Music of the 1980s Quiz

Question 1

Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' (1982) changed music forever. Who directed its iconic music video?

Accepted Answer

John Landis

Answer

Steven Spielberg

Answer

Tim Burton

Answer

Francis Ford Coppola

Question 2

Which 1980s genre featured big hair, spandex, face paint, and bands like Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Whitesnake?

Accepted Answer

Hair metal / glam metal

Answer

Prog rock

Answer

Punk revival

Answer

New wave

Question 3

New Order's 'Blue Monday' (1983) is the best-selling 12-inch single of all time. It was notable partly because:

Accepted Answer

Its elaborate die-cut sleeve design cost more to manufacture than the single sold for, meaning New Order lost money on every copy

Answer

It was the first UK single to be certified platinum

Answer

It spent 26 weeks at #1 in the UK

Answer

It featured a famous collaboration with Kraftwerk

Question 4

Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' was #1 in 1984. What label was she signed to?

Accepted Answer

Warner Bros / Sire Records

Answer

Columbia

Answer

Capitol

Answer

Arista

Question 5

Which 1985 UK band had a #1 hit with 'Don't You Want Me' but is better remembered for defining synth-pop?

Accepted Answer

The Human League

Answer

Duran Duran

Answer

Culture Club

Answer

Spandau Ballet

Question 6

Prince's '1999' (1982) and 'Purple Rain' (1984) made him a superstar. How many instruments did Prince reportedly play on his recordings?

Accepted Answer

Over 27

Answer

5

Answer

12

Answer

Over 20

Answer

Over 40

Question 7

The 1985 charity single 'We Are the World' was the US equivalent of Band Aid. Who produced it?

Accepted Answer

Quincy Jones

Answer

Rick Rubin

Answer

Clive Davis

Answer

Phil Spector

Question 8

Cyndi Lauper's debut single 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' (1983) came from which album?

Accepted Answer

She's So Unusual

Answer

True Colors

Answer

A Night to Remember

Answer

Hat Full of Stars

Question 9

Run-DMC's collaboration with which rock band in 1986 is considered a landmark moment in music that helped break hip-hop into mainstream rock audiences?

Accepted Answer

Aerosmith

Answer

AC/DC

Answer

Bon Jovi

Answer

Van Halen

Question 10

Which British duo released 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' and 'Careless Whisper' in 1984?

Accepted Answer

Wham!

Answer

Pet Shop Boys

Answer

Eurythmics

Answer

Tears for Fears

Question 11

The MTV era transformed music. Which was the first video ever played on MTV in August 1981?

Accepted Answer

Video Killed the Radio Star — The Buggles

Answer

Billie Jean — Michael Jackson

Answer

Girls on Film — Duran Duran

Answer

Eye of the Tiger — Survivor

Question 12

Dire Straits' 'Money for Nothing' (1985) became one of the first songs to feature what digital sound?

Accepted Answer

The first major use of digitally synthesised guitar sound (using Fairlight CMI and Synclavier)

Answer

Auto-Tune

Answer

Digital sampling

Answer

CD-quality digital mastering on a single

Question 13

Depeche Mode are one of the most successful electronic acts in history. They formed in which English town?

Accepted Answer

Basildon, Essex

Answer

Manchester

Answer

Sheffield

Answer

Brighton

Question 14

Which 1980s band was fronted by Bono and became famous for their political activism alongside their music?

Accepted Answer

U2

Answer

Simple Minds

Answer

R.E.M.

Answer

INXS

Question 15

Whitney Houston's self-titled debut album (1985) produced how many consecutive #1 singles — a record at the time?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Question 16

Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)' was a UK hit in 1985. It became a global phenomenon again in which year?

Accepted Answer

2022

Answer

2000

Answer

2012

Answer

2019

Question 17

Talking Heads, one of the most critically acclaimed new wave bands, were led by which vocalist/guitarist?

Accepted Answer

David Byrne

Answer

Elvis Costello

Answer

Paul Simon

Answer

Lou Reed

Question 18

The 1985 Live Aid concert raised money for Ethiopian famine relief. Approximately how much did it raise?

Accepted Answer

£150 million

Answer

£10 million

Answer

£30 million

Answer

£500 million

Question 19

Guns N' Roses' debut album 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987) became one of the best-selling albums of all time. What was its original banned cover?

Accepted Answer

A Robert Williams painting depicting a robot sexually assaulting a woman — replaced after public outrage

Answer

A nuclear explosion over Los Angeles

Answer

A photorealistic coffin with gravestones

Answer

A police officer shooting a protester

Question 20

R.E.M. are considered one of the most important alternative bands of the 1980s. They formed in which US city?

Accepted Answer

Athens, Georgia

Answer

Seattle

Answer

Minneapolis

Answer

Boston