Question 1 / 15
Which artist is known as the "King of Pop"?
Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975) broke every rule of pop music with its operatic structure. The recording required 180 separate vocal overdubs, and the song has become the most-streamed classic rock song of the 20th century.
Question 2 / 15
Who sang "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' (1982) remains the best-selling album of all time with certified sales of over 70 million copies worldwide. The music video, directed by John Landis, was the first to be inducted into the National Film Registry.
Question 3 / 15
Which band performed "Hotel California"?
Bob Marley brought reggae music to the global stage and became an international symbol of Jamaican music and Rastafari. His album 'Legend' (1984) is the best-selling reggae album ever, with over 28 million copies sold.
Question 4 / 15
Who is known as the "Queen of Soul"?
Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' (1971) was never released as a single, yet it became the most requested song on FM radio stations throughout the 1970s. The iconic guitar solo was recorded in a single take by Jimmy Page.
Question 5 / 15
Which artist released the album "Thriller"?
Whitney Houston's rendition of 'I Will Always Love You' (1992) spent 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974, who has said Houston's version made her a fortune.
Question 6 / 15
Who performed "Purple Rain"?
Nirvana's 'Nevermind' (1991) dethroned Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' from the #1 spot, symbolizing grunge's takeover of mainstream music. The album's unexpected success blindsided the industry and changed rock music forever.
Question 7 / 15
Which band sang "Stairway to Heaven"?
Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' (1973) spent a record 937 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's iconic prism cover art, designed by Storm Thorgerson, represents the band's light-and-dark lyrical themes.
Question 8 / 15
Who is known for the hit "Imagine"?
Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire' (1963) was co-written by June Carter, who would become his wife. The song's distinctive mariachi horns were inspired by a dream Cash had, and it spent 7 weeks at #1 on the country charts.
Question 9 / 15
Which artist released "Like a Virgin"?
David Bowie created the Ziggy Stardust persona in 1972, a fictional androgynous rock star from outer space. The character helped break gender norms in rock music and influenced countless artists across punk, new wave, and glam rock.
Question 10 / 15
Who performed "Billie Jean"?
Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' (1967) was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding. Franklin's version became an anthem for both the civil rights and feminist movements, and she was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Question 11 / 15
Which band created "Dark Side of the Moon"?
The Rolling Stones have been performing together for over 60 years, making them one of the longest-active rock bands in history. Keith Richards' guitar riff for 'Satisfaction' came to him in a dream โ he recorded it on a bedside tape recorder.
Question 12 / 15
Who sang "I Will Always Love You" (originally)?
Elton John's 'Rocket Man' (1972) was inspired by a short story by Ray Bradbury. Elton has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time, and he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.
Question 13 / 15
Which artist is known as "The Boss"?
Jimi Hendrix's performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at Woodstock in 1969 is one of the most iconic moments in music history. He used distortion and feedback to evoke the chaos of the Vietnam War, forever changing electric guitar performance.
Question 14 / 15
Who performed "Respect"?
Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black' (2006) won five Grammy Awards, making her the first British woman to achieve this feat. Her powerful contralto voice and retro soul sound influenced a generation of artists.
Question 15 / 15
Which band performed "Smells Like Teen Spirit"?
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These legends are worth getting to know better.
Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, the first musician to receive the honor. His lyrics, from 'Blowin' in the Wind' to 'Like a Rolling Stone,' redefined what popular music could express and achieve.
Learn more: Can You Name These Music Legends?
Popular music history is preserved through the National Recording Registry.
Genre boundaries blurred as hip-hop, rock, and R&B cross-pollinated in the late 20th century.
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