Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) On this date in 1949 the first daytime television soap opera was broadcast on NBC. What was the show's name?

2) On this date in 1961 a chimpanzee became the first U.S. animal sent into space. What was the chimp's name?

3) Nolan Ryan turns 65 today. How many no-hitters did he pitch?

4) The Milky Way candy bar copied another candy bar's recipe. What candy bar was it?


Answers:

1) These Are My Children. The show's creator, Irna Phillips, went on to produce As the World Turns and The Guiding Light.

2) "Ham"

3) 7

4) It was copied from a candy bar that was made in Minneapolis in the 1920's called "Fat Emma."

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) On this date in 1958, The Yogi Bear Show debuted. Yogi first appeared in a "cameo" role on what other Hanna-Barbera cartoon show?

2) On this date in 1917, The Original Dixieland Jazz Band made what many consider to be the first jazz recording. What was the name of the song?

3) On this date in 1933, the first broadcast of The Lone Ranger aired in Detroit. On that first program what was the name of Tonto's horse?

4) On this date in 1936 the Boston Braves baseball team changed their name to what?


Answers:

1) Huckleberry Hound

2) "The Darktown Strutters Ball"\

3) "White Feller"

4) They became the "Boston Bees." The thinking was the name "Braves" had been responsible for their losing streak. After the first two years of success as the Bees, the team started losing consistently so they returned to being the Braves.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) On this date in 1976,the popular TV show Laverne and Shirley, debuted as a spin-off of what show?

2) On this date in 1785, the first state university in the U.S. was chartered. Which university was it?

Answers:

1) Happy Days

2) Dawgs were the first. UGA - the University of Georgia.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) What is trumpeter Harry Edison's nickname?

2) This great tenor player is often called the "father of the saxophone." Who was he?

3) Who was the vibraphone player in the Modern Jazz Quartet?

Answers:

1) "Sweets"

2) Coleman Hawkins

3) Milt Jackson

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) What is the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered?

2) Who inaugurated U.S. transcontinental telephone service?

3) Who held the first presidential press conference to be broadcast live on radio and television?

Answers:

1) The Cullinan diamond at 3,106 carats is the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered.

2) Alexander Graham Bell

3) President John F. Kennedy

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) On this date in 1908, Robert Baden Powell founded this organization.

2) The Department of Homeland Security was instituted on this date in 2003. Who served as their first director?

3) what instrument did jazz musician Gerry Mulligan play?

4) How many songs did the prolific Irving Berlin write in total?

Answers:

Answers:

1) England's Robert Baden-Powell organized the first Boy Scout troop.

2) Former Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge.

3) Baritone saxophone

4) He wrote more than 900 songs, 19 musicals, and the scores for 18 movies.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Today is "Cold, Cold, Cold Day." The coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States was at Prospect Creek Camp, Alaska on this date in 1971.

2) On this date in 1964, the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. What did it do?

3) This mini-series, based on the Alex Haley book of the same name, began on this date in 1977.

4) On this date in 1985, the first Heisman trophy winner was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Who was he?

Answers:

1) Prospect Creek Camp reached a record 79.8 degrees below zero. Today they are reporting a balmy 8 degrees below zero.

2) It eliminated the poll tax.

3) Roots

4) O.J. Simpson

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Neil Armstrong was the first man to step foot on the moon, saying "That's one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind." Who was the second man to step foot on the moon?

2) On January 20, 1885, LaMarcus Thompson patented the first roller coaster at New York's Coney Island. What did he call it?

3) Actor Lorenzo Lamas is having a birthday today. He is the son of actor Fernando Lamas. Who was Lorenzo's mother?

4) Did you know that on January 20, 1929 the first full-length talking movie shot entirely outdoors was released? What was its title? By the way, Warner Baxter won an Oscar for his role in this film.


Answers:

1) Buzz Aldrin (born on January 20, 1920) was the second man to set foot on the moon.

2) The scenic railway.

3) Arlene Dahl.

4) In Old Arizona.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) On January 19th, a presidential news conference was filmed for television for the first time, with the permission of which President?

2) Which jewel is considered most successful?

3) Which two U.S. cities are both known for producing some of the best thoroughbred horses in the world?

4) Which snack is most popular?


Answers:

1) President Eisenhower, on January 19, 1955.

2) The emerald (the birthstone for May) is perceived as a symbol of success. Even more than the diamond, this jewel has been a favorite of emperors and kings.

3) Ocala, Florida and Lexington, Kentucky.

4) Potato chips are the number 1 selling snack in the United States. Statistics show that they accompany lunch 32 percent of the time and dinner 18 percent of the time.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) This president said that 50 years would have to elapse before he and his administration could be properly judged.

2) Every president, except for one, has had both a library dedicated in their name and a published memoir. Who was the exception?

3) Ruth Lee Jones sang jazz and soul with equal ease and was successful in both genres. Her most famous hit was "What a Difference a Day Makes." We know her better as _____________________.

Answers:

1) Richard Nixon

2) John F. Kennedy has a library, but not a memoir.

3) Dinah Washington

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) What was the first Civil Rights movement protest King participated in?

2) Which country is the second largest in terms of land?

3) These four states have capitals whose names begin with the same letter as their respective states.

4) Which part of the human body has the greatest concentration of bones?

Answers:

1) Montgomery Bus Boycott

2) Canada is the second largest - Russia is the largest.

3) The four states with capitals starting with the same first letter as their states are Dover, Delaware, Honolulu, Hawaii, Indianapolis, Indiana and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

4) Of the 206 bones in the average adult body, 106 are in the hands and feet (54 are in the hands, 52 in the feet).

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) This bestseller by Peter Benchley, published this date in 1974, made everyone skittish about wading too far into the surf. What was the book?

2) What was the name of the famous Harlem nightclub where the Duke Ellington Orchestra played for years?

3) The 18th Amendment to the Constitution went into effect this date in 1920. It was repealed in 1933. Also known as the Volstead Act, what did this amendment do?

4) This tenor saxophonist first came to fame in Count Basie's Big Band. Who was he?

Answers:

1) Jaws

2) The Cotton Club

3) The National Prohibition Act

4) Lester Young

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Musca domestica has been a nuisance to everyone at one time or another. What is its common name?

2) What was the first foreign conflict for the U.S. military?

3) What determines the date of the Chinese New Year?

Answers:

1) Musca domestica is the Latin designation for the common housefly.

2) The Tripoli or Barbary Wars (1800 - 1815). The conflict was precipitated by acts of piracy.

3) After the winter solstice, the Chinese New Year begins at the date of the second new moon.

Alan Rock's Post!

Questions:

1) What does "auld lang syne" actually mean?

2) On this date in 1951, Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from the Yankees. He had two lesser known brothers who also played in the Majors. Who were they?

3) Marvin Middlemark invented this device that used to be used to help television reception. What was it?

Answers:

1) Literally translated, "auld lang syne" in English would be "old long since." In context idiomaticatically, it means "long, long ago," "days gone by," or "old times." The song's lyric, "for auld lang syne" is meant to indicate happy thoughts of the the past, "for old times' sake."

2) Vince and Dom

3) He invented the dipole antenna, familiar as "rabbit ears."

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) The classic 1970's jazz staple "Birdland" became a hit for the vocal ensemble, Manhattan Transfer. The group that composed the tune and first recorded it had a hit as well with their instrumental version. Who were they?

2) The jazz group, Fourplay scored a hit in 1991 with a cover of the Marvin Gaye tune, "After the Dance." Their keyboardist charted in the 70's with his theme for the show Taxi. Who was he?

3) On this date in 1946, the first general assembly of the United Nations convened. In what city was the meeting held?

Answers:

1) Weather Report

2) Bob James

3) London

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) On this date in 1987, actor Arthur Lake died. He played this character in some 27 movies, a TV show and radio program.

2) What decade saw Bebop emerge?

3) Dizzy and Bird were prime innovators of the Bebop movement. We know Dizzy Gillespie. Who was "Bird"?

4) Instrumental in style, this is a wordless, improvisational vocal solo is known as what?

Answers:

1) He played Dagwood Bumstead in the Blondie movies, created from the comic strip.

2) The 1940's.

3) Charlie Parker was "Bird."

4) "Vocalese."

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Today is Wheel of Fortune Day, marking the debut of The Wheel in 1975. Since 1981the show has been hosted by Pat Sajak and assisted by Vanna White. Who were the first host and letter turner?

2) This lovely lady is a wonderful pianist in addition to being one of today's greatest female jazz vocalists. Who is this lady, who's married to singer Elvis Costello?

3) This female singer was one of the great vocalists of the swing era, as a regular at the famous Cotton Club and with Duke Ellington's band. Who was she?

4) This bop artist with the bass voice was born and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Who was this singer/bandleader known as Mr. B?

Answers:

1) Chuck Woolery was the original host, with letter-turner Susan Stafford.

2) Diana Krall.

3) Ivie Anderson who, sadly, passed away in 1949 having recorded very little solo work. Whenever her name comes up in jazz interviews and documentaries, those who knew her all say she was a real class act. Her numbers with Ellington, such as "Stormy Weather" and "It Don't Mean A Thing," are classics.

4) Billy Eckstine, with hits including "Jelly Jelly" and "Everything I Have Is Yours." But my favorite is his version of "Laura." Man, this guy could sing!

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Scat singing is a form of jazz vocalization where nonsense syllables are substituted for either words or instrument notes. Ella Fitzgerald was often called the "Queen of Scat." Who was referred to as the "King of Scat"?

2) On January 5, 1961, the TV comedy Mr. Ed, starring a talking horse, debuted in syndication. In the fall it moved to CBS. Alan Young starred as Wilbur Post, and Connie Hines as his wife Carol. Who was the voice of Mr. Ed?

3) As hard as it is to believe, this drummer first performed professionally at the age of 18 months on the vaudeville stage. By 13, he was the leader of his own band. He entered into the Big Band era by drumming for Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, among others. He traveled successfully with his own big band even after the genre declined in popularity. Who was this percussionist?

4) Who was the first female governor in U.S. history?

Answers:

1) Mel Torme.

2) Allan "Rocky" Lane was the voice of Mr. Ed.

3) Buddy Rich.

4) Nellie T. Ross succeeded her late husband as governor of Wyoming on January 5, 1925, becoming the first female governor in U.S. history.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) Who are the only two U.S. presidents buried in Arlington National Cemetery?

2) Harrisonburg, Virginia has a large state university named for which U.S. president?

3) They say the largest living thing on earth is a 275-foot sequoia tree in California, named for which Civil War general?

4) Williamsburg, Virginia was named in honor of whom?

Answers:

1) William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy.

2) James Madison.

3) William Sherman.

4) William III, king of England at the time.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) In which world religion would a swami normally be a teacher?

2) Where is the MICEX-RTS stock exchange based?

3) In humans, about what percentage of lean body mass is water?

Answers:

1) Hinduism.

2) Russia.

3) 70 percent.

Alan Rock's Trivia!

Questions:

1) The presidential act to reduce the 70 mph speed limit to 55 mph was signed by which U.S. President on January 2?

2) How old was Bobby Fisher when he won the U.S. Chess Championship on January 2, 1960?

3) On January 2, 1953, The Life of Riley debuts on NBC for the second time. Who played the title character, Chester A. Riley?

4) On January 2, 1888, Marvin Chester Stone of Washington D.C. patents his invention. What did he invent?

Answers:

1) Richard Nixon signed the act, intended to save fuel in response to the 1973 oil crisis. The act was repealed in 1995.

2) 16.

3) William Bendix.

4) Drinking straw.