How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : R.E.M., Kenny Wayne Shepherd, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper And The Innocent Criminals, Nirvana, Björk, Guns N’ Roses, The Flaming Lips, Kylie Minogue, Nick Cave, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam
They are the ’90s Throwback’ artists selected among the 413 Posts we publish this week.
1. What inspired R.E.M.’s song title “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”?
- A A news anchor’s catchphrase
- B A journalist’s attack
- C A novel quote
2. Who was the original vocalist for Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band during their Ledbetter Heights era?
- A Corey Sterling
- B Kenny Wayne Shepherd
- C Noah Hunt
3. Which city hosted David Bowie’s televised concert where he received a French cultural honor?
- A London
- B Paris
- C Berlin
4. What notable chart position did Sheryl Crow’s “My Favorite Mistake” achieve in Canada?
- A Number 10
- B Number 2
- C Number 5
5. On which album did Ben Harper release the live version of “Please Bleed”?
- A Burn to Shine
- B Fight for Your Mind
- C Live From Mars
6. What was the working title of Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box”?
- A Heart-Shaped Coffin
- B Coffin Heart
- C Heart Container
7. Which string ensemble accompanied Björk in her MTV Live performance of “Bachelorette”?
- A The Icelandic String Quartet
- B The Reykjavik Symphony Quartet
- C The Icelandic String Octet
8. How many studio versions of “Don’t Cry” were released by Guns N’ Roses?
- A One
- B Two
- C Three
9. Which guitarist contributed significantly to The Flaming Lips’ “Clouds Taste Metallic” album?
- A Ronald Jones
- B Steven Drozd
- C Wayne Coyne
10. Who hosted the French TV show during Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave’s performance of “Where the Wild Roses Grow”?
- A Michel Drucker
- B Philippe Gildas
- C Thierry Ardisson
11. Which performer frequently appeared with Bruce Springsteen for the live rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad”?
- A Tom Morello
- B Eddie Vedder
- C Neil Young
12. Which Pearl Jam song opened their 1998 concert at D.A.R. Constitution Hall?
- A Long Road
- B Alive
- C Hail, Hail
Tracklist
And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. The phrase “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” stems from Dan Rather’s bewildering 1986 New York City attack. It became cultural shorthand for confusion and inspired R.E.M.’s symbolic lyrics about communication gaps.
2. Corey Sterling was Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band’s lead vocalist during the early Ledbetter Heights period. His stage presence matched Shepherd’s blues-rock guitar style in those live performances.
3. David Bowie performed in Paris on 14 October 1999, coinciding with his Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award. This concert was later included in the “Something in the Air” live album.
4. “My Favorite Mistake” notably peaked at number two on the Canadian charts. This included its strong performance internationally, bolstering Sheryl Crow’s global stature.
5. “Please Bleed” appeared in live form on the double album Live From Mars. This release captured both acoustic and electric renditions of Ben Harper’s work, spanning several years.
6. Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” had the initial working title “Heart-Shaped Coffin.” This title reflected Kurt Cobain’s penchant for dark, evocative imagery.
7. Björk’s MTV Live 1998 performance featured the Icelandic String Octet. Their inclusion highlighted the orchestral depth present in her Homogenic era live shows.
8. Guns N’ Roses released two versions of “Don’t Cry”: one on Use Your Illusion I and another with alternate lyrics on Use Your Illusion II. The songs differed slightly in verses.
9. Ronald Jones was pivotal on the “Clouds Taste Metallic” album. Alongside Steven Drozd, his contributions were key to The Flaming Lips’ distinct mid-90s sound.
10. Philippe Gildas hosted the show during Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave’s duet. They presented “Where the Wild Roses Grow” as part of the song’s promotion in 1995.
11. Tom Morello frequently joined Bruce Springsteen for live performances of “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” Their collaboration became a hallmark of Springsteen tours in the 2000s.
12. Pearl Jam’s 1998 set at D.A.R. Constitution Hall began with “Long Road.” The song’s evocative opening set the tone for an engaging Yield Tour performance.
For THE FULL 90s THROWBACKS COLLECTION click here
