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Quiz about Looking for Clues at Mythical Music Murder Scenes
Quiz about Looking for Clues at Mythical Music Murder Scenes

Looking for Clues at Mythical Music Murder Scenes Quiz


Joe "I'm Just Looking for Clues at the Scene of the Crime" Walsh left music to join MUSIC - Murders Unsolved Special Investigation Corps. Ten of his most famous cases; could you have solved them?

A multiple-choice quiz by Mutchisman. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
Mutchisman
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
292,559
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
26985
Awards
Editor's Choice
Last 3 plays: SueLane (10/10), J_Town (9/10), Eruditio (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. One of Joe's early cases was investigating the murder of a politician in Detroit, USA.
It had become apparent almost as soon as he had been "Elected" that this guy was going to renege on all his election promises. Maybe a disaffected voter had done the deed for the message "No More Mr Nice Guy" had been pinned to the dead man's lapel.
At first the cause of death was something of a mystery but Joe soon caught a faint whiff of bitter almond near the body; "That smells like cyanide!" said Joe, "I might have known this joker would use "Poison" but at least the method gives this killer away. He usually uses a woman's name as an alias but his real name is ___."
Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Joe once had to investigate an unusual method of death in Sheffield, England.
An "S.O.S." had been reported and the victim was actually still alive although in great distress when the medics and police arrived. They immediately checked his ABC - Airway, Breathing and Circulation but it was to no avail; the victim's convulsions grew worse and he died on the floor. "Stranger Things" have happened but now in death and out of pain he looked peaceful with "The Look of Love" on his face.
When Joe arrived it was clear that this was no "Beauty Stab" but a rare toxin had been detected in the bloodstream. ""Vanity Kills"," said Joe sardonically, "but it's not as deadly as this!"
Further investigation revealed the toxin to be animal based - from a Phyllobates species in fact.
What had been used for this rare cause of death?
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. One "Sunny Afternoon" Joe was called to investigate the "Death of a Clown" near Soho in London. His neighbours in a "Dead End Street" had reported a disturbance. They had noticed a 'woman' entering the clown's home but were rather confused by the "dark brown voice" that came from the house during the violent argument that followed. They heard the clown shouting "Aarrggh! you're hurting me; "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks now just let go!" Then there was silence, the same 'woman' left the building and when the police arrived the clown was dead. Joe had heard enough to name his chief suspect. Do you know who it was? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. A gang of street-robbers proved a tough nut for Joe to crack in Philadelphia, USA.
This gang attacked people "For the Love of Money" and always used the same modus operandi. They would attack from the rear and assault their victim with a sharp object. They were indiscriminate in their attacks and victims ranged from a girl called "Brandy" to a "Lonely Drifter". Because of their M.O. the press labelled the gang "The Backstabbers" but before Joe could act he had to find out what the gang called themselves; could you have helped?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. This case involved the possible threat of a murder rather than an actual murder.
One of Joe's first missions was to protect a VIP whom we had better call "Alison". She had received some thinly veiled threatening letters from an unknown source. There was nothing too specific, but notes like "You had better be careful; "Accidents Will Happen"!" and "Don't stop moving; "My Aim Is True"!" didn't leave too much to the imagination.
The authorities took these threats seriously enough to task Joe with organising a lookout team. It soon became clear that someone was "Watching the Detectives" even as they were watching out for "Alison". Joe's men set a trap and caught a likely suspect wearing a "Green Shirt".
"What's your name?" asked Joe
"Elvis!" replied the man
"Don't try and be clever with me," said Joe, "I'll give you one more chance..."
"It is El..." began the man then thought better of it; "OK my real name is ___."
Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Joe's team were certainly put "Under Pressure" when they had to investigate the death of the unpredictable lead singer of the band Freecloud.
The "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud" was found in "The Motel" room with multiple wounds. Joe's gallows-humour was again to the fore as he took one look at the body and said "Well, this certainly ain't no "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"; there ain't no way he could "Survive" this".
"Of "All the Madmen" around here I'd hazard a guess that this is the work of "The Bewlay Brothers" with their catchphrase "We Prick You"!"
Joe had to find the murder weapon and sure enough he retrieved an object from inside the "Cactus" pot. He looked carefully to see the initials DJ on the suspicious object. What had he found?
Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The shooting of lawman John Brown in Jamaica caused Joe a few headaches.
There was no doubt that the officer had been shot dead but, unusually, there was a plethora of people wanting to take responsibility. Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Warren G, Light of the World, The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) were just some of the people willing to come forward and say "I Shot the Sheriff".
As Bob Marley seemed to be the only one with true local knowledge of the shooting his account was believed to be the authentic version. What mitigating circumstance did Bob Marley claim?
Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. As Joe's fame spread he was often the target for pranksters and hoax phone calls; this was just one example.
Joe answered the phone to hear;
"Hey Joe, you better get yourself down here! You know Garth has always had "Friends in Low Places" but this just beats all. Some of them have captured him, Trisha too, and they're planning on putting them in a massive cauldron and then boiling them up cannibal style! You just gotta come and help them..."
Joe slammed the phone down angrily "I ain't that stupid," he said, "some fool wants me to believe they're ___!"
Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. This strange case was reported from England.
A girl's bruised and battered body had been found in an almost empty room. Apart from the unfortunate girl the only thing in the room was an acoustic guitar inside a case.
Original copies of songs "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover" were found inside the guitar case but enquiries showed that the guitar had been stolen some time previously from a man named James.
Joe had to assume the girl had been assaulted with a ___?
Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. A gang of deadly arsonists proved very "Slippery People" to catch.
Their crimes were committed in various "Cities" and Joe seemed to be on the "Road to Nowhere" in his attempts to catch them. However he received a tip-off from some Talking Heads who told him where they would strike next.
"This Must Be the Place" he said to his colleagues and, sure enough, they arrived just as the arsonists were in the act of "Burning Down the House".
They quickly cornered two of the gang but the other two escaped without being apprehended...
"Listen copper," said one of the captured men, "I might start fires but I ain't no "Psycho Killer" and I ain't no grass either; I ain't telling you where to find them!"
But Joe already knew where he could find them; do you?
Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. One of Joe's early cases was investigating the murder of a politician in Detroit, USA. It had become apparent almost as soon as he had been "Elected" that this guy was going to renege on all his election promises. Maybe a disaffected voter had done the deed for the message "No More Mr Nice Guy" had been pinned to the dead man's lapel. At first the cause of death was something of a mystery but Joe soon caught a faint whiff of bitter almond near the body; "That smells like cyanide!" said Joe, "I might have known this joker would use "Poison" but at least the method gives this killer away. He usually uses a woman's name as an alias but his real name is ___."

Answer: Vincent Furnier

Vincent Furnier is probably better known as Alice Cooper, who has had successful hit singles with "Elected", "No More Mr Nice Guy" and "Poison".
Vincent Furnier was born in Detroit, Michigan although I should make it clear he has never been responsible for anyone's death in Detroit (or anywhere else). He does have a criminal record however; it's called "School's Out"!
Peter Robinson had better chart success as a woman; he had a worldwide hit with "Calling Your Name" in the early 'eighties when he called himself Marilyn.
Daniel Carroll is probably better known as Irish drag impersonator Danny La Rue. He took a version of "On Mother Kelly's Doorstep" into the British charts in 1968.
Farrokh Bulsara is much better known as Freddie Mercury, the original lead singer with Queen. Who can forget Freddie dressed as a woman in the video for "I Want to Break Free"? An absolute classic.
2. Joe once had to investigate an unusual method of death in Sheffield, England. An "S.O.S." had been reported and the victim was actually still alive although in great distress when the medics and police arrived. They immediately checked his ABC - Airway, Breathing and Circulation but it was to no avail; the victim's convulsions grew worse and he died on the floor. "Stranger Things" have happened but now in death and out of pain he looked peaceful with "The Look of Love" on his face. When Joe arrived it was clear that this was no "Beauty Stab" but a rare toxin had been detected in the bloodstream. ""Vanity Kills"," said Joe sardonically, "but it's not as deadly as this!" Further investigation revealed the toxin to be animal based - from a Phyllobates species in fact. What had been used for this rare cause of death?

Answer: Poison Arrow

The band ABC (nothing to do with Airway, Breathing and Circulation) were formed in Sheffield, England by Martin Fry and various members of the band Vice Versa.
They had several hits in the 'eighties and 'nineties including "The Look of Love", "S.O.S.", "Stranger Things", "Vanity Kills" and of course "Poison Arrow". "Beauty Stab" was the title of their second album.
Various toxins are known to be used for the poisonous tips of arrows and darts. Some are plant based but the most notorious are probably obtained from the Phyllobates genus of frogs found only in South America.
"Black Widow" is a song by Motley Crue and "Snakebite" is by Whitesnake.
Fugu is the Japanese term for the meat from a pufferfish. If the fish is not prepared/cooked properly it can become deadly poisonous! There is a band named after this rather discomforting dish.
3. One "Sunny Afternoon" Joe was called to investigate the "Death of a Clown" near Soho in London. His neighbours in a "Dead End Street" had reported a disturbance. They had noticed a 'woman' entering the clown's home but were rather confused by the "dark brown voice" that came from the house during the violent argument that followed. They heard the clown shouting "Aarrggh! you're hurting me; "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks now just let go!" Then there was silence, the same 'woman' left the building and when the police arrived the clown was dead. Joe had heard enough to name his chief suspect. Do you know who it was?

Answer: Lola

"Lola" was written by Ray Davies of The Kinks and tells the tale of a young man's encounter with a transvestite he met in a club in Soho, London;

"She walked up to me and she asked me to dance
I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said "Lola.""

Joe had to admit the evidence here is somewhat circumstantial as there is no suggestion that Lola is a killer (in the literal sense) in the song but the other listed choices are all definitely women and not men. A useful tip in case you ever have to kill a clown is to grab them by The Kinks - if it doesn't kill them immediately it will at least disable them "All Day and All of the Night"!
"Death of a Clown" was co-written by Ray and Dave Davies but actually released as a single by Dave (UK number three in '67). The song appeared on The Kinks album "Something Else by The Kinks" and can be found on several compilation albums.
"Layla" is by Derek and The Dominoes (AKA Eric Clapton).
"Laura" is by Nick Heyward and "Lydia" is by Dean Friedman.
4. A gang of street-robbers proved a tough nut for Joe to crack in Philadelphia, USA. This gang attacked people "For the Love of Money" and always used the same modus operandi. They would attack from the rear and assault their victim with a sharp object. They were indiscriminate in their attacks and victims ranged from a girl called "Brandy" to a "Lonely Drifter". Because of their M.O. the press labelled the gang "The Backstabbers" but before Joe could act he had to find out what the gang called themselves; could you have helped?

Answer: The O'Jays

The O'Jays were originally formed in Canton Ohio in the late 1950s but played a leading role in what became known as 'The Philadelphia Sound' in the '70s. Their first UK hit was "Backstabbers" in 1972 although they had charted before this in the US with hits such as "Lonely Drifter" and "For the Love of Money".

There was uproar in the courtroom when the judge gave a non-custodial sentence on The O'Jays and gave them community service. This ultimately proved to be a wise decision however as soon afterwards they were riding the "Love Train" with their violence a thing of the past.
5. This case involved the possible threat of a murder rather than an actual murder. One of Joe's first missions was to protect a VIP whom we had better call "Alison". She had received some thinly veiled threatening letters from an unknown source. There was nothing too specific, but notes like "You had better be careful; "Accidents Will Happen"!" and "Don't stop moving; "My Aim Is True"!" didn't leave too much to the imagination. The authorities took these threats seriously enough to task Joe with organising a lookout team. It soon became clear that someone was "Watching the Detectives" even as they were watching out for "Alison". Joe's men set a trap and caught a likely suspect wearing a "Green Shirt". "What's your name?" asked Joe "Elvis!" replied the man "Don't try and be clever with me," said Joe, "I'll give you one more chance..." "It is El..." began the man then thought better of it; "OK my real name is ___."

Answer: Declan Macmanus

Declan MacManus is probably better known as Elvis Costello. In this guise he has had many chart successes with both singles and albums. "Alison" was on his first album and contains the lyric "my aim is true" which was the title of that album. "Accidents Will Happen" was a single taken from the "Armed Forces" album as was "Green Shirt". "Watching the Detectives" was a stand alone single in 1977.
Elvis Costello was questioned by Joe's team but released without charge; his friends proved to be a real "Alibi Factory".
Brandon Flowers is the lead singer with The Killers.
Hugh Cornwell was the original singer with The Stranglers.
According to Roberta Flack, Don McLean had tried to despatch her with a most unusual method; she said he was "Killing Me Softly with His Song". The case was thrown out of court.
6. Joe's team were certainly put "Under Pressure" when they had to investigate the death of the unpredictable lead singer of the band Freecloud. The "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud" was found in "The Motel" room with multiple wounds. Joe's gallows-humour was again to the fore as he took one look at the body and said "Well, this certainly ain't no "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"; there ain't no way he could "Survive" this". "Of "All the Madmen" around here I'd hazard a guess that this is the work of "The Bewlay Brothers" with their catchphrase "We Prick You"!" Joe had to find the murder weapon and sure enough he retrieved an object from inside the "Cactus" pot. He looked carefully to see the initials DJ on the suspicious object. What had he found?

Answer: Bowie knife

"Under Pressure" (with Queen), "Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud", "The Motel", "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", "Survive", "The Bewlay Brothers", "All the Madmen", "We Prick You" and "Cactus" are all songs from David Bowie. David's real name is David Jones but to avoid confusion with Davy Jones from The Monkees chose to call himself Bowie.

It is reported that he named himself after Jim Bowie, the creator of the famous Bowie knife who was killed at The Alamo. 'Monkee Wrench' has nothing to do with the aforementioned Davy Jones and should really be monkey wrench (or as we in the UK prefer "adjustable spanner").
7. The shooting of lawman John Brown in Jamaica caused Joe a few headaches. There was no doubt that the officer had been shot dead but, unusually, there was a plethora of people wanting to take responsibility. Bob Marley, Eric Clapton, Warren G, Light of the World, The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello) were just some of the people willing to come forward and say "I Shot the Sheriff". As Bob Marley seemed to be the only one with true local knowledge of the shooting his account was believed to be the authentic version. What mitigating circumstance did Bob Marley claim?

Answer: Self-defence

"Read it in the news:
I shot the sheriff oh, Lord!
But I swear it was in self-defence."

Bob claimed that Sheriff John Brown had conducted a long campaign of hate against him culminating in an attempted shooting but that he (Marley) had got his shot off first. Bob also pointed out that he didn't shoot the deputy even though he had the chance to do so - hardly the actions of a cold-blooded killer who would surely have also killed any potential witnesses.
Bob Marley was never charged with this crime but his confession remains on file.
8. As Joe's fame spread he was often the target for pranksters and hoax phone calls; this was just one example. Joe answered the phone to hear; "Hey Joe, you better get yourself down here! You know Garth has always had "Friends in Low Places" but this just beats all. Some of them have captured him, Trisha too, and they're planning on putting them in a massive cauldron and then boiling them up cannibal style! You just gotta come and help them..." Joe slammed the phone down angrily "I ain't that stupid," he said, "some fool wants me to believe they're ___!"

Answer: Cooking the Brooks

Garth Brooks' biggest international hit is "Friends in Low Places" which was first released in 1990. He is now one of the biggest selling music stars in the world. In 2005 he married long-standing friend Trisha Yearwood; it was Garth's second marriage.
'Cooking the books' is an expression describing anyone fiddling accounts at their place of work.
I doubt if country music megastars Johnny Cash, Jimmy Buffett and George Strait need much introduction from me.
9. This strange case was reported from England. A girl's bruised and battered body had been found in an almost empty room. Apart from the unfortunate girl the only thing in the room was an acoustic guitar inside a case. Original copies of songs "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover" were found inside the guitar case but enquiries showed that the guitar had been stolen some time previously from a man named James. Joe had to assume the girl had been assaulted with a ___?

Answer: Blunt instrument

Singer/songwriter and guitarist James Blunt first came to wide public attention in with his 2004 number one album "Back to Bedlam" which included the hugely successful singles "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover". James is an ex-serviceman and a lovely chap so would never be involved in any murder which is why the assailant used a stolen guitar - a Blunt instrument rather than a blunt instrument! Joe later arrested the poor girl's rather disturbed boyfriend called "Billy" (another track from "Back to Bedlam").
Electric guitars (not acoustic) are often called axes but not usually sharp axes. I guess the killer could well have used the G-string from the guitar as a murder weapon but the injuries sustained did not suggest this method.
It's probable that there was a pick (plectrum) hiding somewhere in the guitar case but it's hard to see how anyone could use one with murderous intent.
10. A gang of deadly arsonists proved very "Slippery People" to catch. Their crimes were committed in various "Cities" and Joe seemed to be on the "Road to Nowhere" in his attempts to catch them. However he received a tip-off from some Talking Heads who told him where they would strike next. "This Must Be the Place" he said to his colleagues and, sure enough, they arrived just as the arsonists were in the act of "Burning Down the House". They quickly cornered two of the gang but the other two escaped without being apprehended... "Listen copper," said one of the captured men, "I might start fires but I ain't no "Psycho Killer" and I ain't no grass either; I ain't telling you where to find them!" But Joe already knew where he could find them; do you?

Answer: In the Tom Tom Club

Talking Heads basically consisted of David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison, although several other musicians were employed both in the studio and in live performances. "Slippery People", "Cities", "Road to Nowhere", "This Must Be the Place", "Psycho Killer" and of course "Burning Down the House" are all Talking Heads songs.
Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz formed a side-project called Tom Tom Club which is why Joe thought Tina would be in there - "And She Was"!
Source: Author Mutchisman

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