The Top 10: Bands renamed with the lead singer’s name on top

From Rod Stewart and the Faces to Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel

Reflections, Diana Ross and the Supremes, 1968

Paul Park suggested this list, and gave us the first five examples to get started.

1. The Faces. Formed in 1969, having previously been called Quiet Melon, then the Small Faces (I missed them in my Top 10 Original Band Names), but by 1972 they were billed live as Rod Stewart and the Faces.

2. The Supremes (above). Diana Ross. Also nominated by Truly S.

3. The Four Seasons. Frankie Valli. Also nominated by Solly.

4. The Union Gap. Gary Puckett. Also nominated by Jamie McMillan.

5. The Animals. Eric Burdon. Also nominated by Alan Jowett.

6. The Miracles. Smokey Robinson. Thanks to Gareth Jones.

7. The Dominos. Derek was Eric Clapton’s nickname. Long story, started by Notlobgavlar.

8. The Bluenotes. Harold Melvin. Although Melvin gave way as lead singer to Teddy Pendergrass, who became famous in his own right, while the band retained Melvin’s name. Thanks to Phil Riley.

9. T Rex. Marc Bolan. Got on by Alan Onions.

10. Cockney Rebel. Steve Harley. Best of the non-Motown nominations, from Phil.

Would have been bubbling under if they had not been disqualified: The Vandellas, who were only ever known as Martha (or Martha Reeves) and the Vandellas (sorry, Gareth Jones, who tried to nominate the entire Motown catalogue); Paul McCartney and Wings, another from Alan Jowett but excluded under my blanket ban on the Beatles; and Cliff Richard and the Shadows, nominated by Bordelinefools, but disqualified because the Shadows went the other way: they were created as a backing band, called The Drifters, for Richard and then succeeded on their own.

Next week: Journalist-politicians, such as Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, the leaders of the EU Leave campaign

Coming soon: People with invented middle initials, such as Ulysses S Grant and JK Rowling

Your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, in the comments please, or to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk