Siblings Who Rock: Brothers and Sisters in Music

Публикация в группе: Осторожный оптимизм

The Kinks: Ray and Dave Davies

The Davies brothers, Ray and Dave, were born in suburban North London on Huntingdon Road, East Finchley, the youngest and the only boys among their family’s eight children. In The Kinks, Ray was the songwriter, but Dave was the guitarist who effectively invented heavy metal with his raw, fuzzy sound. The pair fought bitterly throughout their time with The Kinks. Their third single, the Ray Davies-penned “You Really Got Me”, became an international hit, topping the charts around the world. The satirical single “Sunny Afternoon” was the biggest UK hit of summer 1966, topping the charts and displacing The Beatles‘ “Paperback Writer”.

Oasis: Noel and Liam Gallagher

It was Liam’s band. Noel, who was working as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets, went with them to watch Liam’s band play, and he was impressed with what he heard. He said he would join on the provision that he would become the band’s sole songwriter and leader. After over a year of live shows and rehearsals Oasis were spotted by the Creation Records co-owner Alan McGee. In April 1995, “Some Might Say” became their first number-one UK single. The first public cracks in the Oasis facade came during a showcase gig at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. The band were all in various states of “refreshment” and Liam started to fling insults at the band, chucking a tambourine at his brother. Disgusted, Noel stormed off and disappeared for a couple of days. In 1996 at the very last minute, Liam pulled out of a US tour, leaving Noel to front the band. Liam and Noel have buried the hatchet and will be playing shows together in 2025.

INXS: Andrew Farriss, Jon Farriss and Tim Farriss

Before they became Australia’s foremost musical exports, INXS started out as the Farriss Brothers, with the eldest Tim on lead guitar, middle brother Andrew on keyboards, and the youngest Jon on drums, alongside classmates Garry Gary Beers on bass and Kirk Pengilly on rhythm guitar, saxophone, and back-up vocals. They all came together in 1977 in the coastal suburbs of Sydney and cut their teeth playing the raucous pub circuit in Perth before returning to Sydney. Both brothers by blood and by shared kinship, the group stayed together through their meteoric success and after Michael Hutchence tragic passing for over 35 years.

The Beach Boys: Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson

What started out as just a family band consisting of the three Wilson brothers, Brian, Dennis and Carl and cousin Mike and friend Al Jardine turned into one of the most compelling groups in popular music. Since their formation in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys represented the mythical “American dream,” all sunshine, girls, and cars before evolving into one of the most influential bands and sibling groups in pop and rock history. Their 1966 album Pet Sounds is considered to be among the greatest and most influential albums in music history.

Jackson 5: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson

The Jackson 5 were perhaps the most famous sibling groups of all time before Michael went on to become one of the biggest pop stars in the world. During the 70s they were a hitmaking machine for Motown and their funky, soul-pop sound marked a departure from the typical boy bands and girl groups of the previous decade. Derailed by solo careers and overexposure, The Jackson 5 were still more musically sophisticated than the bubble-gum pop they were grouped into.

Bee Gees: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb

Formed in 1958, The brothers Gibb remain the all-time top-performing Australian-born or-bred act in chart history, thanks to their harmony-laden hits and exquisite vocals. Robin’s clear vibrato lead vocals were a hallmark of their earlier hits, while Barry’s R&B falsetto became their signature sound during the mid-to-late 1970s and 1980s. The Bee Gees spent the next five decades continuously reinventing themselves from 60s psych-pop group to 70s disco titans and contemporary crooners in the 80s, 90s, and beyond. With nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, the Bee Gees are the third-most successful band in Billboard charts history behind only The Beatles and The Supremes.

Dire Straits: Mark and David Knopfler

After founding Dire Straits in 1977, Mark Knopfler and his younger brother David became British rock legends, spearheading the pub-rock scene with their demo-turned overnight hit “Sultans of Swing,” but they were never quite “Brothers in Arms”. With Mark providing lead guitar, vocals and songwriting and his brother David on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, one sibling was bound to get overshadowed by the other, but their rivalry was more of a slow burn than a fiery explosion. David quit the band in 1980 during the recording of their third album and embarked upon a solo career as a recording artist.

Allman Brothers: Duane and Gregg Allman

Duane Allman was a game-changing rock’n’roll guitarist while his younger sibling Gregg Allman was one of the most charismatic vocalists in rock history, together they formed the pioneering Southern Rock band the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. While the late Duane was a session musician prodigy, it was actually his younger brother who taught him his first guitar lessons and the two only split up once due to binding contract issues. Almost an exception to the rule, the Allman siblings had one of the most harmonious familial and creative relationships in rock history.

Creedence Clearwater Revival: John and Tom Fogerty

Before they conquered America and then the world, Tom and John Fogerty first played in the Blue Velvets and later The Golliwogs. While his older sibling Tom was the original leader and singer of the band, by the time they were called Creedence Clearwater Revival, his little brother John was the sole singer and songwriter. The band’s most prolific and successful period between 1969 and 1971 produced fourteen consecutive Top 10 singles and five consecutive Top 10 albums in the United States, two of which – Green River (1969) and Cosmo’s Factory (1970) topped the Billboard 200 chart. The band performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival and were the first major act signed to appear there.

Radiohead: Colin and Jonny Greenwood

Colin Greenwood is the older brother of the Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. Colin Greenwood and school friends Thom Yorke, Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway – along with younger brother Jonny Greenwood – formed a band, On A Friday, and began playing locally. On a Friday signed a six-album recording contract with EMI and changed their name to Radiohead. By 2011, Radiohead had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Their awards include six Grammy Awards and four Ivor Novello Awards, and they hold five Mercury Prize nominations, the most of any act. On being in a band with his brother, Jonny, Colin said: “Beyond the normal brotherly thing, I respect him as a person and a musician”.

The Breeders: Kim and Kelley Deal

Kim Deal was the original bassist and co-vocalist in the alternative rock band Pixies from 1986 to 1993 and 2004 to 2013. Her identical twin sister Kelley is older by 11 minutes. They first played together in their late teens, with Kim playing guitar and both singing Hank Williams songs in biker bars. In 1986, Kim joined the Pixies in Boston. She paid for Kelley to fly to Boston and audition as a drummer. Though the Pixies songwriter, Black Francis, approved, Kelley was not confident in her drumming. In 1989, Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly (the lead guitarist of Throwing Muses) formed the Breeders. In 1992, Kelley joined the Breeders as third guitarist, even though she did not know how to play.

Devo: Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh, Gerald and Bob Casale

It’s remarkable that one sibling duo can make it work in music, let alone two, but that’s exactly the case with Devo’s band of brothers. The new wave band from Akron, Ohio, formed in 1973 and during the band’s early days, Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale recruited their brothers Bob and Jim Mothersbaugh and Bob Casale to continue their art-pop experimentations to great success. Devo (most enthusiastically Gerald Casale) was also a pioneer of the music video format. Devo released a rendition of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (with the approval of Mick Jagger) as a single in 1977, which became a staple on MTV.

Van Halen: Eddie and Alex Van Halen

Along with David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony, brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen formed the iconic hard rock group, Van Halen. Both brothers were trained as classical pianists during childhood. Although Alex is known as a professional drummer, he began his musical aspirations as a guitarist, with his brother Eddie taking up drums. Together, they created the formidable combination of Eddie’s superhuman fretwork and Alex supplying the rhythm on some of the biggest rock anthems of the past 30 years. By the early 1980s, Van Halen was among the most commercially successful rock acts. The album 1984, released in the eponymous year, was a commercial success with U.S. sales of 10 million copies and four successful singles. Its lead single, “Jump”, was the band’s only number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Crowded House – Split Enz: Neil and Tim Finn

Unlike most sibling groups, Kiwi rockers Neil and Tim Finn didn’t start their musical careers together. Neil was only a teenager when Tim made his TV debut with his band Split Enz. He would eventually join his brother as a co-frontman before the band split up in 1984 and Tim went solo. Two years later in a sibling role reversal, Neil was the breakout rock star with his new group Crowded House, riding the charts with “Don’t Dream It’s Over” released in October 1986, an international hit, reaching number two on the US Billboard chart and number one in Canada. When the two reconnected on new material years later, Tim joked that because his songs would end up on a Crowded House record, he should join the band, and Neil took him up on it, resulting in the hit record Woodface.

The Carpenters: Richard and Karen Carpenter

Between the studio talents of Richard Carpenter and the beguiling voice of his sister Karen. The Carpenters were one of the biggest-selling American musical acts and sibling groups of all time. The siblings were born in New Haven, Connecticut, but moved to Downey, California, in 1963. Richard took piano lessons as a child, progressing to California State University, Long Beach, while Karen learned the drums. Her drumming has been praised by fellow musicians Hal Blaine, Cubby O’Brien and Buddy Rich. The two signed as Carpenters to A&M Records in 1969; they achieved major success the following year with the hit singles “(They Long to Be) Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun”. The duo’s brand of melodic pop produced a record-breaking run of hit recordings.

Heart: Ann and Nancy Wilson

On February 9, 1964, Nancy Wilson and her sister Ann saw The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, a moment they each recalled as being profoundly influential: “The lightning bolt came out of the heavens and struck Ann and me the first time we saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. There’d been so much anticipation and hype about the Beatles that it was a huge event, like the lunar landing; that was the moment Ann and I heard the call to become rock musicians. One of the first hard rock bands fronted by women, the sisters have been nominated for four Grammy Awards, and have sold over 50 million records worldwide, including approximately 22.5 million albums in the United States. They have placed top ten albums on the Billboard 200 in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s.

Everly Brothers: Don and Phil Everly

Don and Phil Everly may have had perfect harmony onstage, but offstage was a different story. Since the ages of 8 and 6, the brothers were made to perform together for their family’s radio show throughout the late 40s. In the late 50s, The Everly Brothers rose to fame as the early rock’n’roll scene took off with hits in the US and the UK. Known for their country-inflected rock with steel-string guitar, the brothers held it together long enough to inspire an entire generation of artists. As Phil once said, “We only ever had one argument. It’s been lasting for 25 years.”

Jonas Brothers: Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas:

During the mid-00s, the sibling group turned teen sensations were inescapable, thanks to their exposure on the Disney Channel. A 3D concert movie, four studio albums, and stadium tours quickly followed before the band split up in 2013. While two of the three brothers enjoyed successful solo careers, the brotherly trio has returned with their comeback album much to the delight of – now adult – screaming fans everywhere.

Louis and George Johnson: The Brothers Johnson

Louis Johnson and his older brother George grew up in LA during the city’s musical heyday of the 50s and 60s. They first started playing in high school with their brother Tommy and their cousin Alex Weird before landing with Billy Preston’s group from 1971 to 1973 and later Quincy Jones. Soon after, the duo formed The Brothers Johnson and earned themselves the nicknames “Lightning Licks” for George’s slick guitar style and “Thunder Thumbs” for Louis’ signature slap bass. After a string of hits, this most funky of sibling groups split in 1982 to pursue solo projects, reuniting in 1984 and 1988 for studio albums.

Haim: Este, Danielle and Alana Haim

American rock band Haim is composed of three sisters, Este, Danielle and Alana Haim. They were all born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, California. The siblings were encouraged to listen to their parents’ 1970s classic rock and Americana records and, during their childhood, the family formed a band called Rockinhaim to play cover versions at local charity fairs. Their first album, Days Are Gone (2013), charted in the top ten in several countries, including the number-one spot in the UK, and the group had won several “best of” awards by the end of 2013.

AC/DC – Malcolm and Angus Young

Malcolm Young and younger brother Angus formed AC/DC in 1973. Native Glaswegians, both Malcolm and Angus played guitar, but Angus is always the one dressed as a schoolboy. Malcolm sadly died in November 2017, aged 64. Upon formation, Malcolm and Angus developed the band’s name after their sister Margaret pointed out the symbol “AC/DC” on the AC adapter of her sewing machine. Back in Black (1980), was the band’s first album to feature Brian Johnson as lead singer, following the death of their previous vocalist Bon Scott has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in music history.

The Darkness: Justin and Dan Hawkins

The Darkness’ brand of electrifying glam rock is the product of brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins. Justin and Dan played together as teenagers in a band known as Empire. Justin Hawkins stated that he and Dan shared a friendly sibling rivalry which prompted both brothers to learn guitar at a young age. Hawkins and his brother both attended East Point Academy. He later found interest as a vocalist, citing Freddie Mercury and Bon Scott as his two biggest influences. The Darkness came to prominence with the release of their debut album, Permission to Land, in 2003. Backed by the single “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, the band won three Brit Awards: Best British Group, Best British Rock Act, and Best British Album.

My Chemical Romance: Gerard and Mikey Way

The first concert Gerard and Mikey Way ever went to was a Smashing Pumpkins gig. After seeing them perform, Mikey told his brother that “we have to do this.” It was a brotherly duo that helped power the group during their 12-year career. Singer Gerard Way and his brother, bassist Mikey, are separated by a little more than three years with Gerard being the older of the two. Their 2006 rock opera concept album, The Black Parade was major commercial success, its lead single “Welcome to the Black Parade” topped the UK singles chart.

Kings Of Leon: Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill

The three Followill brothers (Matthew is their cousin) grew up in Oklahoma and Tennessee. In 1997, Nathan and Caleb relocated to Nashville and originally embraced country music. While there, they met songwriter Angelo Petraglia, who helped the siblings hone their songwriting skills and introduced them to the musical influences of Thin Lizzy, the Rolling Stones and the Clash. Jared, was more influenced by the music of the Pixies and the Velvet Underground. When he and their cousin Matthew also moved to Nashville in 1999, Kings of Leon was formed. After the release of Only by the Night in September 2008, the band achieved chart success. The singles “Sex on Fire”, “Use Somebody”, and “Notion” all peaked at number one on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Biffy Clyro: Ben and James Johnston

Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire in 1995, when fifteen-year-old Ayr-based guitarist Simon Neil started playing his songs with friend Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston. Ben’s twin brother, James Johnston was soon brought in, and the three spent the next two years rehearsing, writing and covering songs. Support slots for acts such as Muse, The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Rolling Stones were significant in expanding Biffy’s fan base.

Sparks – Russell and Ron Mael

Russell is the hyperactive singer, at the front while Ron writes the songs, plays keyboards and just stares… in a really menacing way. Actually, they’re both charming people and have been releasing witty and intelligent pop songs for the past 50 years. Career highlights include “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us”, which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1974; the disco hit “The Number One Song in Heaven” in 1979, resulting from a collaboration with Giorgio Moroder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAzESJ62irI

The Stooges – Ron and Scott Asheton

The band that propelled Iggy Pop to fame was the brainchild of the Asheton brothers – Ron on guitar and Scott “Rock Action” Asheton on drums. Both are sadly now no longer with us: Ron died in 2009 and Scott in March 2014. Originally billed as the Psychedelic Stooges, and also known as Iggy and the Stooges, the American rock band formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967 initially playing a raw, primitive style of rock and roll, the band sold few records in their original incarnation and gained a reputation for their confrontational performances, which often involved acts of self-mutilation by Iggy Pop.

First Aid Kit – Johanna and Klara Söderberg

First Aid Kit is a Swedish folk duo consisting of the sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, born in 1990 and 1993 respectively. They started to become internationally known in 2008 with their YouTube uploaded cover of the Fleet Foxes’ song “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”. In 2012 Rolling Stone magazine had their song “Emmylou” as 10th on their “Single of the Year” list. In 2015, they were nominated for a Brit Award as one of the five best international groups.