How 100 of Rock’s Biggest Acts Got Their Names

Certain trends emerge as you explore how rock’s 100 biggest acts got their names. They are often forced into taking the moniker that stuck, for instance, simply because somebody else had already claimed their earlier attempt at a fame-clinching title.

Far too many of them were also chosen without any real consideration for how long the members might have to live with their decisions. A number of them also evolved out of earlier versions of the same name, while others were sparked by offhanded comments – even, in the case of one legendary group, by a pithy put-down.

More than a few make no sense at all. Like what exactly is a Foghat – and what makes a finger “bad”? So, if you’ve ever wondered just what the genesis of Genesis was, the following list is for you. Keep scrolling to solve some of rock’s greatest labeling mysteries, many of which have long been steeped in urban legends, misinformation and half-truths.

Did Bob Dylan take his mother’s maiden name? Were the Who almost called the Hair instead? And did you know Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd were based on real people?

They’re all here, as we discover how rock’s 100 biggest acts got their names, from AC/DC to ZZ Top. By the end, you’ll be able to cut through the legendary lies – and, maybe more importantly, become the most annoying rock know-it-all at any dinner conversation.

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