Beatle Mania at Quiz Night!

Ok so it was a bit obscure, but it was a tiebreaker. John Lennon sings the words 'Hey Jude' 25 times during the song. Once in each verse, and once in the first and second middle 8's, then 18 times in the outtro) Paul McCartney does all the rest.

I thought beginning a quiz by asking what the Blue Meanies drop on peoples heads in the film 'Yellow Submarine' was setting the standard a little high, but 7 teams gallantly stepped up to the plate to see what challenges this year's quiz would hold. The change of venue (at late notice) proved popular, but holding the quiz later in the year did interfere with some holidays.

A round of (deliberately) obscured stills from pop videos kicked off the handouts, together with a list of No1 song titles from the past 30 years where the artists' names were missing.

Back to the questions and controversy over the album cover that featured 5 beatles. Some teams put 'Sgt Pepper' down, but that features 9 images, whereas 'Abbey Road' has 5 (if you include the VW one in the background).

Some teams struggled to name the first ventriloquist's dummy to have a UK top ten hit, and to name the keyboard player in Soft Cell, but were more comfortable naming the first song played on Radio 1, and who Mother Bernadette Mary is better known as.

Following a 'bits and pieces' round which included clips from Katy Perry, ZZ Top, Slik and Missy Elliott, teams had yet another picture round to contend with, and a lyric round of novelty songs including 'The Streak', and 'Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport'. (Honourable mention to Mervyn Stanley & the 'Bum Notes' for knowing the original artist who recorded 'Witch Doctor')

Bragging rights with 130 points went to 'Johnny Boy and the Wheels of Steel' (featuring the region's very own Irena Gorbun). They reclaimed the Gary Bingley Trophy they let slip last year. Joint second on 126 points were last year's winners 'Missing discs' and 'Quarry House'. 'Missing Discs' taking the honours after 3 tiebreak questions with their better knowledge of Chesney Hawks. All the other teams were within 10 points of each other proving what a close contest it was again this year.

While this venue was quite good, I'm always on the lookout for new ones (with easy transport connections) so if you have one in mind let me know.

Or if anyone fancies organising the next quiz, again, get in touch.

Thanks to West Riding & Craven AA for covering the extra food costs.

Until next year 'Hello Goodbye'

Rob Porter

Rob.porter@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk / punkpagan@aol.com