Special Sub-Topic: Cryptic 60s and 70s Bands Click Here To Play: Cryptic 60s and 70s Bands

A regal lady.

Queen. Formed in London, England in 1971. Members have included Brian May (guitar), Roger Taylor (drums), John Deacon (bass, joined a year later) and who could forget Freddie Mercury. Their “Live Aid” performance in 1985 was voted the best live rock performance of all time by an industry poll. Band Aliases: Smile "Billboard Chart" refers to the US Pop Singles chart unless otherwise noted.

Depth of violet.

Deep Purple. Formed in Hertford, England in 1968. Original members were Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Rod Evans (vocals), Nick Simper (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards) and Ian Paice (drums). Possibly best known for the first two bars of their 1973 Billboard Chart number four hit “Smoke on the Water”.

Rhubarb pie mate’s wake up call.

Strawberry Alarm Clock. Formed in Glendale, California in 1966. Lee Freeman, Ed King, Gary Lovetro, Gene Gunnels, Mike Luciano and Steve Rabe. Their one (yes, they are one-hit-wonders) hit “Incense and Peppermints” made it all the way to number 11 on the Billboard Chart in 1968. Band Aliases: The Sixpence.

Where Dorothy isn’t anymore.

Kansas. Formed in Topeka (you guessed it), Kansas in 1970. Kerry Livgren (guitar), Dave Hope (bass), Phil Ehart (drums) and Robbie Steinhardt (violin). Band Aliases: White Clover.

Land of the free and home of the brave.

America. Formed, ironically, in London, England in 1967. The three original members, Dewey Bunnell, Dan Peek and Gerry Beckley met in high school while their fathers (all U.S. Air Force officers) were stationed there. They had 17 hits on the Billboard Chart top ten, five of which went to number one.

Capuchins and macaques, et. al.

The Monkees. Formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California primarily for the purpose of creating a television show. Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones had three number one hits on the Billboard Chart. “I’m A Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville” in 1966 and “Daydream Believer” in 1967. Interesting Fact: Stephen Stills and Harry Nilsson responded to an ad in "Variety" magazine to audition for parts in “The Monkees” TV series.

Summer, winter, spring and fall.

The Four Seasons & Four Seasons. Formed in Newark, New Jersey in 1961. Frankie Valli, Tommy and Nick DeVito and Hank Majewski had 46 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 spanning over thirty years (1962-1995), five of which went to number one (two of these went to number one on two different charts – black singles and pop singles). Six of their albums were in the top 10 on the Billboard Chart. Band Aliases: the Varitones, The Four Lovers

Air Force One for the third President, if he had one.

Jefferson Airplane. Formed in San Francisco, California in 1965. Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Skip Spence, Jack Casady and Signe Toly (Anderson). In 1966 the band went through a major revision when Skip Spence was replaced by Spencer Dryden and Singe Anderson was replaced by the powerful Grace Slick. Their biggest sellers were “Somebody To Love” that went to number five in 1967 and “White Rabbit” that went to number eight, also in 1967.

Sparrows and robins within the confines of one’s property.

The Yardbirds & Yardbirds. Formed in 1963 in Surrey, England. Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty and Anthony Topham who, after a very short time, was replace by Eric Clapton. Their biggest hit was “For Your Love” which went all the way to number six on the Billboard Chart in 1965. Band Aliases: the Metropolis Blues Quartet

Mercury couriers.

Quicksilver Messenger Service. Formed in San Francisco, California in 1965. Dino Valente, John Cipollina, Jim Murray, Greg Elmore and Gary Duncan. Their highest charting song barely breaking the Billboard Top 50 was “Fresh Air” which climbed to number 49 in 1970.