And that's when it happened, the pigeon started shaking violently and became awake, picked up and flew away. I don't think I had a choice... it was 'pigeon' or die." He later explained that he was discussing his need for a stage name with a friend when the friend suggested "Chicken John", taken from the character Chicken George in Roots.
The pigeon suddenly became agitated and woke up, then flew away after being picked up. I had no choice but to let it go; it was either 'pigeon' or death. He later revealed that he was talking about a stage name with a friend when the friend suggested "Chicken John", inspired by Chicken George from Roots.