Who On Earth Are They? Quiz | Bands and Musical Acts

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This American AOR band made three albums in the 1970s. The first was self-titled, followed by "Berkshire" and "Fragile Line". The lead singer was named David Palmer. Who were they?

Answer: The Big Wha-Koo

David Palmer actually sang lead vocals on a few tracks on the first Steely Dan album, "Can't Buy A Thrill". Most of my friends have heard of this much more famous band! Wha-Koo guitarist Danny Douma also recorded with artists like Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac, as well as making his own solo albums. Bonaroo once toured the UK with groups like Little Feat, and Barefoot Jerry and Edward Bear are better known in America.

2. This English band's albums include "Signs Of Change", "80-F", and "Batteries Not Included". They had minor UK hits with "Der Kommissar" and "One Rule for You", but their album covers are still met with a baffled look from my friends. Who are they?

Answer: After The Fire

ATF actually started out as a Christian rock band, their members drawn from other bands and duos on the UK Christian rock scene of the 70s and 80s. Their cover of the old Falco hit, "Der Kommissar", did become a hit in America. Most of the band members are now church ministers or involved somehow in English churches.

The drummer in ATF went by the name of Ivor Twiddel, and also made a couple of solo albums.

3. "Elgin Avenue Breakdown" is the title of the album I own by this English "Pub Rock" band. They had a minor hit with "Keys To Your Heart" and their lead singer went on to front a hugely popular Punk band. Can you name them?

Answer: The 101'ers

The lead singer was the late great Joe Strummer, who, of course, went on to fame, fortune and hits with The Clash, one of the biggest bands in the UK 1970s Punk movement. The other bands mentioned in this question were all involved in the so-called "Pub Rock" era of the early 1970s, before the onset of Punk music!

4. My next group was a Dutch "Progressive Rock" band. Their albums include "See See The Sun", "Royal Bed Bouncer", "Starlight Dancer", and "Phantom Of The Night". Can you name one of my favorite Dutch bands?

Answer: Kayak

Kayak sadly didn't make a huge impact in the UK, unlike Focus, who scored both single and album hits. Kayak's style was reminiscent of bands such as Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Supertramp. I was introduced to them by a friend who played me their first album-I doubt if I would have heard of them otherwise! Earth And Fire are also a Dutch band who received limited success in the UK, whilst Kraan was a German Jazz-Rock band.

5. I always think of this next band as being quite well known, but it seems only people over 35 remember them now. Their albums include "Marquee Moon" and "Adventure", but who were they?

Answer: Television

A lot of great bands came out of America at that time in the 1970s, and I really loved the music of Tom Verlaine and his band Television. Their albums received huge critical praise, and they did manage two UK 30 single hits with "Marquee Moon" and "Prove It" in 1977.

6. In my collection I have albums by a British rock band who were fronted by guitarist Bill Nelson. The titles include "Axe Victim", "Futurama", and "Sunburst Finish". Who was this four-piece from Yorkshire?

Answer: Be-Bop Deluxe

Be-Bop Deluxe did have a couple of minor UK hits with "Ships In The Night" and the "Hot Valves E.P" in 1976, but again, although receiving critical acclaim, the band never really hit the big time.
An accomplished guitar player, Bill Nelson was influenced by artists as diverse as Hank Marvin and Duane Eddy. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert many years ago, and still have a signed programme to this day. Incidentally, "Jet Silver And The Dolls Of Venus" is a track on the "Axe Victim" album. Red Noise were a band formed by Bill Nelson a while after Be-Bop Deluxe split up.

7. My next so-called obscure band was English, but had a very German progressive rock sound. Again, mainly popular in the 1970s, their records include "A Tab In The Ocean", "Sounds Like This", "Remember The Future", and "Down To Earth". Can you name this band?

Answer: Nektar

Despite touring endlessly, Nektar again was a band who never quite made it big in their native country. They were known for playing long live shows, and they had amazing (for the time) light shows provided by "Liquid Len". The other bands mentioned are German acts from around the same era.

8. Although my next band was not massive record sellers, they were known for their association with one Bruce Springsteen. Some of their albums in my collection are "I Don't Want To Go Home", "This Time It's For Real", and "Hearts Of Stone". Can you name them?

Answer: Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes

From out of the legendary "Stone Pony" club in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Johnny Lyon and his band were purveyors of happy bar room music. Also featuring Little Steven, their mixture of pop, rock, soul and jazz was a huge hit with club goers. They did tour the UK once, with English band Graham Parker And The Rumour, but I missed them as I was at another concert. Southside Johnny is still recording and touring today.

9. Starting life as The Wilde Flowers, my next band was part of the 70s "Canterbury Scene" along with the likes of Kevin Ayers, Soft Machine, and Hatfield And The North. Their best known albums are "For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night" and "Blind Dog At St. Dunstan's". Can you name this progressive rock outfit?

Answer: Caravan

Caravan's 1975 "Cunning Stunts" album actually made both the British and American charts, and the band was regarded as one of the better-known groups on the British rock scene at the time. Their live concerts were always popular, and although this popularity didn't always ensure chart success, they still remain a highly regarded and influential band.

10. Another group my friends struggle to remember are an Amercian band who featured on the "Beserkley" record label. Can you name the group whose first album was self-titled and the second one titled "Back To The Drawing Board"?

Answer: The Rubinoos

The Rubinoos made happy, bouncy pop music, with songs such as "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", "Nothing A Little Won't Cure", and a cover of "I Think We're Alone Now". But, unlike fellow label mates Jonathan Richman and Greg Kihn, chart success eluded them. I hope you have enjoyed this look at some of my record collection, and that you score a bit better on points then some of my friends!

Source: Author Popsicle01

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
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Who On Earth Are They? Trivia Quiz

Lurking amongst the more popular albums in my collection are a few that didn't do as well sales wise. Whenever friends spot these I always hear the words, "Who on earth are they?" This quiz is to see if you know more than my musically challenged friends!

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