Can You Solve the Puzzle to Figure Out the Band Name?

By: Monica Lee
Image: Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images

About This Quiz

First, a quick warm-up for this puzzler of a quiz. Here's an example of what you'll find: if the word "HOT" is in red type, you should read it as what? You know this... it's... RED HOT. As in the Red Hot Chili Peppers. See, it's easy. Here's another: what if you're given an illustration of a man hammering molten-hot metal on an anvil, what would that word be? The answer is "blacksmith." Then, if the puzzle asks you to subtract the color "black," what would you have left?  You got it, "smith." These puzzles are not hard to follow once you know how to decode the clues. Okay, you're now properly warmed up and ready to put your smarts to the test. 

But you don't have to puzzle this out alone; this is fun for a group as well. Think of it as your own Pictionary game. And don't forget to listen to the right mood music while you answer the questions. You'll want to headbang to Aerosmith, the Clash, Radiohead and other top bands, because that too, will give you hints about the solution. Take the quiz right now. It's a picture of a rocket taking off (a blast!)

This English rock band from Liverpool is regarded as the most influential music band in history.

Just as influential as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones were what rock and roll was all about. The band's "A Bigger Bang Tour" is the second-highest-grossing concert tour of all time.

Pink Floyd was another English rock band formed in London in 1960's. They achieved international fame with songs like "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Money."

Led Zeppelin includes Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Michael Lee, and Tony Thompson. Together they created such classics as "Stairway to Heaven" and Heartbreaker."

Guns N' Roses was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 due to such hits as "November Rain", "Welcome to the Jungle" and many more.

With songs like "Enter Sandman" and "Nothing Else Matters", Metallica has been making the best heavy-metal music for over 37 years.

Do you remember Ozzy Osbourne biting off the head of a bat? Besides those headlines, Black Sabbath also brought these songs to life: "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and many other hits.

Yet another English rock band formed in 1960's, the Who made their way to fame with lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon.

"Dream On" and "Walk this Way" were just two of the songs that made this group "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band".

This rock band had so many hits that their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) "is the fifth-best-selling album of all time" by claimed sales.

U2 is an Irish rock band from Dublin whose songs brought fame to the band members, Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.

Freddie Mercury's masterpiece, the "Bohemian Rhapsody," is Queen's most famous song, and one of the most innovative pieces of music. Many would say that is it the most creative piece of music ever produced by a rock band.


Radiohead is an English rock band that has so many hits over the years including "Paranoid Android" and "Karma Police."

"I Get Around," "Good Vibrations," and "Fun, Fun, Fun"... these and others defined the fun-in-the-sun era. The Beach Boys original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson; their cousin Mike Love; and their friend Al Jardine.

This British punk rock band shot to fame with "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and "Rock the Casbah" as well and other Top-Ten songs.

Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American funk rock band that has a rock sound with an emphasis on funk, as well as some punk rock and psychedelic music.

Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band formed by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Top songs include "Hallowed Be Thy Name," "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "The Number of the Beast."

Popular hits of Green Day include "Basket Case," "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." This American punk rock band was formed by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt.

Who can forget "Light My Fire," 'L.A. Woman'" or "Break on Through (To the Other Side)"? They were songs that represented an era of the '60s and '70s. Jim Morrison sang the songs accompanied by keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and John Densmore on drums.

Whether you're listening to "Smoke On The Water," "Highway Star" or "Speed King," you know you're listening to the heavy metal and hard rock of Deep Purple, although their musical style has changed over the years.

When you listen to tunes like "Black," "Jeremy" and "Better Man," you are listening to a band with big statements, bigger guitars, and a meaningful hook. Pearl Jam is in a class by itself.

Listen to the rolling drums, the airtight band interplay, and Lee's impossibly high vocals, and you know you're hearing Rush. The band is also known for its songs such as "The Spirit of Radio" and "Fly by Night."

The Ramones, often referred to as the first band to define punk, flew to the top of the charts with "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "Glad To See You Go."

The Velvet Underground had the most talented members including singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and drummer Angus MacLise.

This English punk rock band that was responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom. Their top songs included "God Save the Queen" and "Pretty Vacant."

The Police featured Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland playing hits like "Don't Stand So Close To Me", "Every Breath You Take" and "Roxanne."

The Grateful Dead has a unique and eclectic style fused with rock to give us "Touch of Grey," "Truckin'' and "Casey Jones,"

Coldplay songs speak to the amazing collaboration within the band. Songs such as "Paradise," "Viva La Vida," "Fix You" and "Princess of "China."

The guitar riff in "Lola" is legendary, however, the band's other top songs, "You Really Got Me" and "Waterloo Sunset" prove why they skyrocketed to the top and stayed on top.

R.E.M., an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, brought us such great songs as "Man on the Moon", "Nightswimming" and "Losing My Religion."

The Byrds underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its history. What remains solid is the band's musical contributions including top hits, "Mr. Tambourine Man" and"Turn, Turn, Turn," to name a few.

Do you recall these lyrics from the hit "Life During Wartime"? "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no foolin' around." Talking Heads incorporated all types of music into rock and is known for to top hits, "And She Was" and "Burning Down The House."

Run-DMC ushered in a new era for hip-hop in the early ‘80s. DJ and singer Jam Master Jay brought it to the street with “King of Rock” and lyrics such as “It’s like that, and that’s the way it is!” from the song, "It's Like This."

The Stooges, also known as Iggy and the Stooges, were an American rock band who gave us "Search And Destroy," "T.V. Eye" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog."

Van Halen is an American hard rock band that showed off Eddie Van Halen's heavy guitar-driven tracks, vocals from David Lee Roth, heart-pounding beats from Alex Van Halen, and the skill of bassist Michael Anthony.

This Southern Rock band, The Allman Brothers Band, gave some Southern Comfort to rock and roll with such songs as "Ramblin' Man," "Midnight Rider" and "Jessica."

Just one look at their long beards, and you know it's ZZ Top. This band rocked the world with "Cheap Sunglasses", "I Thank You", "Sharp Dressed Man", "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and so many others.

The Yardbirds are an English rock band, formed in London in 1963. During their five-year run they created such hits as "For Your Love," "Shapes of Things," and "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago."

From slashing guitar riffs to a monster chorus, no other band sounds like Def Leppard. The band's top hit's include "Love Bites," "Animal," "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and many more.

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