Bobby Socks and Heartthrobs: 1950s Teen Idols
Instructions: Before the British Invasion arrived, a wave of pompadour-sporting dreamboats had America's teenagers swooning — and their catchy hits still bring back the sweetest memories of those innocent years.
- 1.
Which song gave Frankie Avalon his first number-one hit on the Billboard charts in 1959?
AVenusBGingerbreadCWhyDDe De Dinah - 2.
In which city was the television program American Bandstand originally produced before going national?
ANew York CityBPhiladelphiaCChicagoDLos Angeles - 3.
What role did Dick Clark play on the television program American Bandstand?
ARecord producerBMusic directorCHost of the showDBandleader - 4.
Paul Anka wrote his 1957 smash hit "Diana" as a tribute to whom?
AHis high school sweetheartBA movie star he admiredCA girl he met on vacationDHis family's babysitter - 5.
How old was Fabian when a talent manager spotted him sitting on his Philadelphia doorstep and signed him on the spot?
A12B14C16D18 - 6.
Ricky Nelson launched his recording career while starring on which beloved family television show?
AThe Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietBLeave It to BeaverCFather Knows BestDThe Donna Reed Show - 7.
Bobby Darin won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1959 for which song?
ASplish SplashBDream LoverCBeyond the SeaDMack the Knife - 8.
How old was Paul Anka when he wrote and recorded his debut hit "Diana" in 1957?
A13B14C15D17 - 9.
Pat Boone built his mid-1950s fame mainly by recording which type of music?
AHis own original country-pop compositionsBSmooth, pop-friendly covers of rhythm and blues hitsCBig-band jazz standardsDGospel music from the Deep South - 10.
Which of the following songs was a major top-five hit for Bobby Rydell in 1960?
ATutti FruttiBHound DogCGreat Balls of FireDWild One - 11.
When American Bandstand went national in 1957, it aired on which television network?
ANBCBCBSCABCDDuMont - 12.
Which three teen idols all grew up in South Philadelphia, giving that city a special place in pop music history?
AFrankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby RydellBPaul Anka, Bobby Darin, and Pat BooneCRicky Nelson, Tommy Sands, and Bobby DarinDBobby Rydell, Dion, and Frankie Lymon - 13.
What was Bobby Darin's real birth name?
ARobert Dino CassottoBFrank Anthony DarinCRobert Walter CassidyDWalden Robert Cassotto - 14.
Which former Mouseketeer grew into a teen idol with hits like "Tall Paul" and later co-starred in beach party movies alongside Frankie Avalon?
ASandra DeeBConnie StevensCAnnette FunicelloDShelley Fabares - 15.
Which song gave Tommy Sands his breakthrough, shooting to number two on the pop charts in early 1957?
AParty DollBTeen-Age CrushCYoung LoveDSugartime