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What’s in a name? 30 famous people who dropped their real names, as well as a local look at pseudonyms
“WHAT’S in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” according to William Shakespeare. So, what is it that inspires people to change their name? There are many examples of celebrities who may not have had the same level of success had they stuck with the names on …
“WHAT’S in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” according to William Shakespeare.
So, what is it that inspires people to change their name?
There are many examples of celebrities who may not have had the same level of success had they stuck with the names on their birth certificates.
For instance, Reginald Kenneth Dwight doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as smoothly as Elton John, does it? Brian Hugh Warner doesn’t conjure up the same mental imagery as Marilyn Manson, nor can one picture John Michael Osbourne biting the head off a bat onstage, but Ozzy Osbourne, on the other hand…
We asked our own local celebrity, Phillip du Plessis, or ‘Dupie’ to some, what inspired him to drop the du Plessis from his name and replace it with Taylor onstage.
“I played many solo gigs for about four years,” says Phillip, “and my name would be put on pamphlets or posters to for advertising purposes. It would say ‘Dupie’ or ‘Phillip du Plessis’ and for some reason, it just never looked quite right to me. The sound of it never really matched the genre of music I play, or the type of songs I sing.” he adds.
“I also felt that using my nick name, ‘Dupie’ made it sound almost like a comedy act, or something.”
Aside from his mesmerising solo performances, Phillip can also be seen fronting local band, Black Whiskey, who recently showed that their hearts are just as impressive as their onstage performance, at a charity event to raise funds for not one, but two local charities.
So, how did he decide on ‘Phillip Taylor’ as his pseudonym?
“I would sit and wonder, writing a whole bunch of names, trying to decide on what would work, what sounded right,” he continues. “I couldn’t come up with anything.”
“Anyhow, I picked up my guitar one day, a Taylor guitar, and suddenly it came to me… Phillip Taylor. And that was it. It actually kind of rolled off my tongue.”
“At the time, I was still a one man act, and it was just me and my guitar,” recollects the talented performer, “Phillip Taylor,” he reiterates, “and that is what we will be.”
For approximately two years the name has stuck, and Phillip feels that it sounds more professional, “But when I am up there in my own little world, not hearing or seeing a thing, moving people to wherever it is they go when I sing, or trying to get them to sing along or dance, I am Phillip Taylor.”
However, the local singing sensation remains humble and always aware of his roots, and adds, “I will always be Phillip du Plessis or ‘Dupie’ when the guitar is laid down and I have stepped away from the microphone.”
