Who's the Singer? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Peter Wolf

One of the great purveyors of blues, jazz, rock, and "white soul" fusion, The J. Geils Blues Band was formed as a trio in 1967 by slide guitarist J. Geils, harmonica wizard Magic Dick, and stand-up bassist D.K. Klein. They were joined soon after by drummer Stephen Bladd and lead vocalist/songwriter Peter Wolf and the word "Blues" eventually faded from the band name.

In 1969, keyboardist/songwriter Seth Justman completed the band. Their debut album, "The J. Geils Band" [Atlantic Records], was released in 1970.

In 1984, Peter Wolf and The J. Geils Band parted ways because of "creative differences" and Justman took over as lead vocalist.

Answer: Mickey Thomas

Originally a gospel singer, Mickey Thomas joined the Elvin Bishop Band in 1974 as a back-up singer but quickly was elevated to lead vocalist. After 3 years and four albums with little recognition [after all, it was the ELVIN BISHOP Band], Mickey left Elvin Bishop for a solo career that went nowhere.

In 1979, he joined Jefferson Starship and scored major hits with "Jane", "Find Your Way Back", and "We Built This City". Elvin Bishop did indeed lend his limited singing voice to many of his compositions, such as "Struttin" My Stuff" and "Travelin' Shoes", sometimes as his cosmic-hayseed alter-ego Pigboy Crabshaw. Jo Baker has worked as a vocalist/back-up vocalist with Elvin Bishop, Eddie Money, Taj Mahal, and Quicksilver Messenger Service, among others.

Answer: Michael Stanley

This group of Cleveland rockers was dubbed The "North Coast's" finest rock and roll band. Formed in the mid-1970's by singer/songwriter/guitarist/actor/disc jockey Michael Stanley, the MSB played to packed concert houses and arenas throughout the midwest United States in the 1980's. Keyboardist Kevin Raleigh has lent occasional lead vocals to the band, but Michael Stanley is the primary vocalist. Tommy Dobeck was the original drummer for MSB and both Derringer and Walsh have guested as guitarists on various Michael Stanley Band albums.

Answer: Dickey Betts

While Gregg Allman has been the main vocalist of the Allman Brothers Band for over 30 years, lead guitarist Dickey Betts has always provided lead vocals for the songs that he has written, including "Blue Sky", "Ramblin' Man", and "Back Where It All Begins", among others. Dickey Betts left the Allman Brothers in 2002. Paul Hornsby, the older brother of keyboardist/recording artist Bruce Hornsby, was a keyboard player in the band Hour Glass with Duane and Gregg Allman during the mid-1960's, and has been a producer for such artists as the Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie, and the Charlie Daniels Band.

Answer: Jerry LaCroix

Jerry LaCroix joined Edgar Winter in 1970, taking over the lead vocalist role in order to allow Edgar to concentrate on his musicianship. Their first album together was the classic "Edgar Winter's White Trash: Introducing Jerry LaCroix" [Epic/1970], with LaCroix supplying vocals, saxophone, and harmonica.

The live album "Roadwork" introduced White Trash as a super-group, uniting recording stars Edgar and Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, and Jerry LaCroix. Edgar Winter's White Trash ran out of money after the "Roadwork" tour and disbanded. Jerry LaCroix released his solo album "LaCroix" [Epic Records] in 1972 and has also been the lead vocalist for Blood, Sweat, and Tears and Rare Earth.

Answer: Steve Miller

He's had a lot of famous musicians play in his band but innovative guitarist Steve Miller has always supplied the lead vocals for his songs. Harmonica player Norton Buffalo and bassist/guitarist Boz Skaggs moved on to successful solo careers as recording artists, with Buffalo later rejoining the SMB on tour dates and in the studio. Producer Glyn Johns played guitar and sang some back-up vocals on early recordings.

Answer: Denny Laine

Denny Laine was the lead vocalist/guitarist for the Moody Blues in 1966 when they had a huge hit with the song "Go Now". Laine left the "Moodys" over creative differences and continued recording on his own as well as with his bands: Denny Laine's Electric String Band and Balls.

In 1970, Laine joined ex-Cream/Blind Faith drummer Ginger Baker's Air Force as guitarist and primary vocalist. After the project was critically acclaimed but poorly received by the public, it was disbanded. In 1971, Laine joined Paul McCartney as the guitarist in the band Wings, eventually leaving the band as it floundered in 1979.

Answer: C.F. Turner

Providing one of the most recognizable voices in rock music, bassist/guitarist C.F. Turner is BTO's original lead vocalist, although he has shared some of the lead vocal workload with guitarist Randy Murray since Murray joined the band in 1993. Original member and drummer Robin Bachman is the younger brother of BTO founder guitarist/songwriter Randy Bachman. Randy Bachman also founded the 1960's Canadian hit machine The Guess Who along with singer/pianist Burton Cummings.

Answer: Dale Krantz

The survivors of Lynyrd Skynyrd decided that the band should be fronted by a female vocalist so as not to draw comparisons between Ronnie and any male singer that would be perceived as taking his place. Dale Krantz, a back-up singer for .38 Special with a Janis Joplin-esque whiskey-tough voice was given the unenviable task of fronting the wild-eyed southern boys.

After Rossington-Collins broke up in 1980, Lynyrd Skynyrd was reformed with Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's youngest brother, as the lead vocalist and Dale Krantz [now married to guitarist Gary Rossington] supplying back-up vocals for the band.

In 1986, guitarist Allen Collins was paralyzed from the waist down as the result of a car accident. Collins passed away January 23, 1990 from pnuemonia

Answer: Charlie Daniels

Guitarist/fiddler/songwriter/producer/showman/southern-rock godfather Charlie Daniels has been performing since 1959, working with such greats as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Ringo Starr, and the Youngbloods before forming the Charlie Daniels Band in 1972. Keyboardist Joe "Taz" DiGregorio has been at Daniels' side since the early beginnings of the CDB, lending growling back-up vocals and taking an occassional lead vocal. Jimmy Hall was the lead singer for Wet Willie and frontman/vocalist Doug Gray is a founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band.