Flashback: Smash Guitars

By Mick Harper

Pop, Rock, and Soul Trivia.

1. Who had a hit with "Everybody Loves Somebody"?

2. Which artist wrote and released "Runaround Sue"?

3. Name the artist most likely to intentionally smash guitars on the stage during performances.

4. Which group changed their name to Sugar Ray?

5. Name the 1969 song that contains these lyrics: "I love you so, I always will, And in your voice I hear a choir of carousels."

Answers

1. Dean Martin, in 1964. Written 20 years before, the song never got much attention until Martin's version. It became his signature song on his television show from 1965 to 1974.

2. Dion, in 1961 after his break with the Belmonts. Dion was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for the song in 2002.

3. Peter Townshend of The Who. At last count, the number of guitars smashed topped 80. Legend says that he always collected the pieces of the guitars and glued them back together.

4. Shrinky Dinx, after a lawsuit by the toy manufacturer of Shrinky Dinks.

5. "Wedding Bell Blues," by the 5th Dimension. The song, written and recorded in 1966 by Laura Nyro when she was only 18 years old, soared to the top of the charts when the 5th Dimension version was released.

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