These People Rock! Trivia Quiz

Answer: People Who Go By 'Rock'

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was born in Hayward, California, in 1972. He is an American actor, businessman, and former professional wrestler and former college football player. Coming from a wrestling dynasty (his father and grandfather were both wrestlers), he rose to global superstardom first in the WWE, then seamlessly transitioned into acting as one of Hollywood's highest-paid. He is well-known for his charismatic screen presence and his versatility beyond the tough-guy roles.

It was in professional wrestling that he earned his nickname 'The Rock'. He became one of the most electrifying and popular figures in WWE history, renowned for his catchphrases, charisma, and athletic prowess. The name 'The Rock' was adopted from his father, Rocky Johnson, cementing his lineage. It also conveyed immense strength and an immovable, formidable presence in the ring.

Answer: People Who Go By 'Rock'

Kid Rock was born Robert James Ritchie, in Romeo, Michigan, in 1971. He is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. Starting as a hip-hop DJ, he evolved into a genre-blending artist, incorporating rock, country, and rap elements. Known for his larger-than-life persona and controversial views, he built a career on rebellious anthems and high-energy performances.

Kid Rock burst into mainstream success with his 1998 album "Devil Without a Cause". His hits like "Bawitdaba" and "All Summer Long" showcased his unique fusion style. The 'Rock' in his moniker is a clear nod to the rock music genre that heavily influenced his sound and stage identity, symbolizing his defiant and hard-edged musical style. Nevertheless, Kid Rock transcends rock music by blending varied genres like rock, rap, country, and blues into a distinctive style that appeals to diverse audiences.

Answer: People Who Go By 'Rock'

Roy Harold Scherer Jr. (1925-1986) was better known as Rock Hudson and was a prominent American actor. He became one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the 1950s and 60s. Known for his handsome looks and tall stature, he became a romantic leading man, and partnered well with superstar actresses like Doris Day and Jane Wyman. His private life, the fact that he was gay, was kept secret during his career, and his death from AIDS brought significant public attention to the disease.

Rock Hudson achieved widespread fame in films like "Giant", "Pillow Talk", and "Send Me No Flowers". His stage name, crafted by his agent, was intended to evoke a strong, masculine image. 'Rock' was chosen for the Rock of Gibraltar, symbolizing solidity, whereas 'Hudson' from the Hudson River, implying grandeur and versatility.

Answer: People Who Go By 'Rock'

Johnny Reed McKinzie Jr. is also known as Jay Rock. He is an American rapper born in Los Angeles in 1985. He is a founding member of the hip-hop supergroup Black Hippy, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q. His early life experiences heavily influenced his lyrical content, often detailing the realities of street life in his community. It wasn't easy for him, growing up in the tough neighbourhood of Watts and being jailed for gang-related activities, but a chance encounter helped him pull out of that life.

Jay Rock's music is characterized by gritty storytelling and a raw, authentic delivery. He gained prominence with albums like "Follow Me Home" and "Redemption", the latter earning him a Grammy nomination. The "Rock" in his name signifies strength, resilience, and a solid foundation, reflecting his unyielding presence in the rap landscape.

Answer: People Who Sing Rock

Ronald "Bon" Scott was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland, in 1946, emigrating to Australia with his family in 1952. He played in several bands, including The Spektors and Fraternity, before joining AC/DC, which became one of AUstralia's most celebrated and iconic rock bands. Known for his distinctive voice and rebellious image, his untimely death in 1980 ended a brief but explosive tenure with the band.

As the lead vocalist of AC/DC from 1974 until his death, Bon Scott defined the band's early sound. Bon Scott made AC/DC stand out with his raw, raspy voice, rebellious charm, and cheeky (though often raunchy) lyrics that embodied the band's wild, no-nonsense rock 'n roll spirit. Sadly, Bon Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy drinking in London.

Answer: People Who Sing Rock

Paul Hewson was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1960. He co-founded the band U2 in 1976 while still in secondary school - you probably recognize him by his stage name, Bono. Beyond his musical career, he became widely recognized for his fervent activism, particularly in global health and poverty eradication. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and engaged extensively with political leaders worldwide.

In music, Bono is the charismatic lead singer of U2, one of the world's most successful rock bands since the 1980s. His powerful vocals and poignant lyrics, often addressing political and spiritual themes, define U2's sound. Despite their massive success, the band has always shared equally in the fame, showing Bono's humble side, when many frontmen before him might have gone on to seek a solo career.

Answer: People Who Sing Rock

Farrokh Bulsara was born in Zanzibar in 1946 (then a British protectorate), spending much of his childhood in India before his family moved to England in 1964. He studied graphic design and immersed himself in London's music scene. This was when he became known as Freddie Mercury. Known for his flamboyant persona and extraordinary talent, he passed away in 1991, leaving an indelible mark on music history.

Freddie was the legendary, larger-than-life frontman of Queen. His unparalleled vocal range, theatrical stage presence, and songwriting prowess made Queen one of rock's greatest bands ever. Freddie's ability to captivate massive audiences with his energy and unique style solidified his icon status. His untimely death in 1991 brought global attention to the AIDS crisis, shattered stigmas about homosexuality, and cemented his legacy as one of the most powerful and beloved voices in rock history. If you need proof, listen to the Queen song "No One But You (Only The Good Die Young)" that the band wrote and performed in his honour.

Answer: People Who Sing Rock

James Newell Osterberg Jr. was born in Muskegon, Michigan, USA, in 1947. He moved to Ann Arbor as a child and began his musical journey as a drummer. Known for his intense stage presence and rebellious spirit, he became a pivotal figure in the proto-punk movement. Despite a turbulent personal life, his notable career made him the godfather of punk rock. You'd know him better as Iggy Pop, a name inspired by his high school band, The Iguanas.

Iggy Pop fronted The Stooges, first performing in 1967. Their raw, aggressive sound, exemplified by albums like "Fun House" and "Raw Power", laid groundwork for punk and alternative rock. Iggy's shirtless, confrontational performances, including self-mutilation and stage diving, became legendary; they influenced countless musicians and cemented his iconic status in rock history.

Answer: People Who Studied Rocks

James Hutton (1726-1797) was a Scottish farmer and physician, who became the "Father of Modern Geology". Born in Edinburgh, he inherited family farms, which sparked his interest in how land sustained itself against erosion. Though his fields of study were medicine and chemistry, his true passion lay in observing natural processes. He spent his later life in his home town, formulating and publishing his revolutionary geological theories, often engaging with other brilliant minds of the era.

Hutton's most profound geological contribution was the concept of uniformitarianism. He argued that Earth's geological features were formed by the same slow, observable processes (like erosion, deposition, and uplift) that are operating today, over immense spans of what he called "deep time". His work, the 1795 "Theory of the Earth", challenged the prevailing catastrophism and Biblical chronology, positing a continuous cycle of destruction and renewal. His observations provided crucial evidence for his theories. This laid the foundation for modern geological understanding.

Answer: People Who Studied Rocks

Alfred Lothar Wegener (1880-1930) was a German meteorologist and geophysicist. He was born in Berlin and he initially studied astronomy. Nevertheless, his interests soon broadened to meteorology and polar research, leading him on multiple expeditions to Greenland. These often foolhardy expeditions, where he conducted meteorological observations that were advanced for his field, ultimately led to his death during an expedition in 1930, at the young age of 50.

Wegener, however, is most renowned for proposing the theory of continental drift in 1912. He observed the apparent 'fit' of continents like South America and Africa (like a jigsaw puzzle) and gathered geological, paleontological (fossil), and palaeoclimatological evidence to support his idea that Earth's continents were once joined in a supercontinent that he called Pangaea. His proposal, that they were slowly drifting apart, was initially met with significant skepticism; they believed that there had been land bridges connecting. Wegener's groundbreaking hypothesis laid the essential foundation for the later development of the theory of plate tectonics.

Answer: People Who Studied Rocks

Sir Charles Lyell (1797-1875) was a geologist from Scotland who was born into a wealthy family. Initially pursuing law, his passion for natural history led him to geology. He travelled extensively, conducting fieldwork throughout Europe and North America. He later served as Professor of Geology at King's College in London. Knighted in 1848, Lyell remained a prominent figure in science until his death and constantly kept improving his theories.

Lyell's immense contribution to geology centers on popularizing uniformitarianism, the idea that Earth's features were shaped by the same slow, observable processes active today, operating over vast timescales. His three-volume "Principles of Geology" revolutionized the field, profoundly influencing Charles Darwin. Lyell also explained causes of earthquakes and volcanoes and coined the names for geological eras: Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic.

Answer: People Who Studied Rocks

Charles Francis Richter (1900-1985) was an American seismologist, physicist, and geologist. Born in Ohio, he moved to Los Angeles as a child. He studied physics at Stanford and Caltech, later joining the Carnegie Institute's Seismological Laboratory. His career at Caltech as a seismology professor cemented his legacy, where he extensively researched earthquakes until his 1970 retirement.

As a geologist, Richter's crowning achievement was the development of the Richter magnitude scale with Beno Gutenberg in 1935. This logarithmic scale (which means that it is not linear) measured earthquake energy, which was different than the existing scales at the time. He co-authored key texts like "Seismicity of the Earth" and "Elementary Seismology", shaping the field. Richter used his knowledge of rocks to make advances in earthquake engineering and improved building codes, significantly contributing to public safety, especially in places like California.