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On a Friday
ANSWER: When the band formed in 1985, they called themselves On a Friday as a nod to their normal practice day. Upon signing with EMI in 1991, the band changed its name to Radiohead, an allusion to the song "Radio Head" on Talking Heads' 1986 album True Stories. When the band formed in 1985, they called themselves On a Friday as a nod to their normal practice day. Upon signing with EMI in 1991, the band changed its name to Radiohead, an allusion to the song "Radio Head" on Talking Heads' 1986 album True Stories.
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The Strand
ANSWER: After John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon joined the Strand in 1975, the band decided to switch names. They eventually settled on The Sex Pistols after considering alternatives like Kid Gladlove and Teenage Novel. After John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon joined the Strand in 1975, the band decided to switch names. They eventually settled on The Sex Pistols after considering alternatives like Kid Gladlove and Teenage Novel.
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Blackwood Convention
The String Cheese Incident
ANSWER: The name didn't last long, though. Blackwood Convention only played one gig before switching to the name Phish. The name didn't last long, though. Blackwood Convention only played one gig before switching to the name Phish.
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My Backyard
ANSWER: The early incarnations of what would become Skynyrd also went by the name The Noble Five. Leonard Skinner was actually a real guy. He had been the gym teacher of Ronnie Van Zant and other band members at Jacksonville's Robert E. Lee High School, and they named their band after him to poke fun at his disdain for long hair and rock music. When Skinner died in August 2010, The New York Times called him "arguably the most influential high school gym teacher in American popular culture." The early incarnations of what would become Skynyrd also went by the name The Noble Five. Leonard Skinner was actually a real guy. He had been the gym teacher of Ronnie Van Zant and other band members at Jacksonville's Robert E. Lee High School, and they named their band after him to poke fun at his disdain for long hair and rock music. When Skinner died in August 2010, The New York Times called him "arguably the most influential high school gym teacher in American popular culture."
5 of 11
The Golliwogs
Creedence Clearwater Revival
ANSWER: The band actually got its start in 1959 as an instrumental trio named the Blue Velvets before switching to The Golliwogs. Creedence Clearwater Revival became their new name in December 1967. The band actually got its start in 1959 as an instrumental trio named the Blue Velvets before switching to The Golliwogs. Creedence Clearwater Revival became their new name in December 1967.
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The High Numbers
ANSWER: The Who actually released a single, "Zoot Suit," under the name The High Numbers in 1964. The mod-inflected track bombed, and the band switched names for its second shot at the charts. The Who actually released a single, "Zoot Suit," under the name The High Numbers in 1964. The mod-inflected track bombed, and the band switched names for its second shot at the charts.
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The Ravens
ANSWER: The band has told conflicting stories about their 1964 name change, but most tales center around their "kinky" fashion sense. The band has told conflicting stories about their 1964 name change, but most tales center around their "kinky" fashion sense.
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The Tea Set
ANSWER: Early incarnations of Pink Floyd also played as the Architectural Abdabs, among other names. Early incarnations of Pink Floyd also played as the Architectural Abdabs, among other names.
9 of 11
The Hype
ANSWER: The Hype switched their name to U2 in 1978 after original member Dik Evans (older brother of The Edge) left the band. Evans went on to join the Virgin Prunes. The Hype switched their name to U2 in 1978 after original member Dik Evans (older brother of The Edge) left the band. Evans went on to join the Virgin Prunes.
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Johnny and the Moondogs
ANSWER: Before the Fab Four settled on The Beatles, they tried all sorts of other names, including "Johnny and the Moondogs" and "Long John and the Silver Beetles." Before the Fab Four settled on The Beatles, they tried all sorts of other names, including "Johnny and the Moondogs" and "Long John and the Silver Beetles."
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The Polka Tulk Blues Band
Ozzy Osbourne took the name from a cheap brand of talcum powder he saw in his mother's bathroom.
