Supergroups Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cream

Cream established the blueprint for the rock supergroup. Formed in 1966, Cream consisted of:

- Eric Clapton (lead guitar and occasional vocals for The Yardbirds; lead guitar and featured vocalist for John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers)
- Jack Bruce (lead vocals, bass, and harmonica for Graham Bond Organisation; bass guitar for Manfred Mann)
- Ginger Baker (drums for Graham Bond Organisation)

This groundbreaking trio featured three musical virtuosos, using no supporting players.

Despite only existing from 1966-1968, Cream recorded multiple all-time classic songs such as "Sunshine of Your Love", "Crossroads", "Strange Brew", and "Badge".

Answer: Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

The supergroup consisted of:

- David Crosby (vocals, guitar for The Byrds)
- Stephen Stills (lead guitar, vocals, keyboards, bass for Buffalo Springfield)
- Graham Nash (guitar, vocals for The Hollies)
- Neil Young (lead vocals, lead guitar for Buffalo Springfield)

Founded in 1969, it only took one year for them to produce a number one album, 1970's "Deja Vu".

Each member contributed significantly as all four were strong lead singers, accomplished songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists.

Answer: Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Formed in 1970, Emerson, Lake & Palmer consisted of:

- Keith Emerson (The Nice)
- Greg Lake (King Crimson)
- Carl Palmer (Atomic Rooster)

Before they ever recorded an album, their first appearance was at the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1970--generating significant buzz because all three members came from prominent progressive rock bands at the time.

Fun fact: The band strongly considered inviting Jimi Hendrix to join the group, but that dream was short lived...Hendrix died in September 1970 before it ever had a chance to be a possibility.

Answer: The Traveling Wilburys

Perhaps the ultimate All-Star Band, The Traveling Wilburys were formed in 1988 by:

- George Harrison (lead guitar, lead and harmony vocals for the Beatles)
- Jeff Lynne (lead vocals, guitar for Electric Light Orchestra)
- Roy Orbison (lead vocals as a solo artist)
- Tom Petty (lead vocals, guitar for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
- Bob Dylan (lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica as a solo artist)

Recording a B-side track for his single "This is Love", George Harrison asked Jeff Lynne to produce the record. During the recording, they recruited friends that happened to be nearby--Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan--to join the session. The resulting song, "Handle with Care" was too good for a B-side, so the friends decided to record an entire album.

Answer: Bad Company

The first supergroup to become a stadium-rock giant, Bad Company was formed in 1973 by:

- Paul Rodgers (lead vocalist for Free)
- Mick Ralphs (lead guitar for Mott the Hoople)
- Simon Kirke (drummer for Free)
- Boz Burrell (bass guitar, vocals for King Crimson)

Shortly after the breakup of Free, Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs started writing songs together, and had immediate chemistry. Ralphs left Mott the Hoople, frustrated that his songs weren't being recorded by the group. After Kirke and Burrell joined, it didn't take long for Led Zepplin's manager, Peter Grant, to take notice--he signed them to Swan Song Records.

Bad Company became a major recording act and stadium-tour supergroup for decades.

Answer: Asia

Formed in 1981, Asia consisted of:

- John Wetton (lead vocals, bass guitar for King Crimson and Uriah Heep; bass for Roxy Music)
- Steve Howe (lead guitar for Yes)
- Carl Palmer (drums for Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
- Geoff Downes (keyboards for The Buggles)

The supergroup became one of the most notable groups of the 80s, with songs such as "Heat of the Moment", "Don't Cry", "Wildest Dreams", and "Only Time Will Tell".

Answer: Temple of the Dog

Formed in 1990 as a tribute to late Mother Love Bone singer, Andrew Wood, Temple of the Dog consisted of:

- Chris Cornell (lead vocals for Soundgarden)
- Eddie Vedder (lead vocals for Pearl Jam)
- Jeff Ament (bass guitar for Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam)
- Stone Gossard (guitar for Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam)
- Mike McCready (lead guitars for Pearl Jam)
- Matt Cameron (drums for Soundgarden)

1990 was a big year for the Seattle grunge movement. While rehearsing together to form Pearl Jam, members Vedder, Ament, Gossard, and McCready were simultaneously recording with friends from Soundgarden for Temple of the Dog. Their hit "Hunger Strike" includes the first known major studio appearance for singer Eddie Vedder.

Answer: Audioslave

Formed in 2001, Audioslave consisted of:

- Chris Cornell (lead vocals for Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog)
- Tom Morello (lead guitar for Rage Against the Machine)
- Tim Commerford (bass guitar for Rage Against the Machine)
- Brad Wilk (drums for Rage Against the Machine)

When singer Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine, producer Rick Rubin suggested Chris Cornell. The chemistry was immediate, and within just a few weeks the group had written a full album with multiple hits including "Like a Stone", "Show Me How to Live", "Cochise", and "I Am the Highway". In total, the group produced three very successful records.

Surprisingly, Audioslave was able to create its own unique identity by mixing grunge and hard rock, completely separating it from the legendary bands from which it evolved.

Answer: Velvet Revolver

Formed in 2002, Audioslave consisted of:

- Scott Weiland (lead vocals for Stone Temple Pilots)
- Slash (lead guitar for Guns N Roses)
- Duff McKagan (bass guitar for Guns N Roses)
- Matt Sorum (drums for The Cult and Guns N Roses)
- Dave Kushner (guitar for Wasted Youth)

After years of in-fighting and unrest in Guns N Roses, McKagan and Sorum wanted to start a new band--initially playing with singer Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. Eventually, Scott Weiland joined the group and meshed perfectly with the Guns N Roses musicians.

Velvet Revolver was one of the most commercially successful supergroups of the 2000s, with hits such as "Slither", "Fall to Pieces", and "Dirty Little Thing"

Answer: The Firm

Formed in 1984, The Firm consisted of:
- Paul Rodgers (lead vocals for Bad Company, Free)
- Jimmy Page (lead guitar for Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds)
- Chris Slade (drums for Uriah Heep, Manfred Mann's Earth Band)
- Tony Franklin (bass for The Jimmy Page Band, premier session musician)

Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page had discussed the idea of pairing up since the late 1960s. When Led Zeppelin and Bad Company disbanded, it presented the perfect time to join forces in The Firm--agreeing to create their own sound and not play any of their past bands' music--they wanted to stand "firm" on their own merits.

The group put out two albums and had a huge hit with "Radioactive", but unfortunately represents one of rock's biggest "what if?" collaborations.