Stage Names
This “Candle in the Wind” singer was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
Who is Sir Elton John? His stage name is a tribute to members of the band Bluesology.
On August 18, 1971, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site opened in this U.S. state.
What is Illinois? The Springfield home is now open to the public year-round.
On April 12, 1981, this organization launched its first space shuttle mission.
What is NASA? The first Space Transportation System carried astronaut John Young and navy test pilot Robert Crippen.
Recorded the hit tune “Chances Are”.
Who is Johnny Mathis? Mathis recorded “Chances Are” in 1957. It was included on his album Johnny’s Greatest Hits, his second record to sell more than one million copies.
Their free concert in Hyde Park on the night of September 18, 1976, included the hits “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
What is Queen? An estimated 200,000 people turned out to enjoy the 80-minute concert.
This Ghost and Sister Act actress was born Caryn Elaine Johnson.
Who is Whoopi Goldberg? She has said her first name is a nod to the whoopee cushion.
In 1978, the Redwood National Park Expansion Act was passed to protect redwood trees in this state.
What is California? Logging and other land use near the park threatened the giant trees, so the act helped protect more of the redwood forests.
Introduced to the tech world in 1982, this would quickly gain popularity and become the preferred alternative to floppy disks.
What is the CD or CD-ROM? CDs had a larger storage capacity (680 megabytes) than floppy disks (1.4 megabytes).
Recorded the hits “Danny’s Song” and “Your Mama Don’t Dance”
Who are Loggins and Messina? Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina were a pop duo who had a few hit songs in the 1970s. They separated to start their own careers in 1976. Kenny Loggins went on to have a very successful solo career.
In 1972, David Bowie began touring the UK as this alter ego, accompanied by his backup band, the Spiders from Mars.
Who is Ziggy Stardust? The tour and album are considered the musician’s great breakthrough.
This basketballer was born Earvin Johnson Jr.
Who is Magic Johnson? He earned his nickname in high school for his seemingly magical sports prowess.
The Pu`ukoholā Heiau (POO-ko-HO-la HAY-o) National Historic Site was opened here in August 1972.
What is Hawai’i? Heiau is a Hawai’ian word meaning “a temple.”
Handheld communicators from the Star Trek universe are often credited with inspiring this ’80s invention.
What is the mobile phone (or cell phone)? Digital cell phones came into being with early models like the Motorola DynaTAC, which weighed over a kilogram.
Recorded “Sara Smile” and “Rich Girl”.
Who are Hall and Oates? Pop artists Daryl Hall and John Oates had the most success from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s.
On April 21, 1990, fans in this nation rocked out with Paul McCartney in Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, breaking the world attendance record in the process.
What is Brazil? The record-setting show was almost canceled due to rain and flooding, but McCartney reportedly insisted the rains would stop—and he was right!
Born Eric Marlon Bishop, he took his stage name from a comedian and star of Sanford and Son.
Who is Jamie Foxx? Inspired by comic Redd Foxx, he took on an androgynous stage name while doing stand-up comedy.
Opened on October 27, 1972, this California recreation area shares its name with a landmark bridge.
What is the Golden Gate? The recreation area was created from military, private, and public lands in the San Francisco Bay area.
In 1981, the F-117 Nighthawk was introduced by Lockheed; it was this type of radarresistant craft.
What is an airplane? With its first flight on June 18, the F-117 became the world’s first stealth aircraft and changed military history.
Recorded “Come Monday” and “Son of a Son of a Sailor”.
Who is Jimmy Buffett? Buffett, the legendary troubadour of the laid-back lifestyle, created not only a musical empire but an entire “Margaritaville” state of mind.
It wasn’t just an album title. For their 1980 tour, this band insisted on creating an actual brick “wall” on stage and playing from behind it.
What is Pink Floyd? The tour to promote their album The Wall included complex logistics of building a wall in front of the band as they played.
This famous actress was born Norma Jean Mortenson.
Who is Marilyn Monroe? Her first name was inspired by Broadway star Marilyn Miller, and the surname was her mother's maiden name.
Opened on July 4, 1976, this Pennsylvania National Historical Park was the site of George Washington’s winter encampment from 1777 to 1778.
What is Valley Forge? The designation as a historical park came on the bicentennial of the American Revolution.
In 1981, this new cable channel was formed to broadcast music videos and to promote recorded music.
What is MTV? The name MTV stands for Music Television, and began as a 24-hour platform for music videos.
Recorded “A Teenager in Love” and “In the Still of the Night”.
Who are Dion and the Belmonts? They named their group after the street where they all lived in the Bronx, New York.
On September 10, 1970, this blues artist played at Cook County Jail with songs like “Worry, Worry” and “The Thrill Is Gone.”
Who is B. B. King? The performance inspired King to co-found the Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation.