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

By: Brittany Rowland
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know Which City These '60 - '80s Bands Were Formed in?
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!



Beatles
Wiki Commons by Library of Congress
Help! We need somebody, not just anybody, to tell us where the Beatles were formed. Can you please, please help us?
London, England
York, England
Liverpool, England
Manchester, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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REM
Wiki Commons by Stefano Andreoli
What's the city where American band R.E.M. formed, Kenneth?
Athens, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Birmingham, Alabama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Nirvana
NBC
Do you smell that teen spirit? And can you tell us where Nirvana formed?
Seattle, Washington
Portland, Oregon
Los Angeles, California
Aberdeen, Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Rolling Stones
Wiki Commons by Jim Pietryga
Can you tell us the city where the Rolling Stones formed, so we can paint it black?
London, England
Bristol, England
Dublin, Ireland
Oxford, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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AC-DC
Wiki Commons by Imhavingfun42
Watch out for that high voltage! Where did AC/DC form?
Sydney, Australia
Norwich, England
Oslo, Norway
Wellington, New Zealand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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The Who
Wiki Commons by Jim Summaria
Can you tell us where the Who formed? And are we talkin' about your generation?
New York, New York
London, England
Glasgow, Scotland
Cork, Ireland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Columbia Records
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band got their start in which city? They were doing the E Street shuffle ...
Belmar, New Jersey
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Trenton, New Jersey
Syracuse, New York
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Supremes
Wiki Commons by CBS Television
Before you stop in the name of love, can you tell us where the Supremes formed?
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Boston, Massachusetts
Detroit, Michigan
St. Paul, Minnesota
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Monkees
Wiki Commons by NBC Television
Hey, hey, we're the Monkees' fans! Can you name the city where they formed?
Los Angeles, California
Liverpool, England
Atlanta, Georgia
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Simon and Garfunkel
Wiki Commons by Dutch National Archives
You'll never hear the sound of silence in Simon and Garfunkel's city of origin. What is it?
New York, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Nashville, Tennessee
Seattle, Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Queen
Wiki Commons by Carl Lender
We will, we will rock you if you can tell us where Queen formed.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Copenhagen, Denmark
Paris, France
London, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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U2
Wiki Commons by Michael Richardson
If you still haven't found what you're looking for, try this city, the origin of the band U2.
Cork, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Berlin, Germany
Warsaw, Poland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Tears for Fears
Wiki Commons by Raph_PH
Shout out if you know where Tears for Fears made its name.
Sydney, Australia
Bath, England
Edinburgh, Scotland
London, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Crowded House
Wiki Commons by Nancy J Price
Do you know where Crowded House formed? Just don't dream it's over!
Melbourne, Australia
Wellington, New Zealand
Canberra, Australia
Auckland, New Zealand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Bangles
Wiki Commons by Tabercil
The Bangles formed in which city, where they encouraged us to walk like an Egyptian?
Los Angeles, California
Las Vegas, Nevada
Cancún, Mexico
Portland, Maine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Procol Harum
Wiki Commons by Mzopw
Don't turn a whiter shade of pale! Just tell us where Procol Harum formed.
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Nice, France
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Rome, Italy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Beach Boys
Wiki Commons by CBS Television
Surf's up! Do you know where the Beach Boys formed?
Boise, Idaho
Hawthorne, California
Eugene, Oregon
Sacramento, California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Mamas and the Papas
Wiki Commons by CBS Television
Do you remember where the Mamas and the Papas formed? They do a lot of dreaming there ...
Tallahassee, Florida
San Francisco, California
Memphis, Tennessee
Los Angeles, California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Yes
Wiki Commons by Rick Dikeman
If you're feeling close to the edge, play some Yes, a band formed in which city?
Chicago, Illinois
New York, New York
Athens, Georgia
London, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Temptations
Wiki Commons by Bernie Ilson, Inc. / Motown Records / CBS Television
Is it just our imagination, or can you name the home city of the Temptations?
Detroit, Michigan
Boston, Massachusetts
Springfield, Illinois
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Gladys Knight and the Pips
Wiki Commons by Department of Defense Media
We heard it through the grapevine that Gladys Knight and the Pips originated in this city. What is it?
Jackson, Mississippi
Detroit, Michigan
Atlanta, Georgia
Memphis, Tennessee
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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ZZ Top
Wiki Commons by Brian Marks
You don't have to rock an epic beard to tell us where ZZ Top originated. Can you name the city?
Dallas, Texas
Nashville, Tennessee
Las Vegas, Nevada
Houston, Texas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Bread
Wiki Commons by Elektra
The band Bread released soft rock classics during the 1970s and started in which city?
Seattle, Washington
Los Angeles, California
Sacramento, California
Chicago, Illinois
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Chicago
Chicago on MV via YouTube
There's no mistaking those horns! The band Chicago started in which city?
Chicago, Illinois
St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Louis, Missouri
Montgomery, Alabama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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America
Wiki Commons by Warner Brothers Records
Ever been down Ventura Highway? The band America started in which city?
New York, New York
London, England
Atlanta, Georgia
Los Angeles, California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Journey
journey / Vevo via YouTube
Don't stop believin' in this band! Journey got its start in which city?
San Francisco, California
Seattle, Washington
Chicago, Illinois
Wichita, Kansas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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B52s
Wiki Commons by KevinPatrickLaw
The B-52's didn't form in a Love Shack, but in which city?
Athens, Georgia
Los Angeles, California
Houston, Texas
Miami, Florida
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Indigo Girls
Wiki Commons by HangingCurve
The politically active Indigo Girls got their start in which city?
Nashville, Tennessee
Sheffield, Alabama
Atlanta, Georgia
Lexington, Kentucky
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Moody Blues
Wiki Commons by Dutch National Archives
The Moody Blues formed in which city, perhaps on a Tuesday afternoon?
Birmingham, England
Dublin, Ireland
London, England
Rome, Italy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Doobie Brothers
Wiki Commons by David Gest & Associates
Name where the Doobie Brothers originated and then listen to the music!
Austin, Texas
San Jose, California
Chicago, Illinois
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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The Band
Wiki Commons by ©Elliott Landy / Capitol Records
Take a load off, Fanny, and tell us where The Band got its start!
St. Paul, Minnesota
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Duluth, Minnesota
Toronto, Ontario
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Radiohead
CrashPower via YouTube
Don't be a creep! Just tell us where Radiohead got its start.
Ottawa, Canada
Abingdon-on-Thames, England
Nottingham, England
Vancouver, Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Marshall Tucker Band
Wiki Commons by Kyle James
The Marshall Tucker Band helped develop Southern rock. Where did they originate?
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Memphis, Tennessee
Birmingham, Alabama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Little River Band
Wiki Commons by WWGB
We like reminiscing about the Little River Band. Can you remember where they're from?
Manchester, England
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Jackson, Mississippi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Spinners
Wiki Commons by Motown Records
The one-of-a-kind band the Spinners formed in which city?
Detroit, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Ferndale, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Eurythmics
Wiki Commons by Elmar J. Lordemann
Do you have sweet dreams listening to the Eurythmics? Maybe you can tell us where they formed!
London, England
Wagga Wagga, Australia
Limerick, Ireland
Glasgow, Scotland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Black Sabbath
Wiki Commons by Vertigo Records
Heavy metal fans, can you name the city where Black Sabbath formed?
London, England
Cork, Ireland
Marseille, France
Birmingham, England
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Doors
Wiki Commons by Agency for the Performing Arts
Do you like psychedelic rock? Then you must know where The Doors got their start!
Los Angeles, California
Manchester, England
Chicago, Illinois
New York, New York
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Allman Brothers Band
Wiki Commons by Capricorn Records
Ramblin' men (and women), can you name the city where the Allman Brothers Band formed?
Opelika, Alabama
Starkville, Mississippi
Macon, Georgia
Tampa, Florida
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Kiss
Wiki Commons by KissBoy25
Nobody rocks face paint like Kiss! Where did they form?
Chicago, Illinois
New York, New York
Los Angeles, California
Sacramento, California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Wiki Commons by Elektra