It's Time to Get 'Funky' Trivia Quiz

Answer: Brick

Brick is probably best remembered for their 'fusion' of funk and a bit of jazz. An example of this is the song, "Dazz", which is about "disco-jazz". "Dazz" hit # 3 on the Pop chart and # 8 on the R&B chart in October, 1976. Although the album "Good High" was well-received, the self-titled album "Brick", which was released in 1977, yielded more memorable songs, including "Living From the Mind", "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody", and "Happy".

Answer: Rufus featuring Chaka Khan

Rufus featuring Chaka Khan had a long string of funky hits during the mid-to late 1970's, until Khan parted ways with the group in 1978. She still had two albums left to record with the group to fulfill her contract, however. Khan later fulfilled her obligation, and she had her final two hit singles with the group: "Do You Love What You Feel", and "Ain't Nobody", which won a Grammy award for "Best Performance By a Duo or Group".

Answer: Slave

Slave, in my opinion, was one of the most underrated funk bands of its day. Best known for its hits with lead singer, Steve Arrington, the band was formed by Steve Washington, a trumpet player, in Dayton, Ohio in 1975. According to the book, "A Touch of Classic Soul 2: The Late 1970's" by Marc Taylor, the band had a big 'extended family'.

In fact, two other groups spun-off from Slave: Aurra and Mtume.

Answer: Ohio Players

The Ohio Players had a long string of hits, several of which also did well on the Pop chart. Three examples of this are the songs "Fire", "Love Rollercoaster", and "Skin Tight". All three songs hit # 1 on both the Pop and R&B chart. The group was also well-known for their album covers which featured nearly nude women.

Answer: Kool & the Gang

Kool & the Gang, founded by Robert "Kool" Bell, started as The Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1961. In their earlier days, the band was known for its funk/jazz style. Songs like "Jungle Boogie" and "Funky Stuff" helped establish their reputation for producing funky hits. Later, of course, the group became better known and more successful when they changed their sound to a more pop-oriented', crossover sound. Examples of this include "Joanna" and "Cherish".

Answer: Cameo

Led by their colorful founder and front man, drummer Larry Blackmon, Cameo had a long string of funky, memorable hits. These also included "Shake Your Pants", "Just Be Yourself" and "She's Strange". Of course, Larry Blackmon is well-remembered for his geometric haircut and for his brightly colored 'codpieces', which resembled underwear.

Answer: Parliament

Of course, no quiz about funk music would be complete without the inclusion of Parliament, led by funk pioneer, George Clinton. Clinton is known for his innovative creations, including P-funk, the Mothership Connection, and Dr. Funkenstein. Of course, the group Parliament also recorded as Funkadelic.

However, Funkadelic, which was signed to a different recording label, had a more funk-rock flavor.

Answer: Zapp

Formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 1978, Zapp turned out several memorable, funky tunes. Featuring the innovative techniques of the late Roger Troutman, who was known for his use of a voicebox for his vocals, the group also had the hits, "More Bounce to the Ounce", "Heartbreaker (Pt. 1)", and "Computer Love". All three songs hit the Top 15 on the R&B chart. "More Bounce to the Ounce" was their biggest hit.

It peaked at # 2.

Answer: Gap Band

The Gap Band, which consisted of brothers Robert, Charlie and Ronnie Wilson, left an indelible mark on the funk genre. Formed in 1969 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the brothers chose the name GAP to represent the three main streets that ran through their hometown: Greenwood, Archer and Pine streets. Of course, they shortened the name to a more manageable size. Like many artists in R&B/soul music, the brothers grew up in church, singing in the choir.

Their father, a preacher, was their church's pastor, by the way.

Answer: Bootsy Collins

Bassist William "Bootsy" Collins was probably as well-known for his star-shaped, studded glasses and for his distinctive vocal style as he was for his music. Born October 26, 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio, "Bootsy" Collins and his Rubber Band had much success in the mid-to late 1970's with his albums, "Stretching Out With Bootsy's Rubber Band" in 1976; "Ahh, the Name is Bootsy, Baby" in 1977; and "Bootsy? Player of the Year" in 1978.

The latter two albums hit # 1 on the R&B chart, and #16 on the Pop chart.

His most successful single was "Bootzilla", which hit # 1 on the R&B chart in 1978.

Answer: Bar Kays

According to the book, "Funk" by Dave Thompson, the Bar Kays initially formed in 1966, and reformed in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. They were discovered by the late Otis Redding, "working at a barbershop next door to Stax/Volt Studios". They toured with him as his backup group.

The Bar Kays also had other memorable hits like "Hit and Run", and "Freakshow on the Dance Floor". Both were Top 5 R&B hits.

Answer: Isley Brothers

Legends in their own time, the Isley Brothers' career stretches over some forty years. The brothers started as a vocal trio, and, during their 1970's phase, had a total of 6 members. During the ten-year period from 1973-83, the brothers had five gold and five platinum albums. Three members later split from the group to form Isley, Jasper, Isley.

They had the hit song, "Caravan of Love".

Answer: Commodores

The Commodores formed in 1967 at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. Thomas McClary is credited with founding the band, and his first recruit was Lionel Richie. In the early to mid-1970's the band's songs had a definite 'funk' edge. However, by the late 1970's, the band shifted to more pop-oriented songs; focusing more on ballads in particular.

As the band crossed over into the pop market, they became more successful with hits like "Three Times a Lady", and "Sail On".

Answer: Rick James

Born James Johnson, Jr., on February 1 in Buffalo, New York, Rick James was known for his unique style of music, which he called 'punk funk'. A successful writer, producer and performer, James also produced other artists including his own Stone City Band, the Mary Jane Girls, and comedian Eddie Murphy. Murphy had the hit song, "Party All the Time" in 1985.

Answer: Graham Central Station

Graham Central Station was led by innovative bass guitarist, Larry Graham, who was a member of the funk/rock group, Sly & the Family Stone. Graham Central Station had several memorable hits, but, they did not have much success on the Pop chart. However, Larry Graham did have two successful solo Pop hits in the early 1980's: "One in a Million", which hit # 1 on the Pop chart, and "When We Get Married", which was also a Top 10 Pop hit.

Answer: SOS Band

Formed in 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, the SOS Band took its name from the phrase, the "Sound of Success". Featuring lead singer Mary Davis, the band had several big hits, including "Take Your Time (Do It Right)", which hit # 1 on the R&B chart and # 3 on the Pop chart in 1980.

Answer: Rose Royce

Rose Royce was led by producer Norman Whitfield, who had a very successful career as a Motown songwriter. The band had three gold albums to its credit, and they had seven Top 10 R&B hits. Probably best known for the title song from the movie of the same name, "Carwash", they also had two other Top 10 hits from the soundtrack album: "I Wanna Get Next to You", and "I'm Going Down".

The latter song was later remade by the queen of hip-hop/soul, Mary J. Blige.

Answer: War

War, which combined rock, soul, jazz and other rhythms, was formed in Compton/Long Beach, California in 1969. A multi-racial and cultural group, the band is probably best known for the cultural messages contained in their songs. Examples of these include, "The World is a Ghetto", "Slipping Into Darkness", and "Why Can't We Be Friends".

Answer: LTD

LTD, which stands for Love, Togetherness and Devotion, had a successful run of hits in the mid-to late 1970's and early 1980's. Their biggest hit was "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again", which was released in 1978. The band's popularity waned somewhat when lead singer Jeffrey Osborne left the band in the early 1980's to pursue a solo career.

By the way, LTD first recorded the song, "Love Ballad", which later became a pop hit for jazz artist, George Benson. However, unlike Benson's version, which was uptempo and breezy, LTD's version was slow and soulful.

Answer: Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire achieved legendary status by turning out a steady string of funky hits from the early 1970's on. The band have several gold and multi-platinum albums and singles, and they also have several Grammy awards to their credit.

Answer: Brothers Johnson

The Johnson brothers, George and Louis, had many memorable hits during the mid-to late 1970's and early 1980's. These include "Get the Funk Out Ma Face", "I'll Be Good to You", and "Strawberry Letter #23". The brothers co-wrote many of their hits, and, though they were produced by Quincy Jones in the earlier years of their career, they eventually produced themselves.

Answer: Confunkshun

Formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1972, Confunkshun burst onto the music scene with the hit, "Ffun" in 1977. The song hit # 1 on the R&B chart, and it hit # 23 on the Pop chart. They went on to have several other hits, including "Chase Me", which peaked at # 4 on the R&B chart.

Answer: Lakeside

Lakeside formed in 1968 in Dayton, Ohio. They were initially known as the Ohio Lakeside Express, but they eventually shortened the name. In addition to their up-tempo funky hits, they also had beautiful, smooth ballads, such as "Real Love", one of my favorite songs, and "I Want to Hold Your Hand", a slowed-down version of the Beatles' classic hit.

Answer: Maze

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1972. They were initially known as Raw Soul. A popular concert draw, the group's popularity has continued to endure, despite the fact that they have not released any new material since the mid-1980's.

Answer: Wild Cherry

Wild Cherry formed in 1974 in Steubenville, Ohio. Though the group is considered a "one-hit wonder", they had four singles which hit the Top 100 on both the Pop and R&B chart. The biggest, of course, was "Play That Funky Music", which hit # 1 on both the R&B and Pop charts in 1976. The song was born out of the group's experience of being a white group that played 'funky' music.