NAME DROPPING: During the past year, a few bands decided to capitalize on other celebrities' names.
Nerf Herder sang about "Van Halen," Local H sang about "Eddie Vedder," Cake took on "Frank Sinatra," and the Scofflaws have been chanting about "William Shatner."However, famous-name song titles are nothing new. Here are some other goodies: "Buddy Holly" by Weezer (1995), "James Brown Is Dead" by L.A. Style (1992), "Black Superman - Muhammad Ali" by Johnny Wake-lin (1975) and Rick Springfield's identity crisis, "Bruce" (1984), which was a true story about a fan who thought he was the "Boss" Bruce Springsteen.
THE NAME GAME CONTINUED: Still other artists sing songs that make passing reference to the famous in their titles. Here are but a few: ABC's "When Smokey Sings" (1987) is about Smokey Robinson; Toto's "Rosanna" (1985) is about movie star Rosanna Arquette; and Elton John's "Empty Garden (Hey, Hey, Johnny)" (1982) is the piano-man's tribute to John Lennon. Wait, there's more. Crosby, Stills & Nash's 1969 tribute to Judy Collins is called "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" and last, even though his name isn't really mentioned, Elvis is paid tribute by Ronnie McDowell in 1977 with "The King Is Gone."
VAIN NAMES: Then there are those artists who have to indulge in themselves for a bit - "Ballad of John & Yoko" by the Beatles (1969) and "Rappin' Rodney" sputtered by Rodney Dangerfield (1984). I wonder if Beck had that in mind when he recorded "Loser."
R&B's CCR?: It's all in the name. Last year Otis Williams, a founder of the Motown act the Temptations, filed a lawsuit against former Temp member Dennis Edwards for infringement of the vocal group's name. Williams and the estate of the late bass vocalist Melvin Franklin claimed Edwards used the Temptations name in unauthorized appearances. Earlier this year, Edwards was ruled in default but planned to file a countersuit. The Williams-Franklin camp then planned to file an injunction against Edwards . . . . Hey guys, did you forget how long those 20 years lasted as John Fogerty settled his name-based suits with the other members of Creedence Clearwater Revival?
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