Greta Van Fleet Namesake Gretna VanFleet Dies at 95

The Michigan band Greta Van Fleet got its name from a woman in their hometown of Frankenmuth. The 95-year-old musician has sadly passed away.

How Greta Van Fleet Got the Name for their Band

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Greta Van Fleet burst onto the mainstream rock scene in early 2017 with the release of their debut single Highway Tune and their first official EP Black Smoke Rising. The band later went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for From the Fires.

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The inspiration behind the name of Greta Van Fleet reportedly began when original drummer Kyle Hauch was being driven to rehearsal, and his grandfather mentioned he had to go cut wood for a woman named Gretna VanFleet.

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Singer Josh Kiszka reportedly heard the phrase and realized it would work well as a band name. He also felt it would sound more distinctive and easier to say by dropping the “n” from “Gretna,” turning it into “Greta,” which helped shape the name Greta Van Fleet.

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Woman Who Inspired Greta Van Fleet Name Has Died

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According to ABC 12 News, 95-year-old Gretna VanFleet, the woman who inspired the name of the band Greta Van Fleet, passed away on May 18, 2026, at Winter Village in Frankenmuth. VanFleet lived a full life devoted to music, art, and community service.

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VanFleet learned to play numerous instruments, including drums, tuba, cornet, saxophone, standup bass, violin, dulcimer, psaltery, organ and piano. When learning the band wanted to name themselves after her, she said, "I thought he was kidding, I thought it was kind of funny, and I laughed. I thought that was a silly name for a band to begin with."