Back to School - Rock Music Quiz | Something in Common

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1980, The Clash had a hit with 'Silicone on Al2O3'...hmmmm....what little gem was the silicone on?

Answer: Sapphire

The word 'sapphire' comes from the Greek 'sappheiros' meaning blue stone. Interestingly, sapphires occur in different colours, determined by other elements present. To achieve greater clarity, sapphires are usually heated.

The Clash were an English band of the '70s. What I think is amusing (my sense of humour!) is that the band had members with the surnames 'Strummer', 'Chimes', and 'Harper'.

2. What tribute album to Janis Joplin was released posthumously by her backing band, Full Tilt Boogie, and had the same name as the birthstone of June?

Answer: Pearl

Pearls come in a number of shapes, including round, pear and drop. Pearls of irregular shape are known as 'baroque'.

Born in Texas in 1943, Janis Joplin was, sadly, one of the so-called '27' club of artists who died at the age of 27.

3. Kayhan Kalhor composed 'Blue as the "Hydrated Copper Aluminum Phosphate" Night of Neyshabur'....er...can you translate? What stone did he use to describe the night?

Answer: Turquoise

There are several suggestions as to how turquoise can by its name - one is that it was named for the country, Turkey. It has been mined for centuries in Iran (formerly Persia), though the largest producer of turquoise in recent times is the USA.

Kayhan Kalhor is an Iranian musician; Silk Road Ensemble did an amazing cover of 'Blue as the Turqoise Night of Neyshabur'. It lasts a bit over 21 minutes.

4. Whom did Kenny Rogers implore not to take her love to town?

Answer: Ruby

'Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town' was originally recorded by Johnny Darrell, in 1967, and relates the story of a disabled war veteran. The Kenny Rogers version is probably the most recognisable, however.

Rubies are chiefly mined in Burma (Myanmar) and those of particularly intense colour are known as 'pigeon's blood'.

5. Squarepusher may not have known that the nephrite he was playing 'goodnight' to actually comes in a wide variety of colours from white and yellow to blue, and of course, the more common shades of green. Which stone, which measures about 6 on Mohs' scale, was the music serenading?

Answer: Jade

Although Jade is now valued for its beauty, it was previously more valued for its toughness and was used extensively for making weapons and tools.

Tom Jenkinson (Squarepusher) started recording in 1994.

6. You'd think the next rock in question might be found in Bengal, but it's a yellow-brown quartz variety that Esthero sang about, in her song 'Amber and ...what'?

Answer: Tiger's Eye

Tiger Eye is a type of quartz rock that may contain layers of other minerals (tiger iron, mined in South Africa and Western Australia, contains haematite (iron oxide) and jasper) which create the layers that give the stones their beauty. It is the anniversary gemstone for the ninth year of marriage.

"Eye of the Tiger" was also a song by American rock band Survivor.

7. SiO2 Rock Star? What variety of quartz did Saul Williams sing about, also the birthstone of February babies?

Answer: Amethyst

"Amethyst Rock Star" is the first album of Saul Williams.

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz that was formerly listed among the 'cardinal' stones due to its rarity. The discovery of large deposits of has reduced its value significantly.

8. Though the possibility of there being a hidden message in the song has been widely conjectured, it's generally acknlowledged that the title was inspired by the 4-year old son of the John Lennon. What is the song in question?

Answer: "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" - The Beatles

Snopes.com gives the suggestion that the title of the song refers to LSD. John Lennon explained that his son, Julian, had brought home a picture which he had called 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' and John had decided to write a song about it.

Real diamonds are the hardest mineral, rated 10 on Mohs' scale, and has the chemical formula 'C'.

9. Steve Kaetzel wrote a piece about a black variety of which precious stone, extensively mined in Coober Pedy, Australia, and the national gem of Australia?

Answer: Opal

Opal is rated 6-7 on the Mohs' scale. The Andamooka Opal was presented to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her first visit to Australia in 1954, and the opal alone (without the gold and diamond setting) weighed 203 carats (40.6 grams).

Steve Kaetzel writes electronic dance music, though he started off as a sound designer for video games.

10. Fleetwood Mac crooned a song about a girl with 'Be3Al2(SiO3)6' eyes. Makes me wonder if she was from Ireland. What colour were this mystery girl's eyes?

Answer: Emerald

Emerald is a green variety of beryl, and usually gets its green colour from chromium impurities. Other varieties of beryl include the rare red beryl, aquamarine (pale blue), and morganite (pink).

Fleetwood Mac have provided great songs since 1967; though the personnel have changed, the two who have remained consistently are Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.

Source: Author VegemiteKid

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Back to School - Rock Music Trivia Quiz

Sit up straight, class! Today's topic is the strange phenomenon of the occurrence of rocks in music. That's right! Rock music. Now, make sure you answer in chorus!

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