Bill was born in Hinsdale, then moved to Northbrook before his family moved to South Dakota, where he attended high school. That’s where he first heard the Kingston Trio and saw them in concert. 



He attended college at Northwestern, then Southern Illinois, where he graduated. He also met Connie, his future wife. They have two married sons and a 2 year old granddaughter, Zoey.

Once he was married, with a family, he continued to follow the local music scene, and attended concerts at the Earl of Old Town and Gate of Horn, and played when he could. Once he retired, he treated himself to the Martin, took some lessons at the Old Town School, and joined Plank Road. It seems to be a perfect fit. His guitar playing keeps getting better all the time and his repertoire keeps expanding.

Bill is a valued member of the Plank Road board of directors. He holds two offices, Vice President and Secretary. As previously mentioned, he is editor of QuarterNotes newsletter. He also handles our Plank Road merchandise program and pitches in on many other activities throughout the year. It would be hard to operate at our current level without him.

A couple more personal comments from me...he is an ideal Plank Road person. He loves our music and appreciates our culture and approach.

Andy's Music Trivia Quiz

Thanks for your responses.  

FYI:  Henceforth I will put the easiest questions first (my subjective estimate). This is supposed to be fun, so use whatever resource you wish.

Bill Mathews got the most correct this quarter. Please contribute any trivia you think should be included. I will get them in either soon or eventually.

Answers to previous Quiz:

Q1.  Who wrote "Different Drum" and when?

A1.  "Different Drum," written by Michael Nesmith in 1964, was first recorded by the bluegrass band The Greenbriar Boys on a 1966 album. Nesmith offered it to the Monkees, but was turned down by the producers. Nesmith did perform a short comic version in an episode on The Monkees show. The Stone Poneys (Linda Ronstadt) took the song to #12 on the cash box chart in 1967.

Q2.  What was the shortest duration record to make #1 on the Billboard 100?  Who sang it?  When was it written?

A2.  "Stay" reached #1 in Nov. 1960 with a duration of 1:36. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs was the group, with Maurice singing lead, and Henry Gaston singing the falsetto part. It is claimed that Maurice wrote the song in 1952 at the age of 15.

Q3.  Who Founded Asylum Records?  Who were the labels initial stars?

A3.  David Geffen and Elliot Roberts relocated from NYC to LA, were frequent visitors in Laurel Canyon, and started Asylum Records in 1971 (selling it a few years later, making millions). Their starting line-up was Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther and Glenn Frey.

Q4.  What 1957 doo-wop group was considered a major success (they had two top 10 Billboard 100 hits), though encumbered with member discontent, and legal name problems.

A4.  The DELL-VIKINGS (name on the record labels on their 1957 hits "Whispering Bells" (#9 on BB100), and "Come Go With Me"(#5 on BB100). Due to member discontent, changes in their U.S. service status, and legal problems with their recording contracts, multiple similar names were used: the Dell-Vikings; the Del-Vikings; the Dell Vikings; and the Del Vikings. The Diamonds also had two top-10 hits ("Little Darlin" and "The Stroll"), but did NOT have the member problems of the Dell-Vikings.

Q5.  What 21st century certified platinum song about a father's death was later dedicated to both the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the 9/11 attacks?

A5.  "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day, released on June 13, 2005, was written by front man Billie Joe Armstrong about the death of his father when he was 10 years old. The song peaked at #6 on the U.S. Billboard 100 and was a hit in many countries. It depicted a sense of loss in the afore mentioned disasters, as well as Iraq, and others worldwide.

Q6.  Who wrote "Little Darlin"? What group sang it first? 

A6.  16 year old Maurice Williams wrote "Little Darlin." His group, the Gladiolas, released it first, making #41 on the Billboard 100. A month later in Feb. 1957 a white Canadian group (the Diamonds) released a cover which went to #2 on the Billboard 100, and was overall the #3 record for 1957.

NEW Trivia Quiz:

Q1. What Buddy Holly song was the first big Rolling Stones hit in the U.S.?

TRIVIA SNIPET:  Buddy's Cricket drummer J.I.Allison recalls that when playing "Peggy Sue" Buddy is the only guitarist who played it with only DOWN STROKES, he was so good! (From "Listen to Me" by Jeffrey Smith p.85.)

Q2.  David Seville was quite famous with the Chipmunk Song. Who wrote the song, and what other hits did he have?

Q3.  Name 2 of Lavern Bakers top 20 pop hits?

Q4.  What song did the Ran-Dells make and when?

Q5.  What song did the Rondells make and when?

Q6.  What popular doo-wop song was based on an early 19th century poem?

Q7.  Where, when and what was Elvis Presley's first single? (2 different answers acceptable that I know of.)

Q8.  What is a Celesta? On What Buddy Holly hit is it used, and who plays it?

Q9.  What do the following hit songs have in common?  1."Heartlight" - Neil Diamond; 2."Arthur's Theme" - Christopher Cross; 3."It's My Turn" - Diana Ross; 4."Nobody Does it Better" - Carly Simon; 5."That's What Friends Are For" - Dionne Warwick; 6."Midnight Blue" - Melissa Manchester; 7."When I Need You" - Leo Sayer; and 8."Groovy Kind of Love" - Mindbenders.

Keep those responses coming in:

pictq@yahoo.com