David Bowie Trivia
David Bowie trivia explores the life and legacy of David Robert Jones, the English artist celebrated as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Best known for his constant reinvention and especially acclaimed for his groundbreaking work in the 1970s, Bowie left a lasting mark on music, fashion, and film.
Easy David Bowie Trivia
11 questions
These easy David Bowie trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.
Question 1
What was David Bowie's birth name?
Answer: David Robert Jones
David Bowie was born is David Robert Jones.
Question 2
On what date was David Bowie born?
Answer: January 8, 1947
David Bowie was born on January 8, 1947.
Question 3
When did David Bowie die?
Answer: January 10, 2016
David Bowie died on January 10, 2016.
Question 4
David Bowie was best known as what kind of artist?
Answer: An English singer and songwriter
David Bowie was an English singer and songwriter.
Question 5
Besides music, David Bowie also worked as what?
Answer: Actor
In addition to music, Bowie also worked is an actor.
Question 6
Which 1972 Bowie album featured Ziggy Stardust in its title?
- A.Heroes
- B.Blackstar
- C.Let's Dance
- D.Ziggy Stardust
Answer: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Bowie's 1972 breakthrough album was The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Question 7
In the song "Space Oddity," what is the name of the character Bowie introduced?
Answer: Major Tom
The 1969 song "Space Oddity" introduced the character Major Tom.
Question 8
What year was David Bowie's hit "Let's Dance" released?
Answer: 1983
"Let's Dance" was released in 1983.
Question 9
Which film director is David Bowie's son?
Answer: Duncan Jones
David Bowie's son Duncan Jones is a film director.
Question 10
In the 1986 film "Labyrinth," what character did David Bowie play?
Answer: Jareth
Bowie starred is Jareth in the 1986 film "Labyrinth.".
Question 11
Which real-life inventor did Bowie portray in the 2006 film "The Prestige"?
Answer: Nikola Tesla
In "The Prestige," Bowie played Nikola Tesla.
David Bowie Family Trivia
11 questions
These family David Bowie trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.
Question 1
What instrument did David Bowie learn to play when he was a boy?
- A.drums
- B.saxophone
- C.trumpet
- D.piano
Answer: saxophone
Bowie learned to play the saxophone is a boy.
Question 2
Which London area was David Bowie born in?
- A.Camden
- B.Chelsea
- C.Greenwich
- D.Brixton
Answer: Brixton
David Bowie was born in the Brixton area of London.
Question 3
At which school did David Bowie study?
- A.Bromley Technical High School
- B.Croydon Grammar School
- C.Brixton Central School
- D.London Arts Academy
Answer: Bromley Technical High School
Bowie attended Bromley Technical High School.
Question 4
David Bowie's stage surname helped avoid mix-ups with which Monkees singer?
- A.Peter Tork
- B.Mike Nesmith
- C.Davy Jones
- D.Micky Dolenz
Answer: Davy Jones
Bowie chose his stage surname to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of the Monkees.
Question 5
What was David Bowie's first UK number-one single?
- A.Space Oddity
- B.Changes
- C.Modern Love
- D.Life on Mars?
Answer: Space Oddity
Bowie's first UK number-one single was "Space Oddity" in 1975.
Question 6
On which album would you find Bowie's song "Changes"?
- A.Aladdin Sane
- B.Cat People
- C.Hunky Dory
- D.Let's Dance
Answer: Hunky Dory
Bowie sang "Changes" on the 1971 album "Hunky Dory.".
Question 7
In what year was Bowie's album "Aladdin Sane" released?
- A.1973
- B.1971
- C.1975
- D.1983
Answer: 1973
Bowie's album "Aladdin Sane" was released in 1973.
Question 8
David Bowie teamed up with which band to perform "Under Pressure"?
- A.The Beatles
- B.ABBA
- C.ELO
- D.Queen
Answer: Queen
Bowie performed the song "Under Pressure" with Queen.
Question 9
Which song from Bowie's album "Let's Dance" is called "Modern Love"?
- A.Life on Mars?
- B.Space Oddity
- C.Modern Love
- D.Changes
Answer: Modern Love
The song "Modern Love" is from Bowie's album "Let's Dance.".
Question 10
Which song did Bowie record for the 1982 film Cat People?
- A.Golden Years
- B.Fashion
- C.Cat People
- D.Panic in Detroit
Answer: Cat People
The title song Bowie recorded for the film is "Cat People." The distractors are other Bowie tracks, but not that film song.
Question 11
In the 1976 film "The Man Who Fell to Earth," what character did Bowie play?
Answer: Thomas Jerome Newton
David Bowie played Thomas Jerome Newton in "The Man Who Fell to Earth.".
Fun David Bowie Trivia
12 questions
These fun David Bowie trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.
Question 1
Before the world knew him as David Bowie, what name did he record under?
Answer: Davie Jones
Before becoming famous, Bowie recorded under the name Davie Jones.
Question 2
Which Bowie single from 1974 is the one famous for its instantly recognizable guitar riff?
- A.Fame
- B.Rebel Rebel
- C.Young Americans
- D.Heroes
Answer: Rebel Rebel
Bowie's 1974 single "Rebel Rebel" is built around a famous guitar riff.
Question 3
Who teamed up with Bowie on the 1977 album "Low"?
Answer: Brian Eno
Brian Eno collaborated with Bowie on the 1977 album "Low.".
Question 4
Part of the album "Heroes" was recorded at which West Berlin studio?
Answer: Hansa Studio
The 1977 Bowie album "Heroes" was recorded partly at Hansa Studio in West Berlin.
Question 5
In "The Hunger," Bowie shared the screen with Catherine Deneuve and which other star?
Answer: Catherine Deneuve
Bowie co-starred with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon in "The Hunger." This question asks for one of those co-stars, Catherine Deneuve.
Question 6
Which biblical figure did Bowie play in Martin Scorsese's 1988 film "The Last Temptation of Christ"?
Answer: Pontius Pilate
Bowie played Pontius Pilate in Martin Scorsese's 1988 film "The Last Temptation of Christ.".
Question 7
In "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me," Bowie pops in as which FBI agent?
Answer: Phillip Jeffries
Bowie appeared is FBI agent Phillip Jeffries in "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.".
Question 8
Which band featured on a version of Bowie's 1997 song "I'm Afraid of Americans"?
Answer: Nine Inch Nails
Bowie's 1997 song "I'm Afraid of Americans" featured Nine Inch Nails on a version of the track.
Question 9
What was the name of David Bowie's half-brother?
Answer: Terry Burns
David Bowie's half-brother was Terry Burns.
Question 10
What was the name of Bowie's backing band during the Ziggy Stardust era?
Answer: the Spiders from Mars
Bowie's 1970s backing band for Ziggy Stardust was called the Spiders from Mars.
Question 11
Who handled lead guitar duties in the Spiders from Mars?
Answer: Mick Ronson
Mick Ronson was the lead guitarist in Bowie's Spiders from Mars band.
Question 12
For which children's special did Bowie win a Daytime Emmy?
Answer: Hollywood Rocks the Movies
Bowie won a Daytime Emmy for the children's special "Hollywood Rocks the Movies.".
Funny David Bowie Trivia
12 questions
These funny David Bowie trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.
Question 1
What was David Bowieâs 1967 debut album called?
- A.Low
- B.Hunky Dory
- C.David Bowie
- D.Space Oddity
Answer: David Bowie
Bowieâs self-titled debut album was released in 1967. "Space Oddity," "Low," and "Hunky Dory" are later Bowie albums.
Question 2
Which novelty-style 1967 Bowie song sounds like it wandered in from a fairy tale and refused to leave?
- A.Fashion
- B.The Laughing Gnome
- C.Kooks
- D.Magic Dance
Answer: The Laughing Gnome
Bowie recorded the novelty-style song "The Laughing Gnome" in 1967.
Question 3
Bowie once founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired what?
Answer: Men
The short-lived society was called the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men.
Question 4
Which Bowie song turns up in "Labyrinth" like a dance invitation from a very stylish goblin court?
Answer: Magic Dance
Bowie's song "Magic Dance" appears in the film "Labyrinth.".
Question 5
What bit of screen business became part of Bowie's image in "Labyrinth"âand probably made insurance people nervous?
Answer: crystal-ball juggling
Bowie's role in "Labyrinth" made crystal-ball juggling part of his screen image.
Question 6
Which singer joined Bowie in a 1985 Pepsi commercial, because one icon apparently wasn't enough fizz?
- A.Tina Turner
- B.Cher
- C.Annie Lennox
- D.Madonna
Answer: Tina Turner
Bowie starred in a 1985 Pepsi commercial with Tina Turner.
Question 7
Bowie recorded "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" with which legendary crooner for a 1977 TV special?
- A.Frank Sinatra
- B.Tony Bennett
- C.Dean Martin
- D.Bing Crosby
Answer: Bing Crosby
Bowie and Bing Crosby recorded "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" for a 1977 TV special.
Question 8
In "Mr. Rice's Secret," Bowie played a villain with what very reusable-sounding name?
Answer: Mr. Rice
Bowie played a dapper villain named Mr. Rice in the film "Mr. Rice's Secret.".
Question 9
On which TV sitcom did Bowie pop up to sing a comic insult aimed at Ricky Gervais's character?
Answer: Extras
On the TV sitcom "Extras," Bowie sang a comic song insulting Ricky Gervais's character.
Question 10
The famous cover of "Aladdin Sane" places what striking symbol across Bowie's face?
Answer: a red-and-blue lightning bolt
The cover of "Aladdin Sane" shows Bowie with a red-and-blue lightning bolt across his face.
Question 11
Which film featured Bowie as a flamboyant Warhol-era figure, basically letting him weaponize cool on purpose?
- A.Velvet Goldmine
- B.Labyrinth
- C.Mr. Rice's Secret
- D.Absolute Beginners
Answer: Absolute Beginners
Bowie played a flamboyant Warhol-era figure in the film "Absolute Beginners.".
Question 12
During Bowie's 1979 appearance on which show did a giant tuxedo costume enter the chat?
Answer: Saturday Night Live
Bowie's 1979 "Saturday Night Live" appearance included a giant tuxedo costume.
Hard David Bowie Trivia
13 questions
These hard David Bowie trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.
Question 1
At which Brixton street address was David Bowie born?
Answer: 40 Stansfield Road in Brixton
Bowie was born at 40 Stansfield Road in Brixton.
Question 2
The schoolyard fight that left Bowie's left pupil permanently dilated was with whom?
Answer: George Underwood
A 1962 fight with George Underwood caused Bowie's permanently dilated left pupil.
Question 3
Before the fame, the hair, and the personas, what was the name of Bowie's first band?
Answer: the Konrads
Bowie's first band in the early 1960s was the Konrads.
Question 4
Which pre-fame group did Bowie perform with before his breakthrough, besides his first band?
Answer: King Bees
Before fame, Bowie also performed with the King Bees.
Question 5
What 1964 single did Bowie release with the King Bees?
Answer: Liza Jane
Bowie released the single "Liza Jane" with the King Bees in 1964.
Question 6
Who taught Bowie mime, influencing his performance style in a major way?
Answer: Lindsay Kemp
Bowie's mime teacher was Lindsay Kemp.
Question 7
âYoung Americansâ may be nicknamed plastic soul, but in which city was it recorded largely?
Answer: Philadelphia
The 1975 album "Young Americans" was recorded largely in Philadelphia.
Question 8
Which 1977 Iggy Pop album was a Bowie collaboration?
Answer: The Idiot
Bowie and Iggy Pop collaborated on the 1977 album "The Idiot.".
Question 9
Name the Iggy Pop song that Bowie co-wrote and that barrels forward like a sleepless sprint.?
Answer: Lust for Life
Bowie co-wrote Iggy Pop's song "Lust for Life.".
Question 10
Bowie served as producer for which 1972 Lou Reed album?
Answer: Transformer
Bowie produced Lou Reed's 1972 album "Transformer.".
Question 11
Which stage role did Bowie take on Broadway in 1980?
Answer: The Elephant Man
Bowie played the Elephant Man on Broadway in 1980.
Question 12
Which Bowie festival set is remembered as a late-career triumph at Glastonbury?
- A.Live Aid 1985
- B.Isle of Wight 1970
- C.Glastonbury 1971
- D.Glastonbury 2000
Answer: Glastonbury 2000
The answer anchor is Glastonbury 2000, Bowieâs acclaimed late-career festival triumph.
Question 13
Which Bowie song sounds like a cosmic fever dream and glam-rock love note?
- A.Moonage Daydream
- B.Starman
- C.Space Oddity
- D.Lady Grinning Soul
Answer: Moonage Daydream
"Moonage Daydream" is the Bowie song with that spacey, glam-rock feel. The other choices are different Bowie songs with distinct identities.
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