Oz Rocks! Lead Singers of Australian Bands Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. INXS achieved worldwide success with songs such as "Need You Tonight" and "New Sensation". Who was the charismatic lead singer, who died in 1997?

Answer: Michael Hutchence

INXS achieved worldwide success in the 1980s/1990s with hits such as "Devil Inside" and the above mentioned songs. Albums such as "Listen Like Thieves", "Kick" and "X" also became big sellers. Formed in 1977 in Sydney, the band 'classic' lineup consisted of Michael Hutchence (lead vocals), Andrew Farriss (keyboard), Tim Farriss (Guitar), Jon Farriss (drums), Garry Beers (bass) and Kirk Pengilly (saxophone/guitar).
Following Hutchence's death in November 1997, the band never regained its former popularity.

2. Midnight Oil achieved international attention with thought provoking songs such as "Beds are Burning" and "Blue Sky Mine". Who is their imposing lead singer?

Answer: Peter Garrett

Midnight Oil had a distinctive rock sound and commitment to anti-nuclear, environmental and indigenous issues. Albums such as "Diesel and Dust" and "Blue Sky Mine" cemented a loyal following in countries such as USA and UK.
Peter Garrett has a life-long commitment to political issues, having served as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts in the Rudd Labor Government.

3. With successful hits such as "Reminiscing" and "Cool Change", Little River Band had a significant international impact. Who was their original lead singer?

Answer: Glenn Shorrock

Little River Band formed in Melbourne in 1975 and took its name from a road sign near the town of Little River in Victoria. The 'classic' lineup contained Glenn Shorrock (lead vocals), Graeham Goble (guitar), Beeb Birtles (guitar), Derek Pellicci (drums)and Wayne Nelson (bass).

The song "Reminiscing" has the highest number of radio plays in The US by an Australian popular song. Before joining Little River Band, Glenn Shorrock had been lead singer of two successful Australian groups, The Twilights and Axiom.

4. Formed in Melbourne in 1985, Crowded House had international success with songs such as "Something So Strong" and "Weather With You". Who was the group's lead singer?

Answer: Neil Finn

Crowded House, founded in 1985 in their classic lineup, consisted of Neil Finn (lead vocals/guitar), Nick Seymour (bass), Tim Finn (vocals/ guitar) and Paul Hester (drums).
Their self-titled first album reached number twelve in the US, and provided the top ten hits "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong".
The band has sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
Neil Finn, as the group's key singer-songwriter, mounts occasional reunions of the band.

5. "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls reached number four in the USA and number ten in the UK. Who was this powerful band's lead singer?

Answer: Chrissy Amphlett

The Divinyls were a powerful live rock band who had a string of top ten hits in Australia including "Boys In Town", "Science Fiction" and "Pleasure and Pain".
Chrissy Amphlett wore school uniforms and fish-nets in her provocative stage presence. Integral to the success of the Divinyls, she co-wrote most of their songs. She died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 53.

6. Men At Work were the first Australian band to have a number one single "Who Can It Be Now?" and number one album "Business As Usual" simultaneously in the USA and the UK. Who was this group's lead singer?

Answer: Colin Hay

Men At Work formed in Melbourne in 1979. The 'classic' lineup contained Colin Hay (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Greg Ham (keyboards/saxophone/flute), Jerry Speiser (drums), Ron Strykert (lead guitar) and John Rees (bass).
In the 1980s the band achieved a string of worldwide hits including 'Down Under", "Be Good Johnny" and "Overkill".
Their second album "Cargo" reached number three in the USA.
The group has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1994.

7. The Bee Gees are among the most successful bands in modern music. Which member of the group sang lead vocals on the majority of their songs?

Answer: Barry Gibb

While born on the Isle of Man, the Gibb brothers(Barry, Robin and Maurice) honed their musical skills in Australia gaining a recording contract. Their first hit single appeared in 1966, "Spicks and Specks". In 1967 the Bee Gees left for England where they were signed to a recording deal by Robert Stigwood.
The Bees Gees enjoyed commercial success in the late 1960s with songs such as "To Love Somebody" and "Words". The highlight of the band's career came in the late 1970s with a string of number one singles and albums with a dance-orientated sound, such as "Stayin' Alive".
The Bee Gees have sold more than 120 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

8. The Seekers were the first Australian group to achieve major success in both the USA and the UK, with numerous hits including "I'll Never Find Another You" and "Georgy Girl". Who was the lead singer of this group?

Answer: Judith Durham

Formed in Melbourne in 1962, The Seekers consisted of Judith Durham (lead vocals/piano/tambourine), Athol Guy (double bass), Keith Potger (guitar/banjo) and Bruce Woodley (guitar/mandolin/banjo).
"I'll Never Find Another You", "A World of Our Own", "The Carnival Is Over" and "Georgy Girl" all sold over a million copies.
In 1968 Judith Durham announced that she was leaving the group to pursue a solo career. The group's final performance on July 9 1968 was screened as a BBC special to an estimated 10 million viewers.
The Seekers have sold over 50 million records worldwide and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1995.

9. "Friday On My Mind" was a worldwide hit in 1966 for The Easybeats, selling over a million copies. Who was the lead singer of this group?

Answer: Stevie Wright

The Easybeats formed in Sydney in 1964 consisting of Stevie Wright (lead vocals), Harry Vanda(lead guitar), George Young (guitarist), Dick Diamonde (bass) and Gordon Fleet (drums).
Over a six year period, The Easybeats produced classic songs such as "She's So Fine", "Wedding Ring", "Women (Make You Fell Alright)" "Sorry" and "I'll Make You Happy".
The group was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Stevie Wright had a briefly successful solo career with the album "Hard Road" which contained the hit single "Evie (Parts 1,2 &3)". However he suffered from alcohol and drug addiction problems and died in 2015 aged 68.

10. AC/DC are Australia's most successful rock and roll band. Which lead singer cemented this reputation despite his death in 1980?

Answer: Bon Scott

Formed in Sydney in 1973, the 'classic' lineup of AC/DC contained Bon Scott (lead vocals), Angus Young (lead guitar), Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Phil Rudd (drums) and Mark Evans (bass). The band recorded their first album "High Voltage" and the iconic single "It's a Long Way to the Top" in 1974. Scott's last album "Highway to Hell" sold more than 7 million copies in the USA.
AC/DC recorded their best selling album "Back in Black" in 1980 and dedicated it to Bonn Scott. The album included hits such as "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Hell's Bells".
AC/DC has sold over 200 million records worldwide.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Source: Author redwaldo

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Questions		Choices
1. INXS achieved worldwide success with songs such as "Need You Tonight" and "New Sensation". Who was the charismatic lead singer, who died in 1997?		Michael Hutchence
2. Midnight Oil achieved international attention with thought provoking songs such as "Beds are Burning" and "Blue Sky Mine". Who is their imposing lead singer?		Neil Finn
3. With successful hits such as "Reminiscing" and "Cool Change", Little River Band had a significant international impact. Who was their original lead singer?		Colin Hay
4. Formed in Melbourne in 1985, Crowded House had international success with songs such as "Something So Strong" and "Weather With You". Who was the group's lead singer?		Barry Gibb
5. "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls reached number four in the USA and number ten in the UK. Who was this powerful band's lead singer?		Stevie Wright
6. Men At Work were the first Australian band to have a number one single "Who Can It Be Now?" and number one album "Business As Usual" simultaneously in the USA and the UK. Who was this group's lead singer?		Glenn Shorrock
7. The Bee Gees are among the most successful bands in modern music. Which member of the group sang lead vocals on the majority of their songs?		Chrissy Amphlett
8. The Seekers were the first Australian group to achieve major success in both the USA and the UK, with numerous hits including "I'll Never Find Another You" and "Georgy Girl". Who was the lead singer of this group?		Judith Durham
9. "Friday On My Mind" was a worldwide hit in 1966 for The Easybeats, selling over a million copies. Who was the lead singer of this group?		Bon Scott
10. AC/DC are Australia's most successful rock and roll band. Which lead singer cemented this reputation despite his death in 1980?		Peter Garrett

This quiz provides a brief description of an internationally known Australian band. You need to match the lead singer with the group.