Music Legends Trivia

12 nostalgia questions about music legends, each with four choices and the correct answer explained underneath. Read them here, or play the same set in the trivia room for instant scoring and a printable quiz sheet.

Background

Popular music of the 1950s, 60s and 70s was built by a remarkable handful of artists — singers, songwriters and bands whose records became the soundtrack of everyday life. Their songs turned up at weddings, on the radio and around the family piano.

These twelve questions look at the careers and hits of some of those legends, from early rock and roll to the album era. Each question has four choices and a factual explanation, and you can play the same set in the trivia room with scoring and printing.

The questions below are the full Music Legends set used by the trivia room.

Play this set

In the trivia room, set the era to Mixed and the topic to Music.
You can also combine an era and a topic to narrow a round down.
Rounds are 10 questions at a time, always with four choices.
You see the right answer and an explanation immediately after each pick.
After a round, press Print this round for a quiz sheet — questions on page one, answer key on page two.

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Questions and answers

1. Which singer, known as the King of Rock and Roll, recorded 'Hound Dog' and 'Jailhouse Rock'?
- AElvis Presley — correct answer
- BChuck Berry
- CBuddy Holly
- DLittle Richard
Answer: A — Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, made 'Jailhouse Rock' a 1957 chart-topper.
Did you know… His earliest records were cut in a small recording studio in Memphis.
2. Which British band, formed in Liverpool, recorded the album 'Abbey Road' in 1969?
- AThe Beatles — correct answer
- BThe Rolling Stones
- CThe Who
- DThe Kinks
Answer: A — The Beatles. The Beatles recorded Abbey Road at EMI Studios in London; the album came out in September 1969.
Did you know… The photo on the cover was taken from a stepladder in the middle of the road.
3. Which singer was nicknamed the Queen of Soul after hits like 'Respect'?
- AAretha Franklin — correct answer
- BDiana Ross
- CTina Turner
- DWhitney Houston
Answer: A — Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin's 1967 cover of 'Respect' made her the Queen of Soul.
Did you know… The song had already been a hit for the man who wrote it.
4. Michael Jackson's 1982 album 'Thriller' set what landmark record?
- ABest-selling album of all time — correct answer
- BFirst album to go gold
- CFirst MTV video
- DFirst double album
Answer: A — Best-selling album of all time. Thriller became the best-selling album ever, with hits like 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It'.
Did you know… The song's video ran far longer than the usual pop clip of the day.
5. Which Fleetwood Mac album, released in 1977, won the Grammy for Album of the Year?
- ARumours — correct answer
- BFleetwood Mac
- CTusk
- DMirage
Answer: A — Rumours. Rumours (1977) sold over 40 million copies and won Album of the Year.
Did you know… The album was recorded in a studio converted from an old building near San Francisco.
6. Which legendary guitarist was known for 'Purple Haze' and his 1969 Woodstock anthem?
- AJimi Hendrix — correct answer
- BEric Clapton
- CJimmy Page
- DKeith Richards
Answer: A — Jimi Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1969 is legendary.
Did you know… His set at the festival was played on the Monday morning, after the rain.
7. The song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975) was a hit for which band?
- AQueen — correct answer
- BPink Floyd
- CLed Zeppelin
- DThe Eagles
Answer: A — Queen. Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' topped charts in 1975 and again after Freddie Mercury's death in 1991.
Did you know… The single ran well over five minutes, unusually long for a chart hit.
8. Which 1984 charity song brought British and Irish artists together as Band Aid?
- ADo They Know It's Christmas? — correct answer
- BWe Are the World
- CLive Aid
- DFeed the World
Answer: A — Do They Know It's Christmas?. Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' (1984) raised millions for Ethiopian famine relief.
Did you know… The record was written and recorded inside a single day.
9. Frank Sinatra was famously known by which nickname?
- AOl' Blue Eyes — correct answer
- BThe Boss
- CThe King
- DSatchmo
Answer: A — Ol' Blue Eyes. Frank Sinatra, 'Ol' Blue Eyes', was one of the best-selling music artists of the 20th century.
Did you know… His concert closer was sung so often that it felt like the national anthem of the night.
10. Which Swedish group recorded the 1976 worldwide hit 'Dancing Queen'?
- AABBA — correct answer
- BThe Supremes
- CBoney M.
- DThe Bee Gees
Answer: A — ABBA. ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' (1976) became one of the best-selling singles of the decade.
Did you know… The group first performed the song at a royal gala months before its release.
11. Which folk singer wrote the 1960s protest anthem 'Blowin' in the Wind'?
- ABob Dylan — correct answer
- BJoan Baez
- CPete Seeger
- DJohnny Cash
Answer: A — Bob Dylan. Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' in the Wind' (1963) became an anthem of the civil rights era.
Did you know… The tune was borrowed from an older folk melody, and the words were new.
12. Which 1970s-80s singer-songwriter sang 'Piano Man', a song about a bar pianist?
- ABilly Joel — correct answer
- BElton John
- CBruce Springsteen
- DNeil Diamond
Answer: A — Billy Joel. Billy Joel's 1973 single 'Piano Man' became his signature tune.
Did you know… The lyric came from his own years playing piano in a bar.

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