Election Distraction! Why 'The Rolling Stones' but not 'The REO Speedwagon'?

[USALiberal]

No one says 'The REO Speedwagon' or 'The Van Halen' or 'The Duran Duran'?

But we do say 'The Beatles' or 'The Beach Boys' or 'The Clash' or 'The Police'

[ghostsinthemachine]

1. Grateful Dead, The Grateful Dead

I use it both ways. Most Deadheads do. Also GD, The Dead...

[ret5hd]

2. I dunno the answer...but to mention TRS and REO in the same sentence? HERESY!!!

[USALiberal]

3. I saw both in concert 2 years ago! Loved both of them. nt

[Glamrock]

4. Uhhhm because that's the name the band decided on.

[KayF]

5. and why is it The The

why not The The The?

[malthaussen]

6. Generally, "The" applies to group names...

,,, but if the name of the band uses a personal name -- eg, van Halen -- then no article applies. This rule is not always applied, though.

Frequently, "The" was used as part of the name from the get-go, thus we still use it.

-- Mal

[lame54]

7. because that is what the musicians named themselves...

not much of a mystery here

[USALiberal]

8. Not really. Red Hot Chili Peppers did not add 'the' in front but many.....

articles and references start with 'The red Hot Chili Peppers'. But no one starts with 'the Van Halen'. So not the answer.

Current article is titled "The Red Hot Chili Peppers Are (Already) Preparing A New Album"

So nice try.

[lame54]

9. some dumbass critic misquotes their name and now it's a thing?...

he got it wrong
send your letter to him

[USALiberal]

10. Nice try! nt