Electric Light Orchestra Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In what year was the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) formed in Birmingham, England?
A. 1968
B. 1970
C. 1972
D. 1974
Answer: B. 1970
Q2. Who were the two primary songwriters and multi-instrumentalists that founded Electric Light Orchestra alongside drummer Bev Bevan?
A. Jeff Lynne and Richard Tandy
B. Roy Wood and Bev Bevan
C. Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood
D. Bev Bevan and Kelly Groucutt
Answer: C. Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood
Q3. What was the original inspiration behind Electric Light Orchestra’s name, blending rock with classical elements?
A. A reference to electric guitars and heavy metal
B. A pun on “electric light” and “light orchestral music” from BBC programs
C. An acronym for their first album title
D. A tribute to The Beatles’ “light” sound
Answer: B. A pun on “electric light” and “light orchestral music” from BBC programs
Q4. Which band did Electric Light Orchestra originate as an offshoot of, with Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan as members?
A. The Move
B. The Beatles
C. Black Sabbath
D. Wizzard
Answer: A. The Move
Q5. What was the title of Electric Light Orchestra’s debut single, created on July 12, 1970, by adding cellos to a Jeff Lynne song?
A. Roll Over Beethoven
B. Showdown
C. 10538 Overture
D. Can’t Get It Out of My Head
Answer: C. 10538 Overture
Q6. Electric Light Orchestra’s self-titled debut album was released in December 1971 in the UK, but under what name in the US in March 1972?
A. No Answer
B. ELO 2
C. On the Third Day
D. Eldorado
Answer: A. No Answer
Q7. When did Electric Light Orchestra perform their first concert, at the Greyhound Pub in Croydon, Surrey?
A. April 16, 1971
B. April 16, 1972
C. July 12, 1970
D. December 1971
Answer: B. April 16, 1972
Q8. Which founding member left Electric Light Orchestra in 1972 to form Wizzard, citing issues with management and live shows?
A. Jeff Lynne
B. Bev Bevan
C. Roy Wood
D. Richard Tandy
Answer: C. Roy Wood
Q9. After Roy Wood’s departure, who became Electric Light Orchestra’s sole leader, handling songwriting, arranging, and production?
A. Bev Bevan
B. Jeff Lynne
C. Kelly Groucutt
D. Mik Kaminski
Answer: B. Jeff Lynne
Q10. Which 1973 single was Electric Light Orchestra’s first US chart hit, a cover of Chuck Berry’s classic with added Beethoven elements?
A. Roll Over Beethoven
B. Showdown
C. Livin’ Thing
D. Telephone Line
Answer: A. Roll Over Beethoven
Q11. Electric Light Orchestra’s 1974 album Eldorado was their first US Top 10 hit, featuring which breakthrough single?
A. Mr. Blue Sky
B. Can’t Get It Out of My Head
C. Evil Woman
D. Don’t Bring Me Down
Answer: B. Can’t Get It Out of My Head
Q12. What innovative feature did Jeff Lynne introduce on Eldorado, moving beyond overdubbed strings?
A. A full orchestra and choir
B. Electronic synthesizers only
C. No strings at all
D. Guest vocalists exclusively
Answer: A. A full orchestra and choir
Q13. Which 1975 album included hits like “Evil Woman” and “Strange Magic,” marking Electric Light Orchestra’s shift to radio-friendly pop?
A. A New World Record
B. Face the Music
C. Out of the Blue
D. Discovery
Answer: B. Face the Music
Q14. A New World Record (1976) was Electric Light Orchestra’s first platinum album and first UK Top 10, with hits including which re-recording of a Move song?
A. Do Ya
B. Rockaria!
C. Telephone Line
D. Livin’ Thing
Answer: A. Do Ya
Q15. What was notable about Electric Light Orchestra’s 1978 world tour, billed as The Big Night in the US?
A. It was their first UK show
B. It was the highest-grossing tour at the time
C. It featured no orchestral elements
D. It was cancelled due to illness
Answer: B. It was the highest-grossing tour at the time
Q16. The 1979 album Discovery reached UK No. 1 and had a heavy disco influence; which was its biggest hit overall?
A. Last Train to London
B. Shine a Little Love
C. Don’t Bring Me Down
D. Confusion
Answer: C. Don’t Bring Me Down
Q17. Xanadu (1980) was a soundtrack collaboration with which artist, producing Electric Light Orchestra’s only UK No. 1 single?
A. Ed Sheeran
B. Olivia Newton-John
C. Ringo Starr
D. George Harrison
Answer: B. Olivia Newton-John
Q18. The 1981 concept album Time was Electric Light Orchestra’s second UK No. 1; what theme did it explore?
A. Dreams and daydreams
B. Rock ‘n’ roll history
C. Science fiction and time travel
D. Orchestral symphonies
Answer: C. Science fiction and time travel
Q19. Electric Light Orchestra disbanded after their final 1986 show opening for whom in Stuttgart, Germany?
A. Rod Stewart
B. The Rolling Stones
C. Black Sabbath
D. Olivia Newton-John
Answer: A. Rod Stewart
Q20. After disbanding, Jeff Lynne produced for which former Beatle on the 1987 album Cloud Nine?
A. Paul McCartney
B. John Lennon
C. George Harrison
D. Ringo Starr
Answer: C. George Harrison
Q21. Bev Bevan formed which group in 1989 using the Electric Light Orchestra name until selling his share to Lynne in 2000?
A. The Orchestra
B. ELO Part II
C. Wizzard
D. Traveling Wilburys
Answer: B. ELO Part II
Q22. The 2001 album Zoom featured guest appearances by which two former Beatles?
A. John Lennon and Paul McCartney
B. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
C. George Harrison and Ringo Starr
D. George Harrison and Paul McCartney
Answer: C. George Harrison and Ringo Starr
Q23. Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra reformed in 2014 for a Hyde Park concert; how quickly did tickets sell out?
A. 15 minutes
B. 1 hour
C. 1 day
D. 1 week
Answer: A. 15 minutes
Q24. Which 2015 album was Electric Light Orchestra’s first new material since 2001?
A. From Out of Nowhere
B. Alone in the Universe
C. Wembley or Bust
D. Flashback
Answer: B. Alone in the Universe
Q25. At the 2015 Grammy Awards, Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra performed a medley with which contemporary artist?
A. Olivia Newton-John
B. Daft Punk
C. Ed Sheeran
D. Taylor Swift
Answer: C. Ed Sheeran