The Velvet Underground Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In what year was The Velvet Underground formed in New York City?
A. 1962
B. 1964
C. 1966
D. 1968
Answer: B. 1964
Q2. Who served as the band’s manager and introduced them to the avant-garde scene in 1966?
A. Andy Warhol
B. Brian Eno
C. David Bowie
D. Tom Wilson
Answer: A. Andy Warhol
Q3. Which book title inspired the band’s name in November 1965?
A. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
B. The Velvet Underground
C. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
D. On the Road
Answer: B. The Velvet Underground
Q4. Who was the original percussionist before leaving in 1965 over a paid gig dispute?
A. Moe Tucker
B. Doug Yule
C. Angus MacLise
D. Billy Yule
Answer: C. Angus MacLise
Q5. Which musician, known for her unconventional drum setup using tom-toms and mallets, joined in 1965?
A. Nico
B. Maureen “Moe” Tucker
C. Patti Smith
D. Yoko Ono
Answer: B. Maureen “Moe” Tucker
Q6. What was the name of Andy Warhol’s multimedia show featuring the band from 1966 to 1967?
A. Exploding Plastic Inevitable
B. The Factory Sessions
C. The Velvet Voyage
D. Underground Visions
Answer: A. Exploding Plastic Inevitable
Q7. Which German singer was added to the band at Warhol’s suggestion for their debut album?
A. Marianne Faithfull
B. Nico
C. Christine McVie
D. Grace Slick
Answer: B. Nico
Q8. What iconic design by Andy Warhol features a peelable banana on the band’s debut album cover?
A. Silver Cloud
B. Factory Print
C. Peel Slowly and See
D. Pop Icon
Answer: C. Peel Slowly and See
Q9. Which producer oversaw the recording of the band’s debut album in 1966?
A. Andy Warhol
B. Tom Wilson
C. John Cale
D. Lou Reed
Answer: B. Tom Wilson
Q10. What was the debut album’s original release date, delayed by legal issues over its cover image?
A. January 1967
B. Feburary 1967
C. March 1967
D. October 1967
Answer: C. March 1967
Q11. Which song from the debut album is a semi-autobiographical account of waiting for a drug dealer?
A. Heroin
B. I’m Waiting for the Man
C. Venus in Furs
D. All Tomorrow’s Parties
Answer: B. I’m Waiting for the Man
Q12. What controversial BDSM-themed track from the debut draws its title from Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s novel?
A. Venus in Furs
B. Femme Fatale
C. Sunday Morning
D. Run Run Run
Answer: A. Venus in Furs
Q13. Which Warhol favorite is described as a “gothic-rock masterpiece” on the debut album?
A. I’ll Be Your Mirror
B. All Tomorrow’s Parties
C. The Black Angel’s Death Song
D. European Son
Answer: B. All Tomorrow’s Parties
Q14. What experimental track closes the debut album with feedback and crashing sounds?
A. Heroin
B. The Gift
C. Sister Ray
D. European Son
Answer: D. European Son
Q15. Which spoken-word track on the debut, narrated by John Cale, involves a gruesome mailing mishap?
A. The Gift
B. The Black Angel’s Death Song
C. Here She Comes Now
D. Femme Fatale
Answer: A. The Gift
Q16. What was the title of the band’s abrasive second album, released in January 1968?
A. The Velvet Underground
B. Loaded
C. White Light/White Heat
D. Squeeze
Answer: C. White Light/White Heat
Q17. Which chaotic 17-minute jam on the second album features a police siren sound effect?
A. Here She Comes Now
B. Sister Ray
C. I Heard Her Call My Name
D. White Light/White Heat
Answer: B. Sister Ray
Q18. What title track on the second album references amphetamine use and speed?
A. Lady Godiva’s Operation
B. The Gift
C. White Light/White Heat
D. Some Kinda Love
Answer: C. White Light/White Heat
Q19. Why was John Cale fired from the band in September 1968 after the second album?
A. Health issues
B. Creative differences with Lou Reed
C. Contract disputes
D. Relocation to Europe
Answer: B. Creative differences with Lou Reed
Q20. Who replaced John Cale as multi-instrumentalist for the third album in 1969?
A. Doug Yule
B. Angus MacLise
C. Walter Powers
D. Willie Alexander
Answer: A. Doug Yule
Q21. Described as gentler and folk-influenced, what was the band’s self-titled third album’s release date?
A. February, 1965
B. November, 1968
C. March, 1969
D. April, 1985
Answer: C. March, 1969
Q22. Which confessional track from the third album is a tender tribute to a transgender friend?
A. Pale Blue Eyes
B. Candy Says
C. Jesus
D. I’m Set Free
Answer: B. Candy Says
Q23. What poetic, spiritual song from the third album reflects on faith and doubt?
A. What Goes On
B. Some Kinda Love
C. Jesus
D. Beginning to See the Light
Answer: C. Jesus
Q24. Which upbeat track from the third album celebrates the transformative power of music?
A. Pale Blue Eyes
B. Rock & Roll
C. After Hours
D. Murder Mystery
Answer: B. Rock & Roll
Q25. What was the fourth album, known for its pop-rock accessibility, released in November 1970?
A. Loaded
B. VU
C. Live MCMXCIII
D. Squeeze
Answer: A. Loaded