Fun old music trivia questions
Tons of free music related trivia including subjects like Lawrence Welk, Auld Lang Syne, Gorden Mills, John Lennon and others.
Tenor Stefan Zucker held the longest-sustained high note on
record during a Carnegie Hall performance in 1972. How long did he
hold it?
A: 3.8 seconds. It was an A in alt-altissimo.
What distinctive vanity license plates did bandleader Lawrence
Welk have in California?
A: A1ANA2-- his trademark phrase.
What are the three most frequently sung songs n the English
language, according to the Guinness Book of World Records?
A: "Happy Birthday," "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and "Auld Lang
Syne."
What hit song was banned on Canadian radio during a 1960 royal
visit by Queen Elisabeth II?
A: Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans," which celebrates the
smashing defeat of the British by American troops led by Andrew
Jackson in 1815.
What was Beatle John Lennon's middle name?
A: Winston, after Winston Churchill.
British songwriter-impresario Gordon Mills gave three rock stars
their stage names. Can you name them?
A: Engelbert Humperdinck (Arnold George Dorsey), Tom Jones (Thomas
Jones Woodward) and Gilbert O'Sullivan (Ray O'Sullivan)
What classical music inspired the theme music for TV's Alfred
Hitchcock Presents?
A: Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette."
What famous songwriter supported himself by writing Topper TV
scripts?
A: Stephen Sondheim, before his West Side Story success in 1957.
What song about a rat became a hit single?
A: "Ben's Song"--performed by Michael Jackson--the title song from
the movie Ben, which is about a rat.
What's the name of theatrical rock musician David Bowie's son?
A: Originally Zowie, now renamed Joey.
With what group did Linda Ronstadt launch her musical career as a
lead singer in 1964?
A: The Stone Poneys.
What was the site of the Beatles' last performance on August 29,
1966?
A: Candlestick Park, San Francisco.
What was the musical version of the Broadway show The Rainmaker
called?
A: 110 in the Shade
What American songwriter could compose music and play the piano
only in the key of F?
A: Irving Berlin.
What pop rock singer-songwriter helped launch Bette Midler's
career?
A: Barry "I Write the Songs" Manilow; who was the Divine Miss M's
accompanist-arranger.
What musician was the first to write down blues music an the
first to publish it?
A: Handy, composer of "The St. Louis Blues," who is known as the
"father of the blues."
What Broadway musical was staged by a labor union in 1939?
A: Pins and Needles, produced by and with International Ladies
Garment Workers Union personnel.
What inspired John, Paul, George, and Ringo to call them selves
the Beatles?
A: Buddy Holly's group, the Crickets. The "beat" spelling was
intended as a musical pun.
Brothers Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey were famous band leaders.
Who is Arnold Dorsey?
A: Pop singer Englebert Humperdinck.
What singer subbed for Brian Wilson during the Beach Boys' 1965
tour?
A: Glen Campbell.
What rock superstar left $2,500 in her will for a farewell party
"so my friends can have a ball after I'm gone"?
A: Janis Joplin.
