As someone who grew up with Led Zeppelin posters on my walls and spent countless road trips arguing with friends about the best guitar solos of all time, I know firsthand how fun classic rock trivia can be. Whether you’re hosting a music-themed party, looking to break the ice at a gathering, or just want to test your rock knowledge, you’ve come to the right place!
I’ve put together over 100 classic rock trivia questions covering everything from iconic band members to legendary albums and everything in between. My family and I tested these questions during our last game night, and even my teenage nephew (who claims to only listen to modern music) had a blast!
Classic Rock Bands Trivia
Let’s start with some questions about the bands that defined an era. From British Invasion groups to American rock pioneers, these questions will test your knowledge of the bands that changed music forever. I’ve included a mix of easy ones that most rock fans will know and some tougher ones for the true aficionados.
- Which band consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr?
Answer: The Beatles - What band was originally called the “New Yardbirds”?
Answer: Led Zeppelin - Which classic rock band features Mick Jagger as the lead vocalist?
Answer: The Rolling Stones - What was the name of Buddy Holly’s backing band?
Answer: The Crickets - Which band recorded “Hotel California”?
Answer: Eagles - What band did Eric Clapton form after leaving Cream?
Answer: Blind Faith - Which group was known as “The Bad Boys from Boston”?
Answer: Aerosmith - What rock band featured both Ronnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant as lead vocalists at different times?
Answer: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Which band’s original members included Roger Waters, Syd Barrett, Rick Wright, and Nick Mason?
Answer: Pink Floyd - What band was formed by Jimmy Page after The Yardbirds disbanded?
Answer: Led Zeppelin - Which rock band got their name from a term used by Australian soldiers during World War I?
Answer: AC/DC - Who was the lead guitarist of The Jimi Hendrix Experience?
Answer: Jimi Hendrix - Which band released the album “Back in Black” following the death of their lead singer Bon Scott?
Answer: AC/DC - What band included Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey?
Answer: The Who - Which rock band was fronted by Freddie Mercury?
Answer: Queen - What was the name of the band formed by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young?
Answer: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Which band’s lineup featured John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook, and Doug Clifford?
Answer: Creedence Clearwater Revival - What band was formed by Don Henley and Glenn Frey?
Answer: Eagles - Which rock band consisted of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward?
Answer: Black Sabbath - What was the original name of the band that would become Fleetwood Mac?
Answer: Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac
Looking for an even deeper dive into music history? Check out these philosophical questions that can spark amazing discussions about the meaning and influence of classic rock on society!
Iconic Albums Trivia
Some albums defined generations and changed the course of music history. Let’s test your knowledge of these landmark recordings. My dad and I used to bond over his vinyl collection, and these questions remind me of those Saturday afternoons flipping through album covers and learning about music history.
- What Pink Floyd album features a prism on the cover?
Answer: The Dark Side of the Moon - Which album by The Beatles features the band members in colorful military-style uniforms?
Answer: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - What is the best-selling album by Led Zeppelin?
Answer: Led Zeppelin IV - Which Bruce Springsteen album includes the hit “Born to Run”?
Answer: Born to Run - What album followed The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul”?
Answer: Revolver - Which Rolling Stones album features the song “Sympathy for the Devil”?
Answer: Beggars Banquet - What was the first album released by Black Sabbath?
Answer: Black Sabbath - Which album by The Who tells the story of a “deaf, dumb, and blind kid”?
Answer: Tommy - What album by The Doors features the song “Light My Fire”?
Answer: The Doors (self-titled) - Which 1977 Fleetwood Mac album became one of the best-selling albums of all time?
Answer: Rumours - What was the final studio album released during John Lennon’s lifetime?
Answer: Double Fantasy - Which Eagles album includes the song “Hotel California”?
Answer: Hotel California - What Queen album features “Bohemian Rhapsody”?
Answer: A Night at the Opera - Which album by The Clash includes “London Calling”?
Answer: London Calling - What was Pink Floyd’s first album after Syd Barrett’s departure?
Answer: A Saucerful of Secrets - Which Jimi Hendrix album includes his version of “All Along the Watchtower”?
Answer: Electric Ladyland - What AC/DC album was the band’s tribute to Bon Scott?
Answer: Back in Black - Which album by The Band features the song “The Weight”?
Answer: Music from Big Pink - What was the last album released by The Beatles before they broke up?
Answer: Let It Be - Which David Bowie album introduced the character Ziggy Stardust?
Answer: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
If you love these trivia questions, you might also enjoy challenging your friends with some math trivia questions for a complete brain workout!
Rock Legends Trivia
These questions focus on the iconic individuals who shaped classic rock. From front men with incredible vocal ranges to songwriters who crafted the soundtrack of generations, these legends left an indelible mark on music history.
- Which rock legend was known as “The King of Rock and Roll”?
Answer: Elvis Presley - Who was the lead guitarist of Queen?
Answer: Brian May - Which member of The Beatles wrote “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”?
Answer: George Harrison - Who was the drummer for Led Zeppelin?
Answer: John Bonham - Which rock star was known as “The Boss”?
Answer: Bruce Springsteen - Who was the original lead vocalist for Black Sabbath?
Answer: Ozzy Osbourne - Which rock legend was born Robert Allen Zimmerman?
Answer: Bob Dylan - Who was the original lead guitarist for The Rolling Stones before his death in 1969?
Answer: Brian Jones - Which rock legend fronted The Doors?
Answer: Jim Morrison - Who was the lead vocalist of The Who?
Answer: Roger Daltrey - Which legendary singer had hits with “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Child”?
Answer: Jimi Hendrix - Who was the bassist for The Beatles?
Answer: Paul McCartney - Which rock legend was born Farrokh Bulsara?
Answer: Freddie Mercury - Who was the lead vocalist for Led Zeppelin?
Answer: Robert Plant - Which legendary guitarist was in The Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos?
Answer: Eric Clapton - Who was the lead singer of AC/DC after Bon Scott’s death?
Answer: Brian Johnson - Which rock legend was married to Yoko Ono?
Answer: John Lennon - Who founded the band Fleetwood Mac?
Answer: Peter Green - Which rock legend was nicknamed “The Lizard King”?
Answer: Jim Morrison - Who was the drummer for The Rolling Stones?
Answer: Charlie Watts
Looking to mix things up? Try these random questions to ask a guy between rounds of trivia for a fun change of pace!
Guitar Heroes Trivia
I’ve always been fascinated by the guitar wizards who could make six strings sound like an entire orchestra. These questions focus on the guitar heroes who defined classic rock with their riffs, solos, and innovative playing styles.
- Which guitarist is known for his “tapping” technique and playing a custom “Frankenstrat” guitar?
Answer: Eddie Van Halen - Who played the iconic guitar solo on Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb”?
Answer: David Gilmour - Which guitarist was nicknamed “Slowhand”?
Answer: Eric Clapton - Who played the slide guitar parts on The Allman Brothers Band’s “Layla”?
Answer: Duane Allman - Which guitarist famously played a double-neck Gibson SG?
Answer: Jimmy Page - Who was the lead guitarist for Queen?
Answer: Brian May - Which guitarist played the solo on The Eagles’ “Hotel California”?
Answer: Don Felder - Who was the lead guitarist for The Rolling Stones?
Answer: Keith Richards - Which guitarist was known for playing a Fender Stratocaster upside down because he was left-handed?
Answer: Jimi Hendrix - Who was the lead guitarist for The Kinks?
Answer: Dave Davies - Which guitarist pioneered the use of feedback and distortion as musical tools?
Answer: Jimi Hendrix - Who was the lead guitarist for The Who?
Answer: Pete Townshend - Which guitarist wrote the riff for Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”?
Answer: Ritchie Blackmore - Who played the slide guitar parts on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”?
Answer: Allen Collins - Which guitarist was known for his work with David Bowie and Lou Reed?
Answer: Mick Ronson - Who was the lead guitarist for Creedence Clearwater Revival?
Answer: John Fogerty - Which guitarist played the solo on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”?
Answer: Eddie Van Halen - Who was the guitarist for The Band?
Answer: Robbie Robertson - Which guitarist was known for his “woman tone” on a Gibson Les Paul?
Answer: Eric Clapton - Who was the lead guitarist for Dire Straits?
Answer: Mark Knopfler
For more fun questions to get conversations flowing, check out these interesting topics to talk about that can lead to great discussions about music and more!
One-Hit Wonders and Surprising Facts
Let’s finish with some questions about those surprising moments, lesser-known facts, and one-hit wonders that add color to classic rock history. Some of these stumped even my most knowledgeable music friends!
- Which classic rock band had their only #1 hit with “Centerfold”?
Answer: The J. Geils Band - What was the first song played on MTV when it launched in 1981?
Answer: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles - Which rock band consisted entirely of actual brothers?
Answer: The Bee Gees - What was Keith Moon’s day job before joining The Who?
Answer: Surf shop beach boy - Which classic rock hit was written about a Mattel toy?
Answer: “Barracuda” by Heart - What food item did Led Zeppelin use to test sound levels before concerts?
Answer: John Bonham’s breakfast cereal - Which classic rock artist had a hit with “Spirit in the Sky” but never had another Top 40 single?
Answer: Norman Greenbaum - What unusual instrument did Pink Floyd use on “Money”?
Answer: Cash register - Which classic rock band released a reggae version of their own song “Louie, Louie”?
Answer: The Kingsmen - What was Alice Cooper’s real name?
Answer: Vincent Furnier - Which rock star was working as a high school janitor when his band got their first record deal?
Answer: Ozzy Osbourne - What did the band Steely Dan name themselves after?
Answer: A steam-powered dildo in William S. Burroughs’ novel “Naked Lunch” - Which classic rock band had their equipment stolen before their first US tour?
Answer: Deep Purple - What vegetable did The Beatles get pelted with during a concert in Japan?
Answer: Jelly beans - Which one-hit wonder had a hit with “In the Year 2525”?
Answer: Zager and Evans - What was Elton John’s birth name?
Answer: Reginald Kenneth Dwight - Which classic rock song was originally written as a joke ending to a concert?
Answer: “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd - What unusual item did Kiss add to their comic book ink?
Answer: Their own blood - Which classic rock band was originally named “The Polka Tulk Blues Band”?
Answer: Black Sabbath - What was the first song played on the moon?
Answer: “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra - Which classic rock band used a toilet flush as a sound effect in one of their songs?
Answer: Pink Floyd in “The Trial” - What vegetable did Meat Loaf change his name from?
Answer: His real name was Marvin Lee Aday (not named after a vegetable) - Which iconic song was almost left off The Eagles’ “Hotel California” album?
Answer: “Hotel California” - What was the original name of Lynyrd Skynyrd?
Answer: The Noble Five - Which classic rock band appeared on The Muppet Show?
Answer: Alice Cooper
Want more challenging questions? Check out these deep questions to ask a girl that can lead to meaningful conversations about music appreciation and memories!
Why Classic Rock Trivia is Perfect for Any Gathering
Classic rock trivia is the ultimate ice-breaker for any gathering. There’s something about discussing those iconic guitar riffs and legendary performances that gets everyone talking and sharing stories. Last summer, I brought a stack of these questions to a backyard barbecue, and before I knew it, we had three generations arguing (good-naturedly!) about whether The Rolling Stones or The Beatles had more influence on modern music.
The beauty of classic rock trivia is that it’s both entertaining and educational. Even if someone doesn’t know all the answers, they’ll walk away having learned something new about music history. Plus, it often leads to people pulling up songs on their phones and introducing others to music they might have never heard before.
If you’re looking for a way to engage your friends and family in meaningful conversation, classic rock trivia might be just what you need!
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it—over 100 classic rock trivia questions to test your knowledge and spark some great conversations! I hope these questions brought back some memories of favorite songs, concerts, or that road trip where you belted out “Bohemian Rhapsody” with your friends.
Classic rock trivia is more than just a game—it’s a way to connect generations, share stories, and keep the legacy of these incredible musicians alive. The next time you’re looking for something fun to do with friends or family, pull out these questions and watch how quickly everyone gets involved.
So, how did you do? Did you nail all the Led Zeppelin questions but stumble on the one-hit wonders? Or are you the reigning classic rock champion among your friends? Either way, I’d love to hear which questions surprised you the most!
If you enjoyed these classic rock trivia questions, be sure to check out our other trivia collections for more fun ways to test your knowledge in different areas!