Quartets Trivia Quiz

Answer: Geezer Butler

Originally named Earth, Black Sabbath were formed in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in their home town of Birmingham, UK. Their new name, adopted in 1969, came from a horror film starring Boris Karloff. Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album, released in 1970, became one of the most influential albums in the history of rock.

The band's original lineup lasted until 1979, when Osbourne was fired because of his heavy drinking, but got back together twice - in 1997-2006 and 2010-2014. Throughout the years, the only constant Black Sabbath member was Tony Iommi, one of the undisputed masters of the heavy rock riff. The band announced their disbandment in 2017, after almost 50 years of activity.

Born Terence Michael Joseph Butler in 1949, Geezer Butler adopted his nickname as a teenager. He was a member of Black Sabbath for most of the years in which the band was active, though with a few interruptions between 1979 and 1997. He also released three solo albums under different names, and appeared on four Ozzy Osbourne albums. In the early years of Black Sabbath's career, he was also the band's main lyricist. Geezer Butler announced his retirement from music in June 2023.

Answer: Joe Strummer

One of the icons of British punk rock, The Clash were formed in 1976 by a group of musicians who were already active on the London rock scene. Their earliest lineup included guitarist/vocalist Joe Strummer, bassist Paul Simonon, guitarist Mick Jones, drummer Terry Chimes, and guitarist Keith Levene, who later founded Public Image Ltd. with former Sex Pistols member John Lydon. After Levene was fired, the band remained a four-piece for most of their career. Chimes was replaced by Nicky "Topper" Headon shortly after the release of the band's self-titled debut album (1977), but returned to the fold for a few months in 1982. Though The Clash were active for just ten years- disbanding in 1986 after the release of six studio albums - they left an indelible mark on the history of rock music with their fierce energy and eclectic approach.

Born John Graham Mellor in 1952, Joe Strummer was The Clash's iconic frontman and main lyricist - noted for his uncompromising attitude, which reflected his personal involvement in social and political issues. After The Clash disbanded, he embarked on a solo career, contributing to various soundtracks, and collaborating with other bands and artists; he also appeared in a number of films. In 1999, he put together a backing band called The Mescaleros, with whom he released three albums before his untimely death of a heart attack in 2002. He was only 50 years old.

Answer: Gene Simmons

Shock rockers KISS were born in 1973 when guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley and bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, formerly members of a a New York-based band named Wicked Lester, teamed up with drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley. In order to stand out from the crowd, the band adopted their distinctive black-and-white makeup and elaborate costumes, and added special effects to their live shows. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1973: since then, all their studio releases have been followed by extensive tours.

Stanley and Simmons have been with KISS since their inception, while Criss and Frehley left in the early '80s and rejoined for some time in the late '90s. Though KISS decided to abandon their makeup in 1983, they went back to their "masked" selves in 1996.

Gene Simmons was born Chaim Witz in Haifa (Israel) in 1949. He is known for his long tongue and "Demon" stage persona, which involves wearing huge, dragon-shaped platform boots and a heavy, armour-like costume, as well as spitting fake blood, fire-breathing, and playing an axe-shaped bass guitar. Simmons has also released two solo albums and appeared in a number of movies - mostly as himself.

Answer: James Hetfield

Founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, Metallica are one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands, having sold over 125 million albums since the beginning of their career. Two of its founders were guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield and Danish-born drummer Lars Ulrich. Metallica's first bassist, Ron McGovney, left in late 1982, to be replaced by Cliff Burton. Lead guitarist Dave Mustaine (who would go on to form Megadeth) stayed with the band long enough to appear on their debut album, "Kill 'Em All" (1983) - before he was ejected and replaced by Kirk Hammett. In 1986, during an European tour, Burton was tragically killed in a road accident. His replacement, Jason Newsted, stayed with the band until 2001, appearing on their best-selling "Black Album" (1991); he was replaced by Robert Trujillo.

Born in 1963, James Hetfield has been one of two constant members of Metallica, together with co-founder Lars Ulrich; the pair are also the band's main songwriters. A gifted guitarist and powerful frontman, Hetfield has not recorded any solo material, but has appeared in a few movies and TV shows. The 2004 documentary film "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster", details his struggle with alcoholism and his decision to enter rehab.

Answer: Nikki Sixx

Among the standard-bearers of 1980s glam metal, Mötley Crüe were formed in 1981 in Hollywood by bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee, and guitarist/vocalist Greg Leon - who, however, was soon replaced by guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Vince Neil.

The quartet released their debut album, "Too Fast for Love", in November 1981; their breakthrough, however, came with their second effort, "Shout at the Devil" (1983). Mötley Crüe became famous (or rather notorious) for their outrageous stage clothes and makeup, and their even more outrageous backstage behaviour - which involved heavy consumption of drugs and alcohol - chronicled in their tell-all autobiography "The Dirt" (2001). Though various lineup changes occurred throughout the band's career, their original lineup reunited in 2004; Mick Mars retired from touring in 2022 because of health issues.

Born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr. in 1958, Nikki Sixx is Mötley Crüe's primary songwriter; he has also released a number of albums with other projects, including six studio albums with the band Sixx:A.M. He also co-wrote the autobiography "The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star" (2007), in which he details the twelve months (Christmas 1986-Christmas 1987) culminating in his near-death from a heroin overdose after the release of the album "Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987).

Answer: Richard Wright

Named after two blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, Pink Floyd were formed in 1965 by bassist Roger Waters, drummer Nick Mason, keyboardist Richard Wright, and guitarist/vocalist Syd Barrett. Waters, Mason and Wright were students of architecture at the London Polytechnic, while Barrett was Waters' childhood friend. The quartet recorded an album together, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" (1967) - a masterpiece of psychedelic rock - before Barrett succumbed to mental illness, and was replaced by David Gilmour. The quartet would go on to become one of the world's most successful bands, releasing ten albums between 1968 and 1979 - including the iconic "The Dark Side of the Moon" (1973).

Born in 1943, Richard Wright passed away in 2008 - two years after Syd Barrett's death. An essential component of Pink Floyd's sound with his keyboards and vocals, he also contributed to the band's output as a songwriter. Unfortunately, a conflict with the increasingly controlling Waters led to his dismissal from the band in the early 1980s. He rejoined Pink Floyd after Waters' departure in 1985; he also released two solo albums. After his passing, a last Pink Floyd album - the mainly instrumental "The Endless River" (2014) - was released, featuring Wright's contribution. Shortly afterwards, Gilmour announced that Pink Floyd were done.

Answer: Roger Taylor

Queen were formed in London in 1970 by vocalist/keyboardist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, and drummer Roger Taylor. May and Taylor had been playing together in the band Smile when they met Mercury (then still going by his native surname of Bulsara), who was a fan of theirs. Bassist John Deacon joined the band, which was named Queen at Mercury's suggestion, in February 1971. Queen released their self-titled debut album in 1973, and went on to release another 14 studio albums and a number of live albums. Their classic lineup lasted for 20 years, until Freddie Mercury's untimely death in 1991.

Drummer Roger Taylor has also contributed vocals and other instruments to Queen's recordings. Born in 1949, he was a dental student when he joined Smile. Besides his work with Queen, he has released seven solo albums (including a live one); he also formed a band called The Cross, which was active between 1987 and 1993, releasing three albums. Taylor has also collaborated with many high-profile artists, and occasionally worked as a producer. Duran Duran's drummer, who bears the same name, is not related to him.

Answer: Anthony Kiedis

Formed in Los Angeles in 1982, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP for short) are an eclectic, high-energy quartet that combine various subgenres of rock with elements of funk and hip-hop. The original founders were lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Jack Irons, and guitarist Hillel Slovak. Their self-titled debut was released in 1984; in 1988, Slovak died of a drug overdose, and Irons left. They were replaced by drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante.

The band's breakthrough came in 1991 with the widely praised "Blood Sugar Sex Magik". Frusciante left the band twice - in 1992 (rejoining in 1998) and 2009 (rejoining in 2019). One of the guitarists who replaced him was Dave Navarro (of Jane's Addiction fame), with whom RCHP recorded the album "One Hot Minute" in 1995.

Born in 1962, Anthony Kiedis has Lithuanian ancestry on his father's side. Together with fellow co-founder Flea (born Michael Peter Balzary), he has been with RHCP ever since their inception. A charismatic frontman who often performs bare-chested, Kiedis is also the band's main lyricist. He has also appeared in the movie "Point Break" (1991) and a number of other films, and published the memoir "Scar Tissue" (2004), which details his experiences with drug addiction, as well as his numerous relationships with women.

Answer: Pete Townshend

One of a handful of truly influential, ground-breaking rock bands, The Who were founded in 1964 by guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and vocalist Roger Daltrey, who at the time were attending a grammar school in Acton, West London. Drummer Keith Moon joined a few months later, replacing original drummer Doug Sandom. The quartet would grow into one of rock's most powerful live acts, as witnessed by their legendary appearances at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival. They also released a string of iconic albums that include their debut, "My Generation" (1965), and the rock operas "Tommy" (1969) and "Quadrophenia" (1973). This impressive run ended tragically in 1978 with Keith Moon's death at the age of 32. Though he was replaced by Kenney Jones, things would never be the same again for the band. In 2002, John Entwistle also passed away. The two remaining members have continued with the assistance of various touring musicians.

Born in 1945, Pete Townshend is the band's main songwriter and second lead vocalist. He is widely considered one of rock's greatest lyricists, and his skill as a musician extends to other instruments than just the guitar. Besides his work with The Who, he has released seven solo albums, and collaborated with various other musicians - including fellow rock legends Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. Townshend also boasts an impressive body of work as an author and journalist.

Answer: Larry Mullen Jr.

U2 were formed in 1976 by a group of teenagers who were attending the same comprehensive school in Dublin, Ireland. The band, originally named Feedback and then The Hype, included a fifth member, the older brother of guitarist David Evans (known as The Edge), but eventually became a four-piece in 1978, shortly after they had changed their name to U2. Their lineup - comprising, besides The Edge, lead vocalist Bono (born Paul Hewson), bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr - has remained the same since then, quite a rarity in the rock world. Since the release of their debut album, "Boy" (1980), they have become one of rock's premier recording and performing bands, known for their high-energy live shows and commitment to humanitarian causes.

Born in 1961, Larry Mullen Jr was the catalyst for U2's formation, as he was the one who, back in 1976, posted a message on his school's noticeboard looking for musicians: in fact, the very first meeting of the future band occurred in the kitchen of his home. As a child, he had experience of drumming in a marching band, which influenced his "martial" playing style. Besides his work with U2, Mullen has collaborated with a number of other artists, and has also appeared in a few films.