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The Boomtown Rats Trivia Quiz

Fronted by the legendary Bob Geldof, the Boomtown Rats were the first of the so called "New Wave" bands to be played on the UK's BBC Radio One. This is a quiz on the band and their hits from the late 1970s to the 1980s.

A multiple-choice quiz by Popsicle01. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Popsicle01

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
178,593

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
346

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Boomtown Rats took their name from a gang featured in the book "Bound For Glory". Which folk singer was this book the autobiography of? Hint

Tom Paxton

Phil Ochs

Woody Guthrie

Bob Dylan

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the name of the keyboard player in the Boomtown Rats, who always appeared dressed in his pyjamas? Hint

Mick Talbot

Pete Briquette

Johnny Fingers

Johnny Keys

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Boomtown Rats issued their first single "Looking After No.1" in 1977, and toured the UK with which American band? Hint

Television

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Blondie

The Ramones

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Question 4 of 10

4. The Boomtown Rats second hit single of 1977 mentioned a girl called Mary in it's title. What class at school was she in? Hint

The Second Year

The 4th Form

The 1st Form

The Dunces Class

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Question 5 of 10

5. What was the title of The Boomtown Rats first UK number one? Hint

Someone's Looking At You

Like Clockwork

Rat Trap

She's So Modern

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the name of the tragic American schoolgirl who inspired the Boomtown Rats "I Don't Like Mondays" hit? Hint

Brenda Russell

Brenda Chenowith

Brenda Spencer

Brenda Lee

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Boomtown Rats second album, "A Tonic For The Troops", was issued in 1978. The title is taken from a line in which of their hit singles? Hint

House On Fire

Diamond Smiles

Looking After No.1

She's So Modern

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was the title of the Boomtown Rats fruit flavoured 1980 hit? Hint

One Bad Apple

Lemon Tree

Banana Republic

Raspberry Beret

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1982, Bob Geldof appeared in which music related film? Hint

The Wall

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Give My Regards To Broad Street

Quadrophenia

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 1985, Bob Geldof was instrumental in the creation of the massive "Live Aid" concert. The Boomtown Rats were the opening act for that memorable day.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Boomtown Rats took their name from a gang featured in the book "Bound For Glory". Which folk singer was this book the autobiography of?

Answer: Woody Guthrie

The band were formed in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, in 1975. The original choice for the name of the band was the more punkish Nightlife Thugs. After signing to Ensign Records in 1977, the band moved to the UK.

2. What was the name of the keyboard player in the Boomtown Rats, who always appeared dressed in his pyjamas?

Answer: Johnny Fingers

Johnny (sometimes spelt Johnnie) Fingers was born John Moylett. He was rarely seen in more conventional clothing, and appeared on television, in videos and promotional pictures, dressed in his striped pyjamas! Besides Johnny and singer Bob, the other members of the Boomtown Rats were guitarist Gerry Cott, bassist Pete Briquette, guitarist Garry Roberts, and drummer Simon Crowe.

3. The Boomtown Rats issued their first single "Looking After No.1" in 1977, and toured the UK with which American band?

Answer: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

The Boomtown Rats played a few gigs with Tom Petty on his 1977 UK Summer tour. It was not too long, however, before the band were headlining for themselves. "Looking After No.1" is often regarded as the first New Wave record to be played on BBC radio and television. It made a respectable number 11 on the UK charts.

4. The Boomtown Rats second hit single of 1977 mentioned a girl called Mary in it's title. What class at school was she in?

Answer: The 4th Form

"Mary Of The 4th Form" was a UK number 15 hit.

5. What was the title of The Boomtown Rats first UK number one?

Answer: Rat Trap

After a number six hit with "Like Clockwork", the band finally reached number one in November 1978. "Rat Trap", much to many listeners relief, knocked "Summer Nights", by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, off the top spot which they had been hogging for seven weeks. An advert placed by the bands record company in the music press, showed a cartoon Travolta and Newton-John firmly caught in a giant mouse trap and the words "They've been caught!" at the bottom of the page!

6. What was the name of the tragic American schoolgirl who inspired the Boomtown Rats "I Don't Like Mondays" hit?

Answer: Brenda Spencer

In January 1979, whilst in Atlanta, America, the Boomtown Rats heard the sad story of schoolgirl Brenda Spencer who one day took a gun to her school killing the principal, school caretaker and injuring nine students. When asked why she did it, she simply said "I Don't Like Mondays", which inspired Bob Geldof to write the song. This became the band's second UK number one.

7. The Boomtown Rats second album, "A Tonic For The Troops", was issued in 1978. The title is taken from a line in which of their hit singles?

Answer: She's So Modern

"She likes to wear her leather boots, 'Cos it's exciting for the veterans and it's a tonic for the troops". "She's So Modern" was a UK number 12 hit in 1978. The album also contained "Rat Trap" and "Like Clockwork".

8. What was the title of the Boomtown Rats fruit flavoured 1980 hit?

Answer: Banana Republic

"Banana Republic" became the Rat's last top ten single, reaching number three on the UK charts.

9. In 1982, Bob Geldof appeared in which music related film?

Answer: The Wall

Bob Geldof played the part of Pink in the movie adaption of Pink Floyd's "The Wall". Some sources have said in the past that the character of Pink is loosely based on original Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett, but Roger Walters has stated in interviews that the story was based on his own music business experiences.

10. In 1985, Bob Geldof was instrumental in the creation of the massive "Live Aid" concert. The Boomtown Rats were the opening act for that memorable day.

Answer: False

Status Quo were the first band to play, followed by the Style Council and then the Boomtown Rats. The band split up shortly after, although the members are still involved in music today. Bob Geldof continued to assist on the administration side of the Band Aid project for famine relief, and was knighted for his efforts in 1986.

He has also had some solo success and his "Is That It"? autobiography was published in 1987.

Source: Author Popsicle01

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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