1980s Music Artists Quiz July 16, 2026July 15, 2026 Joe Messerli Quizzesnew quiz 1980s Music Artists Answer 18 questions about 1980s singers and their music. 1 / 18 Who owned a home and recording complex in Minnesota called Paisley Park? Bruce Springsteen Rick Astley Madonna Prince Janet Jackson 2 / 18 Who made a cameo appearance in the 80s-themed movie The Wedding Singer and also a 2023 Superbowl commercial for Workday, where he expressed his disapproval of corporate workers being called "Rock Stars?" Sting Billy Idol David Bowie George Michael Peter Gabriel 3 / 18 Who outbid Paul McCartney in 1985 when he tried to buy back publishing rights to the Beatles catalog at auction? Julian Lennon Donald Trump James Brown Nike Michael Jackson McCartney and MJ were good friends and had recorded songs togther, but this ended the friendship. Michael justified the purchase as "just business." McCartney and MJ were good friends and had recorded songs togther, but this ended the friendship. Michael justified the purchase as "just business." 4 / 18 Who wrote a song intended to be a criticism of government's abandonment of Vietnam Veterans and the working class, but instead the song was used as a patriotic anthem, including by the Ronald Reagan campaign? John Cougar Mellencamp U2 Bruce Springstein Midnight Oil Tom Petty Born in the U.S.A. became a regular political anthem used by several campaigns in the 80s and still occasionally makes an appearance at rallies today. Born in the U.S.A. became a regular political anthem used by several campaigns in the 80s and still occasionally makes an appearance at rallies today. 5 / 18 What supermodel was married to Billy Joel in the 80s and was featured in a 1983 music video with him? Paula Porizkova Christie Brinkley Pamela Anderson Kathy Ireland Cindy Crawford Brinkley appeared in the video Uptown Girl. Brinkley appeared in the video Uptown Girl. 6 / 18 What group's songs were used throughout the TV show Glee, including the pilot episode and in a medley for the season 1 finale? Foreigner Journey Def Leppard Duran Duran U2 7 / 18 What "Queen of Pop" made her first appearance in a feature film as a bar singer in the movie Vision Quest? Madonna Whitney Houston Olivia Newton-John Janet Jackson Tina Turner Madonna would go on to appear in over 40 feature films, including Evita and League of Their Own. Madonna would go on to appear in over 40 feature films, including Evita and League of Their Own. 8 / 18 Who sang the opening lyric of the song We Are the World? Ray Charles Michael Jackson Bob Dylan Lionel Richie Tina Turner 9 / 18 Match the band with the lead singer for each. Boy George Select an answerSteven TylerGeorge MichaelBonoCulture ClubPhil Collins Wham Select an answerSteven TylerGeorge MichaelBonoCulture ClubPhil Collins Aerosmith Select an answerSteven TylerGeorge MichaelBonoCulture ClubPhil Collins Genesis Select an answerSteven TylerGeorge MichaelBonoCulture ClubPhil Collins U2 Select an answerSteven TylerGeorge MichaelBonoCulture ClubPhil Collins 10 / 18 What band, consisting of brothers Mark and David Knopler, had a video hit featuring cartoon blue collar delivery men venting frustration about rock stars who easily acquired money and chicks without needing to work? Supertramp The Cure Asia The Clash Dire Straits They got their Money for Nothing and their chicks for free. They got their Money for Nothing and their chicks for free. 11 / 18 What singer, nicknamed "The Voice", sang the promotional anthem for the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul? Cher Diana Ross Tina Turner Whitney Houston Olivia Newton-John One Moment in Time was the name of Whitney's legendary song used in the Olympics. One Moment in Time was the name of Whitney's legendary song used in the Olympics. 12 / 18 Who's career tanked after she tore up a picture of the Pope on a 1992 Saturday Night Live episode? Pat Benatar Linda Ronstadt Sinéad O'Connor Taylor Daybe Irene Cara She said "Fight the real enemy" in the live episode before tearing up Pope John Paul II's picture. She said "Fight the real enemy" in the live episode before tearing up Pope John Paul II's picture. 13 / 18 What band featured a one-armed drummer? Def Leppard Poison Europe The Cars Pet Shop Boys Drummer Rick Allen lost an arm in a 1984 car accident but continued to play using specialized foot pedals. Drummer Rick Allen lost an arm in a 1984 car accident but continued to play using specialized foot pedals. 14 / 18 What group's video featured model Tawny Kitaen dancing on the hood of a Jaguar, becoming an iconic MTV moment representing 80s music? Ratt Metallica Depeche Mode Whitesnake Guns'n'Roses 15 / 18 Whose 1988 hit was adapted for Sunday Night Football introductions sang by Pink, Faith Hill, and Carrie Underwood? Pat Benatar Blondie Kate Bush Cyndi Lauper Joan Jett The song I Hate Myself for Loving You from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts was sampled to introduce Sunday NFL games. The song I Hate Myself for Loving You from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts was sampled to introduce Sunday NFL games. 16 / 18 What two groups remade the song Walk This Way in 1986, complete with a video symbolizing the wall coming down between races and music genres? [Highlight 2 answers, then click 'Check'] Run DMC Public Enemy Salt-N-Pepa Aerosmith The Beastie Boys The Cure Check 17 / 18 What two singers collaberated on a 1985 remake of Dancing in the Streets, recorded and filmed specifically to raise awareness for Live Aid famine relief? [Highlight 2 answers, then click 'Check'] Michael Jackson Mick Jagger George Michael David Bowie Janet Jackson Bono Check 18 / 18 What San Francisco native singer developed a deep relationship with the 1980s 49ers dynasty, including backup vocals and a cameo in a video by Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott? Peter Gabrieal Axl Rose Huey Lewis Elvis Costello Steve Winwood Your score isThe average score is 69% 0% Restart quiz Other Links That May Interest You Guess the 1980s TV Show Trivia Quiz 1980s Movie Quotes Trivia Quiz Music Trivia Quiz Gallery Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X Like this:Like Loading… Related
Well, I beat the average even though I spent most of that decade listening to heavy metal instead of pop. I never watched Glee, didn’t watch football, and didn’t listen to rap, which explains the three questions I missed. Loading... Reply
Well, I beat the average even though I spent most of that decade listening to heavy metal instead of pop. I never watched Glee, didn’t watch football, and didn’t listen to rap, which explains the three questions I missed.