Name That Chicago Artist!
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Name that Chicago artist.
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Tampa Red
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Robert Johnson
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Elmore James
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Skip James
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Test your knowledge of Chicago-based musicians with 'Name that Chicago artist!' quiz. Identify artists like Common, Sun Ra, and Curtis Mayfield, enhancing your understanding of Chicago's rich musical heritage and its influential figures.
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- 2.
Name that Chicago artist.
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DJ Spinn
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Gant Man
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DJ Godfather
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Dude 'n Nem
Correct Answer
A. Dude 'n NemExplanation
Dude 'n Nem's 2007 hit "Watch My Feet" became a breakout hit for the Chicago "footwork" or "juke" scene.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Nas
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Rhymefest
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Common
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Kid Cudi
Correct Answer
A. CommonExplanation
The rapper/actor grew up on the South Side of Chicago. The D'Angelo Law Library owns a copy of his memoir One Day It'll All Make Sense at call number ML420.C656 A3 2011.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Name that Chicago artist.
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The Pharaohs
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Sun Ra
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Parliament Funkadelic
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Miles Davis
Correct Answer
A. Sun RaExplanation
Sun Ra formed his Arkestra in Chicago in the 1950s. This version of "Interplanetary Music" was recorded in Chicago around 1960. The University of Chicago Library's Special Collections Research Center is home to the Alton Abraham Papers of Sun Ra collection.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Don Caballero
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Nachtmystium
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Karate
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Gastr del Sol
Correct Answer
A. Gastr del SolExplanation
Gastr del Sol member David Grubbs has a PhD in English literature from the University of Chicago. The song "Eight Corners" lists the names of several Chicago streets.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Tampa Red
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Robert Johnson
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Elmore James
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Skip James
Correct Answer
A. Tampa RedExplanation
Although born in Georgia, Tampa Red moved to Chicago in the 1920s and lived here until his death in 1981.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Marvin Gaye
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Curtis Mayfield
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Jerry Butler
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James Brown
Correct Answer
A. Curtis MayfieldExplanation
Curtis Mayfield was born and raised in Chicago and was a member of the group the Impressions. His hit "Move On Up" was later sampled by fellow Chicago artist Kanye West for "Touch the Sky" in 2005.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Lupe Fiasco
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Vic Mensa
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Vakill
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Kanye West
Correct Answer
A. Kanye WestExplanation
"Home" is Kanye West's tribute to Chicago and is an extended metaphor using a woman to represent the city of Chicago, in the same vein as fellow Chicago rapper Common on his song "I Used to Love H.E.R.," where the woman symbolized hip hop music.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Carl Craig
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Mr. Fingers
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Derrick May
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Afrika Bambaataa
Correct Answer
A. Mr. FingersExplanation
Larry "Mr. Fingers" Heard was born on the South Side of Chicago and was a key figure in the house music genre that came out of Chicago in the mid-1980s. "Can You Feel It?" is regarded as one of the first deep house records.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Tar
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Jesus Lizard
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Mule
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Shellac
Correct Answer
A. Jesus LizardExplanation
Although formed in Austin, TX, the band Jesus Lizard moved to Chicago early in their career and became one of the best known bands on the Chicago-based independent label Touch & Go. Several of their records, including Liar, were produced by Chicago legend Steve Albini.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Pentagram
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Trouble
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Candlemass
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Saint Vitus
Correct Answer
A. TroubleExplanation
Trouble, formed in the Chicago suburb Aurora, are considered one of the pioneers of doom metal. This song "Revelation (Life or Death)" is from their 1984 debut album Psalm 9.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Effigies
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Naked Raygun
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Fugazi
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Breaking Circus
Correct Answer
A. Naked RaygunExplanation
New Yorker music critic Sasha Frere-Jones recently named Naked Raygun's 1987 song "Vanilla Blue" one of 200 "perfect recordings."Rate this question:
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- 13.
Name that Chicago artist
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Ginuwine
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D'Angelo
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John Legend
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R. Kelly
Correct Answer
A. R. KellyExplanation
Robert Sylvester Kelly was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and attended Kenwood Academy in Hyde Park. "Ignition (Remix)" stayed at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks, one spot below 50 Cent's smash hit "In da Club."Rate this question:
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- 14.
Name that Chicago artist.
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DJ Spinn
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Gant Man
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DJ Godfather
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Dude 'n Nem
Correct Answer
A. Dude 'n NemExplanation
Dude 'n Nem's 2007 hit "Watch My Feet" was a breakout hit for the Chicago "footwork" or "juke" scene.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Name that Chicago artist.
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The Sandpipers
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The Buckinghams
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The Peppermint Rainbow
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Strawberry Alarm Clock
Correct Answer
A. The BuckinghamsExplanation
The Buckinghams' biggest hit "Kind of a Drag" spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1967. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Instant Composer Pool
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Brotherhood of Breath
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Defunkt
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The Art Ensemble of Chicago
Correct Answer
A. The Art Ensemble of ChicagoExplanation
The Art Ensemble of Chicago grew out of Chicago's Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in the late 1960s. This song, "Theme De Yoyo," features the vocals of R&B singer Fontella Bass, who was then married to trumpeter Lester Bowie.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Cajmere
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Mantronix
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Latin Rascals
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Phuture
Correct Answer
A. CajmereExplanation
“The Percolator” by Cajmere, a.k.a. Chicago house icon Curtis Alan Jones, is one of the biggest electronic dance music songs of all time. Seriously, people go nuts when they hear it.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Cheap Trick
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The Shoes
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The Raspberries
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Big Star
Correct Answer
A. Cheap TrickExplanation
This is cheating, since Cheap Trick are actually from Rockford, IL, but "Surrender"--what a song! In October 2007, the Illinois Senate passed a resolution designating April 1 as Cheap Trick Day. See S. Res. 255, 95th Gen. Assemb. (Ill. 2007).Rate this question:
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- 19.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Schoolboy Q
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Future
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Earl Sweatshirt
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Chance the Rapper
Correct Answer
A. Chance the RapperExplanation
Chance the Rapper hails from the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Chatham. In 2014, he was named to the XXL Freshmen List of up and coming hip-hop artists.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Ohio Players
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Kool & the Gang
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Earth, Wind & Fire
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The Temptations
Correct Answer
A. Earth, Wind & FireExplanation
Earth, Wind & Fire was formed by Maurice White, who moved to Chicago as a teenager and later worked as a session drummer for Chess Records. "Shining Star" was Earth, Wind & Fire's first major hit, hitting No. 1 on Billboard chart in 1975.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Ramsey Lewis
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Weather Report
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Return to Forever
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Herbie Hancock
Correct Answer
A. Ramsey LewisExplanation
Ramsey Lewis was born and raised in Chicago and continues to live in the city today. "Sun Goddess," the title track of the 1974 album, was written by Jon Lind and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Junior Kimbrough
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John Lee Hooker
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Magic Sam
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Stevie Ray Vaughan
Correct Answer
A. Magic SamExplanation
Magic Sam moved from Mississippi to Chicago in 1950 and began playing at blues clubs on the West Side. This version of "Sweet Home Chicago" is from his classic 1967 album West Side Soul.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Otis Redding
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Peter Green
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Billy Gibbons
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Otis Rush
Correct Answer
A. Otis RushExplanation
"Double Trouble," by Otis Rush, was first released as a single on Cobra Records in 1958. It has been covered by numerous other artists, including several versions by Eric Clapton. In 2008, Rush's original version was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Luther Vandross
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Alison Krauss
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Luther Allison
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Hound Dog Taylor
Correct Answer
A. Luther AllisonExplanation
Luther Allison was born in Widener, Arkansas, and moved with his family, at the age of twelve, to Chicago in 1951. He was one of the few blues artists signed to Motown Records.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Frankie Knuckles and Jamie Principle
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Planet Patrol
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The Jonzun Crew
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Newcleus
Correct Answer
A. Frankie Knuckles and Jamie PrincipleExplanation
"Your Love," a Chicago house classic, was originally released as a demo under Jamie Principle's name in 1984. It was later released as a single under Frankie Knuckles' name in 1987 on the legendary Chicago label Trax Records. Following Frankie's death on March 31, 2014, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 29.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Name that Chicago artist.
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pierre Boulez
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The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rafael Kubelík
Correct Answer
A. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz ReinerExplanation
Fritz Reiner conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1953–1962, which is widely considered to be the pinnacle of his career. This 1958 recording of Bela Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta is one of the defining recordings of that period.Rate this question:
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- 27.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Pavement
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Guided by Voices
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The Shins
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Wilco
Correct Answer
A. WilcoExplanation
The cover art of Wilco's critically acclaimed album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot depicts the Marina City towers that sit on the north bank of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago.Rate this question:
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- 28.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Pat Hare
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Howlin' Wolf
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T-Bone Walker
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Captain Beefheart
Correct Answer
A. Howlin' WolfExplanation
"Spoonful," one of Howlin' Wolf's best known songs, was recorded in 1960 at Chicago's Chess Studios, then located at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue.Rate this question:
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- 29.
Name that Chicago artist.
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The Bar-Kays
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The Chi-Lites
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The Dells
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The Impressions
Correct Answer
A. The ImpressionsExplanation
The Impressions were formed when a group from Chattanooga, Tennessee called The Roosters moved to Chicago and joined forces with Chicago natives Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield. Their song "People Get Ready" was named as one of the Top 10 Best Songs Of All Time by Mojo magazine.Rate this question:
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- 30.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Aimee Mann
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Liz Phair
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Sheryl Crow
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Ani DiFranco
Correct Answer
A. Liz PhairExplanation
Liz Phair was raised in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka and recorded her debut album Exile in Guyville at Chicago's Idful Studios. The album was ranked #15 in Spin's "100 Greatest Albums, 1985-2005". In 2012, the album was ranked number #327 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.Rate this question:
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- 31.
Name that Chicago artist.
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James Brown
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Ray Charles
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Syl Johnson
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James Carr
Correct Answer
A. Syl JohnsonExplanation
In 1950, Syl Johnson moved with his family from Mississippi to Chicago, where blues guitarist Magic Sam was his next-door neighbor. His 1968 hit "Different Strokes" has been sampled in over 200 hip-hop songs.Rate this question:
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- 32.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Mogwai
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Tortoise
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June of 44
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Cul de Sac
Correct Answer
A. TortoiseExplanation
Tortoise, who formed in Chicago in 1990, are credited as one of the originators of "post-rock." Original member Bundy K. Brown attended the University of Chicago before dropping out to pursue his music career.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtime Band
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Bix Beiderbecke & The Bucktown Five
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Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five
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Lu Watters & The Yerba Buena Jazz Band
Correct Answer
A. Bix Beiderbecke & The Bucktown FiveExplanation
The Bucktown Five was a white jazz group active in Chicago in the early 1920s. They recorded "Chicago Blues" with Bix Beiderbecke in 1924.Rate this question:
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- 34.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Bo Diddley
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Chuck Berry
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Bobby "Blue" Bland
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Muddy Waters
Correct Answer
A. Muddy WatersExplanation
Born as McKinley Morganfield, Muddy Waters is considered the "father of modern Chicago blues." This song, "I'm Ready," was recorded in 1953 with one of the most acclaimed blues groups in history: Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Elga Edmonds (a.k.a. Elgin Evans) on drums and Otis Spann on piano, and released on the legendary Chicago blues label Chess Records.Rate this question:
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- 35.
Name that Chicago artist.
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Gary Wilson
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Wesley Willis
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William Hung
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Henry Darger
Correct Answer
A. Wesley WillisExplanation
Wesley Willis was a singer-songwriter from Chicago who gained an enormous cult following in the 1990s. He was also a visual artist, who produced hundreds of intricate, unusual, colored ink-pen drawings, mostly of Chicago streetscapes and CTA buses. "Rock N Roll McDonald's" is about the Rock N Roll McDonald's located in the River North area of Chicago.Rate this question:
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- 36.
Name that Chicago artist.
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The Staple Singers
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Booker T & the MG's
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The Tonettes
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The Emotions
Correct Answer
A. The Staple SingersExplanation
The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group formed in Chicago in the late 1940s. I'll Take You There" spent a total of fifteen weeks on the charts and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Feb 24, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 02, 2014Quiz Created by
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