Breaking Up is Hard to Do Trivia Quiz

Answer: Graham Nash

Born in 1942, Graham Nash co-founded The Hollies in 1962 with school friend Allan Clarke. The band, based in Manchester (UK), became popular in their home country and continental Europe, and achieved success in the US with the release of the single "Bus Stop" in 1966. At the time of writing, the band is still active, though Clarke left in 2000 for family reasons.

In 1967, tensions arose because of differences in opinion regarding the band's musical direction. Nash had written the song "Marrakesh Express", which was turned down for not being commercial enough. This led to his leaving in 1968, and teaming up with American musicians David Crosby (formerly of The Byrds) and Stephen Stills (formerly of Buffalo Springfield). The new supergroup, named (rather unimaginatively) Crosby, Stills & Nash, released their debut album in May 1969: it included "Marrakesh Express" - which, rather ironically, became one of the album's two Top 40 singles (the other was "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"). Canadian musician Neil Young, also a former member of Buffalo Springfield, joined the trio in 1969. Both the original trio and the quartet disbanded and reformed several times: sadly, David Crosby's passing on 18 January 2023 put an end to any plans of reuniting either lineup.

Answer: Eric Clapton

Also known by the nickname of Slowhand, Eric Clapton was born in 1945. He joined the Yardbirds in 1963, replacing original guitarist Top Topson, one of the band's founders, and remained with them until 1965. His departure was due to his dissatisfaction with the more radio-friendly direction the band was taking, while he was more interested in playing blues-rock. After one year with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, an influential outfit that had other major British rock musicians among its members, Clapton formed Cream - the quintessential power trio - with bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker, both former members of the Graham Bond Organization.

Though they lasted only three years (1966-1968), Cream left a lasting imprint on rock music. All three members of the band were renowned for their instrumental proficiency; Jack Bruce, the main songwriter, was also an excellent singer. Unfortunately, Bruce and Baker were also known for their volatile relationship, which eventually led to Cream's breakup after a farewell tour. A few months later, Clapton and Baker formed another supergroup, Blind Faith, with former Traffic members Steve Winwood and Ric Grech - which, however, lasted only until October 1969. Clapton would go on to enjoy a successful solo career - not before producing another landmark rock album with Derek and the Dominos, "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" (1970), which also featured contributions by Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band.

Answer: Keith Emerson

Born in 1944, Keith Emerson was already an accomplished keyboardist with a background in jazz and classical music when he formed The Nice in 1967. The quartet's sound, based on the reinterpretation of classical music themes, was driven by Emerson's instrument of choice, the Hammond organ, which he played with theatrical flair. Emerson's antics became legendary on the British rock scene of the late Sixties: he produced sound effects by hitting the instrument, playing it upside down, and wedging knives into the keyboard. Among the best-known pieces recorded by The Nice there is an instrumental rearrangement of Leonard Bernstein's "America" (from "West Side Story").

In 1970, Emerson left The Nice (which eventually disbanded), and joined forces with two other high-profile musicians - bassist/vocalist Greg Lake (formerly of King Crimson) and drummer Carl Palmer (formerly of Atomic Rooster) - to form Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Though so over the top as to prove divisive even among progressive rock fans, ELP (as they were called for short) were immensely successful - both for their album releases and their extravagant live shows. When ELP disbanded in 1979, Emerson embarked on a solo career, which included several supergroups, a couple of ELP reunions, and soundtrack work. Sadly, in the 1990s he began suffering from a nerve condition that affected his right hand. Though later his condition seemed to have improved, on 11 March 2016 a depressed and anxious Emerson took his own life at the age of 71. Greg Lake died of cancer a few months later, in December 2016.

Answer: Ronnie Wood

Born in 1947, Ronald "Ronnie" Wood began playing guitar in bands when still in his teens. In 1967, he joined the Jeff Beck Group as a rhythm guitarist and occasional bassist, recording two influential albums, "Truth" (1968) and "Beck-Ola" (1969). When the group split up in 1969, Wood and lead singer Rod Stewart teamed up with former Small Faces members Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones to form Faces. In this new band, Wood took up the role of lead guitarist. The Faces disbanded in 1973, though Wood and the other band members appeared on Stewart's first few solo albums.

In 1974, Wood released a solo album, "I've Got My Own Album to Do", with an impressive list of guest musician that included former Beatle George Harrison, and Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones. Richards eventually invited Wood to replace Mick Taylor, who had left the Stones in 1975; Wood became a permanent member of the band in 1976. Besides his tenure with the Stones, Wood has released a number of solo albums, and has also been active as a writer and visual artist. In 2021, Wood also reunited with Rod Stewart and Kenney Jones to record new music under the Faces name.

Answer: Christine McVie

Born Christine Perfect in 1943, in the 1960s Christine McVie was one of the few women on the English rock scene that was a songwriter and musician in her own right rather than just a band's frontwoman. A classically-trained pianist, Christine started playing in bands when she was attending art school, and joined blues band Chicken Shack in 1967. After recording two albums with the band, and receiving widespread acclaim for both her singing and her playing, in 1969 she left Chicken Shack to join Fleetwood Mac, another blues-rock band co-founded in 1967 by her then-husband, bassist John McVie.

At the time, Fleetwood Mac were trying to cope with the departure of guitarist Peter Green, and were on the verge of splitting up. Christine's arrival gave them a new lease on life; though she had collaborated with the band in the past, she was first credited as a full member on the album "Future Games" (1971). The band eventually left England to move to California: in 1972, vocalist Stevie Nicks and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham joined, creating a lineup that would record a string of extremely successful albums - such as 1977's record-breaking "Rumours". Though the McVies' marriage ended, Christine and Stevie Nicks formed a strong artistic and personal bond that lasted until Christine's death on 30 November 2022, at the age of 79.

Answer: Paul Rodgers

Often described as one of rock's greatest singers, Paul Rodgers was born in 1949. Though he started out playing bass in a band called The Roadrunners, he was convinced by his bandmates to take up lead vocal duties - which he did with flying colours. In 1968, Rodgers joined drummer Simon Kirke and guitarist Paul Kossoff to form the band that would be known as Free. At 18, Rodgers and Kirke were the oldest members of the band; Kossoff was 17, and bassist Andy Fraser was 15. Free's classic lineup released five studio albums and one live album between 1969 and 1972; their last album, "Heartbreaker", was released by a different lineup.

Free disbanded twice, in 1971 and then in 1973. After the final breakup, Rodgers and Kirke formed Bad Company with bassist Boz Burrell (formerly of King Crimson) and guitarist Mick Ralphs (formerly of Mott the Hoople). The band was originally signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label, and had the same manager, Peter Grant. Rodgers remained with Bad Company until 1982, recording six studio albums with them. In the 1980s, Rodgers released a solo album, then joined another supergroup, The Firm, which also featured former Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. In the 2000s he joined Brian May and Roger Taylor in Queen+Paul Rodgers; then, in the 2010s, he rejoined Bad Company.

Answer: Joe Walsh

Born in 1947, Joe Walsh started playing guitar at the age of 10, and played in several bands while attending Kent State University (Ohio). In 1968, he replaced guitarist Glenn Schwartz in the James Gang, a band based in Cleveland. With Walsh on board, the band achieved some measure of success, releasing three albums between 1969 and 1971. After leaving the James Gang in 1971, Walsh formed Barnstorm, a power trio that lasted until 1975; the second of the two albums recorded by Barnstorm, "The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get" (1973), was marketed under Walsh's name, and featured the single "Rocky Mountain Way".

In 1975, Walsh was invited to replace original guitarist Bernie Leadon in the Eagles. With the California-based band he recorded three studio albums - the first of which was the best-selling "Hotel California". The lengthy guitar solo at the end of the title-track was born as an improvisation by Walsh and the band's other guitarist, Don Felder. Walsh reignited his solo career in the years leading to the release of the album's follow-up, "The Long Run" (1979), and continued releasing albums after the band's breakup in 1980. Walsh rejoined the Eagles in the late 1990s, and appeared on the band's 2007 album "Long Road Out of Eden".

Answer: Gregg Rolie

Born in 1947, Gregg Rolie may not be as much of a household name as some of the musicians mentioned in this quiz. However, anyone familiar with Santana's career-defining appearance at Woodstock in 1969 will remember Rolie's performance on lead vocals and on the Hammond organ. In 1967, Rolie joined the Santana Blues Band (later shortened to Santana) with Mexican-born guitarist Carlos Santana and a number of other musicians. The band released three highly acclaimed albums between 1969 and 1971; Rolie's voice can be heard on well-known songs such as the Fleetwood Mac cover "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va". However, Santana's change of direction with the 1972 album "Caravanserai" - in which the band experimented with jazz-fusion - led to Rolie's departure.

In 1973, Rolie teamed up with another ex-Santana bandmate, guitarist Neal Schon, to form Journey. The band's original lineup also included English drummer Aysnley Dunbar, known for having played with a slew of distinguished rock bands and artists. Rolie remained with Journey until 1980, releasing eight studio albums with them; he was the primary lead singer on the first four Journey albums. After leaving Journey, he released a number of solo albums; then, from 2012 to 2021, he toured with supergroup Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. In 2016, Santana's classic lineup (including Rolie) reunited to release "Santana IV".

Answer: David Lee Roth

Known as one of the most riveting rock frontmen, David Lee Roth was born in 1954. When his family moved to Pasadena, California, he met Dutch-born brothers Alex and Edward Van Halen, and eventually joined the band in which the brothers were playing - originally named Mammoth, but renamed Van Halen in 1973. In 1976, KISS bassist Gene Simmons took the band under his wing, helping them to produce a demo tape whose tracks would later appear on Van Halen's first three albums. The band's self-titled debut album (1978) earned them considerable attention, as did their highly energetic live shows - in which the blond-maned, often bare-chested Roth displayed his acrobatic skill and macho sex appeal.

After a run of six highly successful studio albums - culminating with the best-selling "1984" - creative differences led to Roth's departure in 1985. The singer's solo career took off with the albums "Eat 'Em and Smile" (1986) and "Skyscraper" (1988), recorded with a virtuoso supergroup that included guitarist Steve Vai. Things, however, started to peter out for Roth soon afterwards. Although a brief reunion with Van Halen in 1996 did not pan out, the singer finally rejoined the band in 2007. In spite of successful tours and the release of an album, "A Different Kind of Truth", in 2015, Van Halen came to an end with Eddie Van Halen's untimely death from cancer on 6 October 2020. David Lee Roth retired from performing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is still active as a recording artist.

Answer: Ritchie Blackmore

Born in 1945, Richard "Ritchie" Blackmore is responsible for prompting a slew of people (young or otherwise) to pick up a guitar by creating one of rock's quintessential guitar riffs - the one found in the song "Smoke on the Water". In 1967, together with keyboardist Jon Lord, he was one of the founders of Deep Purple, a band that would later become one of the pioneers of hard rock. He was also the one who suggested "Deep Purple" - the title of a 1930s song - as a name for the band. A charismatic musician and performer, nicknamed the "Man in Black" for his preference for black stage outfits, Blackmore was also notorious for his prickly character, which caused increasing tensions within the band - especially with lead vocalist Ian Gillan.

In 1975, less than thrilled with the soul- and funk-influenced direction Deep Purple were taking, Blackmore left the band, and formed Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (later shortened to Rainbow) - a band that featured four-fifths of American blues-rock outfit Elf, including legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio (who sadly passed away in 2010). Known for frequent lineup changes, Rainbow - originally a hard rock band with folk, classical and medieval music influences - achieved a decent measure of commercial success in the early 1980s. Rainbow disbanded when Deep Purple reunited in 1984, but were reformed when Blackmore quit again in 1993, releasing an album in 1995. Blackmore then formed folk rock outfit Blackmore's Night - in which he mainly plays acoustic instruments - with his partner (now wife) Candice Night.