Renaming Success: Bands That Found Greater Glory After Changing Their Names
Throughout the annals of music history, many bands and musicians have embarked on the journey of altering their original names. These changes have often accompanied significant success, sometimes leading to chart-topping hits and widespread fame. Below, we explore some notable examples where the decision to change a name dramatically impacted the group's career trajectory.
Jefferson Airplane: From Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship to Starship and Back
Jefferson Airplane, one of the pioneering bands of the 1960s, is a prime example of a band that has undergone significant name changes. Initially, the band was called 'Jefferson Airplane,' before evolving into 'Jefferson Starship' and subsequently simplifying to 'Starship.' More recently, the band has returned to its name 'Jefferson Starship.' One of their most popular songs under the 'Starship' moniker was 'We Built This City,' which remains a classic rock staple.
Joy Division: Raising the Bar with 'New Order'
'Warsaw,' the early incarnation of Joy Division, eventually changed its name to 'Joy Division.' The band's transformation didn't stop there, as the members decided to rebrand once their singer, Ian Curtis, tragically passed away. The new band, 'New Order,' flourished, achieving remarkable success. The band's post-Vincent Flowers era demonstrated that sometimes, a name change can act as a catalyst for even greater musical success.
John Mellencamp: From Cougar to John Cougar Mellencamp to John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, now a celebrated music icon, initially released his music under a somewhat unfamiliar name, 'Johnny Cougar.' Later, he dropped the 'Cougar' moniker to become simply 'John Cougar Mellencamp.' This name change helped the artist achieve greater commercial recognition, underscoring the power of a new identity in the music industry.
Shifting Names and Success: Glasgow’s Dean Ford and the Gaylords
A more recent example of a band that achieved greater success through a name change is Dean Ford and the Gaylords from Glasgow, Scotland. Born Thomas McAleese, Dean Ford was initially a member of the group 'The Gaylords.' After a significant performance, he was invited to join the group, and shortly after, he adopted the stage name 'Dean Ford.' The group then rechristened itself as 'Dean Ford and the Gaylords' in hopes of achieving greater commercial success. In 1965, the group moved to London and changed its name to 'The Marmalade.'
Three years later, with Dean Ford as the lead singer, The Marmalade became the first Scottish band to score a Number One hit on the UK Singles Chart. This example illustrates how a successful name change can open doors to new opportunities and lasting success in the music industry. Whether it's adapting to new circumstances, attracting a broader audience, or simply renewing themselves, many bands have found that changing their name was just the beginning of a new chapter marked by significant achievements.
Key Takeaways:
Band name changes can be pivotal in achieving greater success. New identities often accompany new opportunities. Historical name changes offer valuable insights into the evolution of successful musical careers.