Beech Tree News Network

Before they were stars is what I’ll call this.  Until 1964, the Who, composed of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle, were known as the Detours.  They were also known at one point as the High Numbers. When they discovered another band by the name Detours, Townshend’s roommate Richard Barnes suggested they rename to the Who.  Destiny’s Child aka Beyonce and the others, were originally called Girl’s Tyme.  I think the name change definitely served them well.

Could Rat Salad, Mookie Blaylock or Polka Tulk Blues Band have ever turned into the huge rock bands they became if they never changed their names to Van Halen, Pearl Jam and Black Sabbath? Perhaps not.  Only hardcore fans(such as myself) will know this one: Maroon 5 were originally called Kara’s Flowers. Kara’s Flowers sounds like a ‘90’s emo band.  Green Day was originally called Sweet Children.  

Imagine a radio dj making this statement: and now, here’s “Heart-Shaped Box”, the new single by Pen Cap Chew! Doesn’t have the same ring as Nirvana, does it? Nirvana could’ve indeed been Pen Cap Chew.  There is no record as to why that was their first choice.  Outkast was originally called Two Shades Deep.  Beastie Boys’ original name was Young Aborigines.  The Roots, Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show house band were originally called the Square Roots.  

Alternative group Radiohead was originally called On A Friday.  That name would’ve been too ‘90’s, I think.  Led Zepplin’s original name was the New Yardbirds.  Good thing they changed it.  It’s never a good idea to slap “New” in front of a classic band name or show.  Anyone remember the New WKRP? Exactly.  Rap group Public Enemy, complete with reality show nuisance Flava Flav, was originally called Spectrum City.  Kiss was originally going to be called Wicked Lester.  As I type these, I’m imagining these names being introduced over the radio.  

Coldplay was originally called Starfish.  Boyz II Men were going to be called Unique Attraction.  The Greatful Dead was originally called The Warlocks.  Before they were called Phish, the group was called Blackwood Convention.  Creed was originally named Naked Toddler.  Well, good thing they changed their name.  They would’ve never gotten on radio! Some think they should never have been on radio anyway.

‘80’s-‘90’s emo band The Cure(later just Cure) were originally named The Obelisk.  U2 was originally called The Hype.  Bowling Green’s own Cage The Elephant were originally named Perfect Confusion.  The Bee Gees were originally called Rattlesnakes.  Before they had the “Right Stuff”, New Kids On The Block were Nynuk.  I think they made the right choice.  The Tea Set morphed into Pink Floyd.  The legendary Supremes were first called The Primettes.  Earth, Wind and Fire were at one point called the Salty Peppers.  Punk band the Clash were originally called the Weak Heartdrops.  The Beatles were once called the Silver Beatles.  Finally, Smile wasn’t just a Beach Boys album.  It was also the original name of Queen.