Rock 'n Roll Mythology Trivia Quiz

Answer: All three would be correct

Baal-Hadad was the thunder god of Syrian legend, Raijin (also known as Raiden) is of Japanese origin, and Thor was the god of thunder in Norse and Germanic pagan mythology.

"God of Thunder" (Paul Stanley), from the album "Destroyer" (1976), was performed by Kiss.

Answer: "Phoenix"

The legend of the Phoenix originated in ancient Phoenicia, but many cultures have their own "Firebird" mythologies. At the end of its particular life-cycle (which would be quite lengthy, since the Phoenix was practically immortal, as it was capable of regeneration when wounded), the Phoenix was said to set fire to itself and its nest. Its offspring would rise from the remaining ashes, and the life-cycle would start over again.

The Hydra was a multiple-headed creature killed by Heracles (Hercules); the Chimera was a three-headed monster (a lion, a dragon, and a goat) slain by Bellerophon and Pegasus; Scylla was a sea creature with six necks and heads, and 12 legs, which would lie in wait for ships to pass by.

"Phoenix" was Grand Funk's sixth album, notable for the guest appearance of Doug "The Ragin' Cajun" Kershaw on electric fiddle.

Answer: Icarus

Icarus and his father, Daedalus, were exiled on Crete by King Minos. To attempt an escape, Daedalus created two pairs of wings made of wax, and warned Icarus that flying to near to the sun would mean death. However, after taking off, Icarus became so entranced with flight that he forgot his father's warning. Icarus flew so high the sun melted his wax wings, and he fell into the ocean and perished. (The area is known today as the Icarian Sea).

Hermes was the Greek god of shepherds and travellers; Circe, a queen goddess of the island Aeaea; Theseus, hero-king of Athens, who eventually killed the Minotaur.

"The Flight of Icarus" (Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith), is from the album "Piece of Mind" (1983), performed by Iron Maiden.

Answer: Achilles

While there are several different accounts regarding the legend of Achilles, probably the one most people are familiar with is that he became invulnerable when his mother Thetis bathed him in the river Styx, leaving only his heel untouched by the water. Achilles went on to become a great hero to the Greeks, participated in the Trojan War, and defeated the Trojan hero-prince Hector in battle. Achilles was ultimately killed by Hector's brother Paris, who fatally wounded Achilles with an arrow to his unprotected heel.

"Achilles Last Stand" (Jimmy Page, Robert Plant) is from the album "Presence" (1976) and is famed for John Bonham's powerful drum solos.

Answer: Prometheus

Prometheus was the Titan who returned fire back to man, after it was hidden away by Zeus. In retribution, Zeus had Prometheus chained to a rock, where he was tortured daily by a vulture. Prometheus was eventually set free by Heracles.

"Fire" (Brown, Crane, Finesilver, Ker), is from the album "Crazy World of Arthur Brown" (1968), performed by "Crazy World of Arthur Brown".

Answer: Three Dog Night

In Sanskrit, Shambhala means a "place of peace/tranquility/happiness", and is documented in several ancient Buddhist texts, such as those of the "Zhang Zhung" culture and the "Kalachakra Tantra" (a text on philosophies). Shakyamuni Buddha (or Siddhârtha Gautama), regarded as the "founder of Buddhism", reportedly taught the "Kalachakra Tantra" at Shambhala.

"Shambala" (B.W. Stevenson) is from the album Cyan (1973).

Answer: Minerva

Minerva, a virgin goddess and daughter of Jupiter, was also the goddess of medicine, commerce, and wisdom (among others), and is credited as the creator of music. Her Greek counterpart was Athena.

Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt (Artemis); Vesta, the goddess of the hearth (Hestia); Pomona, goddess of orchards (no Greek counterpart).

"Minerva" (Deftones) is from the album "Deftones" (2003), performed by Deftones.

Answer: "Valhalla"

Valhalla was actually the name of Odin's (the Norse "chief" god, much like Zeus or Jupiter) hall, which, according to the legends, was located in the mythical land of Gladsheim. The Einherjar, or those warriors who died courageously in battle, were escorted to Valhalla by the Valkyries (minor female goddesses), whose task was to choose the most worthy of warriors. The chosen Einherjar then had the privilege to join Odin in Ragnarok, the daily battle against the Giants.

Uppsala was the phrase for the "religious traditions" of the Germanic tribes; Niflhel, or "Misty Hell", where the spirits of evil lived; Muspell, the land of fire.

"Cold Wind to Valhalla" (Anderson) is from the album "Minstrel In The Gallery" (1975), performed by Jethro Tull. Note: Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" is also based on the Valhalla legend.

Answer: The Minotaur

The Minotaur was the offspring of Pasiphae (the wife of King Minos) and the "Cretan Bull" (a white bull sent by Poseidon). The creature was half bull, half man, and lived in the "Labyrinth", a complex maze built by Daedalus (see question three). The Minotaur was later slain by Theseus.

The Gryphon had the body of a lion, with the wings and head of an eagle; the Harpy was a "winged bird-woman"; and the Centaur a creature half horse, half man.

"Manimal" (Lawless) is from the album "Live..In The Raw" (1987), performed by W.A.S.P.

Answer: "Stormbringer" (Deep Purple)

There are several versions of the birth of Pegasus (and his brother Chrysaor). One is that they flew from the neck of Medusa after her beheading, another is that they arose from Medusa's blood, and even another tells that they were created from the mixture of Medusa's blood and sea foam, making them also the offspring of Poseidon. In any case, Pegasus was captured and tamed by the hero Bellerophon, and both would eventually go on to slay the Chimera.

"Stormbringer" (1974) was the last Purple album Ritchie Blackmore would play on before leaving the band and forming Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio. Guitarist Tommy Bolin (1951-1976) joined Deep Purple in 1975, and recorded the subsequent album "Come Taste The Band" that same year.

Answer: Charon

Charon, the ferryman of Hades, would deliver the dead across the river Styx, which was the boundry between Hades and Earth (some stories have Charon crossing the Acheron river, a branch of the Styx). However, Charon required payment from his passengers, or they would have to wander the river banks for 100 years. The tradition of placing coins over the eyes of the dead comes from the legend of Charon.

Hypnos was the god of sleep; Atropos was the oldest goddess of the Three Fates; and Geras was the god of old age.

"Don't Pay the Ferryman" (de Burgh), from the album "The Getaway" (1982), was performed by Chris de Burgh.

Answer: Anubis

Anubis (Egyptian name of Inpu) was the god of mummification and the underworld. He was either depicted as human with the head of a jackal, or a fully formed jackal with ribbons and a flail. Early mythology stated that Anubis was a son of Ra (the sun god), but later records say he was the son of Osiris, the god of life and death.

Jackyl, formed in 1990, is arguably best known for for the single "The Lumberjack" (not to be confused with Monty Python's wonderful "The Lumberjack Song") off their self-titled debut album (1992). Lead vocalist Jesse James Dupree added the sound effects of an actual chainsaw on the album, as well as using one onstage during their live performances.

Answer: All of these are correct

Thenatos: The Greek "Daemon" (a minor deity) of morality and death; Odin: The major god of Norse mythology, god of death, war, and wisdom; Yama: Sanskrit for the judge or lord of the dead.

"Don't Fear the Reaper" (Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser), from the album "Agents of Fortune" (1976), was performed by Blue Oyster Cult. Per "Rolling Stone" magazine, it was voted best rock single (1976) and #397 of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" (2004).

Answer: Loki

The Norse god Loki was generally considered to be a mischievous deity, as well as a liar, a cheat, a thief, and a trickster. He was said to be able to "shape-shift", which would obviously be an advantage for carrying out his "dirty deeds". Earlier legends also potray Loki as the god of fire.

Mani: Norse god of the moon; Dagr: the god of daytime; Frey: the god of weather and fertility.

"Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap") (Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott) is from the album of the same name; "Liar" (Russ Ballard), from the album "Naturally"; "Burn" (Blackmore, Coverdale, Lord, Paice), from the album "Burn"; "Stealin" (Hensley), from the album "Sweet Freedom"; "Before He Cheats" (Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear), from the album "Some Hearts" ,

Answer: The Sioux

The Sioux have many stories and legends concerning the importance of the buffalo (or bison) in general and the white buffalo in particular as a sacred deity. "White Buffalo Calf Woman Brings First Pipe" is probably the most well known.

"Great White Buffalo" (Ted Nugent), from the album "Double Live Gonzo" (1978), was performed by Ted Nugent.

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