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Quiz about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series Bill Haley

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Bill Haley Quiz

Bill Haley was truly an originator of rock and roll music. This quiz pays respect to this great artist.

A multiple-choice quiz by ralzzz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ralzzz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
189,729

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
282

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Bill Haley was born July 6, 1925. Which state was he born in? Hint

Illinois

Indiana

Minnesota

Michigan

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which country band gave Bill Haley his start in music? Hint

The Country Boys

The Downhomers

The Silk Brothers

The Rockabilly Express

3. Bill Haley found work in Chester, PA as a member of a live music act that played local amusement parks and even had a radio show. What was the name of the band that gave Haley the opportunity to increase his audience by putting him on the radio? Hint

Uncle Lee's Band

Cousin Lee's Band

Father Lee's Band

Brother Lee's Band

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1948, Bill Haley recorded some of his first recordings on the Cowboy record label. What was the name of his backing band? Hint

The Grand Comets

The Grand Aces

The Swinging Medallions

The Four Aces of Western Swing

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1949, Bill Haley formed the band which would become The Comets, his backing band on the classic hit "Rock Around the Clock". What was the name of the first incarnation of The Comets? Hint

The Cowboys

The Rangers

The Ranch Hands

The Saddlemen

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Question 6 of 10

6. Many people consider Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" to be the first rock and roll song ever recorded. However, Haley had recorded a song, in much the same vein three years earlier. What is the name of this song? Hint

Rocket 88

Rock It

Rock Baby

Rocked

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which record label released the song "Rock Around the Clock"? Hint

Atlantic

Polydor

EMI

Decca

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Question 8 of 10

8. When "Rock Around the Clock" was released, it found modest success, but it wasn't until it was included as the title track for a 1955 movie that it really took off. Which film launched the popularity of "Rock Around the Clock"? Hint

Rebel Without a Cause

The Blackboard Jungle

East of Eden

The Seven Year Itch

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Question 9 of 10

9. The song "Rock Around the Clock" found a resurgence in popularity in 1974 when the song was used as the theme of a new television program. Which television program introduced the song to a much younger audience? Hint

Happy Days

Mork and Mindy

Laverne and Shirley

Joanie and Chachi

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Question 10 of 10

10. "Rock Around the Clock" has been covered by literally hundreds of groups including the obvious (The Beatles, Pat Boone and Chubby Checker) and some of the not so obvious (Frank Zappa, The Isley Brothers and The Muppets). One of the most unusual versions of the song was recorded on the album "Great Rock & Roll Swindle" by which punk rock band? Hint

Black Flag

Sex Pistols

The Germs

The Misfits

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Bill Haley was born July 6, 1925. Which state was he born in?

Answer: Michigan

William John Clifton Haley was born in Highland Park, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Haley was born blind in one eye and suffered from terrible shyness. In an effort to shed himself from his introverted personality, he began playing the guitar and developed a love for country music. His guitar playing enabled him to gain confidence and change his personality to a more outgoing person.

2. Which country band gave Bill Haley his start in music?

Answer: The Downhomers

Bill Haley was in The Downhomers from 1944 to 1946 and experienced the joy of recording for the first time with the band. The Downhomers played a brand of country music that became known as cowboy country. Haley was able to join the band because their original guitar player was being drafted into the Army. Kenny Roberts, the original guitarist, later found success as a solo country artist best known for the 1949 hit "I Never See Maggie Alone".

Answer: Cousin Lee's Band

Cousin Lee's Band was looking for a guitar player who could sing, and most importantly yodel. Haley learned how to yodel as a young man, was an accomplished guitar player and could carry a tune, so he was a natural fit for the band.

4. In 1948, Bill Haley recorded some of his first recordings on the Cowboy record label. What was the name of his backing band?

Answer: The Four Aces of Western Swing

Haley began to enjoy some critical success in the late 1940's with the Cowboy releases. The Four Aces of Western Swing were an odd assortment of musicians including an accordion player, a stand-up bass player and a guitar player.

5. In 1949, Bill Haley formed the band which would become The Comets, his backing band on the classic hit "Rock Around the Clock". What was the name of the first incarnation of The Comets?

Answer: The Saddlemen

Bill Haley began wearing a huge, ten-gallon cowboy hat onstage. He wore this huge hat to detract attention from his blind eye. Haley wanted to project a country/western image, while creating a brand new rock and roll sound.

Answer: Rocket 88

"Rocket 88" was recorded in 1951, three years before "Rock Around the Clock". "Rocket 88" was originally written by Jackie Brenston and the Deltacats. Bill Haley recorded the song with his backing band The Saddlemen, giving the song a country swing.

7. Which record label released the song "Rock Around the Clock"?

Answer: Decca

Decca had the rights to many artists beside Bill Haley including: Bing Crosby, Guy Lombardo, Ethel Waters and The Dorsey Brothers.

Answer: The Blackboard Jungle

"The Blackboard Jungle" is the original movie about a high school ruled by rowdy and thuggish students. When a new teacher is brought in, he vows to clean up the school and restore order. He is faced with many traumatic ordeals in his quest to regain control of the school. The movie starred Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow and Glen Ford.

Answer: Happy Days

"Happy Days" was the television program about the Cunningham's, an average mid-western family, and their interaction with the motorcycle riding, leather jacket wearing Arthur Fonzarelli.

Answer: Sex Pistols

"Great Rock & Roll Swindle" featured many covers of rock and roll standards, performed in classic Sex Pistols style. The album provided the musical backdrop to the band's pseudo-documentary recorded in 1979.

Source: Author ralzzz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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