We Will Rock You: The Queen Quiz

By: Ashley Bruenderman
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
We Will Rock You: The Queen Quiz
Image: EMI Records

About This Quiz

The music industry entered the '70s, regrettably, with a dark cloud hanging over its head as the loss of beloved musicians continued to pile up. Losing legendary talents such as Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix it was unclear whether or not the 1970s would have its share of influential rockers.

At a time when the music industry was reeling from its losses, music lovers around the world found solace in a new 'Queen' of rock and roll who entered the scene with an absolute smash! The London based group, Queen, amazed audiences with their innovative arrangements that seamlessly blended classical sounds, stacked harmonies, soul-wrenching guitar solos and theatrical presence. The bands' continued obsession with perfection helped bring the soul back to the '70s after so many were lost in that first year. While continuously pushing the creative boundaries, Queen's popularity continued to grow, and in no time they achieved both commercial and critical success. With fan-favorites such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," it's no wonder that this group has become a staple in rock and roll history.

"Boredom is the biggest disease in the world, darling." Luckily for you, this quiz is the cure.

With what legendary singer did Freddie Mercury perform the duet "Under Pressure"?
David Bowie
Rod Stewart
Tina Turner
Paul McCartney
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The duet between Queen and David Bowie, "Under Pressure," wasn't planned. Initially, Bowie was to provide vocals to the song "Cool Cat," but he suggested writing an original together with Bowie instead. The rest is history.

What former "American Idol" runner-up has been touring as the frontman for Queen?
Adam Lambert
Justin Guarini
Bo Bice
Elliot Yamin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adam Lambert first appeared with Queen in 2011 as the band's lead singer at the MTV Europe Music Awards, where the group was presented with the Global Icon Award. Lambert has been seen touring with them, on and off, ever since.

What is Freddie Mercury's birth name?
Farookh Bulsara
Jer Massey
Bomi Bulsara
Frank Massey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Born in Zanzibar on September 5, 1946, the man we know and love as Freddie Mercury was named Farookh Bulsara. It wasn't until he started attending a British boarding school in 1954 that his teachers and classmates gave him the nickname Freddie.

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What 1992 movie helped a re-released "Bohemian Rhapsody" single reach No. 2 on the Billboard chart?
"Wayne's World"
"Singles"
"My Cousin Vinny"
"Reservoir Dogs"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The movie, "Wayne's World", directed by Penelope Spheeris, features main characters Wayne and Garth singing along to "Bohemian Rhapsody" as it blares on the car radio on a sunny day.

Which Queen song begins with the lyrics "I've paid my dues, time after time; I've done my sentence but committed no crime"?
"We Are the Champions"
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
"We Will Rock You"
"Don't Stop Me Now"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Released in 1977, "We are the Champions" took the world by storm when it was released on Queen's album, "News of the World." The song quickly became a worldwide success reaching No. 2 on the U.K. charts and No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

In 2011, "Rolling Stone" readers ranked the best lead singers of all time. Where did Freddie Mercury land?
No. 8
No. 5
No. 3
No. 2
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With his flamboyant personality and an amazing four-octave vocal range, it's no wonder that readers of "Rolling Stone" voted Freddie Mercury as the No. 2 greatest lead singer of all time. If it hadn't been for Robert Plant snagging the No. 1 spot, this Queen would be king of the charts!

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Who were the original members of Queen?
Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon and Roger Taylor
Freddie Mercury and John Deacon
Freddie Mercury, Brian May and John Deacon
Doug Bogie, Mike Grose and Freddie Mercury
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hitting the London screen with a smash in 1971, the renown rock group, including Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon and Roger Taylor went on to become rock legends who would endure for the next 20 years!

Why did Queen's video for "I Want to Break Free" become one of the band's most famous?
It was one of the first videos played on MTV.
It featured all of the band members dressed in drag.
It was Freddie Mercury's directorial debut.
It was one of the first music videos to feature nudity.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Appearing first in their 1984 hit album, "The Works," "I Want To Break Free" became a huge hit with fans all over the globe as the band's members dressed in drag to parody the TV soap opera "Coronation Street."

What hit single did Queen release in 1975 on the album, "A Night at the Opera"?
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
"God Save The Queen"
"You're My Best Friend"
"I'm In Love With My Car"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although critics' reactions to the song were initially mixed, "Bohemian Rhapsody" would go on to be considered one of Queen's most renown songs. Although many love the song for pushing boundaries, its producer, Roy Baker, lovingly referred to the song as "a joke, but a successful joke."

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What double 'A'-side single did Queen release in 1976?
"Spread Your Wings" and "It's Late"
"We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions"
"I Want to Break Free" and "Radio GaGa"
"The Show Must Go On" and "I Was Born To Love You"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen released "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" as a double 'A'-side single in 1976 to tremendous success. Two of the bands' biggest hits, these songs are often still played back to back on the radio.

What is the last track on Freddie Mercury's final album recorded with Queen?
"I'm Going Slightly Mad"
"Ride the Wild Wind"
"These Are the Days of Our Lives"
"The Show Must Go On"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 12th and final track on Queen's 1991 hit album, "Innuendo," "The Show Must Go On" was rumored to have been recorded in just one take while Freddie Mercury suffered the effects of AIDS.

In addition to being Queen's guitarist, Brian May also has a Ph.D. in what field?
Astrophysics
Business Administration and Management
Classical Music
Electrical Engineering
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brian May studied for his Ph.D. from 1970 - 1974; however, once Queen began to reach success, he abandoned his studies to stay with the group. It wasn't until 2008 that May would have the honor of graduating from Imperial College London with his Ph.D. in astrophysics.

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For what 1980 movie did Queen write and perform the soundtrack?
"Urban Cowboy"
"Fame"
"Ladyhawke"
"Flash Gordon"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Based on a comic strip of the same name, the soundtrack for "Flash Gordon" was both written and performed by Queen's legendary guitarist, Brian May. The film received positive reviews and has since become a cult classic among '80s music fans.

When did Freddie Mercury publicly announce he had AIDS?
November 23, 1991
June 14, 1990
March 2, 1992
April 1, 1993
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even though Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986, it wasn't until 1991 that he announced it to the world. One day after that announcement, he died from AIDS-related pneumonia.

Which band member designed Queen's logo?
Freddie Mercury
Brian May
Roger Taylor
John Deacon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Often referred to as the Queen Crest, the famous band's logo was originally designed by Freddie Mercury shortly before the release of their first album. The logo features the zodiac signs of all four members.

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Which album was Queen's last to tour?
"The Works"
"A Kind Of Magic"
"The Miracle"
"Hot Space"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1986, Queen headed out on their last tour, "The Magic Tour." Through 26 concert dates and more than 1 million people in attendance, Queen said goodbye to the world as a group. While members of the group toured again under the band's name, that wouldn't be until after Freddie Mercury's death in 1991 and John Deacon's retirement in 1997.

Which of Queen's albums was the first to hit No. 1?
"A Day at the Races"
"Queen"
"A Night at the Opera"
"Made in Heaven"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A Night at the Opera" was a huge success upon release, and in 1975, it was the band's first album to hit No. 1. With such hits as "You're My Best Friend" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," this album is a must-listen!

What is the name of Brian May's guitar?
May Day
Steel String
The Duck
Red Special
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brian May's guitar, the Red Special, was designed and built by May and his father at their home. They used materials that included wood from an antique fireplace mantel, a knitting needle and motorcycle valve springs.

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By the end of 1980, how many albums worldwide had Queen sold?
2 million
45 million
65 million
22 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With hit albums such as "A Night at the Opera," "Hot Space" and "Sheer Heart Attack," it's no wonder that by the end of the '70s, Queen had managed to sell more than 45 million albums worldwide!

How many gold and platinum records did Queen achieve?
11 gold and 13 platinum
10 gold and five platinum
12 gold and six platinum
Five gold and 12 platinum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With fan-favorites such as "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We will Rock you" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" it's no wonder that this group has become a staple in rock and roll history earning itself 11 gold and 13 platinum records in the process!

On April 20, 1992, the surviving members of Queen were joined by Elton John, Axl Rose, David Bowie, Def Leppard and many other stars for a memorial concert. What did the concert benefit?
Mercury Phoenix Trust
UNAIDS
Elton John Foundation
Climate Change
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Held at London's Wembley Stadium this concert raised millions for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, an AIDS awareness and education fund established by the band members and their manager, Jim Beach.

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What does Brian May prefer to play his guitar with over a standard guitar pick?
A sixpence
His fingernails
Scrap metal he forms into picks
Metal toothpicks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen's guitarist chooses to use an old British sixpence as his guitar pick of choice. When asked about the choice, May has confided that he finds traditional plastic picks too flexible.

When was Queen inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
1998
2001
2005
2008
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen was finally voted into the Rock * Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, along with Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Ritchie Valens, Steely Dan, Paul Simon, The Flamingos, Solomon Burke, James Burton, Johnnie Johnson and Chris Blackwell.

In 2002, what honor did Queen receive in the United States?
Its 10th Grammy
Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Named "Rolling Stone's" most popular band of the 1990s
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With songs such as "We Will Rock You" and "Another One Bites the Dust" cementing the band's popularity in history, it's no wonder that in 2002, Queen joined the Beatles as one of the few non-U.S. acts with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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After hearing the song "Another One Bites the Dust" live in Los Angeles, who convinced Queen to release it as a single on "The Game" album?
Mick Jagger
David Bowie
Roy Baker
Michael Jackson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen didn't plan to release "Another One Bites the Dust" as a single from the 1980 album, "The Game," until Michael Jackson heard the song live in Los Angeles and convinced the band that it was original enough to stand as the lead track on the album.

What soft drink company used "I Want to Break Free" in an advertising campaign in 2004?
Coca-Cola
PepsiCo
Keurig Dr. Pepper
Sam's Choice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Striking first in the low-carb soda war, Coca-Cola utilized music messages from the past to promote its soda line. With fan favorites such as The Rolling Stones telling people "if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need" and Queen inspiring fans to break out of the norm and be free, it's no wonder the famous soda company choose hits from these bands to encourage their consumers to try a drink that had great taste with fewer carbs and calories.

What was Queen's first live album?
"At the Beeb"
"Hot Space"
"Live Magic"
"Live Killers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Live Killers" was originally recorded during the European section of Queen's "Jazz" tour. Recorded between January and March of 1979, "Jazz" was the first album created at the band's personal studio in Montreux, Switzerland.

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What was the name of the small guitar amp John Deacy built and John May used with his Red Special on many Queen albums?
Deacy Amp
Red Special Amp
Red Amp
May Amp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An electrical engineer by profession, John Deacy built what became known as the Deacy Amp out of scrap electrical parts. The sounds it allowed John May to create with his guitar have become legendary.

What Queen album was the band's first to be recorded in the United States?
"The Works"
"The Miracle"
"A Kind of Magic"
"Queen II"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Works" was Queen's first album to be partially recorded in the United States, at Record Plant Studios in New York. Other parts were recorded at Musicland in Munich, and the album reportedly received its knockout title when Roger Taylor told the group to "give them the works!"

Which Queen single was released as a single twice?
"Don't Stop Me Now"
"Radio Ga Ga"
"Somebody to Love"
"Keep Yourself Alive"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen's rendition of "Keep Yourself Alive" was released both in 1973 and 1975 as a single. Although many fans love the song, "Keep Yourself Alive" failed to make the top 40 both times it was released.

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