The 1970s was a golden era for rock and roll, birthing some of the most legendary bands in history. But while we all know their music, the stories behind their names are often just as fascinating. Some were inspired by literature, others by chance encounters, and a few by sheer necessity. Here’s a deep dive into how 25 of the most iconic bands of the ‘70s got their names.
1. Led Zeppelin
The name Led Zeppelin was born from an offhand joke by The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon. When Jimmy Page was forming a new band following the dissolution of The Yardbirds, Moon quipped that the project would “go down like a lead balloon.” Page loved the phrase but wanted something more striking. He replaced “balloon” with “zeppelin,” which evoked a powerful image of both heaviness and flight.
To prevent mispronunciations, they removed the “a” from “lead,” ensuring people wouldn’t say “Leed Zeppelin.” The name perfectly captured their thunderous sound and epic style. Ironically, rather than crashing, Led Zeppelin soared to become one of the biggest rock bands of all time, proving Moon’s prediction hilariously wrong.
2. Pink Floyd
Before they became Pink Floyd, the band was known as The Tea Set, but while preparing for a gig, they discovered that another band shared the same name. Frontman Syd Barrett, who had a deep appreciation for blues music, quickly thought of an alternative. He combined the names of two obscure American blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, to form Pink Floyd.
The name had an abstract, psychedelic feel that perfectly suited the experimental music they were creating. Over time, it became synonymous with sprawling sonic landscapes, thought-provoking lyrics, and some of the most legendary albums in history, including The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.
3. The Eagles
While on a road trip in the Mojave Desert, founding members Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner were discussing potential band names. Under the influence of peyote, they began talking about Native American culture and its reverence for eagles as symbols of freedom and strength. Inspired, they chose The Eagles as their name.
It was simple yet evocative, perfectly suiting their blend of country-rock and folk influences. The name also aligned with their soaring harmonies and themes of American mythology, helping them become one of the most successful bands of the decade. By the late ‘70s, The Eagles were flying high, delivering timeless classics like Hotel California and Take It Easy.
4. Queen
Freddie Mercury was the driving force behind the name Queen. When he joined the band—previously called Smile—he proposed something more dramatic and universal. Mercury loved the name because it evoked royalty, theatricality, and a sense of grandeur, which aligned perfectly with the band’s vision of rock as an art form.
Though some felt the name carried LGBTQ+ connotations, Mercury didn’t mind. In fact, he embraced it, knowing it added an extra layer of intrigue. With their regal name and flamboyant stage presence, Queen went on to dominate the rock world, redefining what a rock band could be.
5. Fleetwood Mac
The name Fleetwood Mac was conceived by founding guitarist Peter Green, who wanted to encourage drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie to stay with the band. Green, knowing he might leave one day, deliberately named the group after them—combining Fleetwood and Mac.
It was a rare case of a guitarist naming a band after the rhythm section, but it worked. Green departed soon after, and the band evolved from a British blues act into a pop-rock powerhouse with the addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Decades later, Fleetwood Mac remains one of the most beloved and enduring bands in history.
6. The Rolling Stones
Although The Rolling Stones technically emerged in the 1960s, they ruled the ‘70s with classic albums like Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St.. Their name was inspired by blues legend Muddy Waters. When Brian Jones, one of the founding members, was asked for the band’s name during an early interview, he hadn’t yet decided. Thinking quickly, he glanced at a Muddy Waters record and saw the song title Rollin’ Stone.
The name captured the restless, rebellious energy of the group. Over time, it became synonymous with rock and roll itself. With a career spanning over six decades, The Rolling Stones proved that they weren’t just rolling—they were unstoppable.
7. Aerosmith
Drummer Joey Kramer came up with Aerosmith long before he even joined the band. As a teenager, he would doodle the word “Aerosmith” in his school notebooks, inspired by Arrowsmith, a novel by Sinclair Lewis. However, the band’s name had no connection to the book—Kramer just liked how it sounded.
When the band formed in Boston, they were tossing around names and struggling to find something unique. When Kramer suggested Aerosmith, the band initially dismissed it, thinking he was referencing the Harry Nilsson album Aerial Ballet. Once he clarified it had nothing to do with that, they embraced it as their own, and the rest is rock history.
8. AC/DC
The Young brothers, Malcolm and Angus, discovered the letters AC/DC (alternating current/direct current) on the back of their sister’s sewing machine. They loved how it symbolized raw energy and power, perfectly capturing their high-voltage rock and roll style.
Some fans speculated that the name had satanic connotations, but the band always dismissed those rumors. Instead, they remained true to their electrifying roots, becoming one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time with anthems like Highway to Hell and Back in Black.
9. Lynyrd Skynyrd
The band named itself after Leonard Skinner, a strict high school gym teacher who frequently punished students for having long hair. The band members, who had repeatedly been sent to the principal’s office because of him, decided to turn the joke around and immortalize him in their name.
To make it more distinctive, they altered the spelling to Lynyrd Skynyrd. At first, Skinner was not thrilled about being the namesake of a rebellious rock band. However, as the band’s fame grew, he eventually embraced it. The name became a proud symbol of Southern rock, and the band’s anthem, Free Bird, remains one of the most legendary songs in rock history.
10. Boston
Tom Scholz, the mastermind behind Boston, wanted a name that reflected both their origins and the classic rock sound they were striving for. He settled on Boston because it was simple, bold, and tied to their hometown’s rich musical tradition.
The name choice worked in their favor—when their self-titled debut album was released in 1976, fans instantly connected the band with the city’s rock legacy. The record became one of the best-selling debuts of all time, proving that sometimes, simplicity is the key to success.
11. The Doobie Brothers
Originally, the band was called Pud, but that name wasn’t going to cut it. One night, a friend jokingly suggested The Doobie Brothers because of the band’s frequent marijuana use. The group laughed it off but kept the name temporarily. Eventually, it stuck.
Though they moved beyond their early “stoner band” image, the name remained a fitting moniker for their laid-back California rock style. With their mix of rock, soul, and R&B, The Doobie Brothers became one of the most enduring bands of the ‘70s, delivering hits like Listen to the Music and China Grove.
12. Deep Purple
The band’s name came from an unusual source—guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s grandmother. She loved the song Deep Purple, a 1933 jazz tune that later became a pop hit. The band was experimenting with different names, and Deep Purple was thrown into the mix.
It stuck because it had a sense of mystery and elegance, which suited their hard rock and proto-metal sound. As Deep Purple became one of the pioneers of heavy rock, their name took on a life of its own, representing the thunderous, powerful music they created.
13. Black Sabbath
Originally called Earth, the band realized another group had the same name. They found inspiration in a local cinema that was showing the 1963 Boris Karloff horror film Black Sabbath. They realized people seemed drawn to scary movies, and they wanted their music to evoke the same dark, eerie atmosphere.
The name Black Sabbath perfectly fit their doom-laden, heavy sound and set the stage for the birth of heavy metal. With ominous riffs and sinister lyrics, they became one of the most influential bands of all time, delivering classics like Paranoid and War Pigs.
14. Genesis
The band’s name was given to them by their first producer, Jonathan King, who saw them as the “beginning” of a new era of progressive rock. The biblical connotation of the word Genesis also made it feel grand and momentous, fitting their ambitious music.
With members like Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, Genesis evolved from a theatrical prog-rock band into one of the biggest pop-rock acts of the ‘80s. The name remained a perfect reflection of their constant reinvention and evolution.
15. Kansas
Originally known as White Clover, the band wanted something that reflected their Midwestern roots. They settled on Kansas, a name that was simple, strong, and tied to their homeland.
The name worked in their favor, giving them an identity that stood out. Their mix of rock and classical influences made them a standout American band, and hits like Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind cemented their legacy.
16. Journey
The band was originally called The Golden Gate Rhythm Section, which sounded more like a backup band than a rock group. Realizing they needed something better, they held a radio contest to find a new name, but none of the suggestions clicked.
Eventually, a roadie suggested Journey, and it stuck. The name evoked a sense of movement and exploration, which fit their constantly evolving sound. Over time, Journey became one of the biggest rock bands in history, known for anthems like Don’t Stop Believin’.
17. Cheap Trick
The band found their name at a Slade concert. Watching the over-the-top stage theatrics, bassist Tom Petersson turned to his bandmates and said, “They use every cheap trick in the book!” The phrase stuck, and they adopted it as their name.
Cheap Trick blended pop, punk, and hard rock in a way that was both theatrical and grounded, making them one of the most unique rock bands of the era. Songs like Surrender and I Want You to Want Me made them legends of power pop.
18. The Cars
Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr wanted a name that felt sleek, futuristic, and modern, much like their music. They didn’t want anything too complicated or trendy—they wanted something that would feel timeless.
After brainstorming, they landed on The Cars, a name that was simple, striking, and easy to remember. Their name matched their polished, high-energy, new wave sound, which was a fusion of rock, synth, and pop. Just like a well-built car, their music was smooth, efficient, and built for speed, making them one of the defining bands of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
19. Van Halen
Before they were Van Halen, the band was called Mammoth, but they ran into legal issues with another band that had the same name. Needing something new, frontman David Lee Roth suggested they rename themselves after the band’s two most talented members: guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen.
The name had strength, presence, and personality, just like their music. Roth compared it to Santana—a band named after a powerhouse musician. The name worked perfectly, giving them instant brand recognition, and soon, Van Halen became synonymous with jaw-dropping guitar solos and rock star showmanship.
20. Supertramp
Originally, the band went by the name Daddy, but they quickly realized it wasn’t going to work. It lacked uniqueness, and it didn’t fit their sophisticated, progressive rock style.
Their new name came from The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, a 1908 book by William Henry Davies. The word Supertramp had a bohemian, wandering, outsider feel, which matched their artistic and philosophical approach to music. With this new identity, they went on to create some of the most intelligent and melodic rock of the ‘70s, with classics like Give a Little Bit and The Logical Song.
21. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
The band wanted a name that reflected their unique fusion of rock and orchestral elements. They settled on Electric Light Orchestra, a play on “light orchestra,” a term for small classical ensembles that played popular music.
The name captured their vision of blending rock with symphonic arrangements. With hits like Mr. Blue Sky and Don’t Bring Me Down, ELO became one of the most innovative and successful bands of the 1970s, pioneering a sound that was both futuristic and timeless.
22. The Allman Brothers Band
Duane and Gregg Allman didn’t spend much time debating a band name—they simply used their last name. It was a natural choice, as the band was rooted in family and brotherhood, not just between them but also among their bandmates.
The name carried weight because it reflected their Southern rock legacy, blues roots, and deep musical bond. It became even more symbolic after Duane Allman’s tragic death in 1971. Even after losing one of their founders, The Allman Brothers Band kept the name and became one of the most influential and enduring Southern rock bands of all time.
23. Bad Company
Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke, formerly of Free, were forming a new band and needed a name that captured their tough, bluesy, outlaw sound. Rodgers came across a 1972 Western movie called Bad Company, starring Jeff Bridges, about a group of outlaws in the American West.
The name fit their rebellious, rough-and-tumble style perfectly. It projected a sense of danger, freedom, and rock-and-roll attitude. With their straightforward, no-frills approach to blues rock, Bad Company became one of the biggest rock bands of the ‘70s, churning out anthems like Feel Like Makin’ Love and Can’t Get Enough.
24. Blue Öyster Cult
The band’s name came from their manager, Sandy Pearlman, who was also a poet and science-fiction writer. He had written a poem about a mysterious, otherworldly secret society called the “Blue Oyster Cult.”
The name fit the band’s theatrical, cosmic, and slightly mystical image. It gave them a sense of mystery and intrigue, which was perfect for their hard rock and heavy metal sound. With hits like (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Blue Öyster Cult carved out a unique niche in rock history.
25. Styx
The band had been struggling to find the right name for years. They had gone by several forgettable names, but nothing felt right. Finally, they settled on Styx, after the mythological river that separated the land of the living from the underworld.
The name was short, mysterious, and powerful, and it carried an air of mythology and grandeur that suited their progressive, dramatic sound. With soaring vocals and theatrical compositions, Styx became one of the biggest rock bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, delivering hits like Come Sail Away and Renegade.
