Sometimes, one’s given name just doesn’t cut it as part of a famous rock band. Having a “persona” name can draw attention and put off a more interesting vibe. I can definitely see why the following four rock stars decided to change their name for the stage. Still, their real names are honestly kind of shocking if you weren’t aware of them.
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Chaim Witz (Gene Simmons)
Gene Simmons is one of the most legendary members of the rock band KISS. His name is also not actually Gene Simmons. Rather, his birth name is Chaim Witz. He changed his name to Gene Simmons as a tribute to the rockabilly crooner Jumpin’ Gene Simmons.
Vincent Damon Furnier (Alice Cooper)
I’ve got to admit, this one has a nice ring to it. The Godfather of Shock Rock was born Vincent Damon Furnier in Michigan, and he changed his name to Alice Cooper after forming his band of the same name. Cooper refers to his chosen title as an “all-American, sweet little old lady name.” He definitely changed the way people viewed the names Alice and Cooper, without a doubt.
James Newell Osterberg Jr. (Iggy Pop)
What a distinguished name for such a wild character. Iggy Pop’s chosen name is one of the most recognizable titles in the world of proto-punk and punk rock. However, obviously, his parents didn’t give him that name. Rather, he was born James Newell Osterberg Jr.
He earned the nickname Iggy after playing with one of his early bands, The Iguanas. The Pop portion of the name came from the fact that he looked similar to his friend by the name of Jimmy Pop. At least, that’s what the lore states.
Saul Hudson (Slash)
No, his name isn’t really Slash. Shocking, I know. The Guns N’ Roses guitarist was actually born Saul Hudson in England. The name Slash came from a childhood nickname from a friend’s father, actor Seymour Cassel, who would call him Slash because he skipped school often.
Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury)
Rock stars’ names don’t get more legendary than Freddie Mercury. However, the late great Queen frontman’s real name was actually Farrokh Bulsara. It’s a lovely Persian name, but Mercury legally changed Bulsara to Mercury in the early 1970s. Mercury never revealed why he changed his name, though many fans speculated that it was due to either racism or a need to have a more “rock band” name.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
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