Maybe it’s because I’m so focused on music as opposed to sports or politics or television and movie personalities but I have noticed that there are more famous musicians named Neil or Neal (my name) than any other profession. Of course one of the most famous Neils recently died, Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Even if I Google my full name three of the few with whom I share a name I also share an identity as a musician.
Of the Neils or Neals I can name off the top of my head there are:
Neil Young
Neil Sedaca
Neil Merriweather ( a guitarist from the 70s)
Neal Shon (Journey’s guitarist)
Neal Peart (Rush’s drummer)
Neal Smith (Alice Cooper’s original drummer)
Neil Diamond
Neil Giraldo (Pat Benetar’s guitarist / husband)
Neil Hefti
Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys)
Neil Finn (Crowded House)
This raises the question as to whether people named Neil or Neal are fated to have an interest in music
These are real APTRONYMS... (names that match the occupations). From http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/25079.html
Ray Ferrie is a retired ferryboat captain.
Linda Toot was the principal flute and William Basson was the bassoonist in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
The current Florida Bar directory lists eight lawyers whose surname is "Law." They outnumber the Justices, of whom only four are listed. One Just. One Juster. Two Judges, neither of whom is a judge. One Council, but no Counsel.
Miss Cashdollar was the treasurer of a grade school.
Mr. Sues is a lawyer.
A soldier was spotted at a San Francisco military base with the nametag "Mankiller."
The 2001-2 Membership and Referral Directory of the American Urology Association includes 9 Dr. Peters, 11 Dr. Wang, 4 Dr. Wiener, 4 Dr. Cox, 1 Dr. Dick, 3 Dr. Philpott, 1 Dr. Urich, 1 Dr. John Thomas and 1 Dr. Insoft
Richard Seed is a pioneer of reproductive technology.
Cardinal Jaime Sin is former head of the Catholic Church in the Philippines.
Prof. Martin Braine is an American cognitive psychologist.
Prof. John Wisdom is an American philosopher.
Dr. Mishe Feinmesser (which means knife), is an Israeli surgeon.
Dr. Fingers is a well-know gynecologist in Australia.
Lake Speed is a NASCAR driver.
Dr. Dick Bone is an osteopath.
Patricia Feral is an animal rights activist in Stamford, CT.
A guy name Hooker runs a bait shop.
George Hammer used to own a hardware store in Louisville, KY. His son, Pete Hammer, now owns it.
The expert on deformed frogs (a problem in Minnesota) is Professor Hoppe of Southwest University of Minnesota.
In Maine, there is a veterinarian named Dr. Beever and a physician named Dr. DeKay.
Bruce Payne and David Swett are authors.
There is a law firm in California called Payne & Fears who represent employers in employment litigation.
At the British Guards Depot, the chief medical officer was a Captain Blood, his assistant was Lieutenant Butcher; the Dental Officer was a Major Savage.
Dr. I. Doctor, Eye Doctor, is an ophthalmologist.
There's a used car dealership was owned by Karl Krook.
At the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison, WI, the FED meat inspector is named Mr. Carrion.
Dr. Metzger is an orthopedic surgeon. The name translated from German means "butcher."
Jared Wooley raises sheep and Dr. Bone is an orthopedist in Buffalo, NY. Back in the '70s there were two urologists in Rochester, NY named Dr. Cocky and Dr. Wee.
Dr. David Toothaker is a dentist in Arkansas.
There is also a Dr. Coffin, Dr. Fearing, Dr. Sorrow, Dr. Pray and Dr. Death (pronounced Deeth) who should probably change his name or his profession.
And not to be outdone by Yanks, Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada, boasts of an optometrist named Gord Looker, an electrician named Bruce Sparks, a heating contractor named Mr. Freeze, a sawmill operator named Jordan Plank, and Jim Crook manages the local penitentiary while his assistant is Susan Penwarden.
Dr. Tom Fillar is a dentist.
Sir Russell Brain is a famous English neurologist.
Dr. Hertz was a dentist in Ft. Lauderdale.
Rev. D. Goodenough is a Methodist minister.
Roland Cruz is an auto mechanic.
Dr. Slaughter is an oral surgeon.
These entries added after we posted this 11-8-03
There is a very well known doctor and urologist in Austin, Texas who performed many vascetomys. His name is Dr. Dick Chop and his assoiciate is Dr Hardman.
The moral of this story is that you’d better be real careful what you name your child.
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