Over the years there have been countless bands to climb the rock ranks to legendary status and become household names. But have you ever actually stopped to think about some of these household names? Compiled below are 6 legendary rock bands and how they got their names!
1. AC/DC
The Scottish/Australian rock group originated from brothers Angus and Malcolm Young who, upon seeing their brother George Young joining popular Australian group The Easybeats, decided to form a rock group of their own. The two would take on the name AC/DC upon a suggestion from their sister Margaret, who had seen the lettering on their home sewing machine. In case you’ve never found yourself in a situation where you needed to know, AC stands for alternating current while DC stands for Direct current when referring to electrical flow. Bonus fact time! In Australia the band is also commonly referred to as “Acca Dacca”
2. Cream
The english rock band comprised of Eric Clapton, Jake Bruce and Ginger Baker were destined for greatness right off the bat. With Clapton fresh off a run with The Yardbyrds, Baker earing an elite reputation for himself as the drummer for The Graham Bond Organisation alongside future future Cream-mate Jake Bruce. The band was formed as a gathering of the elite of the elite, the name Cream derives from the idea they are the “Cream of The Crop” in the music industry, a statement i’m sure Macho ManRandy Savage would definatelt agree with.
3. Golden Earring
Golden Earring, one of the most underrated bands of all time in my opinion, originally went under the name The Tornados before realizing the name had already been in use. The band would rename themselves “The Golden Earrings” after an instrumental piece by The Hunters of the same name. Eventually the band would settle on just simply Golden Earring.
4. Journey
Forming in 1973 under the name The Golden Gate Rhythm Section the band decided to hold a radio contest and allow the fans to select their new name. Not thrilled with any of the results that came back, it was a roadie who had been traveling with the band that suggested the name Journey. The band all agreed and have been rocking with us ever since!
5. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin… Really think about that for a second, a household name most of us say on a regular basis without even batting an eye. The story goes that Robert Plant was ready to start a musical supergroup and was kicking around this idea with Who drummer Keith Moon who supposedly told him his idea would go down like a lead balloon. Balloon, Zeppelin, same thing right? Well Plant sure seemed to think so anyway.
6. The Foo Fighters
Not one, not two but three legendary rock bands lace Dave Grohl’s historic career! How does the drummer from one o if not THE most over band of the 90s step out and begin a band of his own outside of that shadow? Nevertheless one with as clever and catchy name as the simply titled Nirvana. Two words, Foo Fighters. Admit it if you’ve ever heard the name Foo Fighters on the radio, fan or not, you’ve wondered where the hell that name could come from! Really it’s quite simple, UFOs. That’s right, Foo Fighters is allegedly a name that was given by allied aircraft pilots for unidentified flying objects. Meaning the Foo Fighters are quite literally out if this world!
Regardless of how they acquired these names one thing is always going to be for certain. If the word, object, or idea your band was named after takes a backseat to your band in terms of word association or recognition, you’ve made it.
-Style
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