Heavy Metal’s 12 Most Badass Stage Names: You Won't Believe The Stories Behind Them!

By Dan Tucker

March 8, 2014 / 10:30 AM

Mick_Mars

[Photo: Getty Images]

Alice_Cooper

[Photo: Getty Images]

Saul

[Photo: Getty Images]

Cradle

[Photo: Getty Images]

Avenged

[Photo: Getty Images]

Cronos

[Photo: Getty Images]

King

[Photo: Getty Images]

Nikki

[Photo: Getty Images]

Manson

[Photo: Getty Images]

Zakk

[Photo: Getty Images]

Varg

[Photo: Getty Images]

You have a musical vision. You’ve got a sick band, some killer songs and a great live show. Unfortunately you were born SAUL HUDSON. It’s time to find a stage name. Such was the dilemma faced by many now-legendary hard rock and metal musicians. And though there were many horrible pseudonyms chosen throughout rock history, these guys were definitely not part of that crowd. Their names just exude cool. They feel big, important – sometimes even scary and intimidating (for this list, we’re talking complete reinventions, not just a first or last name change). But what are the real stories behind these iconic names? Where did they originate? Well, that’s what we’re about to find out. Because before they were effortlessly cool rock stars, they were Saul Hudson (Slash), Brian Hugh Warner (Marilyn Manson) and James Newell Osterberg, Jr. (Iggy Pop). So to celebrate this week’s That Metal Show guest, Robert Alan Deal (Mötley Crüe's Mick Mars), here’s the 12 most badass stage names in hard rock and heavy metal history. Perhaps some inspiration for you to change your own name and join this pantheon of legends. Or just get made fun of by your friends. All signs point to the latter.