Quiz: What do you know about this local Legend?
Springfield’s John Legend to perform on Monday.
This area has generated its share of musical notables, from Zapp, Rick Derringer and the Ohio Players to Hawthorne Heights, the Deal sisters and Guided By Voices.
However, none of these acts has enjoyed the level of international success as John Legend, the chart-topper from Springfield who’s performing at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights on Monday, June 12.
Legend was born John Roger Stephens on Dec. 28, 1978. He has sold more than 8 million albums, won 10 Grammy Awards and an Oscar. And like any true pop star, he’s married to a super model, in this case the effervescent Chrissy Teigen. But these facts only scratch the surface — so here’s a short quiz to test your knowledge on the inimitable singer.
1) At what age did Legend start playing piano? A) Four B) Five C) Seven D) Nine
2) He was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania when he got his big break playing piano on this song from Lauren Hill’s landmark album, “The Miseducation of Lauren Hill.” A) “Lost Ones” B) “Superstar” C) “Every Ghetto, Every City” D) “Everything Is Everything”
3) After college, he pursued music while working a day job as what? A) Paralegal B) Recording studio gopher C) Management consultant D) Staff songwriter
4) An even bigger break came when Legend’s roommate introduced the singer to his hip-hop producing cousin. What was his name? A) Pharrell Williams B) Kanye West C) Timbaland D) J Dilla
5) Which one below is not the title of a John Legend album? A) “All of Me” B) “Evolver” C) “Get Lifted” D) “Darkness and Light”
6) In 2012, Legend joined Ohio Players, Guided By Voices, Rusted Root and other acts on the bill at this local festival. A) Cityfolk Festival B) Dayton Music Fest C) Downtown Dayton Revival D) Miami Valley Music Fest
7) Legend won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2015 for the song “Glory” from the film “Selma.” The song also featured this rapper-turned-actor? A) Ice T B) Method Man C) Ice Cube D) Common 8) In addition to his work as a musician, Legend is also an executive producer on television programs and films. Which of the following projects was he NOT involved with. A) Pop TV’s competition “Sing It On” B) The 2011 film “The Help” C) WGN’s drama “Underground” D) The 2016 film “La La Land”
Answer key
1A, 2D, 3C, 4B, 5A, 6C, 7D, 8B
Score
8 — Great job: Music scholar 7-5 — Congrats: Super fan 4-0 — Needs work: Casual listener