That Musician Is from Michigan? Quiz

Answer: Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper was the name of a band formed by Vincent and fellow musicians Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith in the early seventies. The band had a hit in 1971 with "I'm Eighteen" from their album "Love it to Death". They followed with "School's Out" in 1972.

In 1973 their "Billion Dollar Babies" LP was released and became a resounding success. In 1975 Vincent released "Welcome to My Nightmare" as solo artist Alice Cooper. He realized that no artists were offering a ghoulish stage show and began refining a show that includes guillotines, electric chairs and snakes. Vincent frequently contributes to charitable causes.

When the Hollywood sign required renovation Alice Cooper donated $27,000 to refurbish the "O" sign in memory of Harpo Marx. Iggy Pop was born James Newell Osterberg, Jr. in Muskegon, Michigan. Jalacy Hawkins was born in Cleveland and is known as Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Screaming Lord Sutch is an English performer.

Answer: The Midnighters

Ballard was born John Henry Kendricks in Detroit, Michigan. He originally worked with a band called the Royals, but changed the name of the band to the Midnighters to avoid being mistaken for a band with a similar name. In 1954 Ballard wrote and released a song called "Work With Me Annie" which was followed by "Annie Had a Baby".

In 1959 Ballard wrote "The Twist". It was released as the B-side of "Teardrops on Your Letter". When Chubby Checker had a number one hit with his version of "The Twist" in 1960 it brought renewed attention to Ballard and the Midnighters.

The group dissolved in 1965 when the twist craze made way for the British Invasion. Ballard worked with James Brown as a solo artist and subsequently tried to re-form The Midnighters without commercial success.

In 1990 Ballard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Moonglows recorded "Sincerely" and were from Cleveland, Ohio. The New York based Crests recorded "Sixteen Candles" and The Modernaires formed in Buffalo, New York in the thirties.

Answer: Kid Rock

Kid Rock was born in Romeo, Michigan. Since the 1990 release of his debut album, "Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast", he has sold over 24 million albums. He started out performing for fun in malls and eventually purchased a beat up turntable and honed his craft as a D-jay.

He earned his name when spectators remarked "Look at that kid rock". He came to the attention of a record exec and was signed at age 17 against his parents' objections. Before long he was working with such talent as Ice Cube, Yo-Yo, Too Short and D-Nice.

His 2003 album features Southern Rock style songs and in 2007 "Rock N Roll Jesus" became his first album to hit number one. Reverend Run has confirmed recording an upcoming album with Kid Rock called "Running With the Kid". O'Shea Jackson is from Los Angeles and is known as Ice Cube. Joseph Ward Simmons is one of the founders of Run-MC and assumed the name Reverend Run. Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born in St. Joseph, Missouri.

His stage name is Eminem.

Answer: Barbara Lewis

Barbara Lewis was born in Salem, Michigan. She was writing and recording music by the time she was a teenager. After enjoying regional success in the Detroit area, Barbara relocated to New York. She composed the songs on her debut LP, including "Hello Stranger" and "Baby I'm Yours".

She was unable to capitalize on the success of the hits and withdrew from the music scene after signing with Stax records without realizing any chart success. Her song "Someday We're Gonna Love Again" was covered by British Invasion band The Searchers and before long other artists began having success covering Barbara Lewis songs. Yvonne Elliman did a version of "Hello Stranger" in the seventies. "Baby I'm Yours" has been done by Jody Miller and Debby Boone and Suzanne Stevens had a hit with a disco rendition of "Make Me Your Baby". "Baby I'm Yours" was featured on the soundtrack for "The Bridges of Madison County".

In 1999 Barbara received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Singer Patricia Barber is from Chicago. Mary Wells had success with "My Guy" and "Don't Leave Me This Way" was done by Thelma Houston.

Answer: Mitch Ryder

Mitch Ryder was born William S. Levise Jr. in Hamtramck, Michigan. Over a span of four decades he has recorded over 24 albums. He admits to being influenced by Little Richard and James Brown and incorporates some of their styles in his stage shows. Before being backed by The Detroit Wheels he worked with The Tempests and Billy Lee & The Rivieras. Record producer Bob Crewe renamed the group Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and they recorded several hit records on Crewe's label in the sixties. "Devil With A Blue Dress On" hit number four, "Sock it to Me-Baby!" reached number six and "Jenny Takes A Ride!" reached number ten. Michigan native Del Shannon recorded the classic "Runaway". Detroit native Ted Nugent was originally the lead guitarist for The Amboy Dukes. Levi Stubbs was born in The Bahamas and was lead vocalist of The Four Tops.

Answer: Eagles

The Eagles formed in the early seventies when they were all studio players. Linda Ronstadt's manager asked Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner to back Linda Ronstadt on tour. Frey telephoned a drummer he knew named Don Henley and the band was complete.

After traveling with Ronstadt the musicians formed their own band. They took the name Eagles as a tribute to the Byrds. Some of the members had earlier worked with musicians who went on to join the Byrds. Glenn Frey was born in Detroit and grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan.

In 1968 his first recording experience was playing acoustic guitar on fellow Michigan resident Bob Seger's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man". Frey moved to California because his girlfriend headed there as an aspiring singer. The Byrds were fronted by Chicago native Roger McGuinn. Paul Revere Dick formed the Raiders in Idaho.

The Lovin' Spoonful was fronted by Greenwich Village native John Sebastian.

Answer: Big Brother and the Holding Company

In 1965 the original forming members of Big Brother and the Holding Company were Sam Andrew and James Gurley on guitars, Peter Albin on bass and Chuck Jones on drums. In 1966 Janis Joplin joined the band. The following year they released "Big Brother and the Holding Company" which includes "Down on Me," with Joplin on lead vocals.

After playing at the Monterey Pop Festival they inked a deal with manager Albert Grossman and released "Cheap Thrills" in 1968. The album includes "Piece of My Heart" and went to number one. James Gurley briefly left his wife and moved in with Janis.

He and his wife, Nancy, reconciled, but Nancy later died from a drug overdose. Gurley has worked on independent projects since the band dissolved. Jefferson Airplane featured Washington, DC, native Jorma Kaukonen on guitar. Moby Grape was formed in late 1966 by Skip Spence and Matthew Katz. Both were previously associated with Jefferson Airplane. Quicksilver Messenger Service featured Berkeley native John Cipollina on guitar.

Answer: Bob Seger

Bob Seger was born at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He moved to Ann Arbor as a youngster and graduated from Ann Arbor HS. He was considered one of Michigan's best high school track runners. Seger began his musical career in high school in 1961 as a member of The Decibels.

He played with several area bands and while working as a producer with a local band called The Mushrooms he became friends with the band's leader, Glenn Frey. In 1974 Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band. In 1975 he released the album "Beautiful Loser".

The following year "Live Bullet" was released and remained on the Billboard charts for 168 weeks. It was recorded during two concerts at Detroit's Cobo Arena. Ironically Seger and lifelong friend Glen Frey both recorded number one songs for the "Beverly Hills Cop" movies. Flint, Michigan, native Mark Fredrick Farner is the lead singer and guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad. Detroit pianist Bob Seeley has been a fixture at Charlie's Crab in Troy, Michigan, for over 30 years. Matthew Shafer was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

He's better known by his stage name, Uncle Kracker.

Answer: Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The band's name was inspired by fifties film serials featuring "Commando Cody and King of the Rocket Men", released under the title "Lost Planet Airmen". The band's founder and leader is Boise native George Frayne, who adopted the stage name Commander Cody. During the seventies the band became known for their long shows.

They featured a blend of boogie-woogie, bluegrass, folk and country music. After releasing their debut album, "Lost in the Ozone" the group relocated to Texas.

Their cover version of "Hot Rod Lincoln" hit the Top Ten in 1972. Frayne disbanded the group in 1976 and began a solo career. Asleep at the Wheel formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia in 1970.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces formed in Knoxville and Firefall formed in Boulder, Colorado, in 1975.

Answer: Martha and the Vandellas

Born in Detroit, Annette began singing in choir as a young girl. When she was 14 she joined friends Rosalind Ashford, Gloria Williams and Martha Reeves to form the Del-Phis. After changing their name to The Vels they sang background for various Motown artists. Berry suggested they form Martha and the Vandellas.

Their second release, "Come and Get These Memories", became a hit. They followed with "Quicksand", "(Love is Like A) Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street". Beard sang the lower vocal parts. Later in the sixties she left the group to start a family.

She occasionally reunited with members of the band for concerts and in 1995 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the original members of Martha and the Vandellas.

The Marvelettes had the first Number One for Motown with "Please Mister Postman". The Crystals and The Blossoms were Phil Spector girl groups.