Jan 152013
Paisley and Urban goin’ up the country.
Country music has at least 2 artists with incongruous surnames: Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. Not the kind of surnames that make one think of the Grand Ole Oprey. Are there other musicians with names that are incongruous with the style of music they play?
Leonard Cohen. Not so much because his name is incongruous with his music, but that his music is incongruous with Rock N’ Roll. I have never understood why he appeals to so many Rock fans. I’d think if he opened for The Grateful Dead, and they toured, they couold wipe out the scourge of Insomnia.
I’m not sure he appeals to rock fans qua rock fans. I mean, I guess I am a “rock fan.” I think Cohen is great not because of any relationship between him and “rock” but because I think he’s a great artist.
Andy Partridge
Mick Hucknall
Adam Horovitz
Ringo Starr
Not here, but in England, Randy New Man has to raise some eyebrows.
Barry White, perhaps?
I can understand that. It’s just that he’s really popular among people that mostly listen to Rock. The guy is in the Rock HOF, and I just don’t get that. He may be great at what he does, but does he belong in the same place as The Stones or Led Zeppelin? I understand people can like different stuff, but I don’t understand why so many rock fans consider him such a great artist. He seems pretty far removed from Rock to me.
How about “The Millionaire” from the no hit wonder Combustible Edison?
Irony was pretty big in the 90’s.
I used to love seeing Combustible live…and it wasn’t for the opportunity to rub elbows with the wealthy.
Punky Meadows
Aimee Mann
Mike Love
On the other hand, a list of folks who have most lived up to their birth names would have to include Gram Parsons and Merle Haggard.
Clara Rockmore.
Is there a less-electrifying performer/personality than Charlie Watts?
aloha
LD