Jack Black's band name has surprising origin and we finally know what 'D' stands for

The meaning of the ‘D’ in Tenacious D is surprising but how Jack Black’s band got its name is as hilarious as you’d expect from the legend.

If ever you’re feeling down on yourself and frustrated with your ability… under no circumstances think of Jack Black—the guy’s just unbelievably talented, seriously. Everybody will have their own unique stories about how they came to love the actor, comedian, and musician, whether you were first acquainted with him through the modern movie classic School Of Rock or the swooning festive rom-com The Holiday. If you discovered him through the music of his band Tenacious D, on the other hand, you likely had a bit of a shock introduction.

The ‘D’ in Tenacious D has a surprising meaning

Now known for such big songs as Tribute and POD, Tenacious D is the American comedy rock duo formed in 1994 by Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who previously knew each other as members of The Actors’ Gang theater company.

Loved by fans for their hilarious lyrics and fun musical style, there’s lots to love about the band and that extends to how they got their name.

To be tenacious means to be unwilling to accept defeat, to persevere. The ‘D’, on the other hand, has raised eyebrows over the years.

Well, the ‘D’ actually stands for defense, and the band name was inspired by a phrase sometimes used by sports commentator Marv Albert when commentating on basketball. He would praise the “tenacious defense” of the NBA’s New York Knicks.

Another commentator, Walt Frazier, would use the phrase too.

Tenacious D let their first audience choose the band name

Even though the ‘D’ in Tenacious D has meaning, that still leaves the mystery of why they decided to call their band as such… it turns out they didn’t choose it after all, and that’s the funny part

When Jack and Kyle were performing their first ever live show as a band in 1994, they took to the stage in a place called Al’s Bar and let the audience decide what they should call themselves.

Kyle’s favorite name that was floated? The Axe Lords Featuring Gorgazon’s Mischief, a bit of a mouthful, but other potential names included Pets Or Meat and Balboa’s Biblical Theatre.

There aren’t many people who would let the name of their band be chosen like that, but this is Jack we’re talking about. It’s just the way he rocks and rolls. Nevertheless, the name Tenacious D was chosen, they wrote not the greatest song in the world but just a tribute, and the rest is history.

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