Music LegendsTrivia Questions & Answers
12 music legends trivia questions, each with the correct answer and a short explanation.
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Each question reveals the answer and a quick explanation below it.
1. Which film marked Cate Blanchett's Oscar-winning performance where she portrayed a real-life musician rather than an actress?
Answer: I'm Not There. Blanchett played one of six incarnations of Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes's 'I'm Not There' (2007), earning an Oscar nomination; she won for 'Blue Jasmine' and 'The Aviator.'
2. Which musician composed the iconic shower-scene strings in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho'?
Answer: Bernard Herrmann. Bernard Herrmann's shrieking string score for the shower scene became one of cinema's most recognizable pieces of music.
3. What instrument does Joaquin Phoenix's character actually learn to play for his role as Johnny Cash in 'Walk the Line'?
Answer: Guitar. Joaquin Phoenix trained extensively and genuinely learned to play guitar for his portrayal of Johnny Cash, performing all songs himself.
4. Which composer scored both 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' and 'Schindler's List'?
Answer: John Williams. John Williams composed the scores for both films, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score for Schindler's List in 1994.
5. Which composer wrote the original score for 'Schindler's List,' earning his first Academy Award?
Answer: John Williams. John Williams composed the haunting score for 'Schindler's List' (1993), winning the Oscar for Best Original Score.
6. Which musician composed the score for 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' and also appeared briefly on screen in the film?
Answer: Ennio Morricone. Ennio Morricone composed the legendary score and made a brief cameo appearance playing an instrument in the film.
7. Which film composer wrote the iconic shark theme for 'Jaws,' consisting of just two alternating notes?
Answer: John Williams. John Williams composed the deceptively simple two-note motif for 'Jaws,' winning him the Academy Award for Best Original Score.
8. Which musician composed the iconic score for the 'Psycho' shower scene, famously using only string instruments?
Answer: Bernard Herrmann. Bernard Herrmann composed the shrieking string-only score for 'Psycho'; Hitchcock initially wanted no music in that scene.
9. Cate Blanchett received Oscar nominations for playing which legendary musician in the film 'I'm Not There' (2007)?
Answer: Bob Dylan. I'm Not There cast multiple actors as different facets of Bob Dylan; Blanchett earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal.
10. Before scoring 'Star Wars,' John Williams was primarily known for his theme to which TV show?
Answer: Lost in Space. John Williams composed the theme for the sci-fi TV series Lost in Space (1965–1968), helping establish his career before his blockbuster film scores.
11. Before settling on 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' Freddie Mercury reportedly considered which working title for the song?
Answer: The Cowboy Song. Mercury internally referred to it as 'The Cowboy Song' during composition; 'Bohemian Rhapsody' replaced that placeholder title.
12. In 'Singin' in the Rain,' Gene Kelly's iconic rain-dancing sequence was filmed under what physical condition?
Answer: A 103-degree fever. Gene Kelly filmed the famous 'Singin' in the Rain' dance number while suffering from a 103-degree fever, using milk instead of water to make it visible on camera.
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