More Band Names: H - J

 

Herman’s Hermits	Their name came from a resemblance, noted by band member Karl Green, between lead vocalist Peter Noone and Sherman in the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon. Sherman was shortened to Herman, and then became Herman and his Hermits, which was again shortened to Herman's Hermits
The Hollies	Not in homage to Buddy Holly, as rumoured. They chose the name from some Christmas holly decorating Graham Nash's house.
Hootie and the Blowfish	From the nicknames of two friends of singer/guitarist Darius Rucker - one with owl-like eyes (Hootie), another with puffy "Blowfish" cheeks.
INXS	The 3 Farriss brothers hoped their music would be "In Excess", and spelt it INXS
Iron Maiden	Steve Harris got the band name from a film of The Man in the Iron Mask. The "Iron Maiden" was a metal coffin with spikes running outside it that could be inserted inside. The occupant was than impaled on the spikes.
Jefferson Airplane	Inspired by the blues player Blind Lemon Jefferson and the name of a friend's dog. A jefferson airplane is a split matchstick end or other device to hold a splif in to get that last drag.
Jethro Tull	Popular 70's band that is named after the rather obscure inventor of the farmer's seed drill. Ian Anderson, the flautist and lead singer, has said he is "faintly embarrassed" about the name.
Joy Division	Originally named Warsaw, in order to avoid confusion with the London punk band Warsaw Pakt, the band renamed themselves Joy Division in early 1978, borrowing their new name from the prostitution wing of A Nazi concentration camp mentioned in the 1955 novel The House of Dolls.
Judas Priest	Originally a mild curse said to avoid saying "Jesus Christ" - also from the Bob Dylan song "The ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest".