The surprising real names of famous singers
Lots of our favourite singers don’t go by the name their parents gave them. For some, it’s a choice to change it to something that is a bit easier to remember or pronounce. For others it’s a chance to add some pizzazz to a more everyday name.
Did you know these stars real names?
George Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou
Born in London, he was the son of a Greek restaurant owner. Just before Wham hit the big time, he decided to forgo his birth name in favour of something a bit more accessible to the masses.
Joni Mitchell was born Roberta Joan Anderson
Mitchell explains her name with the anecdote of her parents wanting a boy called Robert John, and so when she came out a girl they added an A to each name. She changed her surname to Mitchell when she married Chuck Mitchell – noting that she had wanted to keep her maiden name but he wouldn’t let her.
Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins
The child prodigy had his name decided upon by Motown Records boss Berry Gordy. At first he was known as Little Stevie Wonder but later dropped the ‘little’.
John Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf
Denver changed his name in the 60s when he moved to Los Angeles, to indicate his love for the mountainous West. He later included references to the mountains in songs such as Rocky Mountain High.
Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight
When he teamed up with lyricist Bernie Taupin, they decided to change his name to a merger of blues legends Elton Dean and Long John Baldry.
Dean Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti
When he was hired at 22 to sing in the Vogue Room of Cleveland’s Hollenden Hotel he was told that his Italian name had to go. His boss renamed him Dean Martin, and despite his protests the name stuck.
Freddie Mercury was born Farouk Bulsara
Interestingly even his passport has the name ‘Frederick Mercury’, but his birth name is in fact Farrokh Bulsara. He changed his name to ‘Freddie’ before arriving in England and added the ‘Mercury’ when Queen first got together.
Related links:
8 behind-the-scenes photos of our favourite musicians
Songs that have defined the ages
Baby names inspired by music icons