Music Icons & Legends Quiz

Question 1

Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' (1982) is the best-selling album of all time. Approximately how many copies has it sold?

Accepted Answer

66 million+

Answer

30 million

Answer

50 million

Answer

100 million+

Question 2

David Bowie created many alter egos throughout his career. What was the name of his first famous character, debuted in 1972?

Accepted Answer

Ziggy Stardust

Answer

Aladdin Sane

Answer

Major Tom

Answer

The Thin White Duke

Question 3

Elvis Presley is known as the 'King of Rock and Roll'. What was his nickname for his private jet?

Accepted Answer

The Lisa Marie

Answer

The Memphis Belle

Answer

The Graceland Eagle

Answer

The Blue Suede Jet

Question 4

Madonna is known as the 'Queen of Pop'. Which 1984 performance introduced her iconic 'Like a Virgin' moment?

Accepted Answer

The first MTV Video Music Awards

Answer

The Super Bowl halftime show

Answer

Saturday Night Live

Answer

American Bandstand

Question 5

Freddie Mercury was the lead vocalist of Queen. What was his birth name?

Accepted Answer

Farrokh Bulsara

Answer

Frederick Mercury

Answer

Freddie Bulsara

Answer

Frederick Williams

Question 6

Which iconic rock star was born Robert Allen Zimmerman and changed his name in tribute to a poet?

Accepted Answer

Bob Dylan

Answer

Bono

Answer

Jim Morrison

Answer

Lou Reed

Question 7

Prince famously changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in 1993. Why?

Accepted Answer

In protest against his record label Warner Bros., who he felt owned his name and artistic output

Answer

For spiritual reasons

Answer

As a marketing strategy for his new album

Answer

As a tribute to the ancient Egyptian symbol

Question 8

Aretha Franklin was known as the 'Queen of Soul'. Her signature song 'Respect' was originally written by whom?

Accepted Answer

Otis Redding

Answer

James Brown

Answer

Curtis Mayfield

Answer

Sam Cooke

Question 9

Johnny Cash's 'Man in Black' persona was deliberate. He explained wearing black as a symbol of what?

Accepted Answer

Solidarity with the poor, downtrodden, and those suffering in prisons and on death row

Answer

His affiliation with the Hell's Angels

Answer

His preference for simple, understated clothing

Answer

Mourning for his first wife

Question 10

Jimi Hendrix died in London in 1970 at age 27. What is the '27 Club'?

Accepted Answer

A group of extraordinarily influential musicians who all died at age 27

Answer

A jazz club in New York

Answer

The age at which rock stars typically achieve their greatest commercial success

Answer

A music awards ceremony for artists under 30

Question 11

Lady Gaga's debut single 'Just Dance' (2008) was initially rejected by many record labels. From which US state does she come?

Accepted Answer

New York

Answer

California

Answer

Texas

Answer

Florida

Question 12

Whitney Houston's version of 'I Will Always Love You' (1992) is considered one of the greatest vocal performances ever. Who originally wrote and recorded the song?

Accepted Answer

Dolly Parton

Answer

Mariah Carey

Answer

Diana Ross

Answer

Celine Dion

Question 13

U2's The Joshua Tree (1987) is one of the best-selling albums ever. The album was inspired by the landscape of which US state?

Accepted Answer

California and Arizona (Mojave Desert / Joshua Tree National Park)

Answer

Nevada

Answer

Arizona

Answer

California

Question 14

David Bowie had a distinctive physical feature that many believed was due to heterochromia (two different coloured eyes). What was the real explanation?

Accepted Answer

His left pupil was permanently dilated after a fight in his teens damaged the muscle controlling it

Answer

He was born with heterochromia

Answer

One eye was glass following a car accident

Answer

He wore a tinted contact lens in one eye

Question 15

Tina Turner survived an abusive marriage to Ike Turner and staged one of music's greatest comebacks. Which 1984 single made her a global superstar in her own right?

Accepted Answer

What's Love Got to Do with It

Answer

Proud Mary

Answer

River Deep, Mountain High

Answer

Private Dancer

Question 16

Bruce Springsteen is nicknamed 'The Boss'. The nickname came from where?

Accepted Answer

He paid his band members in cash and divided the money himself — making him literally 'the boss'

Answer

A Rolling Stone magazine feature

Answer

A Bruce Lee comparison by a music journalist

Answer

His domineering stage presence described by a New York Times critic

Question 17

Eminem is the best-selling hip-hop artist of all time. What is his real name?

Accepted Answer

Marshall Bruce Mathers III

Answer

Marshall Matthers III

Answer

Eminem Marcus Reed

Answer

Slim Shady Williams

Question 18

The Rolling Stones are the highest-grossing touring band in history. Their classic logo — the lips and tongue — was designed by whom?

Accepted Answer

John Pasche

Answer

Andy Warhol

Answer

Peter Blake

Answer

Hipgnosis design studio

Question 19

Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins by any artist in history. Approximately how many has she won as of 2024?

Accepted Answer

32+

Answer

22

Answer

28

Answer

32

Question 20

Bob Marley is the best-selling reggae artist of all time. In which year did he die, and from what cause?

Accepted Answer

1981, melanoma (skin cancer)

Answer

1976, shot at his home

Answer

1983, heart attack

Answer

1977, motorcycle accident