The Big Book of Rock & Roll Names: How Arcade Fire, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Vampire Weekend, and 532 Other Bands Got Their Names

by Adam Dolgins

The Big Book of Rock & Roll Names tells the behind-the-scenes stories of how the world’s most popular and influential rock and pop acts got their names. By turns fascinating, funny, and bizarre, the pages offer insight into the peculiar choices and idiosyncratic psychologies of hundreds of top musicians from the 1960s to the present. Originally published more than two decades ago to great success, it’s been out of print for years and has now been completely updated and expanded to feature dozens of exclusive interviews including conversations with groups like The Black Keys, The Killers, Twenty One Pilots, Coldplay, Cage the Elephant, and Vampire Weekend. From Arcade Fire to ZZ Top, this diverting and handsome collection reveals the often overlooked but defining histories of hundreds of the biggest names in rock and pop.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book to be read in short spurts and is really a reference for the famous, not so famous, and utterly unknown (at least to me) bands and how they got their names. It is a bit of fun but some of these bands I have never heard of and most are one-hit wonders who came and went very quickly. But those that are remembered had some very strange names before changing to those by which they are known today. Some examples are: U2 (Hype); The Temptations (The Elgins); Jethro Tull (Bag of Blues); Dire Straits (Café Racers); The Clash (Weak Heartdrops), et al.

The bands mentioned in the book are mostly from the 80s/90s era and one has to admit that the names they chose were sometimes pretty damn bad.....Cobra Starship, Jimmy Eat World, The Screaming Trees, or how about The The? I guess it is all a matter of taste!

A book to be read over lunch or while waiting for the bus. Good but not great by any means.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is right up my alley! I love music, tried starting up bands in my youth, and struggled mightily with coming up with names. So, I loved hearing how established bands came up with theirs. It is basically an alphabetical list, but the anecdotes and quotes from the band members makes it worthwhile.

[Molly Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a fun read! tons of excerpts about over 500 bands and how they came up with their name!

[brennapop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read stuff like this all day. I love rock & roll.

[Janet Barclay · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading The Library Book, I was intrigued by the books listed at the beginning of each chapter. This one particularly caught my attention because I'm fascinated by the origins of words, phrases, street names and so on.

It covers the 1960s to 2010s, but I haven't followed popular music for the last two or three decades, and only read about bands I recognized. Some stories were indeed interesting, but many were so boring that it seemed they were only included so readers would know Dolgins had done the research. I got tired of reading "we were drunk (or high)" or "I don't remember."

It would probably be a good book for avid rock fans to share with friends over a drink or two but it's not even interesting to keep on the shelf as reference material.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend reading this like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book: start at the first page, then when some band mentions another band, go to that entry (if it's even in this book). See if that second entry mentions some other band. Eventually, you'll find out that ZZ Top rescues the princess. Or something like that. But the band origin stories come down to a few choices: 1) did your label or manager say you needed a band name soon? Turn to page 182. 2) did you realize that at your gigs, your fans need to know how to ask to see you again? Turn to page 42. 3) is a lawyer calling or mailing you about another band with that same band name? Turn to page 86. 4) did you expect to change your placeholder name to be improved someday? You have been trapped in the dungeon. The end.

[Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Not only did I learn how hundreds of bands got their names, but I also learned how different bands were connected as members quit and formed other bands. A lot of the knowledge I gained from this book will forever be in my mind ready to be shared at trivia nights and conversations around dinner tables. If you love rock music and learning new things, you must read this book.

[William Dennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of band names past and present. The book has a nice design too, with red graphics highlighting the text in an almost square paperback. The thing is, though, it's 300 pages but could have been much longer. I would have loved it if it was twice the size. I mean, ZZ Top is the only entry under "Z." Where is The Zombies? Zebra? Zero 7?

But I nitpick. It's still a good book to read or just have as a reference.

[D.J. Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s funny how many bands genuinely land on names because in high school someone farted and their friend said “Wow, that’s like an Asteroid Galaxy Tour!” And then someone goes “that should be a band name” and they keep it until talent taps them on the ass and suddenly you’re listening to a band called blink-182 and wondering what the fuck ISSSS that??

[Tommy Schenker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a fun quick read ( or listen in my case ). I think this one is better as an audiobook, just for the fact that you can listen to it in the background while doing other stuff. A lot of the stories were ones I already knew but there was a ton of new ones too. It's very quick and to the point. Usually just a few sentences for each band.

[David Tice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book with a number of band names, primarily from the 70s & 80s. Only takes 90 minutes or so to read, less if you skip to only bands you care about - primarily the reason why I gave it 3 not 4 stars.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting idea for a book but some of the band-name explanations were so short--would have liked more detail or background. I didn't know many of the band names referenced, and a few that I'd hoped would be included were not. Still, an interesting read.

[James Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. A lot of bands thought their names would be like a show for one show till they picked a good name. I read it in sections because it all melds together if you try to read or straight through.

[JMan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful, interesting, and amazing. Strongly recommend, if you like music like me.

[John Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but I hope there is a Volume 2 in the works.

[J. Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the fault of the writer but most bands have no explanation for where the name came from. But some were fun to read.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a really detailed book all about band's names. I loved it because it was an easy and fun read.

[Ronda Canary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4

[Annie’s Daddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book says what it does. If you want the story behind band names, this is the book for you. A great bathroom reader.

[Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

...and no entry for Men Without Hats‽ Pity. Interesting read otherwise.

[Steve Lavapies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun anecdotes about bands.