And the Who..? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wailers

The reggae group Bob Marley and the Wailers are internationally acclaimed for their influential contributions to the music scene. Formed in Jamaica in the early 1960s, the Wailers originally consisted of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. Their early music reflected the social and political issues of Jamaica and the Caribbean of that time. They infused those messages with a blend of ska and rocksteady. As the group evolved, Bob Marley emerged as the central figure and voice, leading the way in popularizing reggae worldwide.

The collaboration between Bob Marley and the Wailers produced iconic albums such as "Catch a Fire", "Burnin'", and "Exodus", all of which showcased Marley's distinctive vocals, his socially conscious lyrics, and the Wailers' signature rhythm. Their breakout single, "No Woman, No Cry" became an anthem of hope. Despite the challenges faced by the members, including political unrest and personal conflicts, Bob Marley and the Wailers left an indelible legacy, shaping the global perception of reggae music and influencing countless artists across genres.

Though Bob Marley passed away due to cancer in 1981, his music with the Wailers lives on and inspires people. The messages of love and unity in their music are timeless and universal, and hopefully will never be lost.

Answer: Four Seasons

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were a highly successful American pop and rock group that gained widespread popularity in the 1960s. The lineup originally consisted of Valli, Bob Gaudio on keyboard, Tommy DeVito on guitar, and Nick Massi on bass. The success of the group hinged primarily on Valli's outstanding falsetto and Gaudio's talent in songwriting.

The Four Seasons achieved their first major success with "Sherry" in 1962, a song which topped the charts and was quickly followed up with "Big Girls Don't Cry". They were one of the first bands to release what is now known as a 'concept album', where all the tracks are unified by a specific theme, and this led to the fans' connection to the group.

Answer: Comets

Bill Haley and the Comets (also known as Bill Haley & His Comets) were a pioneering American rock and roll band that played a crucial role in the early development and popularization of the genre. The group was led by Bill Haley, a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, and they are best known for their hit song, "Rock Around the Clock", which is often considered one of the first rock and roll songs to achieve widespread success.

Interestingly, the Comets were once called the Saddlemen, and the group's sound was all country. It was in 1953 that the name changed as well as the focus of the sound of the group to rock and roll. Their breakthrough came in 1954 with the aforementioned song, especially after it was included in the 1955 film "Blackboard Jungle". The hits kept coming and the band continued to achieve success until the late 1950s. Nevertheless, their music helped shape the sound of the future.

Answer: Slugs

Doug and the Slugs was a Canadian rock band known for its energetic and eclectic musical style. The band was formed in 1977 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Its frontman, Doug Bennett, put together the following musicians to back his great vocals: John Burton on the drums, Steve Bosley on bass, John Collins on guitar, Simon Kendall on keyboard, and Rick Baker on saxophone. Though the lineup changed over the years, Doug Bennett was a constant fixture in the band until his death in 2004.

Doug and the Slugs gained popularity for their engaging live performances and a sound that blended rock, pop, and elements of new wave. They became known for catchy, humorous, and sometimes quirky songs. One of their well-known tracks is "Too Bad" which received extensive airplay in Canada and the United States. They built up a dedicated fan base in their native Canada and helped influence Canadian rock with their abundant energy.

[According to the local CRTC rules, I have to include some Canadian content...] :)

Answer: Heartbreakers

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were an American rock band led by the legendary singer-songwriter Tom Petty. Formed in Gainesville, Florida, in 1976, the Heartbreakers originally consisted of Mike Campbell on lead guitar, Benmont Tench on keyboard, Ron Blair on bass, Stan Lynch on the drums, while Tom Petty served as the rhythm guitarist. They quickly gained recognition for their distinctive blend of rock and roll, folk, and Americana influences.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers achieved widespread acclaim for their melodic songwriting, Petty's distinctively raspy voice, and the band's tight musicianship. Such hits like "Free Fallin'", "Learning to Fly", and "American Girl" quickly became rock anthems in the United States. When Tom Petty passed away in 2017, it was a huge blow to American rock music.

Answer: Vandellas

Martha and the Vandellas were a highly successful Motown girl group that emerged during the 1960s. Led by the soulful and charismatic Martha Reeves, the group formed in Detroit in 1957 and initially included members Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard. They became one of Motown Records' most prominent acts, known for their energetic performances filled with soul.

Martha and the Vandellas produced a string of hit singles that became synonymous with the Motown sound including classics like "Come and Get These Memories", "Dancing in the Street", "Heat Wave", and "Nowhere to Run". Though infighting and the pursuit of a solo career by Martha Reeves led to the decline of the group through lineup changes and reduced popularity, they are still one of the cornerstones of the Motown sound.

Answer: News

Huey Lewis and the News is a well-known American rock band that really took off to widespread success in the 1980s. Originally formed in 1979, the band's lineup included Huey Lewis as the lead vocalist and harmonica player, along with members such as Johnny Colla on saxophone and guitar, Chris Hayes on guitar, Sean Hopper on keyboard, Mario Cipollina on bass, and Bill Gibson on the drums.

The band's breakthrough came with the release of their third album in 1983, "Sports". Several singles were released successfully off of this album like "Hear and Soul" (which was actually a successful cover), ""The Heart of Rock & Roll", "I Want a New Drug", and "If This Is It". Huey Lewis and the News continued to enjoy success with subsequent albums as well as their song that was featured in the 1985 film "Back to the Future" which won them an Academy Award.

Answer: Banshees

Siouxsie and the Banshees, a pioneering post-punk and gothic rock band, emerged from the British punk scene in the late 1970s. Formed in 1976, the band was fronted by the enigmatic Siouxsie Sioux, with Steven Severin on bass and Marco Pirroni on guitar, with other artists moving in and out over the years. They disbanded in 1986.

Known for their innovative and influential sound, Siouxsie and the Banshees blended elements of punk, new wave, and dark, atmospheric music. Their debut album, "The Scream", which was released in 1978, marked the beginning of a career characterized by sonic experimentation and Siouxsie's distinctive vocal style. This was often described as "atmospheric" or "evocative" by many pundits.

Answer: E Street Band

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is one of the most iconic and enduring rock and roll collaborations in music history. Formed in 1972, the E Street Band has been the primary backing band for Bruce Springsteen throughout much of his career. The original lineup included musicians Clarence Clemons on saxophone, Roy Bittan playing piano, Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven) on guitar, Max Weinberg on the drums, Garry Tallent on the bass, and Danny Federici on organ, accordion, and glockenspiel.

The band gained widespread recognition for their energetic live performances and their contributions to Springsteen's critically acclaimed albums, including iconic ones like "Born to Run", "Darkness on the Edge of Town", and "Born in the USA". The E Street Band's sound incorporates elements of rock, soul, and Americana, sounds that effectively back up Springsteen's narrative songwriting.

Answer: Revolution

Prince and the Revolution was a dynamic musical collaboration led by the iconic artist Prince. Formed in the early 1980s, the Revolution was Prince's backing band, contributing to some of his most celebrated and innovative albums. The lineup of musicians included notable members such as Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Brown Mark, Bobby Z, and Dr. Fink. They were together up until 1986 but still managed to leave an important mark on music.

This collaborative effort reached its zenith with the album "Purple Rain" in 1984, which served as both the soundtrack for the film of the same name and a standalone album. The Revolution's eclectic sound combined elements of funk, rock, R&B, and pop, reflecting Prince's unparalleled musical versatility and uncanny musicality.