Dazzling Debuts Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Doors

Including such hits as "Break On Through (To the Other Side)", "Light My Fire", and "The End", The Doors' self-titled debut album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 in September (it was released in January). "Light My Fire" made it to number one as a single.

On the album, The Doors were Jim Morrison (vocals, handclaps, percussion), Ray Manzarek (Vox Continental, piano, keyboard bass, marxophone, backing vocals), Robby Krieger (guitar, backing vocals), and John Densmore (drums, backing vocals).

Since its release, sales have exceeded 4x Platinum in the US.

Answer: Led Zeppelin

"Led Zeppelin" hit a high of number ten on the Billboard 200 (number six in the UK). The only single release from the album was "Good Times Bad Times", and it peaked at number 80.

On the album were Jimmy Page (acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitar, backing vocals), Robert Plant (lead vocals, harmonica), Jon Bonham (drums, timpani, percussion, backing vocals), and John Paul Jones (bass guitar, organ, backing vocals).

Since its release, sales have exceeded 8x Platinum in the US.

Answer: Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath released "Black Sabbath" in the UK in February of 1970, and in June in the US. The album's first single, "Evil Woman" was only released in the UK version, and was replaced in the US release with "Wicked World". The album peaked at number eight on the UK charts, and number 23 in the US.

The 1970 members of the band were Ozzy Osbourne (vocals, harmonica), Tony Iommi (guitar, slide guitar), Geezer Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums).

Since its release, sales have exceeded Platinum in the US.

Answer: Aerosmith

"Aerosmith" hit number 21 on the US charts, but the single "Dream On" only got up to number 59. After the band got some exposure, "Dream On" was re-released in 1976, and this time it got up to number six.

"Aerosmith" featured Steven Tyler (lead vocals, harmonica, piano), Joe Perry (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (rhythm guitar). As an extra, David Woodford played saxophone on "Mama Kin" and "Write Me a Letter".

Since its release, sales have exceeded 2x Platinum in the US.

Answer: Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Commonly referred to as BTO, the group's first album hit number 70 on the US Charts (number nine in Canada). Single release "Blue Collar" made it to number 68 in the US, while the same song reached number 21 in Canada. The group achieved much better with their third album "Not Fragile" that reached number one on the US charts.

When BTO made "Bachman-Turner Overdrive", the band was made up of Randy Bachman (guitar, electric guitar, vocals), Robbie Bachman (percussion, drums), Tim Bachman (guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals, background vocals), and C.F. Turner (bass, vocals).

Since its release, sales have exceeded Gold in the US.

Answer: Ramones

Perhaps it was just too new of a style for people - "Ramones" only managed to reach number 111 on the Billboard 200, even with a catchy single released at the same time as the album - "Blitzkrieg Bop".

The band members all adopted pseudonyms ending in 'Ramone' - they are not actually related. On "Ramones", the band members were Joey Ramone (lead vocals), Johnny Ramone (guitar), Dee Dee Ramone (bass, backing vocals), and Tommy Ramone (drums).

Answer: Van Halen

Before they released their first album, Van Halen had already made a name for themselves as a gigging band, and with the energetic David Lee Roth and the incredible guitar stylings of Eddie Van Halen, the album was a hit. It reached number 19 on the Billboard 200, with singles "You Really Got Me" and "Runnin' With the Devil" reaching number 36 and number 84, respectively.

The members of Van Halen were David Lee Roth (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Eddie Van Halen (guitar, backing vocals), Michael Anthony (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Alex Van Halen (drums).

Since its release, sales have exceeded 10x Platinum in the US.

Answer: Dire Straits

"Dire Straits" was released in October of 1978, so the rankings here are from 1979. The album reached number two in the US and number five in the UK (but it DID reach number one in Australia). The single "Sultans of Swing" reached number four in the US and number eight in the UK.

On "Dire Straits", the band members were Mark Knopfler (lead vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar), John Illsley (bass, backing vocals), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums).

Since its release, sales have exceeded 2x Platinum in the US.

Answer: Bon Jovi

"Bon Jovi" rose to number 43 on the US Billboard 200 in 1984, with single "Runaway" reaching number 39 the previous year. "She Don't Know Me" also made the charts at number 48 in 1984. It was not until their third album "Slippery When Wet" (1986) was released that Bon Jovi had their breakthrough, hitting number one.

"Bon Jovi" featured Jon Bon Jovi (lead vocals, guitar), Richie Sambora (guitar, background vocals), Alec John Such (bass, background vocals), Tico Torres (drums, percussion), and David Bryan (as David Rashbaum) (keyboards, background vocals).

Since its release, sales have exceeded 2x Platinum in the US.

Answer: Backstreet Boys

"Backstreet Boys" was internationally released in May of 1996, and was well received around the world. It was not released in the US at that time. Rather, the US release didn't happen until the next year. By then, as you can imagine, word got around. In the US, "Backstreet Boys" reached number four along with five separate singles making it to the top five on the charts as well.

Since its release, sales have exceeded 14x Platinum in the US.