The story of this band is fascinating.

… guitarist David convinced his brothers to change the band’s name to Death in 1974 after their father died in an accident. David wanted to change the meaning of the word: “His concept was spinning death from the negative to the positive. It was a hard sell” …

Columbia Records president Clive Davis funded the recording sessions but implored the band to change its name to something more commercially palatable. When the Hackneys refused, Davis ceased his support.[11] Bobby and Dannis were tentative about this decision, ultimately prioritizing the brotherly relationship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_(proto-punk_band)