# Band names that are JUST a surname (of someone in the band) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 6, 2019, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106 "2019-06-06T02:37:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/81 "2019-06-07T09:13:57Z")
Four U.S. Billboard Hot 100 “One Hit Wonders”: Brewer & Shipley (“One Toke Over the Line”) Ray, Goodman & Brown (“Special Lady”) Yarbrough & Peoples (“Don’t Stop the Music”), Zager & Evans (“In the Year 2525”) ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/82 "2019-06-07T09:23:27Z")
**Bell Biv DeVoe** may count, although “Biv” was a truncation of “Bivins”. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/83 "2019-06-07T09:24:15Z")
An obscure one but **Robert Allen** is vaguely connected to the much better known **Depeche Mode**. **Robert Allen** normally styles himself \*\*Robert Marlow \*\*and as a solo artist has released records under that name. But he also partnered with **Gary Durrant** for an album as **MARLOW** (in uppercase.) TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/84 "2019-06-07T13:23:41Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Come on, people! > > The Osmonds! > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > For that to count, does there have to be someone whose last name is “The”? And after The Osmonds broke up, the guy got together with a relative and formed The The. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/85 "2019-06-07T13:25:28Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Emerson Lake & Palmer Emerson Lake & Powell ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/86 "2019-06-07T13:26:43Z")
Peaches and Herb. Pick any of the several Peacheses. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/87 "2019-06-07T14:21:28Z")
Jazz greats [Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert,_Hendricks_%26_Ross) When Ross left, they became Lambert, Hendricks, and Bavan. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/88 "2019-06-07T14:52:08Z")
Flanders and Swann “The Gas Man Cometh” – [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeMFSzPgGc) ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/89 "2019-06-07T16:21:49Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Peaches and Herb. Pick any of the several Peacheses. I had a look on Wiki and “ **Peaches** ” is merely a nickname (for the first of several women) while “ **Herb** ” is the guy’s first name. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/90 "2019-06-07T16:32:18Z")
**Womack & Womack** - Husband and wife duo of **Cecil** and **Linda**. Had a few hits. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/91 "2019-06-07T16:50:32Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Flanders and Swann > > “The Gas Man Cometh” – [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeMFSzPgGc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeMFSzPgGc) **Flanagan and Allen** comprising **Bud** and **Chesney** but I am not sure Music Hall acts are “bands” in the sense the OP means it. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2019, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/92 "2019-06-07T23:04:19Z")
How about Was Not Was? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/93 "2019-06-08T01:58:31Z")
Giles, Giles and Fripp ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/94 "2019-06-09T13:11:03Z")
I should have known **Vandenberg** featuring Adrian Vandenberg - known for the single “Burning Heart” ---
**Author:** ![UnwittingAmericans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d9b06d/32.png) [@UnwittingAmericans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwittingAmericans)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/95 "2019-06-09T14:23:47Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > Brothers and drummers **Vinnie** and **Carmen** **Appice** released an album together as **Appice**. > > However while **Carmen** has released albums under his own name he also has used band names: > > \*\*Beck, Bogert and Appice > > Char, Bogert and Appice\*\* > > \*\*Derringer, Bogert and Appice > > Travers and Appice > > Vargas, Bogert and Appice \*\* > > TCMF-2L Rick Derringer at one point also had a band just called Derringer. Vinny Appice was in it. Souther–Hillman–Furay Band, if you’re allowed to have Band in the name. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/96 "2019-06-09T14:36:25Z")
I’m not sure that we should count bands that use multiple surnames. It doesn’t seem to fit with the title of the post. Have I missed **Carpenters**? (There’s no “The” in it.) How about\*\* The McGarrigles\*\*? (There IS a “The” in this one.) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/97 "2019-06-09T14:41:19Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > How about Was Not Was? I don’t think assumed names count. > [@](#): > > Was (Not Was) is an American pop rock group founded by David Weiss and Don Fagenson, who adopted the stage names David Was and Don Was. > **[Was (Not Was)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Was_(Not_Was))** > > Was (Not Was) is an American band founded in 1979 in Detroit, Michigan, by David Weiss and Don Fagenson, who adopted the stage names David Was and Don Was. Their song catalog features an eclectic mix of pop and rock styles, often featuring guest musicians from across the musical spectrum. The band's most popular period was during the 1980s and early 1990s, with their highest-charting hit, the song "Walk the Dinosaur", released in 1987 as the lead single from their 1988 album What Up, Dog?, bec ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/98 "2019-06-09T15:09:51Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > I’m not sure that we should count bands that use multiple surnames. It doesn’t seem to fit with the title of the post. > > Have I missed **Carpenters**? (There’s no “The” in it.) > > How about\*\* The McGarrigles\*\*? (There IS a “The” in this one.) Thanks but in fact I was thinking about band names that only use the surname without any adornment… so “Carpenters” wouldn’t count but “Carpenter” would. And yeah, I don’t think obviously fake last names count. I’m ok with multiple plain surnames though. (eg, “McFadden and Whitehead”) BTW, I’m loving some of the obscurities dredged up in this thread - hard to believe stuff like “Arthur Buck” or “Marlow” really existed 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/99 "2019-06-09T17:39:37Z")
**More Yes Shinanigans** **Bruford** had a band called, you guessed it, _Bruford_ ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106/100 "2019-06-09T18:03:35Z")
[McDonald and Giles,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald_and_Giles) which is made up of the surnames of the three members of the band. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-that-are-just-a-surname-of-someone-in-the-band/835106.md?page=6)