25 Amazing Rock Facts – Part 1

David Bowie – aka Robert David Jones – was taught art by his old friend and fellow rock legend Peter Frampton’s dad Owen, at Bromley Technical School. Pic: PA Photos

The Ramones took their name from the pseudonym Paul McCartney used to use when checking into hotels when he was in The Beatles: Paul Ramone. Pic: PA Photos

Ever wondered what inspired Wham’s 1984 #1 hit ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’? It was a sign Andrew Ridgeley used to put on his bedroom door for his mum, reminding her to wake him up before leaving for work. Presumably before that she used to leave him hanging on like a yoyo. Pic: PA Photos

The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones, who died in his swimming pool on July 3, 1969, played oboe on The Beatles’ track ‘Baby You’re A Rich Man’, taken from their 1967 ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ soundtrack. Pic: PA Photos

Prog titans Emerson, Lake and Palmer (or ELP). On their infamous 1977 tour, they took along 63 roadies, including a karate instructor for Palmer and their own doctor. It was also rumoured they had a "carpet roadie" whose job was to transport and sweep the Persian rug Lake stood on during the concerts. Oh, and they took a 70-piece orchestra too.

The guy on the left is Elvis Presley’s agent Colonel Tom Parker. Before his big break the guy ran a troupe of dancing chickens. Pic: PA Photos

In January 2002, George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ replaced Aaliyah’s ‘More Than A Woman’ at Number One in the UK singles chart, the only time in history one deceased artist has taken the top spot from another deceased artist. Pic: Photoshot

Frank Sinatra always told people ‘Something’ was his favourite Lennon-McCartney song. However, the track was actually written by George Harrison. Pic: PA Photos

John Lennon once sang into a condom-covered microphone to protect himself from electric shocks. He was trying to achieve an underwater sound for The Beatles’ 1966 hit ‘Yellow Submarine’, but they never used the zany recording. Pic: PA Photos

Sex Pistol John Lydon and his wife Nora were scheduled to be on the doomed Lockerbie flight that was blown up by a terrorist bomb in 1988, but missed it because Nora hadn’t packed in time. The Four Tops were also booked onto the flight but missed it after a recording session overran.

The first CD pressed in the United States for commercial release was Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born In The USA’ in 1984. Pic: PA Photos

Despite forming in 1980, it took REM nine years to get a UK top 40 hit, with 1989’s ‘Orange Crush’. Pic: PA Photos

When Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ finally fell off Billboard’s Hot 200 Album list in October 1988, it had set a record of 741 weeks on the chart.

Amy Winehouse used to work as a copy writer at tabloid news agency WENN- and her boss was none other than NME production editor Marc McLaren. Pic: PA Photos

Kaiser Chiefs are named after the South African football team that former Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe used to play for. The bad are huge fans of Leeds United. and in 2008 played at the team’s Elland Road stadium. Pic: Pieter M Van Hattem

The Smiths were forced to change this sleeve for the 1984 single ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ after actor Terence Stamp (pictured) objected to the use of his image. He was replaced by Morrissey.

Super Furry Animals got none other than Mr Paul McCartney to chew celery on their 2001 track ‘Receptacle For The Respectable’, which appears on their Mercury-nominated album ‘Rings Around The World’. Pic: PA Photos

The Stone Roses’ 1988 single ‘Elephant Stone’ was produced by New Order bassist and fellow Mancunian music legend Peter Hook.

Noel Gallgher made a headline appearance with Inspiral Carpets at Reading Festival in 1990. He was one half of a pantomime cow which came onstage during the band’s set – Gallagher was then a roadie for the band. Pic: Photoshot

Godfather Of Soul James Brown had a whopping 99 Hot 100 Billboard entries, yet never had a Number One Hot 100 hit. He died in December 2006. Pic: PA Photos

William Martin "Billy" Joel reportedly plays his signature instrument the piano on The Shangri-Las’ classic ‘The Leader Of The Pack’. The song incidentally has been parodied by a variety of people from Julian Clary to Bob Rivers, who changed the lyrics to ‘Leader Of Iraq’ in honour of Saddam Hussein. Pic: PA Photos