Looking for Bumper Stumpers? Click on the Music link above.

Fan of Top 40 radio from the '50s & '60s? Be sure to visit RadioLogoLand.com

Looking for obscure R&B oldies, or any oldies? When you can't find it anywere else, call Val Shively. Or call him first! 610-352-2320.

Love our closing theme, "Julie Is Her Name"? It and "El Loco Cha Cha" (the song that influenced "Louie Louie" is available
from Gene Norman's GNP Crescendo Records here.

Want to see the answers to the questions we asked in 2009? Click here.

FRIDAY NIGHT TRIVIA ANSWERS

MARCH 5, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:
In 1974, federal regulations mandated integrated circuitry in cars.  In addition to the mandated use, manufacturuers would apply it to everything from emission conrols to turn signals.  What was the mandated use in 1974?  Seat belt interlocks.

In 1973, the first computerized BLANK was built.  Computerized what?  Gas station (built by Atlantic Richfield in Lawndale, CA).

In 1973, this was automated for the first time. What?  Toll taking (on the Ohio turnpike).

In 1973, the FDA charged 10 manufacturers of this with false and misleading claims.  Those charged were ordered to devote 25% of their advertising budget for the next two years to properly informing the public that their products were not better than plain BLANK.  Plain what?   Aspirin.  (Those charged included Bufferin, Excederin, Bayer Aspirin, Vanquish and Midol.  At the end of the year the issue was in the courts with no decision.)

FEBRUARY 26, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR::
The most lucrative NASCAR auto race of 1980 was won by a driver who took a gamble that paid off. What did he do?  Buddy Baker of Charlotte won over $600,000 by coming in first through only putting one can of gas in his Olsmobile at the final pitstop rather than the usual two. (He was back on the track in 6 seconds and he won.  More gas had to be added to get to Victory Lane.)

In 1980 3 television shows were able to get $150,000 for a 30 second commercial.  MASH and Dallas were two of them—in fact Dallas got $200,000 or more per spot for the November 21, 1980 where we found out who really shot JR.  But what was the third show? 60 Minutes.

In 1992 the first plant of this type opened in America. What?  HINT The end product was touted as protecting the health of Americans.  The first food irradiation plant, (in Mulburry Florida).

In 1963, this was said to be a “curse to society”.  Some saw it as advance, others saw it as their downfall. What?  Automation.  George Meany of the AFL-CIO was particularly vocal and unemployment figures higher than anticipated buoyed his position.

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In 1980, the music of this late artist was used as an experiment.  Tapes of an unreleased album by this late singer were stripped of their backgrounds.  New rhythms and vocalists were substituted including Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson among others.  The result as a best seller.  Who is the late artist?   Minnie Riperton

FEBRUARY 12, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:

In 1975 P&G remained America’s top advertiser, spending $335 million touting their products.  A lot of it was spent on a newly released product in addition to many established products like Pampers, Tide & Crest.  What was the new product?  Era liquid laundry detergent.

In 1975, this product was widely advertised as identical to Tylenol but a dollar cheaper.  What product?  Bristol-Myers’ Datril.    (As soon as the ads hit, J&J dropped the price of Tylenol.)

In 1964, this is touted as “no finer car in the medium-price field”.  What is it?  Mercury.

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In 1989, record companies were phasing out vinyl singles.  But a new system marketed to record stores was developed where customers could create their own playlists on tape.  What was it called?  Personics (and it failed miserably. It filed for bankruptcy in 1991 in part because record labels would not given them the rights to distribute music this way).

FEBRUARY 5, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:
In 1975, Chevrolet unveiled the Chevette, the smallest US built car at that time, which was competing with the Honda.  Other companies unveiled similar small cars or plans for similar small cars including this which would win a car of the year award. What?  The Dodge Aspen/ Plymouth Volare (together were named Car Of The Year in 1976 by Motor Trend Magazine).

June 30, 1963 marked the official end of this which was preserved on 947 miles of microfilm.  What?  The 1960 census.

In 1963, pressure was on unions to do this.   The official position was that it was impossible to find skilled help.  Do what?  Accept blacks.  Many unions still barred African Americans from membership and their logic, that few if any were skilled enough was met with plans for government training for minorities.

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In 1975, this act became the most financially successful in the history of commercial recording.  What act?  Stevie Wonder (who was given a record breaking guarantee of $13 million dollars by Motown Records payable over 7 years).

JANUARY 29, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR
This car, first appearing in 2001 left critics unimpressed.  The only impressive thing about it was how the top folded away quickly and silently in under 20 seconds. Unfortunately when the top was down, the car lost much of its refinement as evidenced by the distinctive whistling noise from the wind curling round its rear.   Overall it somehow managed to lack any real sense of taste.  It was without dynamic styling and far too round and fat to equal its rivals.  It’s V8 engine was more suited to cruising than sport, quick but without top end surge. What was it?  Lexus SC430

1985 was one of the worst financial years for movies.  Ticket sales were the lowest since 1968, gross receipts were the lowest since 1980. Obviously the movies weren’t well received. Many critics said this was a major problem.  What?  The studios made a glut of movies aimed at teens but they underestimated their audience.   (At least 10 movies that summer dealt with oversexed teens involved in such things as dating rituals or science projects which appealed to no audience group.)

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In 1989, the recording industry was very concerned that the introduction of this to the consumer market would lead to widespread copyright abuses.  Introduction of what?  DAT tape machines.  (Their fears were unfounded.)

JANUARY 22, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:
In 1989, it was announced that the first effective treatment of this had been found by using sodium fluoride.  Treatment of what?  Osteoporosis.  (Later it would be found that while bone mass increased, so did bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures.)

In 1956, cash contributions flowed into Gunnison Colorado to finance rescue operations for this.  For what? a snowbound pack horse caught alone in the wilderness.

In 1965, the congress formally declared “That the general welfare and security of the nation and the health and living standards of the people require (this), as a matter of national purpose..”  Require what?  City Planning (“…sound development of the nation’s communities and metropolitan areas in which the vast majority of its people live and work”).

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In the latter ‘50s and the early ‘60s, in order to save money on new jingles and promos many stations used the same name for their overnight disc jockey no matter who occupied the chair.  The most used of these names was what?  Johnny Midnight

JANUARY 15, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:
In January 1980, President Carter said it was urgent this be done. It was very unpopular but congress gave him half of what he wanted. What was it?  A resumption of draft registration (he wanted both males and females to be compelled to register.  In July, after congressional approval 19 and 20 year old males were forced to register).

In 1989, the government announced a new labeling program to inform consumers about the effectiveness of this.  Effectiveness of what product?  Sunglasses  (The amount of UV light transmitted through sunglasses was now required on labels.)

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION:
In 1989, this popular act was willing to perform but was rejected by the organizers of an AIDS benefit concert.  What group?  Guns N’ Roses (because of their anti gays sentiments in “One in a Million”).

JANUARY 8, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:
In 1989 Japan for the first time introduced a luxury sedan with this.  With what?  A V8 engine (in a Lexus).

In 1989 the auto industry’s biggest problem world wide was overcapacity. Why?  Too many car factories. (The rise of Asian plants in the 70s and 80s led to an overabundance of auto factories capable of producing far greater numbers of vehicles than could ever be sold.  A study by GM predicted that by the early ‘90s the auto industry world wide would be able to produce 6 million more vehicles than it could find buyers for.  This would create life and death combat between companies said a GM exec.)

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In 1989, this pop song made history by debuting first in a commercial.  A week later it was released and the video became very controversial for another reason.  What’s the song?  “Like A Prayer” (by Madonna which so enraged the religious community that Pepsi pulled the multi million dollar commercial campaign).

JANUARY 1, 2010
QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR:
Critics considered this ‘70s & early ‘80s car to be one of the world’s worst.  In profile it didn’t look too bad.  Its lines managed to disguise its excessive height while its roof hinted at good aerodynamics.  The original styling was great but by the time it passed through various committees it was smaller and taller giving it an awkward appearance. Upon seeing it for the first time, a well-known designer walked around it and cried.  “Oh no, they’ve done the same to the other side as well.”  Even the arrival of a convertible couldn’t save it from derision. It was supposed to get a big engine but nobody told the styling department so when it appeared, the hood line was too low to shoehorn the desired engine block in there and a smaller one was selected.  Purists hated it, it was completely lacking in performance and the handling was uninspiring. And if proof were needed that the ‘70s was a decade of questionable taste, then look no further than the interior of this turkey. The garish tartan seats were downright disgusting.   The advertisements touted it as looking like a very expensive car, but critics said at best it looks like a cheap imitation of one. What is it? Triumph TR7  (1976-1983  - British made.)

In 1960, the president of Argentina issued a decree that the union of civil servants said was “a danger to health”.   What did the president decree?  That government employees would have only a half hour lunch break (down from an hour) and an eight hour workday (including the 30 minute lunch) up from six hours.

In 1957, the president of Brazil made worldwide news for being in the hospital. Why was he there?   The former practicing doctor assisted in the country’s first surgery implanting an artificial heart.

RADIOLOGOLAND.COM QUESTION
In 1974, country music was changing.  Many of the old timers resented it and some formed an organization to combat it, which was of course futile. They pointed to both a male & female winner of the biggest awards show in Nashville that year as prime evidence that the music was no longer “country”.   Who were those winners?  The 1974 CMA awards had Charlie Rich as entertainer of the year and Olivia Newton John as best female vocalist.

Want to see previoustrivia answers? June - December 2009 is here. As for everything prior to that, they're buried in the blogs, generally under a Saturday entry. (Click on "Blog" on the navigation bar and start scrolling backwards. You should easily find another year's worth, though it won't be worth the effort.)