20 Questions, Musically Speaking Quiz

Answer: Three Dog Night

The name Three Dog Night was suggested by a girlfriend of one of the band members. It refers to a very cold night in the Australian outback where sleeping with just one dingo wouldn't keep you warm. "One" was from their debut album and was their first gold record. The song was written by Harry Nilsson.

Answer: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

"Two gunslingers, walked out in the street
And one said 'I don't wanna fight no more'
And the other gunslinger thought about it
And he said, 'yeah what are we fighting for?'"

"Two Gunslingers" was on their 1991 album when the Heartbreakers reformed after a few years' hiatus. Jeff Lynne (who was in the Traveling Wilburys with Tom) produced the band's eighth studio album, as well as Tom's "Full Moon Fever" solo album. Hits from the "Into the Great Wide Open" include the title track and "Learning to Fly".

Answer: Knock Three Times

An English remake of an Italian song, "Knock Three Times" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts in January 1971 and sold over nine million copies. Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson were the ladies in the group, though they were not the singers who recorded the single. Dawn's most successful hit was "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree".

The group had a television variety show as well, which ran from 1974-1976.

Answer: Four Seasons

The musical "Jersey Boys" tells the story of the group's beginnings. The Four Seasons charted in the 1960s with "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Rag Doll" to name a few, as well as recording hits under other names. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Answer: 5th Dimension

"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" was released as a single for the group and reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969. The 5th Dimension was an R&B group made up of Marilyn McCoo, Bill Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson. Many of their hits were penned by Laura Nyro.

Answer: Mötley Crüe

Their main songwriter as well, Nikki Sixx founded Mötley Crüe with drummer Tommy Lee in 1981. "Shout at the Devil", which was released in 1983, was their breakout album. Sixx has been married to two former Playmates.

Answer: Nothing Compares 2 U

"Nothing Compares 2 U" was originally written and recorded by Prince for the funk group the Family. The song was about his ex-girlfriend and actress, Susannah Melvoin (her twin sister was a member of Prince's band, The Revolution, at the time). Nominated for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Sinead won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance but she boycotted the awards.

Answer: Eight Miles High

David Crosby, Gene Clark, and Jim McGuinn wrote and released the single in 1966. It was in the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The song was inspired by band members' drug use though they denied it at the time. The music of John Coltrane and Ravi Shankar were influences in the writing of the tune.

Answer: Revolution 9

"Revolution 9" was on the "White" album, released in 1968. The song was the longest ever released by the Beatles. Primarily the work of John, George and Ringo, John's relationship with Yoko had an influence on the composition due to her avant-garde leanings. Neither George Martin nor Paul McCartney wanted the song on the album as they thought it wasn't commercial enough for the group.

In regard to the "Paul is Dead" hoax, "Revolution 9" played a part. The repeated "number nine, number nine" played backwards sounds like "turn me on, dead man".

Answer: Don McLean

These lyrics are from Don McLean's masterpiece, "American Pie."

"American Pie" is one of the most interesting songs of our time as it is full of rock and roll music history. The "day the music died", of course, refers to the plane crash which killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. There are references to Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, as well as events of the time (assassinations of Kennedy, King, Jr.).

Answer: Spinal Tap

"This is Spinal Tap" was one of the first mockumentaries and was directed by Rob Reiner. Christopher Guest, who co-wrote and starred in the movie, featured many of these actors in his later movies, including "Waiting for Guffman," "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind." The group Spinal Tap actually did play a few concerts and the folk singers from "A Mighty Wind" performed at least one live show.

Answer: New Orleans

Combining funk and bebop into the traditional New Orleans brass band style, the band was formed in 1977 by Benny Jones. The group recorded with many guest musicians, such as on their Columbia release of 1987, "Voodoo". It featured Branford Marsalis, Dr. John and Dizzy Gillespie. They have also recorded a couple of albums with the group Widespread Panic.

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Written for Jeff Beck, "Superstition" was on Stevie's "Talking Book" album released in 1972 when Stevie was 22. It was a number one single in the U.S. and was once at #74 of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, according to "Rolling Stone" magazine.

Answer: Steely Dan

"Black Friday" was on Steely Dan's "Katy Lied" album, released in 1975.

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were studio musicians who formed the core of Steely Dan and put out some amazing music in the 1970s. They were famous for never touring, but performed live on occasion since the 1990s. They even put out some new albums in the 2000s. Steely Dan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Answer: 15 Step

"15 Step" was the opening song on the 2007 Radiohead album, "In Rainbows". After splitting with the record company, the band originally released it as a download zip file from a website, then later on vinyl and CD. "In Rainbows" won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.

Answer: Sweet Little Sixteen

Released as a single in January 1958, "Sweet Little Sixteen" reached number two on the U.S. Charts and was Berry's second biggest hit. Jerry Lee Lewis, the Beatles and John Lennon are among many who covered the song. The Beach Boys used the melody and were later sued, which gave Berry credit for co-writing their hit "Surfin' USA".

Answer: Stevie Nicks

Steve Nicks' first solo album "Bella Donna" was released in 1981 and reached number one on the U.S. charts in September of that year. This album also included a Tom Petty-penned song, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," which they sang as a duet. Musicians performing on the album included Donald "Duck" Dunn (Booker T. & the MGs) Don Henley (Eagles), Waddy Wachtel, Davey Johnstone (guitarist with Elton John, Alice Cooper) and pianist Roy Bittan (E Street Band).

Answer: Alice Cooper

Some of these truly great lyrics include:

"I got a baby's brain and an old man's heart
Took eighteen years to get this far
Don't always know what I'm talkin' about
Feels like I'm livin' in the middle of doubt"

"I'm Eighteen" was on Alice's 1970 release, "Love it to Death". This was the anthem for my senior year.

Answer: The Rolling Stones

Mick and Keith wrote the song while on their 1965 tour. The single reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966 ("As Tears Go By" was the "B" side). The Stones included the song in their performance on the "Ed Sullivan Show".

Answer: Bent

"Bent" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 2000. It was included on the band's second album, "Mad Season." The album was nominated for a Best Rock Album Grammy.