paul Anka (1957)

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

9 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 25 2009 10:04AM

Twin-Pick: Memorial Day 2009 Music Trivia Quiz

This is a special edition of the Twin-Pick music trivia quiz. Memorial Day is a day when we salute those who have given the ultimate sacrifice serving our country.

Music, like books, reflects the society that we live in. Over the years, there have been many popular songs that included lyrics about our soldiers. Some of those songs have been serious in tone, others lighter. The one thing every song on the list below has in common is that it was popular. Let's give it a go on this Memorial Day 2009. If you do not know how Twin-Pick works, it is simple.

The rules are always the same -- there are no losers -- only those who get to try and try again. If you are correct, your right answer will give you a free ride on the time machine back to an important event in music history. You will see the original hit artist perform the original song. If you get it wrong, well, then you get, for Memorial Day only, a patriotic symbol for your troubles. Remember, you are scored online -- no need to ask me if you are right or wrong. When you click on an answer, you will know. Here comes our very special Memorial Day question.

The following list comprises big hits from the Top 40 here in the USA. Which song was the biggest hit and is listed by Billboard Magazine as having been the #85 most popular song of all time?  Just to put it all in perspective, that makes this one song more popular historically than "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles. 

A. Soldier Boy -- The Shirelles

B. Battle Hymn of the Republic -- Mormon Tabernacle Choir

C. Battle of New Orleans -- Johnny Horton

D.. Ballad of the Green Berets -- Barry Sadler

E. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B -- Bette Midler

Now that you have completed the contest, if you want to learn more about this featured Memorial Day song, you can read the story here. 

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

 

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

21 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • May 24 2009 10:29AM