Band Names and Backstories

Popular Culture · 10 questions

Explore the intriguing connections behind band names and members. Who’s the music sleuth in your group.

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1. Which four band members’ first-name initials make up ABBA?

   1. Agnetha, Björn, Anni-Frid, and Stig
   2. Agnetha, Benny, Anni-Frid, and Stig
   3. Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid
   4. Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Stig
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   C) Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid

2. Which instrument was Karen Carpenter known for playing in the Carpenters?

   1. Saxophone
   2. Drums
   3. Bass guitar
   4. Keyboard
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   B) Drums

3. Which Queen member proposed the band’s name?

   1. Roger Taylor
   2. Brian May
   3. John Deacon
   4. Freddie Mercury
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   D) Freddie Mercury

4. Which Beatles member was born Richard Starkey?

   1. George Harrison
   2. Ringo Starr
   3. Paul McCartney
   4. John Lennon
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   B) Ringo Starr

5. Radiohead took its name from a song by which band?

   1. Talking Heads
   2. The Who
   3. The Smiths
   4. The Kinks
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   A) Talking Heads

6. What was the name of the guitar Brian May made with his father?

   1. Red Special
   2. Bluebird
   3. Black Beauty
   4. Gold Top
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   A) Red Special

7. The Rolling Stones’ name is connected to which Muddy Waters song?

   1. “Got My Mojo Working”
   2. “Hoochie Coochie Man”
   3. “Mannish Boy”
   4. “Rollin’ Stone”
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   D) “Rollin’ Stone”

8. The Doors’ name refers to a book by which writer?

   1. Aldous Huxley
   2. George Orwell
   3. William S. Burroughs
   4. Jack Kerouac
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   A) Aldous Huxley

9. What does R.E.M. stand for?

   1. Sleep onset phase
   2. Slow-wave sleep
   3. Rapid eye movement
   4. Deep sleep phase
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   C) Rapid eye movement

10. The name Fleetwood Mac combines the surnames of which two members?

    1. Mick Fleetwood and Peter Green
    2. Peter Green and John McVie
    3. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie
    4. Christine McVie and John McVie
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    C) Mick Fleetwood and John McVie