QUIZ: How Well Do You Know 1950s Music?

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After World War II, the United States and the United Kingdom experienced an economic boom, and therefore a higher quality of living. This allowed more time to focus on hobbies and recreation, which greatly impacted music, resulting in the introduction of numerous new styles and genres, changing the direction of music forever. The decade also brought about some of music’s most well-known names such as Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, and more, paving the way for forthcoming groups such as the Beatles. So, you think you know your fair share of 1950s music? Take this quiz and find out!

Which doo-wop group had hits such as “Stardust” and “Have Mercy Baby”?

Retry Correct Incorrect The Dominoes, sometimes referred to as Billy Ward & his Dominoes, were one of the most successful R&B groups of the early 1950s. Their success led to Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson’s careers to take off.

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Which doo-wop group had hits such as “Stardust” and “Have Mercy Baby”?

The Platters
The Cadillacs
The Dominoes
The Penguins

What was Elvis Presley’s last No.1 hit of the 1950s?

Retry Correct Incorrect Elvis Presley released “A Big Hunk o’ Love” on June 23, 1959, which went on to top the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. The song was recorded in four takes, with the final product being a mix from all four.

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What was Elvis Presley’s last No.1 hit of the 1950s?

Blue Christmas
Suspicious Minds
Hound Dog
A Big Hunk o’ Love

The song “Only You (And You Alone)” was the debut song of which group?

Retry Correct Incorrect Composed by Buck Ram, “Only You (And You Alone)” was first recorded by The Platters in 1955. The group would later go on to have four No.1 hits on the Billboard hits chart.

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The song “Only You (And You Alone)” was the debut song of which group?

The Teenagers
The Marcels
The Five Satins
The Platters

Chuck Berry is best known for which instrument?

Retry Correct Incorrect Regarded as one of the earliest influential musicians of the rock and roll genre, Chuck Berry was best known for his impressive guitar solos and upbeat music. He was even nicknamed by NBC The “Father of Rock and Roll.”

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Chuck Berry is best known for which instrument?

Drums
Saxophone
Guitar
Paino

How old was Sam Cooke when he was fatally shot?

Retry Correct Incorrect On December 11, 1964, Cooke was fatally shot by Bertha Franklin, the motel manager of the Hacienda Hotel in Los Angeles. Apparently, she had shot him in self-defense after he had become physically aggressive towards her.

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How old was Sam Cooke when he was fatally shot?

33
29
41
35

Who sang “Love Letters in the Sand?”

Retry Correct Incorrect Pat Boone was a successful pop singer during the 1950s and 1960s. On top of selling more than 45 million albums, he was also featured in more than 12 Hollywood films.

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Who sang “Love Letters in the Sand?”

Pat Boone
Dean Martin
Paul Anka
Tony Bennett

Who sang “That’ll Be the Day”?

Retry Correct Incorrect The band was formed by Buddy Holly in the 1950s, and “That’ll Be the day” was released in 1957. It became their first hit single, peaking at No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The group is credited with defining what a rock and roll band should be like back then.

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Who sang “That’ll Be the Day”?

Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers
Buddy Holly and The Crickets
Tom Leary and The Cars
Danny and The Juniors

Katherine Laverne Starks was the real name of which female singer?

Retry Correct Incorrect Best known for her No.1 hits, “Wheel of Fortune,” and “(The) Rock and Roll Waltz,) Starr was skilled at every genre she tried. Billie Holiday even once commented that she was “the only white woman who could sing the blues.”

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Katherine Laverne Starks was the real name of which female singer?

Alma Cogan
Kay Starr
Patsy Cline
Patti Page

Carlos Wilson and Edward Bowers were members of which group?

Retry Correct Incorrect By the 1950s, the Clovers had become one of the best-selling doo-wop groups out there. They formed in Washington, D.C. in 1946, and began calling themselves The Four Clovers after adding a fourth member.

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Carlos Wilson and Edward Bowers were members of which group?

The Crests
The Clovers
The Orioles
The Platters

Whose nickname was “Mr. Excitment?”

Retry Correct Incorrect Jackie Wilson was one of the first popular musicians to make the transition from R&B into soul. He was also regarded as one of the greatest showmen of his time.

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Whose nickname was “Mr. Excitment?”

Hank Williams
Johnny Mathis
Dean Martin
Jackie Wilson

Who sang “Whole Lotta Shaking Going On”?

Retry Correct Incorrect Also referred to as “The Killer,” Jerry Lee Lewis has been regarded as “rock & roll’s first great wild man.” His 1957 song, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” gained him international fame.

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Who sang “Whole Lotta Shaking Going On”?

Ike Turner
Dick Dale
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jimmy Burnette

Which musician is the most closely associated with the creation of the electric guitar?

Retry Correct Incorrect Les Paul was a guitarist, songwriter, and inventor. He was one of the creators of the single-body electric guitar, and his work inspired the inspiration for the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar.

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Which musician is the most closely associated with the creation of the electric guitar?

Les Paul
Jimmy Page
Chuck Berry
Dick Dale

What year did Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” reach the No.1 position?

Retry Correct Incorrect Although it was first written in 1952, the best-known version of the song was by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954. The song became a No.1 single in both the US and the UK.

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What year did Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” reach the No.1 position?

1952
1953
1956
1954

What was Patti Page’s nickname?

Retry Correct Incorrect Clara Anne Fowler, better known by her stage name Patti Page, was one of the best-selling female artists of the 1950s. Over the course of her six-decade career, she managed to sell over 100 million records.

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What was Patti Page’s nickname?

The Fire Rage
The Shrieking Rage
The Singing Rage
The Shocking Rage

“Who’s Sorry Now?” was sung by who in 1958?

Retry Correct Incorrect Although Connie Francis’ musical career achieved more success in the latter half of the 1960s, she was still well-liked in the previous decade. Her song “Who’s Sorry Now,” peaked at No.1 on the UK charts and No.4 in the US, making her an international star.

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“Who’s Sorry Now?” was sung by who in 1958?

Connie Francis
Brenda Lee
Patsy Cline
Billie Holiday

Although it was a big hit for Bill Haley and His Comets, who originally recorded and released “Shake, Rattle, and Roll?”

Retry Correct Incorrect Described by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “the brawny voiced ‘Boss of the Blues,'” Big Joe Turner had a career that spanned from the 1920s all the way to the 1980s.

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Although it was a big hit for Bill Haley and His Comets, who originally recorded and released “Shake, Rattle, and Roll?”

Big Joe Turner
The Penguins
T-Bone Walker
Fats Domino

Who sang “Hard Headed Woman” in 1958?

Retry Correct Incorrect Written by Claude Demetrius, Elvis recorded and released “Hard Headed Woman” in 1958, and was added to the soundtrack of the film King Creole. The song went on to be No.1 on the Billboard charts, and was the first rock song to be designated gold.

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Who sang “Hard Headed Woman” in 1958?

Elvis Presely
Johnny Cash
Chuck Berry
Nat King Cole

Which artist was on the show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet?

Retry Correct Incorrect Although he later became a rock and roll star and songwriter, at the age of eight he starred alongside his family in the television show The Adventures of Ozzy and Harriet.

ABC

Which artist was on the show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet?

Ozzie Nelson
Dean Martin
Walter Brennan
Ricky Nelson

Complete the title of this Eddie Cochran song “Summertime…”

Retry Correct Incorrect “Summertime Blues” was written by Eddie Cochran and his manager. Although it was originally released as a B-side, it was re-released in 1958, peaking at No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Complete the title of this Eddie Cochran song “Summertime…”

Breeze
Fling
Blues
Happiness

Finish this Everly Brothers’ Song Title: “All I Have To Do is…”

Retry Correct Incorrect Although written by Boudleaux Bryant, “All I Have To Do Is Dream” was made popular by the Everly Brothers after they released it in 1958. It features Chet Atkins on the guitar and only took two takes to record.

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Finish this Everly Brothers’ Song Title: “All I Have To Do is…”

Dream
Walk
Love
Sleep

Congrats, you finished! Here are your results:

Retry Ouch! You clearly didn’t grow up in the decade! Could have been better! Better luck next time! Very nice! You’re definitely a fan of the music from the era! Incredible! You’re a 1950s music master!

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