Think You Know Rock Music? Take This Quiz And Power Your Way To A Perfect Score!
Written by Daniel Rackley
Last updated · 26 min play time
Starting out as a mixture of different styles of music, rock has become a worldwide favorite and spawned several sub-genres of its own. There are so many bands and songs that have stood the test of time it would be hard to name them all. Take this quiz and see what you know about rock music!
Quiz written by
Daniel RackleyRock Music Quiz Questions
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Question 1
Known for their makeup and costumes, what band wants to "Rock and Roll All Night"?
-
AKiss
-
BJethro Tull
-
CDef Leppard
-
DThe Black Keys
Kiss
When you think Kiss, you think black and white, you think elaborate makeup and costumes, and you think tongues. The American rock band, formed by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley in the '70s, definitely looked at music as performance art. Known for their pyrotechnics, smoking guitars, blood-spitting, and levitating drums, Kiss has always gone to great lengths to put on a show. Hits include "Detroit Rock City" and "I Was Made For Lovin' You".
Question 2
Fronted by Mick Jagger, which band "Can't Get No Satisfaction"?
-
ARadiohead
-
BThe Rolling Stones
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CThe Ramones
-
DThe Kinks
The Rolling Stones
Like a rolling stone, The Rolling Stones formed in the '60s, gaining worldwide popularity in no time. Combining blues stylings with British counterculture, the band fronted by Mick Jagger has become one of the longest mainstays and greatest powerhouses in rock 'n roll history. In fact, with such hits like "Paint It Black," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and "Satisfaction," they still fill huge stadiums half a century after their debut.
Question 3
Fronted by Axl Rose, which heavy metal band wants to welcome you to the jungle?
-
AAvenged Sevenfold
-
BGuns N' Roses
-
CThe Byrds
-
DRush
Guns N' Roses
Blasting onto the heavy metal scene in the late '80s, Guns N’ Roses, fronted by Axl Rose, led the pack in howling and pyrotechnic heavy metal American music. Hits include "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," "Sweet Child O' Mine," and "Welcome to the Jungle".
Question 4
Who is this transformative "Space Oddity" who shapeshifted across genres?
-
AMadonna
-
BDavid Bowie
-
CPrince
-
DElton John
David Bowie
Launching into outer space in the '70s, David Bowie's mix of shape-shifting, genre-hopping, and art-rock chameleon-personification made the British singer an intergalactic rock star for the ages. With hits such as "Life on Mars?" "Star Man," "Space Oddity," and "Under Pressure," Bowie transitioned with ease across genres, taking his place as rock legend extraordinaire. In 1996, Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Question 5
Fans of this band will instantly recognize the distinctive outline of frontman Robert Smith.
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AThe Smiths
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BThe Cure
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CFlock of Seagulls
-
DDepeche Mode
The Cure
Despite his long-standing gothic doom stage look, heartbreaking vocals, and the band's post-punk roots, Robert Smith has an undeniable knack for knocking out catchy riffs and hits. Way back in the pre-Nirvana era, when the divide between mainstream and alternative music was absolute, the Cure was one of the very first bands to cross over and achieve chart-topping commercial success. At the time New Music Express dubbed them a "goth hit machine" in 1992, the prolific band had scored a jaw-dropping 19 hits among the nine albums it had released since forming in 1979.
Question 6
This rockstar was "All Shook Up"...which may be why he's famed for his swiveling hips. Name that "King of Rock 'n Roll".
-
AJon Bon Jovi
-
BMichael Jackson
-
CElvis Presley
-
DKanye West
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley once said, “Fingerprints are like values—you leave them all over everything you do.” And Presley's values were of the rock 'n roll variety. The '50s "King of Rock" catapulted to popularity as a controversial hip-swivelin', culture-shock inducing international phenomenon. "Heartbreak Hotel," "My Way," and "Always On My Mind" are just a few of Elvis' treasured hits.
Question 7
What American band welcomes you to the Hotel California?
-
ACrosby, Stills, & Nash
-
BThe Eagles
-
CMy Chemical Romance
-
DGenesis
The Eagles
"On a dark desert highway," The Eagles drove into the hearts of America. The '70s country-rock band eased into the scene with "Take It Easy," and before they knew it, they were a rock favorite of traditional Americana, with such hits as "Hotel California," "Seven Bridges Road," "Witchy Woman," and "Take It To The Limit".
Question 8
Who is this popular pop-rock group, fronted by Stevie Nicks, who produced one of the top best-selling albums of all time?
-
ASlipknot
-
BFleetwood Mac
-
CCreedence Clearwater Revival
-
DIron Maiden
Fleetwood Mac
The British blues-turned-pop-rock band, Fleetwood Mac, arose in the '70s, later delivering one of the best-selling rock albums of all time in <i>Rumors</i>. Although band members revolved, one of the leads, Stevie Nicks, stole the show as a singer-songwriter and helped produce the vocal chemistry that resulted in such hits as "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams," and "The Chain".
Question 9
Which British rock group, fronted by Pete Townsend, "Won't Get Fooled Again"?
-
AThe Who
-
BThe What
-
CDire Straits
-
DThe Cure
The Who
Driven by American rhythm and blues, the British rock group The Who rose to prominence in the '60s and '70s, fronted by Pete Townshend. The originator of the rock opera, The Who took a more bitter turn than their counterparts, The Beatles, producing music and lyrics that were counterculture, like "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Who Are You," and "My Generation".
Question 10
In 1980, Billy Joel's "It's Still Rock 'n Roll To Me" spent eleven weeks in the Top 10. On which of Joel's albums did the song first appear?
-
ANylon Curtain
-
BGlass Houses
-
CThe Stranger
-
DRiver of Dreams
Glass Houses
In 1981, Billy Joel won a Grammy for the Glass Houses album. The album was produced by Phil Ramone, and "It's Still Rock 'n Roll To Me" was the third single released from the album.
Question 11
When these "Fab Four" crossed over from England, they blew up Ed Sullivan Theatre. Name these British rock legends.
-
AU2
-
BThe Beach Boys
-
CThe Strokes
-
DThe Beatles
The Beatles
Beatlemania was enough to cement the Fab Four in music history. Hailing from Liverpool, the British quartet – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr – blew up the airwaves in the '60s and beyond with their classic rock style and their cultural and social influence. From "Hey Jude" to "Let It Be," the Beatles made everyone "Come Together" right now.
Question 12
Fronted by Freddie Mercury, what "Bohemian Rhapsody" band delivered hit after hit, culminating in one of the best rock performances in history at Live Aid?
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AAerosmith
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BQueen
-
CMetallica
-
DColdplay
Queen
"I won't be a rockstar. I will be a legend," Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, once said. And he was right. The British rock band left a seismic mark on music history, morphing across various styles, blending glam rock, heavy metal, and theatrics to become one of the foremost rock groups of the '70s. Known for "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Radio Ga Ga," "Another One Bites the Dust," "We Will Rock You," "We Are The Champions" (the list goes on), Queen blazed the way. Watch their Live Aid performance in 1985, and you'll understand why.
Question 13
This British rock band's "Stairway to Heaven" leads to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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APearl Jam
-
BLinkin Park
-
CLed Zeppelin
-
DThe Clash
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin's stylistic diversity highly influenced heavy metal. The '70s British rock band's bottom-heavy tunes, like "Stairway to Heaven," "Dazed and Confused," and "Whole Lotta Love," were characterized by their guitar solos, bluesy scales, and exaggerated vocal stylings.
Question 14
Who is this master of the electric guitar, known for his "Purple Haze"?
-
AZZ Top
-
BBob Marley
-
CCarlos Santana
-
DJimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
As one of the foremost guitarists of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix fused musical genres in such a way that he redefined guitar technique entirely. Blending soul, rock, jazz, and blues, the influential guitarist, known for his on-stage charisma and vision, fronted in the Jimi Hendrix Experience, churning out hits like "Hey Joe" and "Purple Haze". Sadly, Hendrix's life was cut short when he died of complications from a drug overdose.
Question 15
What alternative band can "Testify" to their political lyrics?
-
AImagine Dragons
-
BRadiohead
-
CThe Clash
-
DRage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
The American alt band, Rage Against the Machine, launched to fame in the '90s with their drive for social activism and lyric-stoking political fires. Introducing elements of heavy metal and hip hop into their rock, they're known for hits like "Wake Up" and "Know Your Enemy".
Question 16
Jim Morrison wanted you to "Light My Fire" as the front of this rock band.
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AThe Yardbirds
-
BBlink-182
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CThe Allman Brothers Band
-
DThe Doors
The Doors
In the late '60s, the doors opened for The Doors, the American band fronted by Jim Morrison. With the blending of musical backgrounds, including blues, jazz, and classical music, the band saw success with Morrison as their baritone poet, generating songs like "Light My Fire," "Roadhouse Blues," and "The End". Sadly, Morrison passed of a drug-induced heart attack at 27, cementing his place amongst those rock legends taken before their time.
Question 17
This rock singer with a unique bluesy voice lived hard and died young. Name that "Piece of My Heart" songstress.
-
APatti Smith
-
BStevie Nicks
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CTaylor Swift
-
DJanis Joplin
Janis Joplin
Yet another rock legend taken in her prime, Janis Joplin's unique voice was ferocious, raspy, and bluesy enough to skyrocket her to fame in the '60s. Fronting several bands, the rock icon, best known for hits like "Kozmic Blues" and "Piece of My Heart," passed away from a heroin overdose at 27.
Question 18
If you've ever rocked out to "Sweet Home Alabama," then you know one of this band's greatest hits. Name that country-rock group.
-
ATalking Heads
-
BParamore
-
CThe Police
-
DLynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
This Southern rock band rose to prominence in the '70s on the wings of its triple-guitar threat and its mix of country and rock. With hits including "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama," Lynyrd Skynyrd's star was on the rise when the band suffered a plane crash that killed both their singer, Ronnie Van Sant, and their guitarist, Steve Gaines, causing the group to disband.
Question 19
Who is this folk/rock giant, who many called the "voice of his generation"? "The answer, my friends, is blowin' in the wind..."
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AWoody Guthrie
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BJohn Legend
-
CJohnny Cash
-
DBob Dylan
Bob Dylan
"He not busy being born is busy dying." Known as "the voice" and "the Shakespeare of his generation," Bob Dylan became an almost prophet-like figure to his fans in the '60s, whether he wanted to be or not. His cross-over from folk to rock was not appreciated by some fans; regardless, Dylan's profound poetic lyrics earned him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. Such hits as "Blowin' in the Wind," "Like a Rolling Stone," and "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" remain electrifying to this day.
Question 20
A member of which of the following all-female groups appeared on Season 13 of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, on which she talked about her recovery from drug and alcohol addiction?
-
AThe Cover Girls
-
BThe Bangles
-
CEn Vogue
-
DWilson Phillips
Wilson Phillips
Chynna Phillips was the 4th to be eliminated from <i>Dancing with the Stars</i> on the 2011 season. On the show, she revealed that the huge Wilson Phillips hit "Hold On" was written by bandmates Carnie and Wendy Wilson about her struggles with addiction.
Question 21
This "Heart-Shaped Box" band's frontman died young, but not before launching one of the greatest alt-rock bands in history. Name that band.
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AArctic Monkeys
-
BR.E.M.
-
CNirvana
-
DThe Foo Fighters
Nirvana
Nirvana's upward ascent was marred by frontman Kurt Cobain's untimely death, but that tragedy has made the grunge band's music eternal. Their '90s alt-rock album, <i>Nevermind</i> bore such hits as "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come as You Are," and "Lithium". A combo of hard rock and pop, young people most identified with the sense of alienation, anger, and hopelessness expressed in Nirvana's lyrics.
Question 22
Splitting in 2010 and reuniting almost 10 years later, which of the following groups was awarded L.A.'s Cabaret Act of the Year in 2002 by People Magazine?
-
AL7
-
BGirls Aloud
-
CHAIM
-
DPussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls were founded in L.A. by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995, playing mostly at the Viper Room. Famed producer Jimmy Iovine convinced them to go mainstream as a pop group, and they soon had a hits with song like "Don't Cha", "Stickwitu," and "Buttons".
Question 23
What psychedelic British rock band was "Comfortably Numb"?
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ARed Hot Chili Peppers
-
BPink Floyd
-
CGrateful Dead
-
DDeep Purple
Pink Floyd
What would psychedelia be without Pink Floyd? Borne out of the '60s, the British rock band popularized the concept album in the '70s, incorporating improvisation, sound effects, and space-inspired riffs. Hits include "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
Question 24
Finish this lyric from Bad Company's "Rock 'n Roll Fantasy": "Here comes the dancers one by one, your mama's callin'..."
-
A"But you're eating a bun"
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B"But she's not the one"
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C"But you're having fun"
-
D"But you're never done"
"But you're having fun"
With lyrics like that, you can see why "Rock 'n Roll Fantasy" was so popular. In 1979, the song went to number 13 on the charts, and became the best-selling single for the band, though not the highest charting.
Question 25
In concert, Robert Plant would often refer to Led Zeppelin's song "Rock and Roll" by the first line of the song instead of by its actual name. What's the first line?
-
A"You need coolin', baby"
-
B"It's been a long time"
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C"Hey lady, you got the love I need"
-
D"We come from the land of the ice and snow"
"It's been a long time"
The Zeppelin song "Rock and Roll" was on the group's fourth album in 1971. Guitarist Jimmy Page once explained that the song was created during a spontaneous jam session, while the was trying to finish the track "Four Sticks".
Question 26
Danny & the Juniors first recorded the prophetic "Rock 'n Roll is Here to Stay" back in 1959. Who performed the song in the 1978 movie Grease under the name Johnny Casino and the Gamblers?
-
AThe Tokens
-
BThe Chipmunks
-
CSha Na Na
-
DJay and the Americans
Sha Na Na
Sha Na Na had a hit with the song in 1969 - 10 years after the original - and then 9 years later were asked to perform it in <i>Grease</i>. The lesser-known UK group Showaddywaddy also recorded the song in 2002.
Question 27
Byrds expert Tim Conners once described "So You Wanna Be A Rock 'n Roll Star" as "an acerbic, but good-natured swipe at the success of manufactured rock bands like..." who?
-
AJosie and the Pussycats
-
BPartridge Family
-
CThe Monkees
-
DBackstreet Boys
The Monkees
In an interview, Byrds guitarist Jim McGuinn said: "Some people have accused us of being bitter for writing that song, but it's no more bitter than 'Positively 4th Street'. In fact, it isn't as bitter as that. We were thumbing through a teen magazine and looking at all the unfamiliar faces and we couldn't help thinking: 'Wow, what's happening …'"
Question 28
Which iconic alternative rock star is pictured in the foreground of this middle school band photo?
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AKurt Cobain
-
BFlea
-
CBeck
-
DThurston Moore
Kurt Cobain
Although Cobain would later play guitar in Nirvana, he was a drummer in middle and high school, even playing in the school marching band one year. His music teacher would later recall that the celebrated musician was "not extraordinary" as a student.
Question 29
Released in 1977, what song did Rolling Stone magazine call a "no-bulls**t, horn-slathered Silver Bullet crunch with a nod to Chuck Berry"?
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A"Rock 'n Roll Never Forgets"
-
B"Rock 'n Roll With Me"
-
C"Rock 'n Roll Dream"
-
D"Rock 'n Roll Heart"
"Rock 'n Roll Never Forgets"
"Rock 'n Roll Never Forgets" was released during the height of the success of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet band. As explained by Seger, the song is about "aging and the ongoing power of rock music." The song encourages the 31-year old listener to return to the rock 'n' roll he loved when he was 16, a universal theme.
Question 30
The real first names of the members of TLC were Lisa, Tionne, and Rozonda. Which of the following was NOT one of the nicknames the ladies adopted?
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AR-Zone
-
BLeft Eye
-
CChilli
-
DT-Boz
R-Zone
Left Eye, T-Boz and Chilli had 9 top ten hits on Billboard charts, including the first number 1 song to overtly mentioned the AIDS crisis ("Waterfalls").
Question 31
Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan also contributed multiple songs to which fellow alterna-rocker's albums?
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ACarrie Brownstein/Sleater-Kinney
-
BCourtney Love/Hole
-
CNatalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs
-
DKathleen Hanna/Bikini Kill
Courtney Love/Hole
The extent of Corgan's involvement with the production of Hole's <i>Celebrity Skin</i> (1998) is a long-debated question. In typical diva fashion, Corgan claimed in a magazine interview at the time to have been the "Svengali" behind the record. Love vehemently denied this, only acknowledging his writing contributions to five songs on the record. In 2018, however, Love joined Corgan on stage at a Pumpkins reunion show and proclaimed him her "maker of career".
Question 32
Inspiring the punk and alternative rock movements, this '60s American rock band was avant garde.
-
ASound Garden
-
BFall Out Boy
-
CThe Velvet Underground
-
DOasis
The Velvet Underground
The late '60s saw a current of punk and alt-rock launch in the way of The Velvet Underground. The American band, fronted by Lou Reed, produced an avant-garde touch in their artistic-driven presentation, their lyrics, and their primal guitar. Hits include "Pale Blue Eyes," "Jane," and "Sunday Morning".
Question 33
Written before the band was even signed, and released in 1976 on their very first album, what hit was described as Boston's "song of self-description"?
-
A"Rock 'n Roll Train"
-
B"Rock 'n Roll Band"
-
C"Rock 'n Roll Dream"
-
D"Rock 'n Roll Part 2"
"Rock 'n Roll Band"
Boston's "Rock 'n Roll Band" has received heaps of praise over years. From Guitar World: "Few can resist indulging in fits of fleet-fingered air guitar and a spirited falsetto sing-along" when it plays on the radio.
Question 34
"Rock 'n Roll is King". Say no more. Name the band whose hit by that name was written by Jeff Lynne and was originally supposed to be called "Motor Factory".
-
A'N Sync
-
BElectric Light Orchestra
-
CThe Moody Blues
-
DEmerson, Lake and Palmer
Electric Light Orchestra
ELO's "Rock 'n Roll is King" was featured on the 1983 album called <i>Secret Messages</i>, and featured a violin solo by Mik Kaminski. It's commonly thought to be the band's official return to rock music after a stint in the more poppy disco territory.
Question 35
Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell helped establish the Seattle grunge sound in the early 1990s. What was the name of his side project with members of Pearl Jam?
-
AAlice in Chains
-
BTemple of the Dog
-
CMelvins
-
DMother Love Bone
Temple of the Dog
Temple of the Dog was a genuine alternative rock supergroup. . . but no one knew it yet at the time their self-titled album first hit the shelves in 1990. Soundgarden had recently become hot, the object of a major label bidding war. But Pearl Jam was not yet officially formed, and Eddie Vedder was still a gas station attendant/night watchman. Cut to two years later, when grunge had exploded and both bands were enjoying massive success. Their label re-released the album, and MTV put the Vedder/Cornell duet "Hunger Strike" into heavy rotation. The album eventually sold over 1 million copies.
Question 36
You know a song is great when it's recorded by Chuck Berry, the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Name the song that all three recorded in 1957, 1964, and 1976, respectively.
-
A"You Can't Stop Rock 'n Roll"
-
B"She Likes Rock 'n Roll"
-
C"Rock 'n Roll Music"
-
D"Rock 'n Roll is King"
"Rock 'n Roll Music"
The song "Rock 'n Roll Music" is an all-time classic. In 2004, <i>Rolling Stone</i> magazine ranked Berry's version number 128 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". On the Beatles version, the vocals were provided by John Lennon.
Question 37
Now known simply as The Chicks, The Dixie Chicks have a long history of pumping out hits - and political controversy. After initially issuing an apology for a statement she made at a concert, for what did Natalie Maines rescind that apology in 2006?
-
ACriticizing the Iraq War
-
BRipping on Bill Clinton
-
CAdmitting she hates the Dallas Cowboys
-
DSaying she was pro-choice
Criticizing the Iraq War
While performing at a theater in London, before introducing their song "Travelin' Soldier", Maines told the audience the band did not support Operation Desert Fox, the impending invasion of Iraq, and that they were "ashamed" that President Bush was from Texas.
Question 38
With a single studio album, 1994's Grace, singer/songwriter Jeff Buckley left an indelible musical mark on the world. In which year did the virtuoso meet his untimely death?
-
A1987
-
B1997
-
C2007
-
D2000
1997
Jeff Buckley only met his famous father, the folk singer Tim Buckley, once. But there was much that connected the pair: ethereal good looks, an extraordinary vocal range, and tragic deaths at an early age. Jeff breathed a sigh of relief after living past 28, the age that his father had died of an accidental drug overdose; two years later, he drowned in a tributary of the Mississippi River.
Question 39
Before recording his own more popular version in 1973, who wrote "Rock 'n Roll Hoochie Koo" for Johnny Winter 3 years earlier?
-
AJohn Denver
-
BJeff Beck
-
CRick Derringer
-
DJ. Geils
Rick Derringer
When he recorded the song in 1970, Johnny Winters said: "I didn't think 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo' would do as well as it did 'cause it was a little corny. Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo. You don't ever know." Derringer's own version in 1973 did better, peaking at number 23.
Question 40
"Be My Baby" by The Ronettes is a certified classic. Considered by Billboard to be the best girl-group song ever made, who famously said of the track: “I was driving and I had to pull over to the side of the road — it blew my mind"?
-
AFrank Sinatra
-
BBrian Wilson
-
CElvis Presley
-
DRichard Nixon
Brian Wilson
As the legendary story goes, Wilson was just 21 years old and heard the song, saying “It was a shock.” He bought the single and set about deconstructing everything piece of it. “I started analyzing all the guitars, pianos, bass, drums, and percussion... Once I got all those learned, I knew how to produce records.”
Question 41
Which baritone folk singer penned "Hallelujah," the secular hymn that has been covered by more than 300 artists?
-
AJeff Buckley
-
BBob Dylan
-
CLeonard Cohen
-
DRufus Wainwright
Leonard Cohen
While Cohen had already scored hits with songs like "Chelsea Hotel No. 2" (about a notable night spent with Janis Joplin), his career was in a slump at the time he released "Hallelujah" in 1984. Writing the song took him five years and an estimate 80 drafts. . . and the record landed with a resounding thud. But, in the 35+ years since, the song has been covered by hundreds of artists across musical genres—most notably, Jeff Buckley's iconic version on 1994's <i>Grace</i>. Cohen's deadpan delivery and poetic lyrics continue to influence generations of alternative rock musicians.
Question 42
"Rock 'n Roll All Nite" is one of KISS's most iconic songs. With whom did the band perform the song on the season finale of American Idol at the Nokia Theater in 2009?
-
AAdam Lambert
-
BDaughtry
-
CWilliam Hung
-
DBo Bice
Adam Lambert
In the season 8 finale of the series, Adam Lambert took the stage with KISS for a three-song medley, which included "Rock 'n Roll All Nite," "Beth," and "Detroit Rock City".
Question 43
When the Rolling Stones produced the studio album "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," and the song of the same name, what pseudonym did Keith Richards and Mick Jagger use?
-
AThe Obtainers
-
BThe Black Hands
-
CThe Glimmer Twins
-
DThe Nerk Twins
The Glimmer Twins
According to the story, the two members of the Rolling Stones adopted the nickname "The Glimmer Twins" after a Brazilian cruise with their girlfriends, Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg. They first produced under that name with "It's Only Rock 'n Roll" in 1974.
Question 44
With which of these musical sounds is the seminal indie-rock band Sonic Youth most associated?
-
ABeat boxing
-
BVocal harmonies
-
CGuitar feedback
-
DOrchestral anthems
Guitar feedback
Stop any hipster indie-rock fan on the street and ask them to name the most important album in history; chances are good the answer will be Sonic Youth's <i>Daydream Nation</i> (1988). Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon dripped cool from every pore and enjoyed a long reign as the King and Queen of New York's downtown art-rock scene. The band's trailblazing use of dissonance, guitar feedback, and alternate tunings had an immense influence on the nascent alternative and indie rock movements.
Question 45
What band's former lead singer philosophized: "Sometimes I think life is just a rodeo, the trick is to ride and make it to the bell" in his hit "Rock and Roll Girls"?
-
ACreedence Clearwater Revival
-
BCream
-
CThe Eagles
-
DDoobie Brothers
Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Rock and Roll Girls" is a song written and released by John Fogerty on his 1985 album "Centerfield". Of course, Fogerty spent many years spearheading the band Creedence Clearwater Revival. According to Fogerty, the song was inspired by watching his teenage daughter hanging out with her friends.
Question 46
To quote Alphaville: "it's easy when you're big in Japan." What all-female band became huge in Japan in the 1970s with hits like "Queens of Noise" and "California Paradise"?
-
AThe Cover Girls
-
BGirlschool
-
CThe Bangles
-
DThe Runaways
The Runaways
The Runaways went on to produce two female solo artist icons: Joan Jett and Lita Ford. They were so big in Japan that Jett once described playing there "like Beatlemania".
Question 47
Which beloved indie rock group did Stephen Malkmus front in the 1990s?
-
ABelle & Sebastian
-
BPavement
-
CBuilt to Spill
-
DYo La Tengo
Pavement
Although they only came close to mainstream success once (with 1994's "Cut Your Hair"), Pavement was a critical darling of the alternative rock world from the start. Crooning cryptic lyrics and oozing indie cool out of every flannel-clad inch of his body, Malkmus was the undeniable king of slacker rock.
Question 48
In which all-girl group hit song can you find the iconic lyrics: "Now wait a minute, y'all, This dance ain't for everybody, Only the sexy people"?
-
AKlymaxx
-
BSalt-n-Pepa
-
CSpice Girls
-
Dt.A.T.u
Salt-n-Pepa
That iconic line is from the 1988 track "Push It," Salt-n-Pepa's first hit. The song, now considered a classic, was nominated for a Grammy Award and VH1 ranked it 9th on their list of 100 best hip-hop tracks of all-time.
Question 49
Posing here (curiously) with Cher, David Bowie was a master of reinvention. Which of his many alter egos is this?
-
AMajor Tom
-
BThe Thin White Duke
-
CAladdin Sane
-
DHalloween Jack
The Thin White Duke
One of his more sinister characters, the Duke was described by Bowie as, “A very Aryan, fascist-type; a would-be romantic with absolutely no emotion at all but who spouted a lot of neo-romance." The singer also admitted that his diet at the time consisted of “red peppers, cocaine, and milk."
Question 50
Known for being streetwise before punk, and formed out of two sets of sisters - the Weisses and the Gansers - what band was named for local diner in their native Queens, New York?
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AThe Shangri-Las
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BThe Dixie-Cups
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CThe Nu-Luvs
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DThe Supremes
The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las have a major influence of pop culture, with hits like "Leader of the Pack," "Remember (Walking in the Sand)," and "Give Him A Great Big Kiss". Their songs have been covered by the likes of Blondie, The Go-Go's and even Twisted Sister.
Question 51
Which member of legendary glam rock band the New York Dolls would later reinvent himself as lounge lizard Buster Poindexter?
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AJerry Nolan
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BDavid Johansen
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CSylvain Sylvain
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DJohnny Thunders
David Johansen
As tuxedoed nightclub crooner Buster Poindexter, Johansen performed everything from pop standards to comedic material. Although a far cry from his work with the massively influential pre-punk Dolls a decade prior, Johansen actually achieved significantly greater commercial success as Poindexter. While his records were not huge sellers, he scored a modest hit with the party anthem "Hot, Hot, Hot" in 1987. He also appeared in numerous feature films and TV shows through the '80s and '90s.
Question 52
In the liner notes to the compilation "Peel Slowly and See," who wrote: "[The song] 'Rock and Roll' is about me. If I hadn't heard rock and roll on the radio, I would have had no idea there was life on this planet"?
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ADavid Bowie
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BLou Reed
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CJustin Bieber
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DBruce Springsteen
Lou Reed
The Velvet Underground's song "Rock and Roll" was recorded in 1969, during their final weeks with the Verve label, but the well-known version appears on their 1970 album <i>Loaded</i>. The website Songfacts.com describes the song: "It's done loose and lazy, perfect for the subject, but subtly averting it at the same time."
Question 53
RBG might be the most famous Supreme in 2020, but in the 1960s it was Diana Ross. Which of the following was NOT a number one hit for the Supremes?
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AYou Keep My Hangin' On
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BYou Can't Hurry Love
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CI Hear a Symphony
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DNowhere to Run
Nowhere to Run
All told, the Supremes had 12 number one hits, mostly written by Motown's famed production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. The original line up consisted of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown.
Question 54
In 1987, Susanna Hoffs and the Bangles released a cover of "Hazy Shade of Winter," originally released by Simon & Garfunkel 21 years earlier. For what movie soundtrack did the Bangles record their version?
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ASpaceballs
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BLess Than Zero
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CThe Lost Boys
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DDirty Dancing
Less Than Zero
When approached to contribute a song to the <i>Less Than Zero</i> soundtrack, the band chose "Hazy Shade of Winter," and ended up with a bigger hit than the original version. In 1987, the Bangles version hit number two on the Billboard charts.
Question 55
When your biggest song has been covered by the Mamas & the Papas, David Bowie and Mick Jagger, and Van Halen, you can safely say you're rock influencers. Name the ladies who achieved this honor.
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AMartha and The Vandellas
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BBananarama
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CThe Marvelettes
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DThe Supremes
Martha and The Vandellas
Martha and The Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" is considered by many to be a Motown Anthem. The song was also covered by The Kinks, Tages, Grateful Dead, Carpenters, and Black Oak Arkansas.
Question 56
Already on their way to stardom, the Go-Go's got a big boost when the brother of the drummer from what band signed them to his new record label, I.R.S.?
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AThe Police
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BHaircut 100
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CThe Cars
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DThe Rolling Stones
The Police
In 1981, Miles Copeland, brother of The Police drummer Stewart Copeland, signed the Go-Go's to his new label I.R.S. Records. The band's debut album, <i>Beauty and the Beat</i>, topped the U.S. charts for six weeks, spawned 4 hits, and went double platinum.
Question 57
Which revered alternative rock group did bassist/vocalist Kim Deal co-found in the 1980s?
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AThe Replacements
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BThe Jesus and Mary Chain
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CSiouxsie and the Banshees
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DThe Pixies
The Pixies
As bassist (and occasional vocalist) for the legendary Pixies, Kim Deal helped define laid back, indie rock cool. Later, she would achieve significant commercial success with the Breeders ("Cannonball"), the group she founded in 1989 with Tanya Donnelly (Throwing Muses) after quitting the Pixies. But in terms of influence on the music world, it would be hard to touch the Pixies. Their guitar-driven sound with signature loud-quiet/start-stop shifts would become ubiquitous in alternative rock, emulated by countless bands, including Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement, and Nirvana ("I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies," Cobain once acknowledged when asked about making Nevermind).
Question 58
Joan Jett's 1982 hit "I Love Rock 'n Roll" is definitely a classic. Not so much for the cover version. In what early 2000s movie is the song covered at a karaoke bar, and who sang it?
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A"Crossroads"/Britney Spears
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B"Saved"/Mandy Moore
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C"Dogma"/Alanis Morissette
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D"Glitter"/Mariah Carey
"Crossroads"/Britney Spears
To this day, <i>Crossroads</i> features Britney's only starring role. In the movie she plays Lucy, from a small Georgia town. In one scene, she and her friends are on a road trip, the car breaks down, and with little money in their pockets, Lucy takes the stage a karaoke bar, belts out "I Love Rock 'n Roll," and the girls earn enough money to fix the car and continue on their way. Classic.
Question 59
Beyoncé is a superstar, but it all started with the powerhouse trio Destiny's Child. Before they were famous, DC would practice in Beyoncé's family garage and in her Mom's hair salon. Where were these places located?
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ALafayette, Louisiana
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BHouston, Texas
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CStockton, California
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DDetroit, Michigan
Houston, Texas
Beyoncé's Mom's hair salon was called Headliners Salon, and the girls of Destiny's Child used to practice there before skyrocketing to fame. Beyoncé's mom, Tina Lawson has been quoted as saying: "I'm not a regular mom, I'm a cool mom."
Question 60
The only all-female group to outsell the Spice Girls is the Andrews Sisters. Who was president of the United States when the Andrews Sisters first hit radio airwaves?
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AUlysses S. Grant
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BHarry S. Truman
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CDwight D. Eisenhower
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DFranklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Andrews sisters first came to prominence starting in 1937 when their hit "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön" started getting played on the radio. What they didn't intend was for it to become a favorite among Nazis.
Question 61
Which German chanteuse did manager Andy Warhol pressure Lou Reed into adding to the Velvet Underground roster in advance of recording their 1967 debut album?
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AIngrid Superstar
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BNico
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CEdie Sedgwick
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DBaby Jane Holzer
Nico
It's hard to overstate the influence of the Velvet Underground on modern music. As an often-quoted line goes, "The Velvet Underground didn't sell many records, but everyone who bought one went out and started a band." Their avant-garde esthetic, underproduced record-making, raw lyrics dealing with drugs, sex, and other taboos, and thier don't-have-to-answer-to-anyone DIY attitude would change the course of music history, opened the door to experimental, indie, punk, and virtually every other "alternative" genre that exists today. From the Sex Pistols to P.J. Harvey to the Strokes, countless bands and musicians continue to acknowledge their profound debt to the Velvet Underground.
Question 62
The Pointer Sisters must have been excited to learn that "I'm So Excited" was ranked #23 on the Billboard charts list of best girl-group tracks of all-time. Which of the following was NOT a Pointer Sister?
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AAnita
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BJune
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CRuth
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DGrace
Grace
The Pointer Sisters were one of the biggest groups of the '70s and '80s with hits like "I'm So Excited," "Jump," and "Automatic". The sisters - June, Anita, and Ruth - formed the band in 1969 and their songs spanned many genres, including pop, disco, jazz, electronic, bebop, blues, soul, funk, dance, country, and rock.
Question 63
Which band did Johnny Rotten (aka Johnny Lydon) form after leaving the Sex Pistols in 1978?
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AThe Pogues
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BPublic Image LTD
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CBig Audio Dynamite
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DFlock of Seagulls
Public Image LTD
The Sex Pistols' snarling disdain for the commercial music establishment was a key part of the band's identity. At their very first gig, Johnny Rotten wore a Pink Floyd t-shirt, which he had ripped and written the words "I hate" across the front to express his disgust at major label arena rock that ruled the 1970s.
Question 64
Described as "anthemic" and a "bold way to start a debut album," "Rock 'n Roll Star" is the first song on the very first album released in 1994 by what band?
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AHanson
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BRadiohead
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COasis
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DLive
Oasis
On their debut album "Definitely Maybe," Oasis boldly chose "Rock 'n Roll Star" to be the first track. While the song didn't become very popular in the U.S., it was described by Liam Gallagher as only one of three songs on the album that actually have any meaning, along with "Live Forever" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol".
Question 65
All-girl group Bananarama set a Guinness record with 28 Top 50 songs on the UK charts. What actor appears in the title of one of their songs that went all the way to number 3 in 1984?
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ARalph Macchio
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BSylvester Stallone
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CRobert De Niro
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DTom Selleck
Robert De Niro
The song "Robert De Niro Is Waiting" was a single from Bananarama's 1984 self-titled album. While there's been some controversy about the song's exact meaning, band member Sara Dallin said in a 2019 interview that it was about hero worship.
Question 66
This band's "Never Ever" was the third-best selling single in UK history, behind only "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls and "Shout Out to My Ex" by Little Mix. Name this all-girl group.
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ASugababes
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BSpicier Girls
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CGirls Aloud
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DAll Saints
All Saints
"Never Ever" has a huge hit for All Saints. The band, made up of Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, Nicole Appleton, and Natalie Appleton, took home British Single of the Year and British Video of the Year in 1998 for the song.
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