Secret Bands Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Beatles

"Pass the absinTHE. BE At 'LES Miserables",
What can one say about The Beatles that hasn't already been written? Formed in 1960, they split in 1970 but their popularity shows no sign of waning, so great was their influence on modern music. In 2000, a full 30 years after their break up, the compilation album "1" was released featuring the band's number one singles from UK and USA charts. It went on to become the best selling album of the decade worldwide, once again highlighting their everlasting popularity.

Answer: Rush

"not thRU", SHouted the",
Rush formed in 1968, although the line up that most people know didn't come together until 1974. The band are one of the few Canadian rock bands to achieve global success, with over 40 million albums sold worldwide. Famed for their irregular beats and shifting time signatures, coupled with intricate lyrics, they have a reputation as the "thinking man's rock band". Guitarist Alex Lifeson announced in January 2018, that after over 40 years of making music together, the band has decided to call it a day.

Answer: Heart

"Whilst sHE ARTfully",
Heart, from Seattle, Washington, are fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson and have had a career spanning over 35 years with success coming in waves. Early hits like "Crazy On You" (1976), "Magic Man" (1976) and "Barracuda" (1977), were followed by some wilderness years until records such as "Never" (1985), "These Dreams" (1986) and "Alone" (1987) came out. "Never" was the band's first UK top ten hit, and only their second record to chart in the country.

Answer: Kiss

"The darK IS Seen",
Kiss were formed in 1973 and although the original line up of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss stayed together until 1980, the band since then has consisted of Simmons, Stanley and various musicians completing the foursome, including Frehley who rejoined from 1996 to 2002 and Criss who has rejoined twice (1996-2001 and 2002-2004).

Answer: Ramones

"the tRAM, ONE Side was", Ramones were active from 1974-1996 and though they are often cited as one of the most influential American bands, this was never reflected in record sales. Two of their better known tracks, "Blitzkrieg Bop" (1976) and "I Wanna Be Sedated" (1980) never even made the charts in either USA or UK and although they did manage a top ten hit in UK with 1980s "Baby I Love You", they never managed to crack the top 50 in their home country. Still, though their presence lives on with the famous Presidential Seal t-shirts bearing the band's logo, which are worn by all ages whether they are Ramones fans or not.

Answer: Chicago

"very CHIC", A GOod friend",
Chicago have been treading the boards since 1967 and part of their longevity must be down to their ability to encompass several musical genres, from jazz rock, to rock n roll to tender ballads. Well known hits by the band over the years include "25 or 6 to 4"(1970), "If You Leave Me Now" (1976), "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (1982) and "Look Away" (1988). Although the early 21st century may not have rewarded them with chart success, they remain a very successful live band.

Answer: Cream

"an aCRE A Man", Often billed as the ultimate power trio, Cream were active for only three years (1966-69), and comprised Eric Clapton (guitar), Ginger Baker (drums) and Jack Bruce (bass and vocals). In just two short years, they recorded some of the most influential rock music ever, with tracks like "White Room" (1968), "Badge" (1969) and "Strange Brew" (1967). Such is the band's popularity, that, when in 2005 they reunited for a series of four gigs at London's Royal Albert Hall, tickets sold out in less than an hour and the gigs were attended by superstars such as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Bill Wyman and Roger Waters.

Answer: Queen

"school cliQUE ENtered", Known for hits such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975) and "Another One Bites The Dust" (1980), the classic Queen line up of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor came to an end after 21 years, in 1991 following the death of Mercury.

In 1997, after several years of one off concerts with a variety of guest vocalists, such as Lisa Stansfield, Robbie Williams and George Michael, Deacon retired, leaving May and Taylor to continue as Queen +, again using various vocalists to replace Mercury, of which the most successful pairings have been Paul Rodgers (2004-09) and from 2011 Adam Lambert. With Rodgers, the band released one studio and three live albums and a live album with Lambert was released in 2016.

Answer: Oasis

"mosquitO", A SISter told me",
Brit rock pioneers Oasis, fronted by the Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, were active from 1991 to 2009, and were possibly as well known for the brother's arguments and fisticuffs as they were for their music. Between 1994 and 2009, the band had an incredible 23 UK top ten hits and their Manchester sound cracked North America as well, as they managed five American top tens and ten in Canada.In 1996, they set a record for the largest outdoor concerts in UK history, when over just two nights at Knebworth, they played to a quarter million people.

Answer: Santana

"SANTA NArrowly escaped", Santana were formed in 1966 by Carlos Santana, and were propelled into the big time in 1969, following their performance at Woodstock. Some of us older quizzers remember the 1970 album "Abraxas" and tracks such as "Samba Pa Ti" and "Black Magic Woman" with great fondness, while many youngsters were introduced to the band by their multi Grammy award winning 1999 album "Supernatural" and its smash hit "Smooth".

However you discovered the band, it seems certain that just when you think they are a distant memory, they surprise you again, as evidenced by "Santana IV" (2016) which is the first time since 1971 that the classic Woodstock line up have recorded together.