1. Which band released the album 'Abbey Road'?
- The Beatles
- The Rolling Stones
- Pink Floyd
- Led Zeppelin
Correct answer: The Beatles
Explanation: The Beatles released 'Abbey Road' in 1969, their final recorded album.
2. Which band released 'Bohemian Rhapsody'?
- Led Zeppelin
- The Beatles
- Queen
- Pink Floyd
Correct answer: Queen
Explanation: Queen released 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in 1975.
3. What instrument does a pianist play?
Correct answer: Piano
Explanation: A pianist plays the piano.
4. How does Music affect emotions?
- It has no effect
- It's irrelevant
- It makes people sad
- It influences emotions
Correct answer: It influences emotions
Explanation: Music has the power to evoke and influence human emotions.
5. What is the name of the famous music festival held in Woodstock, NY in 1969?
- Glastonbury
- Woodstock
- Coachella
- Lollapalooza
Correct answer: Woodstock
Explanation: The Woodstock Music & Art Fair was held in 1969.
6. What is the national anthem of the United States?
- God Bless America
- The Star-Spangled Banner
- My Country 'Tis of Thee
- America the Beautiful
Correct answer: The Star-Spangled Banner
Explanation: The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States.
7. Which of the following is a famous Canadian singer?
- Celine Dion
- Beyoncé
- Adele
- Madonna
Correct answer: Celine Dion
Explanation: Celine Dion is a world-renowned singer from Canada, famous for her powerful vocals.
8. Which influential pop icon is often credited with shaping modern music videos as an art form?
- Britney Spears
- Michael Jackson
- Madonna
- Lady Gaga
Correct answer: Madonna
Explanation: Madonna's innovative approach to music videos in the 1980s and 1990s transformed them into a crucial part of music marketing and cultural expression. Her work often incorporated storytelling, fashion, and visual art, influencing countless artists and the industry itself.
9. Eminem's alter ego is known as 'Slim Shady'?
Correct answer: True
Explanation: Eminem's alter ego, Slim Shady, allows him to express darker and more controversial themes in his music. This persona is crucial for understanding his artistic range and the complexities of his identity as a rapper.
10. Eminem's album 'The Slim Shady LP' was released in 1999?
Correct answer: True
Explanation: The Slim Shady LP was indeed released in 1999, marking Eminem's first major label debut. This album played a significant role in his rise to fame and the mainstream acceptance of rap music.
11. Eminem's real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III?
Correct answer: True
Explanation: Eminem was born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972. Knowing the artist's real name helps in understanding his background and the persona he created in his music, as it reflects his personal struggles and life experiences.
12. Taylor Swift has won more than 10 Grammy Awards throughout her career?
Correct answer: True
Explanation: True. As of 2023, Taylor Swift has won 11 Grammy Awards, making her one of the most awarded female artists in Grammy history. This achievement highlights her impact on the music industry and her artistic versatility.
13. Taylor Swift began her career in country music before transitioning to pop music?
Correct answer: True
Explanation: True. Taylor Swift started her music career in the country genre with her self-titled debut album released in 2006. Over the years, she successfully transitioned to pop music, particularly with her album '1989' in 2014, which marked a significant shift in her musical style.
14. Taylor Swift was born in Nashville, Tennessee, where she started her music career?
Correct answer: False
Explanation: False. Taylor Swift was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her music career. Nashville is known as the heart of the country music industry, which played a crucial role in her early career development.
15. Rihanna's first major hit single was 'Umbrella,' released in _____ 2007.
- September
- December
- June
- March
Correct answer: March
Explanation: The correct answer is March 2007, when 'Umbrella' topped charts worldwide and solidified Rihanna's status as a pop icon. Understanding the timeline of her career helps contextualize her impact on music and culture.
16. Which band is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the British rock movement in the 1960s?
- Pink Floyd
- Led Zeppelin
- The Who
- The Beatles
Correct answer: The Beatles
Explanation: The Beatles are often credited with spearheading the British rock movement, influencing countless artists and shaping the music landscape of the 1960s. While other bands like The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd also played significant roles, The Beatles' impact was particularly profound in popularizing rock music in the UK and beyond.
17. Which festival is considered a landmark event in the history of British rock music?
- Reading Festival
- Isle of Wight Festival
- Glastonbury Festival
- V Festival
Correct answer: Glastonbury Festival
Explanation: Glastonbury Festival has become synonymous with British rock music, showcasing a wide range of artists and genres since its inception in 1970. It holds significant cultural importance and attracts large audiences, serving as a platform for both established and emerging talent. While other festivals like Reading and Isle of Wight are also notable, Glastonbury is often viewed as the pinnacle of UK music festivals.
18. Which of the following file formats are capable of storing high-resolution audio?
Correct answers: FLAC, WAV
Explanation: File formats capable of storing high-resolution audio include FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MQA, and DSD.
19. What does MP3 stand for?
- Multi-Purpose Portable Player
- Music Playback Protocol III
- Multi-Purpose Protocol 3
- MPEG Audio Layer III
Correct answer: MPEG Audio Layer III
Explanation: MP3 stands for MPEG Audio Layer III, which is a digital audio encoding format that uses lossy compression to reduce file size while maintaining sound quality. It's a standard format for music files.
20. After witnessing his bandmates arguing in 1968, which Beatle member walked out and left the band temporarily?
- Paul McCartney
- George Harrison
- Ringo Starr
- John Lennon
Correct answer: Ringo Starr
Explanation: Ringo Starr temporarily left the Beatles due to tensions during recording sessions, emphasizing the challenges the band faced at that time.
21. Which Steve Martin hit from 1978 became a gold record?
- Hotel California
- Dancing Queen
- King Tut
- Staying Alive
Correct answer: King Tut
Explanation: The correct answer is 'King Tut,' a comedic song by Steve Martin paying tribute to the Egyptian pharaoh and showcasing comedy's influence in popular music.
22. The album "Slippery When Wet" was released bn 1986 by which band?
- The Killers
- Dashboard Confessional
- Bruce Springsteen
- Bon Jovi
Correct answer: Bon Jovi
Explanation: Bon Jovi is known for their iconic album 'Slippery When Wet', which features hits like 'Livin' on a Prayer' and "You Give Love a Bad Name".
23. What is the total number of keys on a standard full-size piano?
Correct answer: 88
Explanation: A typical full-size piano has 88 keys, consisting of 52 white and 36 black keys.
24. Which Scottish folk song is traditionally sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
- Auld Lang Syne
- Wild Mountain Thyme
- Jingle Bells
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Correct answer: Auld Lang Syne
Explanation: The Scottish folk song traditionally sung at midnight on New Year's Eve is "Auld Lang Syne".
25. Microsoft paid Rolling Stones $3m to use it in their Windows 95 launch campaign. Which song was it?
- Gimme Shelter
- Sympathy for the Devil
- Paint It Black
- Start Me Up
Correct answer: Start Me Up
Explanation: Microsoft used 'Start Me Up' to promote Windows 95, showcasing the song's energy to amplify the product's launch.
26. What is the harlem renaissance?
- Economic liberation movement in Wall Street
- Rebuilding project in Harlem
- Political campaign for abolishing slavery
- Afro-American artistic movement
Correct answer: Afro-American artistic movement
Explanation: The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic and cultural movement centered in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan during the 1920s and 1930s. It brought together some of the greatest African American talents across various art forms, from music, to dance, from art, to fashion, literature, and more.
27. Which celebrity's real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta?
Correct answer: Lady Gaga
Explanation: Lady Gaga chose her stage name inspired by Queen's song "Radio Ga Ga." She felt her real name was too ordinary for her artistic persona and wanted something that matched her theatrical style.
28. Which artist became Spotify's most-streamed artist globally for three consecutive years?
- Drake
- Bad Bunny
- The Weeknd
- Taylor Swift
Correct answer: Bad Bunny
Explanation: Bad Bunny was Spotify's most-streamed artist globally in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
29. Timothée Chalamet learned to play guitar for his Bob Dylan biopic in _____.
Correct answer: 2024
Explanation: Chalamet spent five years preparing to play Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown" (2024), learning guitar, harmonica, and singing. He performed all songs live on set without lip-syncing.
30. What is Drake's real name?
- Darnell Aubrey Harris
- Drake Williams
- Aubrey Drake Graham
- Darnell Roy Harris
Correct answer: Aubrey Drake Graham
Explanation: Aubrey Drake Graham started as Jimmy Brooks on "Degrassi: The Next Generation" before becoming a rapper. He uses his middle name Drake as his stage name, dropping his first and last names.
31. Which artist's album "30" became the best-selling album of 2021 despite releasing in November?
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Taylor Swift
- Adele
- Drake
Correct answer: Adele
Explanation: Adele's "30" sold over 5 million copies in just six weeks, outselling every other album that had the full year. It was her fourth consecutive album named after her age during writing.
32. An EGOT winner is someone who has won which four major awards?
- Oscar
- Pulitzer
- Grammy
- Golden Globe
- Tony
- Emmy
Correct answers: Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Emmy
Explanation: An EGOT winner is someone who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.
33. Beyoncé has won more Grammy Awards than any other artist in history, and currently holds ___ of them.
Correct answer: 35
Explanation: True! breaking the all-time record in 2023, Beyoncé has now 35 Grammy awards, as of 2025.
34. BTS became the first K-pop group to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Correct answer: True
Explanation: True! BTS achieved this with "Dynamite" in September 2020, their first English-language single. They've since had multiple #1 hits and became global ambassadors for Korean culture.
35. Which of these artists have had a Las Vegas residency?
- Adele
- Britney Spears
- Elvis Presley
- Céline Dion
Correct answers: Adele, Britney Spears, Elvis Presley, Céline Dion
Explanation: All have had Vegas residencies! Elvis pioneered them in 1969, Céline Dion modernized them, Britney revived her career with one, and Adele's "Weekends with Adele" is ongoing.
36. Which Welsh rock band originally wrote and recorded the song "Without You," later made popular by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey?
- The Stereophonics
- Catatonia
- Bad Finger
- Manic Street Preachers
Correct answer: Bad Finger
Explanation: The correct answer is Bad Finger, who were the first to record "Without You" in 1970. This song later gained fame through covers by other artists.
37. What group expressed a desire for Christmas to occur every day?
Correct answer: Wizard
Explanation: The 'Wizard' refers to the playful spirit of a popular song that wishes it could be Christmas every day, capturing the joy of the holiday season.
38. What name is Elaine Bookbinder more famously known by?
- Elaine Bookbinder
- Laura Brooks
- Elkie White
- Elkie Brooks
Correct answer: Elkie Brooks
Explanation: Elaine Bookbinder is better known by her stage name, Elkie Brooks, who is a renowned singer in the UK.
39. What song was a number one hit in nine countries that is associated with orange juice and champagne?
- Making Your Mind Up
- Sunny Days
- Celebrate Good Times
- Good Times
Correct answer: Making Your Mind Up
Explanation: The song 'Making Your Mind Up' by Bucks Fizz was a major hit, famously linked to the combination of orange juice and champagne, often used in celebratory moments.
40. Which James Bond theme song was the only one to hit number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100?
- For Your Eyes Only
- A View To A Kill
- You Only Live Twice
- Live And Let Die
Correct answer: A View To A Kill
Explanation: "A View To A Kill" is special as it is the only James Bond song to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, showcasing its popularity upon release.
41. Who is the character referred to as the real estate novelist in Billy Joel's song 'Piano Man'?
Correct answer: Paul
Explanation: Paul is the character in the song 'Piano Man' who is portrayed as a real estate novelist, highlighting his aspirations in the context of the bar scene.
42. Which artist was the bassist in Suzi Quatro's band?
- Joan Jett
- Tina Turner
- Cher
- Suzi Quatro
Correct answer: Suzi Quatro
Explanation: Suzi Quatro is not only a talented vocalist but also plays the bass guitar, making her a unique presence in rock music during her time!
43. Which song contains the lyrics 'Gotta get my candy free'?
- Sugar Mountain (Neil Young)
- Sugar Town (Nancy Sinatra)
- Sugar Me (Linsey De Paul)
- A Spoonful of Sugar (Julie Andrews)
- Brown Sugar (Rolling Stones)
- Sugar Sugar (The Archies)
Correct answer: Sugar Me (Linsey De Paul)
Explanation: This lyric is from 'Sugar Me' by Linsey De Paul, which highlights a sweet, catchy theme. Fun fact: it was a hit single in the 1970s!
44. Which famous individual did Philip Glass compose an opera about?
- Stephen Hawking
- Isaac Newton
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Albert Einstein
Correct answer: Albert Einstein
Explanation: Philip Glass wrote an opera titled 'Einstein on the Beach' which is a unique tribute to Albert Einstein, exploring his life and theories.
45. What is something that Elvis never performed during his concerts?
- An encore
- A costume change
- A special tribute
- A dance routine
Correct answer: An encore
Explanation: Elvis Presley was known for his grand exits and would often leave the stage without performing an encore, famously leaving audiences with the phrase 'Elvis has left the building.'
46. "Somewhere My Love" served as the theme song for which film?
- The Sound of Music
- Gone with the Wind
- Casablanca
- Doctor Zhivago
Correct answer: Doctor Zhivago
Explanation: "Somewhere My Love" is beautifully associated with the epic romance of Doctor Zhivago, one of the most beloved films from the 1960s.
47. What does pianissimo indicate in music?
- Slightly soft
- Moderately loud
- Extremely fast
- Very softly
Correct answer: Very softly
Explanation: Pianissimo means to play very softly, often used to create a gentle and calming effect in music.
48. What famous mondegreen, referring to a mishearing of phrases, became an influential psychedelic hit in 1968?
- In - A - Gadda - Da - Vida
- Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
- White Rabbit
- Good Vibrations
Correct answer: In - A - Gadda - Da - Vida
Explanation: The correct answer is "In - A - Gadda - Da - Vida," a song that was misheard from "In The Garden Of Eden" and became iconic in the psychedelic rock genre.
49. In 2022, LadBaby achieved the record for the most Christmas No 1 hits in the UK charts. Which band did he overtake to earn this title?
- Queen
- The Beatles
- ABBA
- Elton John
Correct answer: The Beatles
Explanation: LadBaby surpassed The Beatles, who previously held the record for the most Christmas No 1's in the UK. Fun fact: The Beatles' Christmas singles remain iconic even decades later!
50. What are the opening lines of the Christmas song 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow'?
- Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful
- It's Christmas time, the lights are bright,
- The snow is falling gently, the fire crackles loud
- Winter Wonderland is such a sight
Correct answer: Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful
Explanation: The correct opening lines create a cozy holiday atmosphere and highlight the contrast between the chilly weather and the warmth of a fire. Fun fact: The song emphasizes the joy of staying indoors during winter.
51. In the song 'The Christmas Song' (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire), how are the folks described as being dressed?
- Eskimos
- Elves
- Santas
- Pilgrims
Correct answer: Eskimos
Explanation: The correct answer is 'Eskimos' as they are mentioned in the lyrics of the song, creating a vivid winter image. Fun fact: the song was originally written in 1945!
52. Who is the composer of the music for the holiday ballet 'The Nutcracker'?
- Bach
- Beethoven
- Tchaikovsky
- Mozart
Correct answer: Tchaikovsky
Explanation: Tchaikovsky composed 'The Nutcracker' in 1892, and it has become one of the most famous ballets in the world, especially during the Christmas season.
53. What is the name of the chart-topping Christmas song by Bony M that was originally sung by Harry Belafonte in 1956?
- Christmas Time Is Here
- Mary's Boy Child
- Frosty the Snowman
- Silent Night
Correct answer: Mary's Boy Child
Explanation: Mary's Boy Child is a famous Christmas song that was first recorded by Harry Belafonte in 1956 before being popularized by Bony M. It's a classic carol that celebrates the birth of Jesus.
54. Which of these musical genres originated in Brazil?
- Tango
- Samba
- Bossa Nova
- Forró
Correct answers: Samba, Bossa Nova, Forró
Explanation: Samba, Bossa Nova, and Forró all originated in Brazil. Tango originated in Argentina and Uruguay.
55. Which of these are traditional Irish instruments?
- Bodhrán
- Sitar
- Uilleann pipes
- Tin whistle
Correct answers: Bodhrán, Uilleann pipes, Tin whistle
Explanation: The bodhrán (drum), uilleann pipes, and tin whistle are all traditional Irish instruments. The sitar is from India.
56. U2, one of the world's most famous rock bands, formed in ____.
Correct answer: Dublin
Explanation: U2 formed in Dublin in 1976 and became one of the most successful rock bands globally, with members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.
57. Which of these are types of Irish traditional music sessions?
- Fleadh
- Trad session
- Fáilte
- Seisiún
Correct answers: Fleadh, Trad session, Seisiún
Explanation: A seisiún (session), fleadh (festival), and trad session are all gathering types for traditional Irish music. Fáilte means "welcome" in Irish.
58. Ireland has won the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other country.
Correct answer: True
Explanation: True. Ireland has won Eurovision 7 times (1970, 1980, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996), more than any other nation, with Johnny Logan winning twice as a performer.
59. Bob Marley was born in Jamaica.
Correct answer: True
Explanation: Bob Marley, the legendary reggae musician, was born in Nine Mile, Jamaica in 1945.
60. Which music genres originated in Jamaica?
Correct answers: Ska, Dancehall, Reggae
Explanation: Reggae, Ska, and Dancehall all originated in Jamaica, while Samba is from Brazil.
61. Reggae music was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in ____.
Correct answer: 2018
Explanation: UNESCO added reggae music to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018.
62. In 1981, which legendary Jamaican musician died of cancer?
- Peter Tosh
- Bob Marley
- Jimmy Cliff
- Burning Spear
Correct answer: Bob Marley
Explanation: Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981, in Miami, Florida, from cancer at age 36.
63. In which decade did Bob Marley release the album "Exodus"?
Correct answer: 1970s
Explanation: Bob Marley released "Exodus" in 1977, one of his most acclaimed albums.