Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles — "They're Called What? The Origins Of 13 Classic Rock Band Names"

Podcast: Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
Host: Gamut Podcast Network, Janda Lane
Episode Date: January 7, 2026

Episode Overview

In this entertaining bonus episode, Janda Lane takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes journey exploring the quirky stories behind the names of thirteen classic rock bands. Far from being simple choices, the origins often involve jokes, literary references, late-night musings, serendipitous accidents, and even snippets from school curriculums. It’s a loving tribute to how these iconic acts came to be labeled with names now etched into music history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Led Zeppelin (00:14)

• The name came about during a 1966 recording session for "Beck’s Bolero" with members of The Who.

• Keith Moon and John Entwistle jokingly said Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones’s new band idea would “go over like a lead balloon.”

• Jimmy Page remembered the joke: the band name became Led Zeppelin, with ‘Zeppelin’ signifying the largest balloon of all.

  “That’s when Keith Moon and John Entwistle started joking with them that it would go over like a lead balloon. …the band was named after that joke. A Zeppelin. The biggest balloon of them all.” — Janda (00:36)

2. Toto (01:05)

• The name isn’t from The Wizard of Oz.
• Drummer Jeff Porcaro wrote “Toto” on early demo tapes as a placeholder.
• Bassist David Hungate noticed “in toto” means “all encompassing” in Latin, which the band thought was “cool enough to call themselves Toto for eternity.”

3. Blue Öyster Cult (01:32)

• Originally called Soft White Underbelly, which was considered unfit for a rock band.
• Producer/manager Sandy Perlman offered the name Blue Öyster Cult from his collection of poems, referencing space aliens influencing humanity.
• The umlaut over the “O” added extra flair.

4. Golden Earring (02:14)

• Began as “The Tornadoes” in the Netherlands, had to change due to name conflicts.
• Became “The Golden Ear Rings” after a song by The Hunters. Eventually simplified to “Golden Earring” to streamline the name.

5. Judas Priest (02:40)

• Name inspired by a Bob Dylan song, "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest".
• Bassist Bruno Stevenhill suggested it after hearing the Dylan track.
• Even though the lead singer at the time wasn’t a Dylan fan, the name stuck, lasting through lineup changes.

6. Aerosmith (03:18)

• Drummer Joey Kramer, inspired by Harry Nilsson’s Ariel Ballet and brainstorming “arrow” names, settled on “Aerosmith”.
• Early pushback from other band members due to similarity with the Sinclair Lewis novel; eventually accepted in 1970.

7. Grateful Dead (04:00)

• Originally “The Warlocks,” but switched since other bands used the name.

• Jerry Garcia, thumbing through a dictionary, found the phrase “Grateful Dead,” referencing karmic gratitude; he picked it instantly.

  “Jerry Garcia was said to have been thumbing through the pages of a dictionary, and he read the term Grateful Dead… Garcia famously stuck his finger on the pages and said, that’s the one.” — Janda (04:17)

8. REO Speedwagon (04:40)

• Keyboardist Neil Doughty saw “REO Speedwagon” (an early model pickup truck, named after Ransom Eli Olds) on a blackboard during a college class.
• Adopted the name for the band, joking it was his only useful college lesson.

9. Foghat (05:20)

• The result of creative brainstorming, notably the name “Brandywine” being rejected.
• Guitarist Dave Peverett suggested “Foghat,” a made-up word from childhood games with his brother.
• The band’s first album features a cartoon of a man with fog coming from a hat, Peverett’s imaginary playmate.

10. The Beatles (06:08)

• Began as “The Quarrymen” and later the “Silver Beatles.”
• Name is an homage to Buddy Holly & the Crickets; “Beetles” became “Beatles.”
• Paul McCartney eventually bought Buddy Holly’s song rights.

11. Deep Purple (06:42)

• Formerly “Roundabout,” a name already claimed by another band.

• Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore suggested “Deep Purple,” a song his grandmother loved.

• Other names included “Concrete God,” which was thankfully rejected.

  “Big ups to Richie Blackmore’s grandma.” — Janda (07:04)

12. Pink Floyd (07:12)

• When “The T Set” was already in use, Syd Barrett combined the names of two blues musicians from his record collection: Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.
• Became “Pink Floyd,” a rare instance of rock and blues lineage combining in a band name.

13. The Rolling Stones (07:45)

• Name pays tribute to blues legend Muddy Waters and his song “Rollin’ Stone”.

• Brian Jones improvised the band name during a phone interview when pressed for an answer.

  “He was doing a phone interview with a music journalist and was pressed for what they called themselves, and he just sort of said, we’re called the Rolling Stones. Surely a case of divine improvisation.” — Janda (08:02)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Led Zeppelin:
  “…the band was named after that joke. A Zeppelin. The biggest balloon of them all.” — Janda (00:36)
• On Grateful Dead:
  “Garcia famously stuck his finger on the pages and said, that’s the one.” — Janda (04:17)
• On Deep Purple:
  “Big ups to Richie Blackmore’s grandma.” — Janda (07:04)
• On the Rolling Stones:
  “He just sort of said, we’re called the Rolling Stones. Surely a case of divine improvisation.” — Janda (08:02)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Led Zeppelin Origin: 00:14
• Toto: 01:05
• Blue Öyster Cult: 01:32
• Golden Earring: 02:14
• Judas Priest: 02:40
• Aerosmith: 03:18
• Grateful Dead: 04:00
• REO Speedwagon: 04:40
• Foghat: 05:20
• The Beatles: 06:08
• Deep Purple: 06:42
• Pink Floyd: 07:12
• The Rolling Stones: 07:45

Tone & Style

Janda’s delivery is friendly, anecdotal, and smoothly blends trivia with a fond reverence for rock history—all in an accessible, conversational style. She offers context and quirky tidbits, painting vivid stories behind the familiar names that have come to define classic rock.

For New Listeners

This episode is a treasure trove of origin stories for rock fans, both for casual listeners and deep-cut devotees. Whether you’re reeling at Led Zeppelin’s balloon joke or marveling at the Rolling Stones’ split-second on-the-spot naming, these stories reveal how even a name—a mere few words—can ripple through music history. A fun, enlightening exploration recommended for anyone who’s ever wondered how their favorite band got such a memorable moniker.