© Getty Images

Eric Clapton -

From The Yardbirds to Cream, and then a popular solo career, Clapton is regarded as one of the greatest guitarist of all time. His most famous nickname? "Slowhand."

© Getty Images

Eric Clapton -

Clapton would slowly change broken strings on stage in front of the audience, so that's where it started. And then music impresario Giorgio Gomelsky thought it would be fun to call the skilled (and fast) guitarist "Slowhand."

© Getty Images

Jerry Lee Lewis -

One of the greatest performers in rock 'n' roll history, Jerry Lee Lewis was also known as "Killer."

© Getty Images

Jerry Lee Lewis -

The nickname was given to him in high school, because he would "kill it" with his energetic performances.

© Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne -

Ozzy started his career as the front man of heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath and went on to have a successful solo career. Many people also know him as "The Prince of Darkness."

© Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne -

While it's easy to associate the name with Ozzy's dark onstage persona, the nickname was reportedly given to him by his bandmates as a joke after the release of the song 'Black Sabbath,' which was pretty dark.

© Getty Images

Bruce Springsteen -

One of the most popular singer-songwriters of all time is also known by a nickname: "The Boss."

© Getty Images

Bruce Springsteen -

Springsteen got the nickname because he acted as the leader of the E Street Band when it came to getting paid and dividing the earnings among bandmates.

© Getty Images

Ted Nugent -

Ted Nugent is known for a few nicknames, including "Uncle Ted" and "The Nudge." But his most famous one is probably "Motor City Madman."

© Getty Images

Ted Nugent -

The nickname was given to him because of his passionate performances, his intense personality, and the fact that he was raised in Detroit, aka Motor City.

© Getty Images

Jim Morrison -

One of the most influential front men in rock history, the singer of The Doors was also known as "The Lizard King."

© Getty Images

Jim Morrison -

Morrisson wrote a poem where he referred to himself as "The Lizard King," and the name stuck!

© Getty Images

Don Felder -

The former Eagles guitarist has a very appropriate nickname: "Fingers."

© Getty Images

Don Felder -

The nickname was given to him by his Eagles bandmate Glenn Frey, who was really impressed with his guitar skills.

© Getty Images

John Bonham -

The hard-hitting Led Zeppelin drummer was known as "Bonzo."

© Getty Images

John Bonham -

It is speculated that the origins of the nickname are due to his solo in the song 'Moby D*ck.' But his energetic performances are also credited for it.

© Getty Images

Elvis Presley -

Elvis Presley was known by many nicknames, including "The King of Rock 'n' Roll," "The King," "Elvis the Pelvis," "The Hillbilly Bopper," and "Big El."

© Getty Images

Elvis Presley -

But in China, Elvis was known as "Cat King." The nickname was reportedly inspired by his album 'The Hillbilly Cat.'

© Getty Images

Ian Brown -

The Stone Roses were one of the finest bands to ever come out of the 'Madchester' scene in the late '80s in England. Their front man, Ian Brown, went on to have a successful solo career.

© Getty Images

Ian Brown -

Brown’s nickname, "King Monkey," was given to him by Mathew Priest, the bass drummer of the rock band Dodgy. He told a journalist (as a joke) that Ian would only answer to that name, and the rest is history.

© Getty Images

John Entwistle -

The bass player of the British rock band The Who was known by two nicknames: "Thunderfingers" (pretty self-explanatory) and "The Ox."

© Getty Images

John Entwistle -

The origins of "The Ox" have been attributed to his constitution and powerful onstage presence. The fact that he reportedly could out drink and out eat his bandmates probably also helped!

© Getty Images

Lemmy -

You probably know Ian Fraser Kilmister, the late front man of the British band Motörhead, by his nickname, Lemmy.

© Getty Images

Lemmy -

Legend has it that the musician got his nickname when he was younger because he would tell people "lemme (let me) borrow a fiver," or "lemme (lend me) a quid until Friday." Though this hasn't been confirmed, with Lemmy himself saying he doesn't remember.

© Getty Images

Slash -

Saul Hudson, the famous Guns N' Roses guitarist, is, of course, better known by his nickname, "Slash."

© Getty Images

Slash -

The nickname was given to him by his best friend’s father, because Slash was always in a rush and moving around.

© Getty Images

The Edge -

U2 guitarist David Howell Evans, best known as "The Edge," has a nickname that clearly stuck.

© Getty Images

The Edge -

The true origins of the nickname are unknown, but some fans think it's a reference to his personality and his sharp facial features.

© Getty Images

Doug Clifford -

You probably remember Doug Clifford best as the drummer of the band Creedence Clearwater Revival.

© Getty Images

Doug Clifford -

He too has a nickname: "Cosmo," which was given to him during his college days. Someone at a party once asked what "C" stood for in Clifford C. Clifford. Before he could reply, a hippie said: "It stands for Cosmo. He’s cosmic, a man of nature." The nickname stuck.

Sources: (Ranker)

© Getty Images