'and the'

The term 'and the' is now everywhere for bands. Not just with the obvious such as Florence and the Machine, you've got obscure things like Peter and the Wolf (which is brilliant) or Gregory and the Hawk (which makes no sense).
Back in the 60's it made sense to have the term 'and the' used in band names as that actually represented something, Gerry and the Pacemakers meant something, the Pacemakers were also members of the band. Diana Ross and the Supreme's, when you here those killer harmonies you would know that's what the Supreme's were doing. (Though I am sure that was the least popular 'and the' name in the world, poor Supreme's).
I imagine what the 'and the' term stands for now is something arty and beautiful, like childhood or memories, or emotions. Whatever it is and even if it's pretentious, I kinda love it so let's celebrate the best of the modern day 'and the'.





Oh I so love this song, who would have thought a song about killing a bird would make me feel so happy.





This song is so lovely, but there's nothing like naming your band Gregory and the Hawk when you're actually a woman named Meredith. 

Honorary mentions go out to Marina and the Diamonds, Peter and the Wolf, Sam and the Womp, Emily and the Woods and Carole and the Singers.

(Okay, the last one is fake but its brilliant!)