Which Celebrity Received Their Stage Name From a Medieval English Ballad?
If you have ever wondered where people get their stage names, you are not alone. The question has been asked more than once in the past century. Some celebrities have stage names derived from medieval English ballads. John Henry, Jesse James, and Chevy Chase are among them.
Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase was born in New York City in 1943, the son of a musician and writer. He was raised by his parents, who were divorced. He studied English at Bard College and worked as a writer before pursuing his dream of a career in comedy.
While most people know Chevy Chase from Saturday Night Live, the actor has also been an actor and stand-up comedian for several decades. He stepped into the spotlight through his SNL success, hosting the show for eight seasons. However, he later came under fire for his behavior, allegedly hitting a female writer, Cheri Oteri. Lorne Michaels banned him from hosting SNL, but Chase continued to make appearances there.
John Henry
The medieval English ballad, “John Henry,” is the inspiration for one of the most famous modern country songs. It describes the life and death of John Henry, a man convicted of murdering a thief. The song was originally written in 1493, and is now considered a classic country song. It is frequently referenced on television shows such as How I Met Your Mother.
Many of the ballads of this period depict violence and sex. Commonly, the poor and the powerful are cut to size in these stories, and ballads aimed to correct this imbalance. In one such ballad, Sir John Graeme, a landowner with a certain amount of influence, sends his “man” down through the town to fetch his sweetheart. The necessity of the mission accentuates the physical distance between the two lovers.
Jesse James
The medieval ballad Jesse James inspired the stage name of the American outlaw. The ballad tells the story of a man named James who is killed in his own home by a man named Robert Ford. The song that came from this incident became a popular folk song and helped create a folk hero out of the former outlaw. Another song written by Cole Younger tells the story of Jesse James’s accomplice and expresses his regrets for his gang crimes.
James was a member of various outlaw gangs following the Civil War. His actions won him national fame and popularity. His gang consisted of several former Confederates, Clell Miller, and others. He committed a number of robberies during this time, often committing them in front of large crowds. The gang also carried out a series of robberies at stagecoaches and banks. Some of them were captured, and several were executed by the end of the war.
The Bombardment of Bristol
The bombing of Bristol took place during World War II. Aircraft from the Luftflotte 3 (German Air Force) flew into Bristol and dropped over 12,000 incendiary bombs and 160 tons of high explosive bombs. These bombs destroyed or damaged buildings and caused hundreds of fires in the city. One of the most well-known victims of this air attack was the Bristol Museum, which was hit by a wave of incendiary bombs. As a result, 207 people were killed inside the museum. Another area hit by bombs was the Castle Park area, where thousands of houses were destroyed or damaged. The 17th century timber-framed Dutch House was also destroyed.
The bombardment of Bristol brought Rhode Island closer to achieving independence, but there was also opposition within the state. Some residents believed that the British were threatening their freedom. Many citizens were arrested and taken to less-than-healthy prisons. This made them even more resistant to the British.
The Wild and Wicked Youth
This album features both self-penned songs and traditional material that are all performed with a high level of musicianship. Songs of the sea, the soul, and the treachero are all included. The resulting disc is a must-have for any fan of Irish folk. If you are looking for a classic, timeless album, The Wild and Wicked Youth is a great choice.
