A Musical Common Bond Trivia Quiz

Answer: Magic

Erich Weiss was better known as the magician Harry Houdini (1874-1926). Weiss started performing when in 1891 as part of an act known as "The Brothers Houdini". His partner was originally a friend named John Hyman, and not Weiss's brother. It was in 1891 that Weiss started going by Harry Houdini, however, it wasn't until 1913 that he legally changed his name. Weiss died of appendicitis on October 31, 1926.

When it came time to hold his funeral, approximately 2000 people attended.

Answer: Scar

Jeremy Irons provided the voice of the antagonist Scar in 1994 animated film "The Lion King". Scar killed his brother Mufasa and became king of Pride Rock until he himself was killed by the hyenas, led by Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed.

Other movies that Jeremy Irons appeared in include "Die Hard 3", "The Man in the Iron Mask", and as Alfred Pennyworth in the DC Extended Universe set of movies.

Answer: California

California achieved statehood in 1850, Oregon did the same in 1859, and Washington became a state in 1889.

In 1849, gold was discovered in the California territory, causing an increase in the population. This prompted the territorial government to request statehood for California, which Congress granted.

At the time of California's admission into the United States, the Missouri Compromise was still in effect. This compromise stated that for every free state admitted, there would also have to be a slave state. However, as part of the Compromise of 1850, California could be admitted without a slave state also being admitted.

Answer: Friends

Almost all episodes of "Friends" began with "The One..." This is because the producers realized that the episode titles wouldn't be shown on screen, so there is no reason for a usual title. Instead, the title would be a description of the episode, that people would recognize was describing said episode. For example, in the Season One episode with the blackout, people would likely describe it as such, and therefore the episode was called "The One with the Blackout".

There were some exceptions such as the pilot episode, which was originally titled "Pilot" but has also been called "The One Where It All Began". Likewise, the final episode is called "The Final One", but nonetheless, nearly all episodes begin with the same two words.

Answer: Flea

Fleas transmitted the plague from infected rats to people. The bubonic plague, also called the Black Death due to the blackened tissue associated with it, is the most common type of plague. Symptoms of the plague included fever as well as lymph glands beginning to swell. The illness also created spots on the skin that were red or black. One third of the entire population of Europe was killed by this epidemic.

Answer: Blood

Sangue is the Portuguese masculine word for blood. The word sangue comes from the Latin word sanguis, which is also the root of the word sanguine, which has blood-red as one of its definitions.

The Portuguese translations for the other words are: areia for sand, céu for sky, and vento for wind.

Answer: Fly solo around the world

On July 3, 2002, a businessman named Steve Fossett (1944-2007) completed his trip around the world. His trip began and ended near Adelaide, South Australia. Fossett also set records as an aircraft pilot and as a sailor. For example, in 2005, he set the record for the first solo, nonstop, unrefueled trip around the world in an airplane. In fact, it is believed Fossett broke about 90 world records relating to air travel!

In September 2007, Fossett began a journey on a plane in Nevada. When he didn't return, a search party was sent to find him, but they were unsuccessful. Two weeks later, authorities said that they would stop looking for him, but air crews would be on standby. Two weeks after that, the air crews were called off. At the time, this was the largest search for an individual during times of peace in the history of the United States.

Answer: Chad

If you visit northern Chad, then you can climb the Tibesti Mountains. The two main peaks in this Saharan mountain range are Tarso Emissi and Emi Koussi. In fact, at approximately 11,200 feet, Emi Koussi is the highest point in Chad. The Tibesti Mountains are located not only in Chad but also in southern Libya and northern Nigeria.

Answer: Anthony

Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) was part of a movement to ensure that all women had the same rights as men. In 1851, she began working with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, where they brought attention to this issue. For example, after the Civil War, Anthony founded the American Equal Rights Association, which was designed to get states to allow all women to vote.

In 1872, Anthony cast her first and only vote in a presidential election (she voted for Ulysses S Grant). This resulted in a trial where Anthony claimed she had the right to vote based on the 14th Amendment, which said "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States". The court disagreed with her and fined her $100, which she never paid. In 2020, Donald Trump posthumously pardoned Anthony.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, denying a person's ability to vote being based on that person's sex. Although there had been women who could vote prior to the 19th Amendment, this amendment removed gender-based restrictions nationwide.

Answer: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers is a funk-rock band from Los Angeles. Members of the band included John Frusciante, Flea (Question 5), Chad (Question 8) Smith, and Anthony Kiedis (Question 9). Some of their albums are "Californication" (Question 3) and "Blood-Sugar-Sex-Magic" (Questions 1 and 6).

Their singles include "Scar Tissue" (Question 2), "My Friends" (Question 4), and "Around the World" (Question 7).