Lang Lang is billed with his surname first when he performs in China. 
A few months ago I saw a YouTube video in which the narrator referred to a band by the name of “Ten Cubic Centimeters”. But I’m pretty sure that was just a clueless AI narrating, rather than the band actually using that name somewhere/somewhen.
Brit postpunkers The Comsat Angels had to be called The C.S. Angels across the pond when the satellite company raised a hue and cry.
Only in jest (or at least by me, several times in jest in my lifetime)
There is a live recording of Jimi Hendrix calling them “The Cream”, announcing that they had just broken up before launching into a cover of one of their songs.
He’s just displaying how old and stubborn he is. Like someone who continues to refer to the Dixie Chicks even if they know better. It has nothing to do with nationality.
It may also be that he has stuck with their original name (which they only briefly used) to signal that he knew of and followed the band from the very start.
Kinda the same thing…but, yeah. What you said.
In regards to Eagles–as far as I can tell, the band name is just “Eagles” on all of their albums with the exception of the original UK vinyl, cassette and 8-track versions of Their Greatest Hits ‘71-’75.
When was this? And, fascinating.
I only made mention of his nationality because that is the BAND’S country of origin as well. Perhaps they started as The Cream and then, well, skimmed off the “The”….
In 1979 I attended a concert by Canadian folk artist Stan Rogers. He and his group played a much-mourned and beloved small venue called The Main Point, on the Main Line outside of Philadelphia.
Three things stood out from that evening.
- He was incredible and his violinist was a god of blues and folk.
- There were blood spatters EVERYWHERE. On the stage, the tables, the floor, etc. Apparently the night before a band called “Bloodless Pharaohs had played and during their set sprayed copious amounts of stage blood about.
- There was a banner hanging on a side wall that read,
“GENTLEMAN GEORGE THROGOOD AND THE DELAWARE DESTROYERS”.
News to me, man. I know only of George Thorogood. Come to find out they went by 3 different names. The one mentioned just above. Then there was “George Throrogood and The Destroyers”, then just his name.
Just saying. Things change.
Interestingly, the band Yes also seems to be on the bill, as “Yes!” with an exclamation mark. Was this their original moniker? The only other band I know that had an exclamation mark in their band name was Neu!, but they came a few years later.
AFAICT, that is exactly what happened, as I noted (with a cite) upthread. They only used “The Cream” for a very short time.
And, as I suggested, I would not be surprised if the guy in question continues to call the band “The Cream” to signal “I was there, and I was a fan, when they first formed.”
Wow. I’m a massive YES fan. What jumps out to me is the mention of “Yes!” as a band appearing on the evening of August 9th. Never have I seen the band name with an exclamation point added.
Likely the Straight Dope on this one. His age and location does fit with the nascent era of “Cream”.
Here is a thread on Reddit which discusses the name “THE Pink Floyd”, with a number of links to specific examples of the name being used in 1967
Boston Music Hall, November 11, 1971. That was the name on the marquee.
the Ramones had the same problem for the longest time until joey got annoyed with it and started correcting people
Not to mention that “The Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band” dropped the Doo-dah bit in that poster.
Of course what the poster artist wrote may not be exactly what the band wanted them to.