1970s Songs and Acts Trivia Quiz

Answer: T. Rex

Originally called Tyrannosaurus Rex, T. Rex was an English band led by Marc Bolan that was active between 1967 and 1977. Their other singles in the seventies included "Ride a White Swan" and "Metal Guru". They disbanded when Bolan was killed in a car accident in 1977.

The picture shows a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton from the Natural History Museum in London.

Answer: The Sweet

The Sweet were formed in 1968 under the original name Sweetshop. Members included lead singer Brian Connolly, and guitarist Andy Scott. They disbanded in 1981, but various versions of the group continued to perform into the 2020s. Some of their other singles included "Love is Like Oxygen" and "Little Willy".

The picture is of a bowl of sugar.

Answer: Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols were formed in 1975, and broke up in 1978, although they have had various reunions since. Bass player Sid Vicious died in 1979. Lead singer John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten, went on to form Public Image Ltd.. Their other singles included "Anarchy in the U.K.", and "Holidays in the Sun"

The picture is of a so-called Volcanic pistol.

Answer: New York Dolls

The New York Dolls formed in 1971 in NYC, and disbanded in 1975. Morrissey, from the Smiths, was the head of their UK fan club in the 1970s, and had a hand in their reforming in the 21st century when he was curator of a London festival. Their members included singer David Johansen and guitarist Johnny Thunders. Other singles in the 1970s included "Stranded in the Jungle" and "Trash".

The picture is of New York State.

Answer: The Supremes

The Supremes formed in 1959 as The Primettes, before adopting their better known name in 1961. Diana Ross became the leader and they recorded as Diana Ross and the Supremes between 1967 and 1970 when she went solo. On "Nathan Jones", the three members of the group, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, and Jean Terrell shared lead vocals, while Terrell and Wilson shared the lead in "Automatically Sunshine". Other singles by this iteration of the group included "Floy Joy" and "Touch".

The picture is of a late 1800s line-up of the US Supreme Court.

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder had hit singles for well over half a century. A virtuoso on keyboards, synthesizers and mouth organ, his other 1970s hits included "Living for the City" and "He's Misstra Know-It-All".

The picture is a Dutch print from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam depicting the seven wonders of the ancient world along with notable inventions.

Answer: Gladys Knight & the Pips

Formed as "The Pips" in 1952, and becoming Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1961, they were active until 1989. Originally they consisted of Gladys Knight, her brother Bubba, and sister Brenda, plus their cousins William and Eleanor Guest. Other 1970s singles of theirs included "If I Were Your Woman" and "I've Got to Use My Imagination".

The picture is a cross-section of an orange, showing its pips.

Answer: Wings

After leaving the Beatles, Paul McCartney formed Wings in 1971, with his wife, Linda, Denny Laine and Denny Seiwell. Paul, Linda and Laine performed as Wings or Paul McCartney and Wings with various other members until 1981. Their other 1970s hits included "Jet" and "Silly Love Songs".

The picture is of the forewings of Psyllopsis fraxini, a jumping plant louse that feeds on ash trees.

Answer: Lieutenant Pigeon

One of the most unlikely of the UK number one singles of the 1970s, "Mouldy Old Dough" featured a penny whistle and two honky-tonk pianos and was largely instrumental apart from the title occasionally being sung in a rasping voice. It was apparently a protest against the recent decimalisation in the UK. Lieutenant Pigeon featured mother and son Hilda and Rob Woodward. Other singles in the 1970s included "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" and "The Blue Danube".

The picture is of a feral pigeon.

Answer: Kate Bush

Born in Kent in 1958, Kate Bush topped the charts with the self-penned "Wuthering Heights", her first single, at the age of 19. The inspiration was from watching a TV adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel. Other 1970s hits included "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" and "Wow".

The picture is an early photograph by Fox Talbot of a hydrangea bush.