Celluloid Musicians Trivia Quiz

Answer: Johnny Cash

"I Walk the Line" was a 1956 hit single for Johnny Cash. Cash was inducted into each of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He was often referred to as The Man in Black, and released a song titled "Man in Black".

His deep bass voice is easily recognizable in songs ranging from "Daddy Sang Bass" to "Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog". Phoenix played the part of the country music legend and Witherspoon was cast as his second wife, June Carter Cash.

The actors took singing lessons and provided all the vocals used in the movie. The actors were both nominated for Oscars in 2006, and Witherspoon won as Best Actress. Johnny Cash and June Carter were married in 1968 and remained married until they passed away within four months of each other, in 2003.

Their most popular work together is probably the song "Jackson".

Answer: Jamie Foxx

Jamie Fox also starred in the 2006 musically themed film "Dreamgirls" with Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce Knowles. Foxx won a 2005 Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles and has been seen in other films, including "Django Unchained" and "White House Down". "Ray" won another Oscar and was nominated for four others. Foxx, who attended college on a music scholarship, played the piano himself for the film. Denzel Washington was offered the role of Ray Charles first, but declined.

Answer: A Hard Day's Night

"A Hard Day's Night" (1964) resulted in an Oscar nomination for Beatles' producer George Martin, but not for the Beatles themselves. There is actually little in the film that could be considered a true plot. But, it is the Beatles so you can safely assume that there are plenty of fans chasing the band throughout.

The film follows the Fab Four as they travel to London to appear on a television show. Each of the band members has some individual adventure, including mistaken identity and a trip to jail.

The soundtrack includes the title track plus "I Wanna Be Your Man", "All My Loving", and "Can't Buy Me Love". Wilfrid Brambell plays the part of Paul's grandfather and the film contains repeated comments about him being "very clean". This was a reference to Brambell having a role on British television in which he was commonly called a dirty old man.

Answer: Hank Williams Jr.

"Your Cheatin' Heart" told the story of country music legend Hank Williams. A young George Hamilton played the part of Williams but clearly couldn't do the vocals. Williams Sr. had 35 top 10 Country and Western hits despite passing away at the age of 29.

When he passed away his son, Hank Jr., was only three years old. Williams Jr. was still only 15 years old when this film was released in 1964 and he started his career covering the songs his father made hits. He eventually established himself as a country start in his own right. Williams Jr. may be best remembered for his song "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" which was used on "Monday Night Football" for 22 years.

Answer: Amadeus

Emperor Joseph II delivers this line to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the 1984 film "Amadeus". Mozart (Tom Hulce) replies "Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?" The scene takes place in a Vienna opera house following the performance of "The Abduction from the Seraglio", an opera written by Mozart at the request of the Emperor.

The movie won eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham, and was nominated for three others. The story is told from the point of view of Antonio Sallieri, (F. Murray Abraham), the court composer. Salieri is jealous of Mozart's talent and confesses the story of circumstances surrounding the composer's death.

Answer: Ritchie Valens

"La Bamba" told the story of the brief musical career of Ritchie Valens, who died at the age of 17 in a plane crash on February 3rd, 1959, along with The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. The date would come to be know as the day the music died. Valens was from Los Angeles, and all his musical skills were self-taught. Lou Diamond Phillips played the part of Valens. Los Lobos performed the music for the film. "La Bamba" was the biggest hit for Valens, who is considered one of the early influences for today's Latino and Chicano music.

His other singles included "Donna", and "Come On, Let's Go". Ironically his music career required him to overcome a fear of flying. Despite his brief career he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Answer: Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker was a saxophone player and one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Parker was involved in an auto accident which resulted in an addiction to morphine, and he was later addicted to heroin. He ultimately passed away in 1955 at the age of 34. Parker's nickname was Yardbird, which was often shortened to Bird.

The 1974 Steely Dan album "Pretzel Logic" includes a song named "Parker's Band" which is a tribute to Charlie Parker. Clint Eastwood won a Golden Globe award for Best Director for "Bird" in 1989.

Answer: Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most recognized composers of classical music in history. Beethoven began losing his hearing in his late 20s. By the time he composed his most recognized piece, his Ninth Symphony, he was virtually deaf. Gary Oldman played the part of Beethoven in "Immortal Beloved".

It is believed that the letter to his "Immortal Beloved" was written by Beethoven during the summer of 1812, while he was recovering from a serious illness. He would have been 42 years old at the time.

The identification of the mysterious love presented in the movie should not be considered factual.

Answer: Tina Turner

"What's Love Got to Do With It" is based on the autobiographical book "I, Tina" by Tina Turner. Turner, a 1991 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has been commonly referred to as the Queen of Rock. Ike Turner and Tina were married in 1962 and divorced in 1976.

In her book Tina claims to be the victim of repeated physical abuse in her marriage. Tina Turner has also starred in film with credits including "Tommy", "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome", and "Last Action Hero".

Answer: Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis is a piano playing rockabilly musician who is best known for his hit song "Great Balls of Fire". Lewis was part of a well known group of musicians who all recorded in Memphis at Sun Studios in the 1950s. Those artists included Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison.

While Dennis Quaid actually filmed some of the piano playing sequences in the movie "Great Balls of Fire!" Lewis rerecorded his own music for the film. Lewis almost ruined his career when he married his first cousin, Myra Gale Brown, in 1957. Almost lost in the history is the fact that at the time of the wedding he had also failed to divorce his first wife. Lewis was 22 years old at the time while Brown was only 13.

In 1986 Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.