Think you know your grooves? Take our free 60s music quiz and find out if you really remember the decade's defining anthems. This fun trivia challenge covers everything from soul classics to rock revolutions, testing your expertise with 60s music trivia and authentic 1960s music trivia tidbits. Feel the thrill of music trivia 60s style as you recall song titles, artists and surprising backstories. After you ace this test, dive deeper into our sixties music trivia archive or expand your retro playlist with our 60s and 70s music quiz questions and answers. Ready to play? Let's turn up the volume!
Who sang "I Want to Hold Your Hand"?
The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
The Beach Boys
Elvis Presley
The Beatles released "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in 1963, and it became their first number-one hit in the US, propelling Beatlemania across the Atlantic. It is often credited with opening the American market to British acts. Learn more.
Which music festival is considered the first major rock festival in 1967?
Monterey Pop Festival
Woodstock
Isle of Wight Festival
Altamont Free Concert
The Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967 was the first large-scale rock festival, showcasing artists like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. It set the blueprint for future multi-act outdoor events. Learn more.
Which legendary Motown group sang "My Girl"?
The Temptations
The Supremes
The Four Tops
Martha and the Vandellas
"My Girl" was recorded by The Temptations and released in 1964. It became one of Motown’s signature songs and The Temptations' first US number-one. Learn more.
What year did The Beatles release "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"?
1967
1965
1968
1966
The Beatles released "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" on May 26, 1967. It was a groundbreaking album that influenced countless artists and is often hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time. Learn more.
At which festival did Bob Dylan famously "go electric"?
Newport Folk Festival
Isle of Wight Festival
Monterey Pop Festival
Woodstock
Bob Dylan shocked folk purists when he plugged in at the Newport Folk Festival in July 1965, performing with an electric backing band. This moment is often cited as a turning point in his career and in folk rock. Learn more.
In what year was The Beach Boys album "Pet Sounds" released?
1966
1965
1967
1968
"Pet Sounds" was released by The Beach Boys on May 16, 1966. Brian Wilson’s sophisticated production and songwriting influenced many future artists. Learn more.
Jimi Hendrix's iconic performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" took place at which event?
Woodstock
Monterey Pop Festival
Isle of Wight Festival
Newport Folk Festival
At the Woodstock festival in August 1969, Jimi Hendrix delivered a legendary rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," using feedback and distortion to create a new sonic statement. Learn more.
"Respect" was a 1967 hit for which artist?
Aretha Franklin
Diana Ross
Gladys Knight
Tina Turner
Although Otis Redding wrote and recorded "Respect" in 1965, Aretha Franklin’s 1967 version transformed it into an anthem for empowerment and civil rights, becoming her signature song. Learn more.
Which band had the 1966 hit "Paint It, Black"?
The Rolling Stones
The Beatles
The Kinks
The Who
"Paint It, Black" was released by The Rolling Stones in May 1966 and became their second US number-one single. Known for its Eastern-influenced sitar riff, it’s one of their most enduring songs. Learn more.
Which folk rock duo sang "The Sound of Silence"?
Simon & Garfunkel
Peter, Paul and Mary
The Everly Brothers
Peter, Paul & Mary
Simon & Garfunkel originally released an acoustic version of "The Sound of Silence" in 1964. A reworked electric version in 1965 became a number-one hit and helped define folk rock. Learn more.
Which band released "Light My Fire" in 1967?
The Doors
The Byrds
The Rolling Stones
Jefferson Airplane
"Light My Fire" was released by The Doors in April 1967 and became their breakthrough hit, reaching number one on the US charts. It’s recognized for Ray Manzarek’s distinctive organ riff. Learn more.
Which band recorded the traditional song "House of the Rising Sun" in 1964?
The Animals
The Hollies
The Kinks
The Zombies
The Animals released their version of "House of the Rising Sun" in 1964, turning a traditional folk tune into a rock classic that topped charts in both the UK and US. Learn more.
Who wrote the influential song "Like a Rolling Stone" in 1965?
Bob Dylan
Paul Simon
Mick Jagger
John Lennon
Bob Dylan wrote and recorded "Like a Rolling Stone" in 1965. Its six-minute length and biting lyrics revolutionized popular music and helped transition rock toward more artistic ambitions. Learn more.
Which duo sang "I Got You Babe" in 1965?
Sonny & Cher
Peter & Gordon
Hollies
Simon & Garfunkel
"I Got You Babe" was a global hit for Sonny & Cher in 1965, reaching number one in the US and UK. It’s celebrated as one of the defining pop duets of the decade. Learn more.
Which psychedelic rock anthem with the lyrics "One pill makes you larger" was released in 1967?
White Rabbit
Somebody to Love
Good Vibrations
Incense and Peppermints
"White Rabbit", written by Grace Slick and performed by Jefferson Airplane, appeared on their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow. Its surreal lyrics and crescendo structure made it a psychedelic classic. Learn more.
Which band released the 1967 album "Disraeli Gears"?
Cream
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Traffic
Jefferson Airplane
Cream’s second album, "Disraeli Gears", released in November 1967, included classics like "Sunshine of Your Love." It helped define the sound of late-60s British psychedelic rock. Learn more.
Which artist made Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" a rock classic with his 1968 recording?
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
The Rolling Stones
Jeff Beck
Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 version of "All Along the Watchtower" transformed Dylan’s folk tune into a landmark rock recording, featuring searing guitar work and studio innovation. Learn more.
Which band recorded the song "Time of the Season" in 1968?
The Zombies
The Kinks
The Byrds
The Doors
"Time of the Season" was a hit single from The Zombies’ 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. Its distinctive bassline and call-and-response vocal style made it a late-60s classic. Learn more.
Which singer delivered the hit "Piece of My Heart" with Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1968?
Janis Joplin
Grace Slick
Cher
Cass Elliot
Janis Joplin’s powerful vocals on Big Brother and the Holding Company’s 1968 recording of "Piece of My Heart" cemented her status as a leading blues-rock vocalist of the era. Learn more.
Which Motown group released the hit single "Stop! In the Name of Love" in 1965?
The Supremes
The Temptations
The Four Tops
Gladys Knight & the Pips
The Supremes released "Stop! In the Name of Love" in February 1965, earning their third consecutive US number-one. Featuring Diana Ross on lead vocals, it remains a Motown classic. Learn more.
Who was known as the "Fifth Beatle" for his extensive work producing The Beatles' records?
George Martin
Brian Epstein
Phil Spector
Alan Parsons
George Martin produced nearly all of The Beatles’ recordings and contributed orchestral arrangements, earning him the nickname “the Fifth Beatle.” His studio innovations shaped their sound. Learn more.
In which year did The Rolling Stones release the song "Gimme Shelter"?
1969
1967
1968
1970
"Gimme Shelter" was released as part of The Rolling Stones’ album Let It Bleed in November 1969. The song’s apocalyptic tone captured the turbulent spirit of the era. Learn more.
Which producer developed the "Wall of Sound" technique widely used on many 1960s hits?
Phil Spector
George Martin
Brian Wilson
Tom Wilson
Phil Spector’s "Wall of Sound" used dense orchestration and echo chambers to create a rich, layered production style heard on hits like "Be My Baby". It heavily influenced pop production throughout the 1960s. Learn more.
What is the title of the 1968 album by Wendy Carlos that featured classical music performed entirely on a Moog synthesizer?
Switched-On Bach
Cosmic Sounds
Moog Document
Electronic Bach
Wendy Carlos released "Switched-On Bach" in 1968, performing Bach compositions on a Moog synthesizer. The album’s success brought electronic music into the mainstream. Learn more.
Who was the first female artist to achieve a number one hit on the Motown label with "My Guy" in 1964?
Mary Wells
Diana Ross
Martha Reeves
Tammi Terrell
Mary Wells scored Motown’s first female solo number-one with "My Guy" in 1964. Her success paved the way for future Motown women stars like Diana Ross and Gladys Knight. Learn more.
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Study Outcomes
Recall Iconic 60s Hits -
Identify and name legendary songs and artists from the 1960s music trivia, reinforcing your familiarity with classic hits.
Differentiate Key Genres -
Categorize tracks by style - from British Invasion anthems to psychedelic rock - so you can distinguish defining sounds of the era.
Analyze Cultural Context -
Examine the historical and social influences behind 60s music trivia questions, deepening your understanding of each song's impact.
Sharpen Trivia Recall -
Practice remembering release dates, chart positions, and fun facts to boost your confidence when tackling music trivia 60s quizzes.
Deepen Musical Appreciation -
Gain insight into how 1960s music shaped future genres, enriching your overall appreciation for this revolutionary decade.
Cheat Sheet
The Rise of the British Invasion -
By 1964, British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones dominated US charts, inspiring a global shift in rock and pop styles (Britannica). Remember "B - R - I - T" for Beatles, Rolling Stones, Invasion Trend - an easy mnemonic for your 60s music trivia. This transformation is a must-review for any 60s music quiz enthusiast!
Motown's Signature Sound -
Detroit's Motown Records, led by Berry Gordy, created hits by The Supremes and Marvin Gaye through its "Hitsville U.S.A." formula combining soul, pop, and gospel (University of Michigan Library). A quick trick: "SMOG" (Soul, Melodies, Orchestration, Groove) helps recall Motown's production pillars. Familiarity with tracks like "My Girl" or "Stop! In the Name of Love" is essential.
Psychedelic Rock and Studio Innovation -
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" showcase effects like tape loops and reverse guitar (Journal of Popular Music Studies). Use the formula E=E→R (Experimentation = Effects leads to Revolutionary sound) to remember the era's experimental ethos. These tracks frequently appear in 1960s music trivia rounds.
Folk Revival and Protest Anthems -
Artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez led the folk revival with socially charged lyrics in songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind" (Smithsonian Folkways). A simple memory phrase, "F-L-A-G" (Folk Lyrics Advocate Greatness), can help you recall key protest tracks. Questions about lyrical content and historic context often surface in music trivia 60s quizzes.
Advancements in Multitrack Recording -
The introduction of eight-track and sixteen-track tape machines at studios such as Abbey Road revolutionized production, allowing overdubs and layered harmonies (AES Journal). Think "M-R-A" (Multitrack, Record, Assemble) to recall the recording evolution. Knowing these technical milestones boosts your score on any sixties music trivia challenge.
