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The Yardbirds! Trivia Quiz

They were the pre-eminent British blues band of the Sixties, and the pioneers of what would become heavy metal. A tribute to one of the most influential bands ever.

A multiple-choice quiz by astorian. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
astorian

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
152,154

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1162

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When the Yardbirds first got together, in 1963, who was their lead guitarist? Hint

Eric Clapton

Peter Green

Jeff Beck

Anthony Topham

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Question 2 of 10

2. An American blues legend who recorded an album with the Yardbirds, said, "Those English boys want to play the blues so bad - and that's just how they play it!" Who was this American blues man? Hint

Sonny Boy Williamson

B.B. King

Willie Dixon

Blind Lemon Jefferson

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the primary reason that the Yardbirds had to replace Eric Clapton in 1965? Hint

Clapton's construction job paid much better than music did

Jeff Beck was much more popular with teenage girls

Clapton's drug use and drinking were out of hand

Clapton wanted to play pure blues, not pop-rock

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The Yardbirds' biggest hits in the United States were "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul," which both cracked the Top Ten in 1965. Who wrote both of those songs? Hint

Carole King & Gerry Goffin

Jeff Beck & Paul Samwell-Smith

Doc Pomus

Graham Gouldman

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which former Yardbird eventually produced records by Carly Simon, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon? Hint

Jim McCarty

Keith Relf

Chris Dreja

Paul Samwell-Smith

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following Yardbirds songs was a statement against racism and prejudice? Hint

Ever Since the World Began

Happenings Ten Years Time Ago

Evil Hearted You

You're a Better Man Than I

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Question 7 of 10

7. Michelangelo Antonioni tried to get The Who to appear in his 1966 film "Blowup." When they refused, he hired the Yardbirds to play a song and to smash their instruments on stage as The Who usually did. Which song did the Yardbirds play in "Blowup"? Hint

Over Under Sideways Down

Psycho Daisies

Shapes of Things

Stroll On

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which former Yardbird accidentally electrocuted himself in 1976, while playing his electric guitar? Hint

Paul Samwell-Smith

Jim McCarty

Keith Relf

Chris Dreja

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1969, former Yardbirds Jim McCarty and Keith Relf formed an arty folk group with Relf's sister Jane. What was the name of this group?

Answer: (Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo... 1 word)

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Question 10 of 10

10. Three of the original Yardbirds reunited and formed a new band in 1984, eventually releasing two new albums. What was the name of this band? Hint

The Rave-Ups

The New Yardbirds

The Engineers

A Box of Frogs

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When the Yardbirds first got together, in 1963, who was their lead guitarist?

Answer: Anthony Topham

The Yardbirds didn't begin to attract wide notice until "Top" was replaced by Eric Clapton.

2. An American blues legend who recorded an album with the Yardbirds, said, "Those English boys want to play the blues so bad - and that's just how they play it!" Who was this American blues man?

Answer: Sonny Boy Williamson

English blues musicians like the Animals and Yardbirds idolized Sonny Boy Williamson, but he was less than impressed by what he heard from them.

3. What was the primary reason that the Yardbirds had to replace Eric Clapton in 1965?

Answer: Clapton wanted to play pure blues, not pop-rock

Eric Clapton has recorded numerous pop-rock hits in his career, but back in 1965, he considered himself a blues purist, and didn't want to play mainstream, Top 40 fare like "For Your Love." He was replaced by Jeff Beck.

4. The Yardbirds' biggest hits in the United States were "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul," which both cracked the Top Ten in 1965. Who wrote both of those songs?

Answer: Graham Gouldman

Gouldman also wrote the Hollies' 1966 smash "Bus Stop," before co-founding the popular band 10cc, in 1972.

5. Which former Yardbird eventually produced records by Carly Simon, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon?

Answer: Paul Samwell-Smith

When bass guitarist Paul Samwell-Smith left the band, veteran session musician Jimmy Page replaced him. For a time, the Yardbirds hoped to move rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja to bass, and have Page share lead guitar duties with Jeff Beck.

6. Which of the following Yardbirds songs was a statement against racism and prejudice?

Answer: You're a Better Man Than I

"You're a Better Man Than I" was the B-side of the 1966 hit "Shapes of Things." The lyrics ask "Can you condemn a man, if your faith he doesn't hold?
Say the colour of his skin is the colour of his soul?
Could you say that men, for king and country, all must die?
Then, Mister, you're a better man than I."

Answer: Stroll On

"Stroll On" was a revised version of Johnny and Dorsey Burnette's hit "The Train Kept a-Rolling."

8. Which former Yardbird accidentally electrocuted himself in 1976, while playing his electric guitar?

Answer: Keith Relf

The exact details are sketchy- unsubstantiated rumors abound that Relf was playing his electric guitar in his bathtub, but his family denies that vehemently.

9. In 1969, former Yardbirds Jim McCarty and Keith Relf formed an arty folk group with Relf's sister Jane. What was the name of this group?

Answer: Renaissance

Keith, Jane and Jim all left Renaissance after making just one album. Renaissance eventually became quite popular with new singer Annie Haslam.

10. Three of the original Yardbirds reunited and formed a new band in 1984, eventually releasing two new albums. What was the name of this band?

Answer: A Box of Frogs

A Box of Frogs consisted of bassist Paul Samwell-Smith, drummer Jim McCarty, and rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, plus new vocalist John Fiddler.

Source: Author astorian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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