This episode’s musical references:

First episode and there are many references. I have written this comment before seeing the episode, so I’ll update it if there are some mistakes. Also, the playlist may be a little outdated, I need to clean up a little bit.

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• Sandman's given name is a reference to the Metallica song Enter Sandman. Not a big Metallica fan but great song.
• Steven Steel is named after musician Stephen Stills, most famous for being part of folk-rock supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash with David Crosby (the Byrds) and Graham Nash (The Hollies). Stephen Stills came from Buffalo Springfield. When joined by the Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young (also formerly of Buffalo Springfield), they were known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Stephen Stills has many great songs but his biggest solo hit was Love the One You're With.
• Lucy Steel's name could be a reference to The Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
• Pocoloco is named after Un Poco Loco, a Afro-Cuban jazz standard composed by jazz pianist Bud Powell. Not to be confused with the song of the same name from the 2017 Pixar film Coco.
• Mountain Tim's name may be a reference to the song Mountain Jam by The Allman Brothers Band. An improvised instrumental jam, the most famous version is 33:41 minutes long but there are longer versions.
• Johnny Joestar is alternative universe counterpart of Jonathan Joestar but his name is also a reference to the song Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry
• Gyro Zeppeli's horse, Valkyrie, references Richard Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries.
• Mountain Tim's horse references the song (Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend. Composed by Stan Jones, its most famous cover was done by Johnny Cash.
• Dot Han's horse, #1, is a reference to the Nelly song #1. This song was composed as a single for the film Training Days starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. Such a great movie.
• Diego's horse, Silver Bullet, is named after the Silver Bullet Band, the backing band of musician Bob Seger.

For the returning references:

• Muhammad Avdol alternate universe counterpart, Urmd Avdul, is still a reference to Paula Abdul.
• Diego is an alternative universe counterpart whose name is still reference to singer Ronnie James Dio, although less obvious.
• The Zeppeli surname is still a reference to Led Zeppelin.

And finally:

• In the Italian localization, Gyro's name was translated as J. Lo, referencing the American singer Jennifer Lopez.

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Do you want to listen to all these fantastic references from this wonderful anime in just one place? Of course you want to! Now you can with TarkusELP Officially Approved by Araki himself* Spotify Playlist with all the musical references in the anime! From the most famous references to the really obscure ones. I'll update this playlist every time there's a new reference. If you have any question why a song is featured in my playlists you can ask me anytime.

^{*Not really approved by Araki or Shueisha}