This week In ’70s Throwback’ 32/52

How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.

The subjects du jour are : Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin , Joe Jackson, Grateful Dead, Isaac Hayes, Chic, Jethro Tull, Barry White, Blood Sweat, Tears, Rick James, Esther Phillips, George McCrae

They are the ’70s Throwback’ artists selected among the 351 Posts we publish this week.

1. Who was a backup singer for Leonard Cohen during his 1976 European tour?

  • A Joni Mitchell
  • B Laura Branigan
  • C Joan Baez

2. Which Led Zeppelin song performed at Knebworth 1979 begins with an unrehearsed instrumental section?

  • A Stairway to Heaven
  • B Whole Lotta Love
  • C Black Dog

3. On what UK show did Joe Jackson perform ‘Kinda Kute’ in 1980?

  • A The Graham Norton Show
  • B The Kenny Everett Video Show
  • C Top of the Pops

4. Which Grateful Dead song features London as a lyrical reference point?

  • A Uncle John’s Band
  • B Scarlet Begonias
  • C Ripple

5. What song did Isaac Hayes record for the original ending of the Wattstax film?

  • A Theme from Shaft
  • B Rolling Down a Mountainside
  • C Soulsville

6. What is positively cited as an influence on Chic’s ‘Le Freak’ ?

  • A Motown music
  • B Studio 54
  • C Woodstock Festival

7. In what year was Jethro Tull’s live performance of “Cross Eyed Mary” recorded?

  • A 1969
  • B 1972
  • C 1976

8. Which venue does Barry White’s 1975 concert event take place?

  • A Madison Square Garden
  • B Royal Albert Hall
  • C Sydney Opera House

9. Blood, Sweat & Tears’ ‘Over The Hill’ comments on what age milestone?

  • A Thirty
  • B Forty
  • C Fifty

10. Which TV program did Rick James perform ‘Mary Jane’ on in 1978?

  • A Soul Train
  • B American Bandstand
  • C Soul Alive

11. Esther Phillips recorded what song in a disco style in 1975?

  • A What a Diff’rence a Day Makes
  • B I Will Survive
  • C Stayin’ Alive

12. George McCrae performed on what show during a 1974 Christmas broadcast?

  • A The Tonight Show
  • B Soul Train
  • C Top of the Pops

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Tracklist

1 . Leonard Cohen . Lover Lover Lover

Lifted from : Leonard Cohen releases his fourth album . ‘New Skin for the Old Ceremony’ featuring ‘Chelsea Hotel #2’ and ‘Who by Fire’ (1974)

2 . Led Zeppelin . Hot Dog

Lifted from : Led Zeppelin have . second concert at Knebworth (1979)

3 . Joe Jackson . Kinda Kute

Lifted from : Happy Birthday Joe Jackson

4 . Grateful Dead . Scarlet Begonias

Lifted from : We all remember Jerry Garcia. ‘Dead And Alive’

5 . Isaac Hayes . Rolling Down . Mountainside

Lifted from : We remember Isaac Hayes. ‘From Shaft To Chef’

6 . Chic . Le Freak

Lifted from : Atlantic publish Chic’s second album . ‘C’est Chic’ featuring ‘Le Freak’ and ‘I Want Your Love’ (1978)

7 . Jethro Tull . Cross-Eyed Mary

Lifted from : As we wish Ian Anderson . Happy Birthday, the day is perfect for . ‘Jethro Tull At Their Bests’ post

8 . Barry White . Oh Love, Well We Finally Made It

Lifted from : Barry White releases his third album . ‘Can’t Get Enough’ featuring ‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything’ (1974)

9 . Blood Sweat . Tears . Over The Hill

Lifted from : Blood Sweat . Tears visit Stockholm (1973)

10 . Rick James . Mary Jane

Lifted from : We remember Rick James. ‘Le Superfreak, C’est Rick’

11 . Esther Phillips . What A Difference A Day Makes

Lifted from : We remember Esther Phillips. ‘Esthernal’

12 . George McCrae . Rock Your Baby

Lifted from : On English TV, George McCrae at TOTP (1974)|

And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:

1. Laura Branigan joined Leonard Cohen on his 1976 tour, providing backup vocals before her own solo career took off. Her early career collaboration with Cohen was a significant stepping stone.

2. ‘Black Dog’ opened Led Zeppelin’s Knebworth performance in 1979 with an improvised start. This spontaneity is preserved in concert recordings.

3. Joe Jackson performed ‘Kinda Kute’ on The Kenny Everett Video Show in March 1980. This appearance promoted his single from the *I’m the Man* album.

4. ‘Scarlet Begonias’ mentions Grosvenor Square in London within its lyrics. The song features themes typical of Robert Hunter’s poetic style.

5. Isaac Hayes recorded ‘Rolling Down a Mountainside’ for the ending of the Wattstax film. His original songs faced contractual issues, so new material was needed.

6. ‘Le Freak’ includes an ode to the famed nightclub Studio 54. Chic’s hit single captures the vibrant energy of ’70s disco culture.

7. Jethro Tull performed ‘Cross Eyed Mary’ live in 1976, with documented evidence from their U.S. tour. Footage and recordings from venues such as Cleveland exist.

8. Barry White’s 1975 concert at the Royal Albert Hall featured The Love Unlimited Orchestra. It highlighted his blend of symphonic and soulful music.

9. Blood, Sweat & Tears’ ‘Over the Hill’ wryly comments on turning thirty. It addresses society’s age stereotypes with an ironic twist.

10. Rick James showcased ‘Mary Jane’ on the show Soul Alive in 1978. This performance highlighted his signature funk style on regional TV.

11. Esther Phillips’ 1975 version of ‘What a Diff’rence a Day Makes’ has a disco twist. Originally Spanish, the song became a U.S. hit in its new arrangement.

12. George McCrae mimed ‘Rock Your Baby’ on Top of the Pops during a 1974 Christmas special. This appearance matched the song’s disco peak popularity.

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(*) According to our own statistics, updated on December 14, 2025