Van Halen Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast #343

Get ready to Jump into rock ‘n’ roll history with our Van Halen Trivia episode! Whether you’re a die-hard fan who’s been blasting Eruption since the vinyl days or a curious listener just discovering one of the most legendary rock bands of all time, this week’s episode of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast will crank your brain to 11.

We’ve got 30 fast-paced Van Halen trivia questions covering everything from Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar solos to the band’s chart-topping hits, iconic albums, lineup changes, and unforgettable tours. Test your rock knowledge, challenge your friends, and maybe learn a few surprising facts along the way.

So grab your air guitar, warm up those fingers, and let’s see if you can claim the title of Van Halen superfan. From Runnin’ with the Devil to Panama, this episode is your backstage pass to one of rock’s greatest acts.

Hit play now, and let’s get loud!

Book of the Week

Brothers by Alex Van Halen

In this intimate and open account—nothing like any rock-and-roll memoir you’ve ever read—Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music and brotherly love in a remarkable tribute to his beloved brother and band mate

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

Here we go with more music trivia. This week, we’re rocking out to some Van Halen trivia. Three rounds of ten questions each.

If you’re in need of rules, scorecards, or show notes, visit DorkyGeekyNerdy.com to find some.

This is episode 343 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast, I’m your emcee, ticket-taker, and clean-up crew, Brian Rollins, and let’s get this party started.

The Dorky Round

Who was the lead guitarist for the band Van Halen?
a. Eddie Van Halen
Until 1985, who was the lead singer for Van Halen?
a. David Lee Roth
What was Van Halen’s only Billboard Number One single?
a. Jump
Who was the drummer for Van Halen?
a. Eddie’s brother, Alex Van Halen
What was the title of Van Halen’s first album?
a. Don’t overthink it, it was self-titled, Van Halen.
What 1984 Van Halen song is about a car, not a country?
a. Panama
What lead singer of Kiss produced Van Halen’s first demo tape?
a. Simmons
The video for what Van Halen song, a cover of a 1960s Roy Orbison song, was banned by MTV?
a. Oh, Pretty Woman
An untitled Eddie Van Halen lick was used in what 1985 time travel movie?
a. Back to the Future. Marty uses it to wake up his dad in 1955.
What was the name given to Eddie Van Halen’s classic red, white, and black “monster” guitar?
a. The Frankenstrat

The Geeky Round

For most of the band’s history (1974-2006), who was the bassist for Van Halen?
a. Michael Anthony
Following Roth’s departure, who became the lead singer for Van Halen?
a. Sammy Hagar
What 1983 song did Eddie Van Halen play on for Michael Jackson?
a. Beat It. Listen to the guitar solo and it’s pretty clear.
What song opens with Alex Van Halen’s powerful drum intro and a revving engine?
a. Hot for Teacher
What quirky request did Van Halen famously put in their tour rider?
a. No brown M&M’s. It’s not an urban legend. It was put in to make sure all the riders in their contract (specifically the safety and electrical ones) were met.
What band opened for Van Halen on their first tour?
a. Journey
What 1986 song was the first single released by the band with Hagar and reached #3 in the US?
a. Why Can’t This Be Love
Everyone Wants Some was used during a stop motion segment of what John Cusack dark comedy?
a. Better Off Dead
An instrumental version of Eruption was used to comic effect in what 2015 DreamWorks Animation film?
a. Minions
Debuting in 2020, what Star Trek ship bears a paint scheme based on Van Halen’s Frankenstrat?
a. The La Sirenna from Star Trek: Picard

The Nerdy Round

In what year was Van Halen formed?
a. It was formed in 1972.
What southern California city was the birthplace of the band, Van Halen?
a. Pasadena, CA
Starting in 2006, who took over as the bassist for Van Halen?
a. Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen
What was the original name of Van Halen before they changed it?
a. Mammoth
Sammy Hagar previously fronted what other hard rock band before joining Van Halen?
a. Montrose
What former lead singer of Extreme joined Van Halen for one album in the late 1990s?
a. Gary Cherone
What was the band’s final studio album?
a. A Different Kind of Truth, released in 2012
What was the first album to feature Hagar as Van Halen’s front man?
a. The album was 5150
What 2016 Richard Linklater movie gets its title from (and features) a Van Halen song?
a. Everybody Wants Some!!
What was the make of the guitar Eddie customized into his famous “Frankenstrat”?
a. It’s a Fender Stratocaster body with Gibson electronics

Episode Conclusion

And that’s the show. No encore, sorry. How did you do? Let me know on social media. Got a favorite Van Halen song? Share it with us.

Next week is more science and geography trivia. Here’s a clue:

What covers over three-quarters of the Earth?

OK, sometimes, I can’t think of a clever teaser.

Until then, just keep in mind that you are the rock star in your own show. I’ll catch up with you again on Wednesday.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.