Do You Know Which City These '60 - '80s Bands Were Formed in?

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By: Brittany Rowland

6 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Elektra

About This Quiz

When you're driving around, do you invariably turn to the oldies station? If so, you're one of the many fans of rock music from the 1960s, '70s and '80s — a period when rock became synonymous with youth, rebellion and the counterculture. The world was changing during this time, after all. While the adults were embroiled in the Vietnam War during the '60s and '70s, many young people wanted more peace, love and rock 'n' roll. 

It helped, too, that music from the '60s to the '80s was constantly evolving and experimenting with new styles and sounds. Funk, jazz, rhythm and blues, heavy metal, disco and rock all had their heyday during this period. And the messages in music were changing, too. While rock had traditionally focused on subjects than concerned youths, like driving, relationships and having fun, the music of the '60s, '70s and '80s took on social and political issues as well. Teens and parents often clashed over this new, edgy music that made overt references to sex, drugs and anti-war sentiments. But still, the music endured.

Whether you were alive during the '60s when this rock revolution began or you discovered the music decades later, you can still find classic songs that speak to you about love, life and death. Test your knowledge of these groundbreaking artists by matching them to their cities of origin. Rock on, folks!



Help! We need somebody, not just anybody, to tell us where the Beatles were formed. Can you please, please help us?

John, Paul, George and Ringo formed the Beatles in Liverpool. They started out playing in clubs, including the Cavern Club, which is where they met their future manager, Brian Epstein.

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What's the city where American band R.E.M. formed, Kenneth?

R.E.M. started out in Athens, Georgia, the city of UGA. The alternative rock band received a lot of college radio play in the early 1980s and made its big break with "The One I Love."

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Do you smell that teen spirit? And can you tell us where Nirvana formed?

In 1987, lead singer Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic formed Nirvana in Aberdeen, Washington. Despite Cobain's untimely death, the band became one of the defining acts of the grunge subculture.

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Can you tell us the city where the Rolling Stones formed, so we can paint it black?

The Rolling Stones, one of the bands of the British Invasion, came together in London in 1962. The band, with lead singer Mick Jagger, quickly came to represent wild, rebellious youth.

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Watch out for that high voltage! Where did AC/DC form?

Although the founding members, Malcolm and Angus Young, were born in Scotland, they formed AC/DC in Sydney, Australia, in 1973. The hard rock band had its first success with "Back in Black."

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Can you tell us where the Who formed? And are we talkin' about your generation?

The Who formed in 1964 in London with members Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon. Known for smashing guitars on stage, The Who had a big hit with "Tommy."

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band got their start in which city? They were doing the E Street shuffle ...

The E Street Band, Springsteen's backing band, got its start in 1972 in Belmar, New Jersey. Because the band rehearsed in member David Sancious' mother's home, they named the band after her street.

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Before you stop in the name of love, can you tell us where the Supremes formed?

The Supremes were a popular Motown group formed in 1959 in Detroit, originally under the name the Primettes. By the mid-1960s, the Supremes were at their peak with Diana Ross as the lead singer.

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Hey, hey, we're the Monkees' fans! Can you name the city where they formed?

The Monkees originated in Los Angeles in 1966 as the title band of a TV show. Modeled after the Beatles, the Monkees became successful in their own right, with hits like "Daydream Believer."

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You'll never hear the sound of silence in Simon and Garfunkel's city of origin. What is it?

The poetic duo Simon and Garfunkel originated in Queens, New York City. They had a rocky relationship throughout the 1960s, but they produced some of the most enduring folk rock hits.

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We will, we will rock you if you can tell us where Queen formed.

Freddy Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon formed Queen in London in 1970. They became one of the most popular arena rock bands with hits like "Another One Bites the Dust."

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If you still haven't found what you're looking for, try this city, the origin of the band U2.

The Irish band U2 formed in 1976 while the members were still in school. U2 became known for the spiritual and political themes in their music, for instance with the single "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

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Shout out if you know where Tears for Fears made its name.

Originally from Bath, the still-active band Tears for Fears consists of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. In 1985, they had two big hits with "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World."

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Do you know where Crowded House formed? Just don't dream it's over!

In 1985, Crowded House formed in Melbourne, and its members included brothers Neil and Tim Finn. The band had a string of international hits, such as "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Instinct."

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The Bangles formed in which city, where they encouraged us to walk like an Egyptian?

The Bangles are a popular pop rock band from the 1980s, formed by Susanna Hoffs and the sisters Debbi and Vicki Peterson. Some of their hits include "Eternal Flame" and "Manic Monday."

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Don't turn a whiter shade of pale! Just tell us where Procol Harum formed.

Procol Harum's debut single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967) shot to number 1 on the charts in the U.K. and number 5 in the U.S. Thus, the English band became known for their classical influence.

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Surf's up! Do you know where the Beach Boys formed?

Famous for their California sound, the Beach Boys originated in Hawthorne in 1961. The band became popular due to their smooth vocal harmonies and catchy songs about surfing and cruising in cars.

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Do you remember where the Mamas and the Papas formed? They do a lot of dreaming there ...

The Mamas and the Papas were made up of John Phillips, Denny Doherty, Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot. The folk-rock band formed in 1965 and had hits with "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'."

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If you're feeling close to the edge, play some Yes, a band formed in which city?

The progressive rock band Yes formed in 1968 and is still active. The band experimented with classical music and psychedelic rock sounds throughout the 1970s with albums like "Fragile."

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Is it just our imagination, or can you name the home city of the Temptations?

The Temptations got their start in 1960 in Detroit, where they signed with Motown Records. The band enjoyed great success during the 1960s and 1970s with hits like "My Girl" and are still active.

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We heard it through the grapevine that Gladys Knight and the Pips originated in this city. What is it?

You can take the midnight train to Georgia to see where Gladys Knight and the Pips formed. They had several hits starting in the late 1960s with Motown Records, and Knight went on to a solo career.

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You don't have to rock an epic beard to tell us where ZZ Top originated. Can you name the city?

Famous for their groovy blues rock and long beards, ZZ Top started in Houston in 1969. Their 1983 album "Eliminator" sold over 10 million copies with hits like "Sharp Dressed Man."

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The band Bread released soft rock classics during the 1970s and started in which city?

Bread released their debut, self-titled album in 1969 and had a breakthrough hit song with "Make It with You" in 1970. They had more hits on their albums "Baby I'm-a Want You" and "Guitar Man."

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There's no mistaking those horns! The band Chicago started in which city?

Too obvious? The band originally went by the name Chicago Transit Authority but adopted the shorter name in 1969. Since then, the band has developed a distinctive sound with its horns.

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Ever been down Ventura Highway? The band America started in which city?

America's founding members were still in high school when they met, living near London while their dads served in the U.S. Air Force. America soon had hits with "Tin Man" and "A Horse with No Name."

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Don't stop believin' in this band! Journey got its start in which city?

The rock band Journey began in 1973 in San Francisco. One of their most enduring hits is "Don't Stop Believin'," which became an iTunes best-selling song in 2009, 28 years after its release.

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The B-52's didn't form in a Love Shack, but in which city?

Like R.E.M., the B-52's originated in the college town of Athens, Georgia. Active since 1976, the new wave band has had numerous hits, including "Love Shack," "Rock Lobster" and "Roam."

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The politically active Indigo Girls got their start in which city?

The folk rock duo Amy Ray and Emily Saliers first started playing music together in high school, but they officially started the Indigo Girls in 1985 while attending Emory University.

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The Moody Blues formed in which city, perhaps on a Tuesday afternoon?

Progressive rockers the Moody Blues formed in 1964 and have been performing ever since. The band is known for blending classical music with rock, with "Nights in White Satin" being a prime example.

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Name where the Doobie Brothers originated and then listen to the music!

Still performing, the Doobie Brothers are a rock band that got their start in San Jose. They switched back and forth between lead singers Tom Johnston and Michael McDonald, creating different styles.

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Take a load off, Fanny, and tell us where The Band got its start!

Frequent collaborators with Bob Dylan, the Band settled on their simple name in 1968. The Band starred in Martin Scorsese's documentary "The Last Waltz," playing hits like "The Weight."

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Don't be a creep! Just tell us where Radiohead got its start.

The alternative rock band Radiohead formed in 1985 in Abingdon-on-Thames while the members were still in school. With Thom Yorke as the lead singer, Radiohead had their first hit with "Creep."

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The Marshall Tucker Band helped develop Southern rock. Where did they originate?

The Marshall Tucker Band developed in 1972 and is still active. Notable for blending blues, jazz and country sounds together, the band had hits with "Can't You See" and "Heard It in a Love Song."

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We like reminiscing about the Little River Band. Can you remember where they're from?

Active since 1975, this Australian band became popular in both its home country and in the United States with hits like "Lady" and "Reminiscing." The group has included over 30 members since forming.

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The one-of-a-kind band the Spinners formed in which city?

This R&B group formed in 1954 and was a popular Motown band throughout the '60s and '70s. The Spinners collaborated with Dionne Warwick on the number 1 song "Then Came You" in 1974.

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Do you have sweet dreams listening to the Eurythmics? Maybe you can tell us where they formed!

A popular pop band in the 1980s, the Eurythmics included Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. Their second album, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" earned them international acclaim.

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Heavy metal fans, can you name the city where Black Sabbath formed?

Black Sabbath formed in 1968 and helped establish the heavy metal genre with hit songs like "War Pigs" and "Paranoid." With lead singer Ozzy Osbourne, the band has sold more than 70 million albums.

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Do you like psychedelic rock? Then you must know where The Doors got their start!

The Doors started in 1965 in Los Angeles but fell apart soon after Jim Morrison's death in 1971. Still, they remain one of the greatest rock bands in history with hits like "Light My Fire."

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Ramblin' men (and women), can you name the city where the Allman Brothers Band formed?

This Southern rock band started in 1969 and included brothers Duane and Gregg Allman. The Allman Brothers Band fused jazz, blues and country with hits like "Melissa" and "Whipping Post."

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Nobody rocks face paint like Kiss! Where did they form?

Kiss has been active since 1973 when they formed in New York City. Kiss wows audiences with elaborate stage performances, pyrotechnics, face paint and costumes. Now let's rock and roll all night!

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