There’s various explanation why an artist may select to work beneath a pseudonym.

For one factor, it is a comparatively easy strategy to keep away from contractual or authorized conflicts, in addition to drama between competing file labels. Elton John, for instance, used the pseudonym Rockaday Johnnie for his contributions to one in every of Jackson Browne‘s songs, “Redneck Buddy,” as a result of at that time, he did not but have a allow to work in America.

Or typically, it is about proving {that a} good track is an effective track, irrespective of how well-known of an individual wrote it. That is what Paul McCartney was aiming for in 1965 when he gave the English pop duo Peter and Gordon a track he’d written known as “Lady,” beneath the situation that they credit score him because the made-up Bernard Webb.

READ MORE: 36 Songs That Had been Provided or Supposed for Different Artists

“I used to be a bit aggravated that something by Lennon-McCartney was being a success, significantly by Peter and Gordon,” he later defined. “I do not know, I simply received an assault of morals or one thing, however I felt it was a bit a lot that routinely having our identify on one thing made it do properly, and I wished to see if I may get round it. So I requested our music writer, Dick James, if I may use a pseudonym.

“He was a bit jittery – ‘It sells higher in case your identify’s on it!’ – so I stated ‘Sure however Dick, look, you’ve got received all that cash, you’ve got received ‘Yesterday,’ we’re doing nice, I actually am eager on seeing this occur,’ so he gave in. Bernard Webb was the identify I selected, and the great factor was that shortly after that we went on tour to America and somebody was holding up an enormous signal saying ‘Lengthy reside Bernard Webb!’ I did not actually thoughts when folks came upon.”

Within the under gallery, we’re looking at 16 rock artists and their respective pseudonyms. It is attainable you’ve got heard music by a few of your favourite folks and never recognized it this complete time…