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American Folk Music Trivia Quiz

Gadzooks Daddy-o, time for a folk music quiz.

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

Author
sku

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
153,371

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1546

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. One of the fathers of the modern American folk revival, his autobiography was entitled "Bound for Glory." Hint

Pete Seeger

Woody Guthrie

Leadbelly

Bob Dylan

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which popular folk music group of the 1950s was comprised of Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman? Hint

The Almanac Singers

The Weavers

The Limelighters

The New Lost City Ramblers

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which hit for the Kingston Trio was originally a political campaign song? Hint

Where Have All the Flowers Gone

MTA

Scotch and Soda

Tom Dooley

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Question 4 of 10

4. The appearance of this folk singer in Peekskill, New York caused a riot. Hint

Bob Dylan

Woody Guthrie

Paul Robeson

Marian Anderson

5. "I marched in the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the early British war, the young land started growing, the young blood started flowing, but I ain't marchin' anymore," so said this folksinger in the 1960s anitwar ballad "I Ain't Marching Anymore." Hint

Joan Baez

Victor Jara

Phil Ochs

Bob Dylan

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following songs was not written by Bob Dylan? Hint

Blowin' in the Wind

Don't Think Twice, It's Alright

If I Had a Hammer

Mr. Tamborine Man

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Question 7 of 10

7. Bob Dylan supposedly wrote "Positively 4th Street," which opened with the lyrics, "You got a lotta' nerve to say you are my friend," about which folk singer? Hint

John Lennon

Joan Baez

Phil Ochs

Richard Farina

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Question 8 of 10

8. This popular folk trio criticized pop music in their song "I Dig Rock And Roll Music." Hint

The Kingston Trio

Lambert, Hendricks and Ross

The Chad Mitchell Trio

Peter, Paul & Mary

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which folk group had John Denver as a member? Hint

The Kingston Trio

The Mitchell Trio

The Weavers

The Rooftop Singers

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which Christopher Guest movie parodies 1950s-60s folk music? Hint

A Mighty Wind

Waiting for Guffman

This is Spinal Tap

Bound for Glory

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. One of the fathers of the modern American folk revival, his autobiography was entitled "Bound for Glory."

Answer: Woody Guthrie

Guthrie wrote "This Land is Your Land" and was a key influence to Bob Dylan and many other folk music stars.

2. Which popular folk music group of the 1950s was comprised of Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman?

Answer: The Weavers

Seeger and Hays were also members of the 1940s group the Almanac Singers. The Weavers had a big hits with "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena" and "Goodnight Irene."

3. Which hit for the Kingston Trio was originally a political campaign song?

Answer: MTA

"MTA," about the hike in Boston subway fares, was originally written for Walter O'Brien's 1949 campaign for mayor of Boston on the Progressive Party ticket. Ten years later, the Kingston Trio changed the song's lyrics from "vote for Walter O'Brien" to "vote for George O'Brien" because of the Progressive Party's association with the Communist Party, and had a hit.

4. The appearance of this folk singer in Peekskill, New York caused a riot.

Answer: Paul Robeson

In 1949, Robeson, an African-American folk singer, was scheduled to perform in conservative Peekskill, New York. On the day of the performance, a mob attacked the stage where Robeson was to perform. The concert was rescheduled and performed, but as the performers and audience left the concert, they were pelted with rocks and glass by the mob.

Answer: Phil Ochs

Phil Ochs was one of the most political of the 1960s folksingers. He wrote many songs about Vietnam and the civil rights movement.

6. Which of the following songs was not written by Bob Dylan?

Answer: If I Had a Hammer

"If I had a Hammer" was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays.

7. Bob Dylan supposedly wrote "Positively 4th Street," which opened with the lyrics, "You got a lotta' nerve to say you are my friend," about which folk singer?

Answer: Phil Ochs

Others have speculated that the song was about Tom Paxton or other folk music purists who did not like Dylan's popular, less political music.

8. This popular folk trio criticized pop music in their song "I Dig Rock And Roll Music."

Answer: Peter, Paul & Mary

The song poked fun at the Beatles, Donovan and the Mama's and the Papas for being overly commercial and lacking in message because "if I really say it, the radio won't play it, unless I lay it between the lines."

9. Which folk group had John Denver as a member?

Answer: The Mitchell Trio

Originally, the Chad Mitchell Trio, Denver joined up once Mitchell, himself, had left.

10. Which Christopher Guest movie parodies 1950s-60s folk music?

Answer: A Mighty Wind

In his very accurate send-up, Guest parodies some of the preppy folk groups such as the Kingston Trio.

Source: Author sku

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