The 1960’s & 1970’s rock and roll boom created several of the most famous musicians in history – with the individual members of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones became household names. These bands presented a new rebellious sound and played all over the world. However, in some cases, the musical lineage did not stop there. Several children of these stars, raised in the chaos and glitz of rock stardom, have gone on to become very successful musicians themselves.
Jakob Dylan (Son of Bob Dylan)
Bob Dylan was among the twentieth century’s most significant performers and songwriters. His son, Jakob Dylan (born 1969) grew up in the shadow of his dad but was the lead singer & principal songwriter of the band the Wallflowers. The band became popular with mid-1990’s with hits including “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache”. Jakob successfully negotiated the challenge of having a world-famous father and went on to create music which stood by itself.
Julian Lennon (Son of John Lennon)
John Lennon was one of the founding members of the Beatles and a worldwide superstar in the mid 1960’s. Julian was born in 1963, at the very beginning of his father’s fame but never was close to his father. Julian chafed at hearing his father’s ‘peace and love’ stance perpetually celebrated. He told The Daily Telegraph, “I have to say that, from my point of view, I felt he was a hypocrite. Dad could talk about peace and love out loud to the world but he could never show it to the people who supposedly meant the most to him: his wife (Cynthia) and son.
Julian began his music career in 1984 with the album “Valotte”, which was best known for the release “Too Late for Goodbyes”. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late March 1985. He went on to produce six more albums but none as successful as the first. Eventually settling into other artistic endeavours, he became an author and a celebrated photographer, with several exhibitions.
Zak Starkey (Son of Ringo Starr)
Zak Starkey was raised by Ringo Starr, the Beatle’s drummer, and his first wife, Maureen. Zak picked up his dad’s drumming ability and developed a professional career all his own. He has toured with several different bands starting with a re-formed Spencer Davis Group in the early 1980’s. He became the drummer for the Who on several tours beginning in 1994, replacing their iconic drummer, Keith Moon. Zak illustrated a flexible drumming style by also playing for Oasis throughout their peak years during the 2000’s. Zak may have gotten some early gigs because of his family name but he blazed a very successful career because of his ability.
Norah Jones (Daughter of Ravi Shankar)
Though Ravi Shankar wasn’t a rock star in the conventional sense, his work with 60’s counterculture and cooperation with rock musicians, including George Harrison of the Beatles, made him an important figure in that music era. His daughter Norah Jones, born in 1979, became a huge success in the early 2000’s. Her 2002 debut album “Come Away with Me” sold 27 million copies received the Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist. and made her a soulful jazz pop singer songwriter. With her soft vocals and genre-blending style, Norah’s subsequent studio albums Feels Like Home (2004), Not Too Late (2007), and The Fall (2009) all gained platinum status, selling over a million copies each.
Jason Bonham (Son of John Bonham)
John Bonham is among the best drummers in rock history and will be remembered as the powerhouse drummer of Led Zeppelin. His son, Jason Bonham, born in 1966, is now a highly regarded drummer himself. Following his father’s death in 1980, Jason performed together with the surviving members of Led Zeppelin several times, starting in 1988 and most notably during their 2007 reunion concert. His performance was described as “flawless” by music critics.
Jason has also played for Black Country Communion, Sammy Hagar and the Circle and Foreigner. His drumming style is much like his father’s but weightier and this differentiations has given him his own spot in rock music.
Wilson Phillips
The group consists of sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, and Chynna Phillips, the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas.
Their 1990 debut album sold over 10 million copies worldwide and included five major US hit singles, four of which cracked the Top 10, with three peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1992, Wilson Phillips made history as Billboard declared their debut album, the best-selling album of all time by an all-female act. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 album chart, while it had sales of 5 million copies in the US, with a total of 8 million copies sold worldwide. This record was later surpassed by the initial offering from The Spice Girls.
Less than a year after the release of their second album, Shadows and Light, the group had gone their separate ways.
Miley Cyrus
Though not directly Rock n Roll lineage, as her father Billy Ray was a Country star, Miley is regarded as a pop icon, recognized for her evolving artistry and image reinventions. She started her career as a teen idol in the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana (2006–2011). As Hannah Montana, she achieved success on the Billboard charts with two number one soundtracks.
Mile’s solo music career started with the US number one pop rock albums Meet Miley Cyrus (2007) and Breakout (2008). Her EP The Time of Our Lives (2009) reached number two in the US. Its lead single “Party in the U.S.A.” became one of the best-selling singles of all time, later becoming certified 14-times platinum in the US. Cyrus has gone on to morph into different genres of music with each new album. Ranging from hip-hop and R&B with “Bangerz” (2013); to country pop on “Younger Now” (2017). Moving to Columbia Records in 2021, Cyrus released her eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation (2023). Its lead single “Flowers” became her second US number one song, winning two Grammy Awards including Record of the Year.
Though their initial opportunity and success might have come because of their last name, each one of these artists has developed their very own sounds and musical terrains. Through their success, they continue the rock & roll tradition of their famous parents, albeit with their very own twist.
