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Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Surnames

by Jill Riley and Nilufer Arsala

May 08, 2025

Eddie Van Halen performing onstage in the 1970s
Eddie Van Halen performing onstage in the 1970sMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Sometimes it’s hard to name a band. And sometimes you have a last name so cool, it could be a band name. Sometimes, last names have even been combined to form the name of a group.

That’s the case with Wilson Phillips, who released their self-titled debut album on May 8, 1990. Today, let’s brainstorm more band names that are one of the members’ surnames.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs from bands named after a last name would you like to hear?


Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
The Staple Singers- This May Be The Last Time
Ween- Voodoo Lady
Ramones- I Wanna Be Sedated
HAIM- The Wire
Seals and Croft- Summer Breeze
Tweedy- Summer Noon
The Traveling Wilburys- End of the Line