Legends of Prog Rock Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pink Floyd

The eighth studio album released by Pink Floyd, "The Dark Side of the Moon" has become one of the world's best selling albums. Storm Thorgerson's artwork for the album's cover - a prism dispersing a beam of light to form the colours of the rainbow - is also one of the most recognisable and iconic album cover designs, reflecting the various facets of themes explored by Pink Floyd in the album's tracks.

Originally developed whilst touring, Pink Floyd recorded "The Dark Side of the Moon", at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London between 1972/73. Using what was then cutting edge recording techniques, Pink Floyd used synthesizers, tape loops and multi-track recording. Assisted by sound engineer Alan Parsons - who later founded The Alan Parsons Project - each song explored various concepts such as greed, time, conflict and mental health. The latter of these themes was something close to the group's heart, given that their former lead singer. Syd Barrett had left the group whilst recording their second album. "A Saucerful of Secrets".

The follow up album to "The Dark Side of the Moon", entitled, "Wish You Where Here" continued this theme with a tribute to Syd Barrett with the song "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".

When released in 1973, "The Dark Side of the Moon", was a worldwide hit, even reaching No 1 in the US Billboard charts and staying in the charts for an incredible 741 consecutive weeks.

Answer: Rick Wakeman

Recorded as former Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman's second album, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" was an album based on the Jules Verne novel of the same name.

The inspiration for the album came after Rick Wakeman's father took him to see a live performance of Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf". Although Wakeman began composing, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" in 1971, it was put on hold whilst Wakeman recorded his debut album, "The Six Wives of Henry VIII".

As opposed to an album recorded in a studio, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" was recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 1974. To provide additional orchestration and vocals, Wakeman was accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir. In addition, actor David Hemmings, narrated the storyline after the first choice actor Richard Harris was unavailable.

Although the majority of the music on the album was written by Wakeman, an excerpt from "The Hall of the Mountain Kings" by Edvard Grieg was added to the album. In addition, film makers 20th Century Fox allowed Wakeman to display scenes from their 1959 production of, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" on screens during the performance.

In 1999, Wakeman released a sequel to "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" entitled, "Return to the Centre of the Earth". In addition to new music, there were also some that could not be recorded at the time of, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth". This album featured actor Patrick Stewart as the narrator, alongside singers including Ozzy Osbourne, Bonnie Tyler, Justin Hayward and Katrina Leskanich amongst those providing vocals. Like it's predecessor, "Return to the Centre of the Earth" was recorded live, this time in Quebec in Canada.

Answer: Jethro Tull

Taking their name from the inventor of the horse drawn seed drill, Jethro Tull the band was formed in Luton, England in 1967. Although have performed a number of different styles of music throughout their career.,"Aqualung" marked Jethro Tull's move from being a Blues/Rock band - along with elements of Folk Music and Hard Rock - towards a band associated with being a Prog Rock. However, Jethro Tull disliking the fact that "Aqualung" was dubbed a "Concept" album, even though the lyrics central themes were God and religion.

Recorded at Island Records studios in Basing Street in Lodon," Aqualung marked the recording debut of band member Jeffrey Hammond - replacing the band's fired bassist. Glenn Cornick. In addition, "Aqualung" also saw the first time band member John Evan had worked on a full Jethro Tull album, as opposed to having dubbed some keyboard sections on the band's previous album entitled, "Benefit". Furthermore, the album also proved to be the last album that Clive Bunker recorded with Jethro Tull, retiring to start a family with his wife.

The concept for the album artwork came from a photo of a homeless man that Anderson's wife Jennie had taken. However, it was the artist Burton Silverman, who designed the artwork for the album, painting a figure of a bedraggled, homeless man.

Answer: Mike Oldfield

Released in the UK in 1973, "Tubular Bells" not only marked the debut of Mike Oldfield as a solo artiste, but in addition, it marked the first released by the Virgin Record label.

Up until the release of "Tubular Bells", Oldfield had worked with Kevin Ayres backing group called. The Whole World Band, along with collaborations with his sister Sally - called The Sallyangie - and his brother Terry in a group called Barefoot.

It was whilst working as a bass guitarist with the Arthur Louis Band, that Oldfield was discovered by Tom Newman and Simon Hayworth. Upon hearing a demo of some of Oldfield's work, the persuaded the owner of Manor Studios, Richard Branson, to give Oldfield some studio time, in which he recorded side one of what was to become, "Tubular Bells".

Recorded in 1972, Oldfield played the majority of instruments featured on, "Tubular Bells". Despite being largely an instrumental album, the final track was Oldfield's rendition of the "Sailor's Hornpipe", with Vivian Stanshall introducing each instrument. However, the original recording - that appeared on the "Boxed" collection of Oldfield Albums - featured a drunken Stanshall recorded whilst wandering around the Manor Studios accompanied by Oldfield and Newman.

The idea for the album's artwork - a twisted tubular bell - came from an idea from Oldfield after he had dents one whilst playing the instrument from which the album gives its name. Furthermore, excerpts from the album were used in William Friedkin's film, "The Exorcist", as well as Tony Palmer's, film "The Space Movie" marking the tenth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Answer: Marillion

Taking their name from the J.R.R. Tolkien's book "The Silmarillion", Marillion was formed in 1979. Although at the time Steve Rothery and Mick Pointer were original members of the group, they were joined by Fish - real name Derek William Dick - and bass guitarist Pete Trewavas and keyboard player Mark Kelly.

Recording for, "Script for a Jester's Tear" took place between 1982 and 1983 - the year of the album's UK release. Whilst on tour to promote. "Script for a Jester's Tear" drummer Mick Pointer was fired by the band on the grounds of persistent lateness and lack of musical development. After a succession of replacement drummers, Ian Mosley joined the group as Pointer's replacement.

Although only featuring six tracks, the album still produced two singles in, "Garden Party" which was a satire on social elitism, along with. "He Knows You Know" a song about drug abuse.

The release of, "Script for a Jester's Tear" also marked the first of a trilogy of albums, followed by "Fugazi" and "Misplaced Childhood, all featuring lead singer Fish's almost poetic lyrics.

Answer: Caravan

Formed in 1968 by former members of a band called the Wilde Flowers, Caravan may not be as big as other bands associated with Prog Rock, but still carried on into the 21st century with various changes in line ups.

To begin with, Caravan toured the university gig scene, whilst playing alongside such bands as Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, Yes and The Nice at various festivals. Initially signing with Verve Records, the band released their debut album, the self titled "Caravan" in 1969. However, Caravan's association with Verve was short lived as the company withdrew from the British music scene a few months after the album was released.

By the time Caravan released their sixth studio in 1975 entitled, "Cunning Stunts", Caravan had already undergone a number of line up changes. After recruiting Mike Wedgewood as singer, songwriter and bassist, the band had a minor success with "Cunning Stunts" in both the UK and US charts. However, the album was the last to be published by the Decca label, with whom Caravan was signed to.

Despite splits and reformations, Caravan continued to play into the 21st century, with original band members, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan. Coughlan though sadly passed away in 2013, the same year the band released their 14th studio album, entitled, "Paradise Filter".

Answer: David Bedford

Born in 1937, David Bedford studied music at the Royal Academy of Music, and later in Venice under the tutelage of Luigi Nono. Combining both classical and popular music, David Bedford was at the time of recording. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Composer in Residence at Queen's College in London.

Taking it's title from the epic poem of the same title by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" was released in 1975, seeing Bedford collaborate with musician and long time friend Mike Oldfield with whom he met whilst playing with Kevin Ayres backing group, The Whole World. The album itself was inspired by Coleridge's poem, and also included Diana Coulson and Lucy Blackburn from the Queen's College Choir providing vocals, along with actor Robert Powell providing narration.

Previously Bedford had developed an orchestral version of Mike Oldfield's debut album, "Tubular Bells", and subsequently worked on other orchestra arrangements on other Oldfield albums such as orchestral version of Oldfield's, "Hergest Ridge", and the soundtrack for, "The Killing Fields".

Answer: Sky

Sky was formed in the late 1970s when John William met future members, Tristan Fry, Herbie Flowers and Francis Monkman whilst recording his album, "Travelling". With the addition of Australian guitarist Kevin Peek, Sky created a blend of classical music with rock music, forming a distinctive style of music.

The groups first album, "Sky" - released in 1979 - capitalised on the success of Williams', "Cavatina", used as the main theme of the film, "The Deer Hunter".

By the time of the recording for, "Cadmium", Monkman had left the group, replaced by Steve Gray on keyboards. One of the more recognisable tracks on, "Cadmium" is Sergei Prokofiev's, "Sleigh Ride" from his composition,"Lieutenant Kijé Suite".

In 1984, John Williams returned to his solo career, and although Sky continued -releasing albums entitled. "The Great Balloon Race" and "Mozart" Sky disbanded in 1995, with the remaining band members going their separate ways, never having recovered their popularity from the loss of John Williams.

Answer: Yes

Formed in the late 1960s, Yes has gone through a number of line up changes in their history as a group, with at one time to versions of Yes con-existing at the same time.

Originally led by founding member Jon Anderson, rehearsals for the recording of, "Fragile" began in 1971 - following the promotion of their previous album," The Yes Album". However, disagreements within the band saw founding member Tony Kaye leave Yes, with keyboardist, Rick Wakeman joining the group for the recording of, "Fragile".

Artwork for the album - also released in 1971 in the UK - was by artist Roger Dean, a long time collaborator with Yes in the artwork for some of their other albums. In addition Dean is also credited with creating the Yes logo.

Although Yes still carried on performing in the 21st century, their only original band member, Chris Squire passed away in 2015, leaving Alan White as the only longest surviving member of the group still performing with Yes.

Answer: Genesis

Formed in 1967 by a group of former pupils from the Charterhouse Boarding School in Surrey, Genesis has gone on to be one of the world's most famous bands. Genesis was headed by founding member Peter Gabriel, who had a theatrical style of performing, wearing costumes and makeup whilst performing on stage. Meanwhile, Genesis would use a wide variety of instruments adapted to their style of music, blending themes of fantasy with the surreal.

The first album released by Genesis was entitled, "From Genesis to Revelation" released in 1969. This album though was not a commercial success for the group, but by the time of the release of, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" in 1974 Genesis still had not found global fame. However, they were beginning to gain success in the UK music charts on the back of their albums, "Foxtrot" and "Selling England by the Pound".

The theme for, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" revolves around a character named Rael - a New York hustler. After witnessing a lamb laying down in a Broadway street, Raul begins an odyssey, reflecting on his life as a whole.

Another significant point to note about. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", is that it was the first time double album recorded by Genesis. This decision was taken by Genesis partly driven by their desire to expand on their musical concepts and ideas. In addition, Genesis also felt they had begun to gain enough popularity with their fans that a longer album would be more accepted with them.

"The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", though turned out to be the last that Gabriel recorded with Genesis before embarking on a solo career. Gabriel was eventually replaced by drummer Phil Collins, and by the 1980s. Genesis had developed a more mainstream pop style of music as a three-piece group - except when on stage. However, the departure of Phil Collins in 1996 lead to remaining band members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford recruiting Ray Wilson to sing lead vocals on the "Calling All Stations" album - released in the UK in 1997.

Collins briefly re-joined Genesis in 2007 for their, "Turn It On Again Tour" in 2007. Although never officially having broken up, various solo projects by the members of Genesis have cast doubts that Genesis will reform.