Canadian Music from the 1980s Quiz | Canadian Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Carole Pope was the lead singer of this group, whose hits included 1981's 'High School Confidential' and 1982's 'All Touch.' Who were they?

Answer: Rough Trade

Pope earned a reputation early-on as an outsider, boycotting the Junos (Canada's answer to the Grammys) and writing songs that raised the ire of censors for their racy content. Sadly, however, she too fell for the dark side in the 80s, appearing in a 1983 Pepsi ad, of all things.

2. What Toronto artist spent a long time writing songs for other singers before having a hit of his own with 1984's 'Strike'?

Answer: Eddie Schwartz

Schwartz's writing credits included Pat Benatar's 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot.'

3. This Toronto band from the Queen Street area hit in 1984 with 'Cherry Beach Express.' Who were they?

Answer: Pukka Orchestra

They took their name from the Hindu word for 'first rate.' I remember the video for this song depicted people drinking tea, and the tea pot would get bigger and bigger throughout the video.

4. Two members of this band, whose 'When I'm With You' was an international hit in both 1983 and 1989, went on to form Frozen Ghost. What was the name of this group?

Answer: Sheriff

Apparently, in 1989 a DJ in Las Vegas decided on his own to put 'When I'm With You' in heavy rotation. Soon it stormed the entire U.S., going to number 1 on the charts. I liked this song before 1989, when it was only played once in a blue moon. After 1989, I heard it so often that I got sick of it. I wonder how many other people felt that way.

5. This former 'Metal Queen' is now a lounge singer. Who is she?

Answer: Lee Aaron

The video for 1984's 'Metal Queen' had her chained up, then breaking free and holding up a sword - whew, is it getting hot in here? ...

6. What group scored with 'Don't Walk on Past' in 1983?

Answer: Blue Peter

The other choices are all Canadian bands as well. The Killer Dwarfs were a fixture of the Toronto club scene in the 80s, never really cracking the big time. Idle Eyes were a group that got their start in Richmond, B.C. Saga was a Toronto band that had many hits including 'On the Loose.' They are well known all over the world, but interestingly, it is in Germany that they found their biggest success.

7. In what 1980 song did the singer lament 'my job is very boring, I'm an office clerk'?

Answer: 'Echo Beach,' by Martha and the Muffins

Sung by Martha and the Muffins, of course. Like many good acts who found success in the 80s, they did not 'disappear,' but were simply ignored after the 80s by an industry that insisted on dismissing them as an '80s band.'

8. What MuchMusic V.J. quit his day job to be a full-time songwriter after hitting it big as the co-writer of Alannah Myles's 'Black Velvet' in 1989?

Answer: Christopher Ward

Ward, originator of MuchMusic's still-popular 'Fromage' specials, was apparently inspired to write 'Black Velvet' while travelling with a bus-load of Elvis fans in Memphis. The song appeared on the debut album of his girlfriend Alannah Byles, who changed her name to Myles for her singing career. 'Black Velvet' was a huge hit in the U.S., but Myles could not sustain the momentum for long.

After a few more Canada-only hits, she faded from the spotlight.

9. The cover of this band's debut album had a big white heart-shaped bed with spikes sticking through it. Who were they?

Answer: Honeymoon Suite

They got their big break after winning a contest put on by Toronto rock station Q-107 in 1983. Known as "The Mighty Q," Q-107 has rocked southern Ontario and the northern U.S. for decades, and is famous as a die-hard rock station where you will NEVER hear the likes of Britney, Justin or Celine.

10. These singers of 1982's 'Don't it Make Ya Feel' were fronted by lead singer Darby Mills. Who are they?

Answer: The Headpins

Bandmembers Ab Bryant and Brian MacLeod were also members of B.C. band Chilliwack, named after a town in B.C. close to Vancouver.

11. These three suburban guys from Burlington, Ontario were Canadian 80s icons, getting their first big exposure with 1982's 'Nova Heart.' Who were they?

Answer: The Spoons

The Spoons achieved huge success with 'Nova Heart,' but then signed an exclusive contract in 1982 with the Thrifty's clothing chain, which restricted their performances and public appearances. This severely hurt their careers as they couldn't tour and promote their music adequately. Their other hits included 'Tell No Lies' (1984) and 'Old Emotions' (1983).

12. What great Vancouver group, who who gave us such classics as 'Who Knows How to Make Love Stay?' in 1983, turned up in an unlikely place when their 1980 single 'Too Bad' was used as the theme for Norm McDonald's short-lived sitcom on ABC?

Answer: Doug and the Slugs

Not that unlikely actually - Norm McDonald is Canadian, after all. Doug and the Slugs were one of the greats of the 80s, playing good music without any pretension or expensive video production. And their music still stands up today, unlike a lot of 80s artists.

13. Who, in 1982, asked the musical question 'life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?'

Answer: Aldo Nova

Born in Montreal as Aldo Caporuscio, his self-titled debut album in 1982 went platinum in Canada and made waves in the U.S. However, he mostly worked as a collaborator on other people's projects after that, most notably with Jon Bon Jovi in the late 80s. Of the other choices, Gino Vanelli had a few minor hits, such as "Black Cars Look Better in the Shade." Now Dalbello, on the other hand, I'm sorry but she was the epitome of everything that was wrong with CAN-CON (the government policy that forced stations to play a certain percentage of "CANadian CONtent" in their schedules).

She got airplay but I never remember anyone even THINKING of buying her records.

14. What band's Canadian hits included 'Passion of Love' and 'Melody,' both in 1983?

Answer: Boys Brigade

Rush bassist Geddy Lee was a fan of Boys Brigade and even produced their debut album in 1983. It spawned the two hits above. Boys Brigade broke up soon after due to conflicting personalities, but lead singer Malcolm Burn found success as a producer alongside his brother-in-law Daniel Lanois. Lanois is famous as the uber-producer behind U2, among others.

15. Following the international success of the inspirational anthem 'Rise Up,' this group followed with 'At the Feet of the Moon' in 1985. Who are they?

Answer: Parachute Club

This band was very political, with the theme of 'people power' and an anti-establishment message always at the core of their work (see the single 'Boy's Club,' 1983). They broke up in 1989.

16. This Sarnia-born artist was the driving force behind the 70s band Max Webster, picking the name from a phone book. In the 80s, however, he became a household word in Canadian party-rock, with hits that included 1984's 'Go For A Soda.' Who is he?

Answer: Kim Mitchell

Mitchell became popular on the northern Ontario cottage-party circuit, with concerts that feature his 80s hits, especially that ode to summer partyin', 'Patio Lanterns.' You will remember that Mitchell's signature 'look' was scraggly hair hanging out of a baseball cap with the emblem of the OPP, or Ontario Provincial Police, on the front. Why the OPP, I don't know; it could have been one headbanger's attempt at irony, but knowing Mitchell, my guess is he probably just liked the way the ballcap felt.

17. Which female artist sang 'Let It Go' in 1985?

Answer: Luba

I am actually in the video for this song! They filmed it at my junior high school for some reason - I'm one of those kids running on the ground as Luba looks down from her blimp. The school told us to all wear 'bright, outrageous clothing' on the day of the shoot, so that's why you see so many bad outfits!

18. Rik Emmett left this heavy metal band in 1988 to pursue a solo career, after a string of hits such as 1980's 'I Can Survive' and 1985's 'Spellbound.' What band was it?

Answer: Triumph

Unlike the many 'hairbands' of the 80s, Triumph was a tight outfit that could actually rock. Their concerts were legendary for pyrotechnics and explosive sound. And I know that they were popular all over the world, because I lived in Texas for a while and I saw many Triumph jean-jackets down there.

19. Complete this line from Bruce Cockburn's 1989 hit song: 'If a tree falls in the forest, ___________' ?

Answer: Does anybody hear?

From the album 'Big Circumstance,' 1989. Cockburn is, of course, one of the legends of Canadian music, with a career that spans over 35 years and 25 albums. He is also a vocal activist for peace and for the world's indigenous peoples, especially as a spokesperson for the OXFAM charity.

20. This British Columbia band started out as The Collectors before changing their name in 1970. They won a Juno Award in 1981 for the song 'My Girl.' Who were they?

Answer: Chilliwack

Easy one. Their label, Mushroom Records, went bankrupt but you can still drive by the old Mushroom recording studio in Vancouver where they made their records.

Source: Author panderson

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Canadian Music from the 1980s Trivia Quiz

Ever own a CHUM Card? Do you smile knowingly at the mention of 'CAN-CON'? Then you are ready for this quiz, designed exclusively for those of us north of the border who spent the 80s listening to artists like Gowan because it was mandated by federal law!

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