The Real Names Of Classic Rockers Who Use A Stage Name
via Grunge/YouTube
Wait, What?!
The use of stage name is mostly for two reasons – rolls off the tongue better AND easier to remember. Sometimes, it’s also because, you know, it validates the rockstar’s onstage persona. Now let’s take a look at some the following classic rockers whose pseudonyms are so iconic, you just couldn’t imagine calling them anything else. When you learn their real names, you’d probably find it unbelievable.
You most likely already know Slash’s real name is Saul Hudson so we’re excluding him from this list.
Check them out…
10. John Paul Jones
Real Name: John Richard Baldwin
It was friend and Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham who suggested he use John Paul Jones as his stage name after the latter saw a poster of the 1959 film John Paul Jones.
9. Flea
Real Name: Michael Peter Balzary
Obviously, no one’s going to name their child Flea. Then again, we can’t imagine him being called Michael or even Peter.
8. Jon Bon Jovi
Real Name: John Francis Bongiovi Jr.
A play on his actual surname? Clever.
7. David Bowie
Real Name: David Robert Jones
Before settling with David Bowie, he used to go by the name Davy Jones.
6. Marilyn Manson
Real Name: Brian Hugh Warner
Who would have thought?
5. Gene Simmons
Real Name: Chaim Witz
Why is his real name more unbelievable than his pseudonym?
4. Axl Rose
Real Name: William Bruce Rose
When he’s angry or pissed off though, he looks more like a Bruce.
3. Alice Cooper
Real Name: Vincent Damon Furnier
Vincent Damon sounds like the name of everyone’s high school crush – you know, the clean-cut preppy type.
2. Iggy Pop
Real Name: James Jewell Osterberg Jr.
He obviously can’t pull off doing wild, crazy stunts if he called himself James.
1. Freddie Mercury
Real Name: Farrokh Bulsara
Probably the best stage name of all time, Freddie Mercury just suited him perfectly!