I have, since 1996 or so, collected last-name-only band names. Until now, the list has been in my head, but now I invite you, the internet, to add to the electronic version my list if you can. I don't expect a deluge of comments right away, but I am putting my faith in the long tail that we will have a definitive list here by sometime in the year 2112. Clarification: the name of the band has to be the last name of one (or more) of the members of the band.
Here is the list so far:
- Bon Jovi
- Van Halen
- Argent
- Nelson
- Santana
- Winger (Thanks to Nick J.)
- Vallejo (Thanks to Mark Beebe)
- Hanson (Thanks to Will)
- Dio (Thanks to Will)
- Bonham (Will again)
- Dokken
- Danzig
- Labelle (Thanks Will, although I'm suspicious of your research methods)
- Wilson Phillips (Thanks to R. McGillicuddy)
Bands that don't count, but almost do:
- Fleetwood Mac
- The Ramones, The Smiths, etc.
If you suggest one of these bands, you don't get it:
- The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Dave Matthews Band
On a related note, thanks again to my colleague Nick J., for his substantive critique of my JBJ post. The phrase "valiant teller of rock-and-roll truths" has now been committed to the internet, and nothing can prevent it from being archived into infinitude. For that, I salute you. Thanks as well for the contributions to my ongoing list. I had no idea that Winger was (a) that dude's last name and (b) still playing.
* 2/20/09 Update: New commenter and venison acquirer McGillicuddy/Swamp (which could be a band name on this list if he found somebody named Swamp) has added the first legitimate two-name last-name-only band name, with his suggestion of Wilson Phillips! This is a triumphant find. He would also have added the first band with female members if Will hadn't already suggested Labelle last week.
Vallejo is in.
ReplyDeleteVan Morrison is out, but Vanmorrison would be a believable last name.
Also, The Smiths is out but Smith is in.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Bush too.
ReplyDeleteOne wouldn't want to leave out Hanson.
ReplyDelete[Chill, Post-Rock, RIYL Tortoise] Lazlo Hollyfeld - The Pacer EP
ReplyDeletejust found this on one of my "sources" of internet musiks. had no idea you made so much "chill post rock"…
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAm I totally breaking (i.e. ignoring) the rules here when I suggest Wilson Phillips? In any case, it's two names in one for f#@* sake, and it crashes the dude list!
ReplyDeleteoh and by the way, I believe that the whole thing started with Montrose, Ronnie Montrose's band
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrose_%28band%29
My list is from the 70's
ReplyDelete- Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young)
- Emerson, Lake and Palmer
- Seals and Crofts
My list is from the 70's
ReplyDelete- Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young)
- Emerson, Lake and Palmer
- Seals and Crofts
Keel!
ReplyDelete