Do you love rock music? If so, this rock music trivia is the perfect way to pass some time while also assessing your level of knowledge of this popular, diverse, controversial, and head-banging genre!
Rock music originated in the US in the late 1940s and has evolved and developed over the decades to include various other genres such as R&B, country, classical, jazz, and other musical styles.
This genre can be seen as expressions of youth revolt against conformity and consumerism, yet lyrics aren’t always political; they can be romantic, thought-provoking, and inspiring.
In this rock music trivia, we will look at all aspects of this fantastic genre, from its roots and evolution to its biggest stars and greatest songs.
When rock music began, it quickly spread, but in its early days, the world was divided (pretty equally) into fans and haters of this genre.
Frank Sinatra called it the ‘most brutal, ugly, degenerate, vicious form of expression,’ while Ozzy Osbourne referred to it as ‘freedom.’
Wherever you stood in the early days, or indeed stand today, one thing cannot be disputed: how prevalent this genre is worldwide.
In the first round of my rock music trivia, there are 25 general questions to determine how good your basic knowledge is about rock music.
Good luck!
1: Which rock artist played 27 different instruments on their debut album?
Prince.
2: How many studio albums did Nirvana release?
3.
3: What type of instrument grew significantly in popularity due to this genre?
Electric guitar.
4: Which rocker attributed his ‘4 extra teeth’ to his incredible vocal range?
Freddie Mercury.
5: What does AC/DC stand for?
Alternating current or direct current.
6: Who is considered to be the first major ‘star’ of Christian rock?
Larry Norman.
7: Which band was rejected by record labels an incredible 44 times before getting their break with Warner Brothers in the early 2000s?
Linkin Park.
8: Who famously said: ‘Elvis may be the King of Rock and Roll, but I am the Queen.’?
Little Richard.
9: Which English rock band made their first American TV debut on which show?
The Dean Martin Variety Show.
10: Which artist had the first British rock and roll hit with the track ‘Move It?
Cliff Richard.
11: How many drummers have been in AC/DC?
12.
12: In what year was Aerosmith’s first album released?
1973.
13: Why did Jeremy Spencer leave Fleetwood Mac?
To join a cult.
14: Which band made it mainstream to use Guitar Distortion?
The Kinks.
15: What alternative rock and subgenre did the ‘Seattle music scene’ become known as?
Grunge.
16: What track did Nirvana find global success with in 1991?
Smells Like Teen Spirit.
17: What legendary band had a drummer nicknamed Bonzo?
Led Zeppelin.
18: Which lead guitarist earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy in 2007?
Brian May.
19: What was unique about Def Leppard’s drummer, Rick Allen?
He has one arm.
20: Which artist produced the iconic hit ‘I Love Rock’ n’ Roll’?
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
21: What year was Steppenwolfs’ ‘Born to be Wild’ released?
1968.
22: What is the best-selling rock song (in digital form) from the 20th century?
Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey.
23: What killed several members of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1977?
Plane crash.
24: Which artist is one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and influential electric guitarists, yet only had an active career of 4-years?
Jimi Hendrix.
25: Which monthly magazine was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967?
Rolling Stone.
History of Rock Music Trivia Questions and Answers
In its original form, rock music was referred to as rock and roll with immediate origins, including various black musical genres of the time, such as gospel music, rhythm and blues, and country and western.
Today, we have rock music hybrids such as punk rock, southern rock, jazz-rock, progressive rock, country rock, folk rock, indie rock, and blues rock.
But how did this all develop?
Let’s find out how clued up you are about this history of rock music in this trivia round!
Here we go!
1: Which songwriter and guitarist pioneered rock and roll and earned the nickname the ‘Father of Rock and Roll’?
Chuck Berry.
2: In 1955, what song reached number one and effectively launched the rock and roll era?
(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets.
3: Which Liverpudlian band was at the forefront of the mainstream development of rock music in the 1960s?
The Beatles.
4: What term was used to describe the sound of early rock and roll music?
Rockabilly.
5: Who is described as the ‘Architect of Rock and Roll’?
Little Richard.
6: Who released the 1954 single ‘That’s All Right’?
Elvis Presley.
7: What is the first rock album to be played in space?
Delicate Sound of Thunder, by Pink Floyd.
8: Which F.R.I.E.N.D.S actress career launch can be accredited to appearing in the Bruce Springstein music video for ‘Dancing in the Dark?
Courtney Cox.
9: What club are the tragic Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain a part of?
The 27 club.
Stars and Songs in Rock Music Trivia Questions and Answers
There have been many notable artists and iconic songs in this musical genre, but how many can you think of right now?
Do you know the artist behind the track?
This rock music trivia round may be a headscratcher to remember the headbanger!
Let’s take another look back!
1: Which rock song is the most-streamed classic rock song of all time?
Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen.
2: Which 1979 track begins with the lines: ‘Hello? (Hello? Hello? Hello?), Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me.’
Comfortably Numb, by Pink Floyd.
3: Steven Tyler is the lead vocalist for which rock band?
Aerosmith.
4: According to a readers poll in Rolling Stone, what is the best Foo Fighters song?
Everlong.
5: In the same year, which Aerosmith song was nominated for Best Original Song (at the Oscars) and Worst Original Song (at the Golden Raspberries)?
Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.
6: How is Farrokh Bulsara better known?
Freddie Mercury.
7: Which rock legend is credited with popularizing stage diving?
Iggy Pop.
8: Who married Courtney Love on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii while wearing their pajamas?
Kurt Cobain.
Rock Music Facts Trivia Questions and Answers
Swearing on live TV, french kissing on stage, burning guitars, and eating bats, rock music stars have been responsible for some shocking and unprecedented moments.
But what about those we aren’t supposed to know about? And those we haven’t seen?
This rock music trivia round is for those who love to pry and people who want to discover some excellent conversation starters for the next socially awkward moment in your life!
If you thought what you saw on stage was interesting, wait until you have played this rock music trivia round!
Let’s begin!
1: Who dated a 14-year-old girl while touring with Led Zeppelin?
Jimmy Page.
2: How is Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie linked to the rock song ‘Wild Thing’?
Her uncle, Chip Taylor, wrote it.
3: Why was every member of Nirvana evicted from their own launch party?
Taking part in a food fight.
4: According to the Guinness Book of Records, which band has the longest-running fan club?
Queen.
5: Elvis Presley recorded over 600 songs. How many of them did he write?
0.
6: What did Alice Cooper throw into the crowd at a concert only for it to be torn to pieces?
A live chicken (in his defense, he thought it would fly away!)
7: Which highly controversial industrial rocker dragged a broken beer bottle across their naked chest on stage at a 1995 concert in San Francisco? This resulted in a significant scar for life!
Marilyn Manson.
8: Nicknamed the Killer and described as “rock n’ roll’s first great wild man, who married their 13-year-old first cousin when he was 23?
Jerry Lee Lewis.
More Rock Music Trivia – Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPBEvIYG68A
How well did you do with this rock music trivia? To try your hand at another specialist trivia challenge, click on a link below:
Thank you for playing this rock music trivia; I hope you found it entertaining to look back at some of the greats; maybe you even learned some new facts, too?! Check back soon for new content!
