I just don't recall a news report ever using a famous person's real name instead of a stage name

I do, lots of times. The biggest one I can think of is when Paul Reubens was arrested many years ago. It was reported the same way they reported Lerxst's run-in, with a clear description that Paul Reubens was Pee Wee Herman, then continuing to use his real name in the rest of the discussion.

Plus, you gotta figure that Al's son doesn't use the name Lifeson, and even if they wanted to call Alex by the Lifeson name in the article, it helps to use his real name so that the article is easier to understand.