Abubilla Music

Famous Names… Changed

Written by Andy Patterson

So, the news hit last week, that veteran star ‘Englebert Humperdinck’ (who incidentally shares his birthday with Abubilla’s own Andy Patterson) is to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Shock? Surprise? Elation? Most of these sentiments have been expressed at the fact he is still going, but it spurred the BBC to run an article about other stars that have changed their name as funny enough Englebert Humperdinck is not what it says on his birth certificate.

Eddie Izzard featured the name choice in a live routine of his:

Here’s a selection of stars for whom a stage name was the best option..

Elton John was – Reg Dwight

Cliff Richard was Harry Webb (and like Humperdinck, was born in India)

David Bowie was David Jones.

Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara

and

Dusty Springfield was Mary O’Brien.

Oh, and Englebert was born ‘Arnold George Dorsey’ and shared a manager with Thomas John Woodward (or Tom Jones).