Alfred E. Neuman the fictitious mascot and cover boy of the American humour magazine Mad was based on the teenage Joe South whose parents were friends of the editor Harvey Kurtzman.
Music Fact
Facts about music.
On The Road Again
When The Specials played on the same bill as Bryan Ferry at the Lausanne Music Festival Terry Hall joined the latter on stage to perform the part on ‘Let’s Stick Together’ originally done by Bryan’s ex-girlfriend Jerry Hall.
Mercury Rising
Mercury Rev are named in honour of the Right Reverend James Mercury who ran the youth club in their village which was both the location of their first rehearsals and gigs.
To Boldly Go
Elvis Presley’s original drummer D.C. Fontana was later a script writer and story editor on the original Star Trek series as well as many other shows.
Screen Capture From Star Trek Fact Check
All Saints Lane
All Saints, the thinking man’s Spice Girls, based their hit ‘Never Ever’ in part on Anita Lane’s ‘If I Should Die’.
On A Clear Day
Singer Johnny Mathis has scored nine holes in one playing golf and had one number nine hit (What Will Mary Say 1962).
Don’t Go Back To The City Of Domes
The American rock band REM named themselves after the android in the television version of Logan’s Run as played by Donald Moffat.
It’s Probably For The Best
‘All we are saying, is give Pete a chance’ was a chant sung by fans of the ousted drummer at Beatles gigs later re-tasked by John Lennon for his anti-war anthem.
Master Of Aperture
Contrary to popular belief Metallica didn’t name themselves after a prototype Pentax SLR as camera snob Lars Ulrich only ever used Nikon equipment and wouldn’t want to have been associated with any other manufacturer.
Just Joshing
Mathematician and The Wedding Present mainstay David Gedge, known to his fans as Mr Gedge, had a character named after him in an episode of Futurama.