Top 10 Most Influential Music Families | POP DNA

#10: The Jonas Brothers

Ask anybody who’s ever formed a band: finding the right members can be extremely tough. And yes, inter-band dynamics don’t always become easier to deal with when those members are also family. The Jonas Brothers thankfully didn’t seem to have many of these problems, as evidenced by their international success. Their parents were no strangers to music, either, with both Denise and Paul Jonas performing within their local church. The Jonas Brothers eventually grew to write and record secular music, however, taking the knowledge gained during childhood and applying it to careers that flourished both together, and with the Jonas’ respective solo careers.

#9: The Marleys

Reggae legend Bob Marley had twelve children, many of which inherited their father’s love and devotion to music. Half of the Marley clan wound up as musicians, including Damian, Ziggy, Stephen, Julien, Ky-Mani and Sharon. The career of Ziggy Marley is probably the most successful from this group, since Bob Marley’s eldest son has earned eight Grammy awards while fronting Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Elsewhere, Damian Marley has also won four Grammys in his own right, while Julian Marley and Stephen Marley have also succeeded as both musicians and producers, carrying on the legacy of their father into the modern day.

#8: The Coltranes

The wonderful world of jazz can boast many famous family dynasties. These have included the Marsalis Family, as well as the jazz, funk and fusion pioneers Miles and Betty Davis. The latter were notable for their husband-and-wife dynamic, a sentiment that’s echoed here within the legacy of The Coltranes. John Coltrane was, without a doubt, one of the most influential composers and players of all time, but this also takes nothing away from the impact of his wife, Alice. The Coltranes worked not only within the free, hard bop and spiritual jazz genres, but Alice Coltrane’s career also incorporated bits of fusion into her work. This helped both members of this family carve their own creative paths, away from their marriage.

#7: The Cash-Carters

The Carter Family were already country music legends by the time June Carter met her third husband, Johnny Cash. The pairing of these two brought together a powerful dynasty of influential vocal, instrumental and compositional prowess. The legacy of Johnny Cash is known to pretty much everyone these days, regardless of how well one might know country music. Meanwhile, The Carter Family were certified stars that paved the way for so many country, gospel and folk groups that emerged in their wake. Meanwhile, June Carter Cash and her husband continued to solidify their own careers in collaboration throughout the history of their relationship.

#6: The Knowles-Carter Family

The name Beyoncé is another one that needs no introduction, nor does that of Jay-Z, one of hip-hop’s most influential performers. Their romantic partnership essentially brought together two titans of an industry, combining their acumen for brand-marketing and performing to a heretofore unknown level of fame. Sure, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were famous on their own, including the former’s career alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in Destiny’s Child. Meanwhile, the career of Solange Knowles has been managed by her father, Matthew, bringing success to the younger Knowles sibling alongside her big sister.

#5: The Warwick-Houstons

There just seems to be a legacy of great voices within The Warwick-Houstons. Dee Dee Warwick was a notable soul singer back in the sixties and seventies, while her cousin Cissy Houston also saw success as both a session performer, as well as with the group The Sweet Inspirations. Elsewhere, Dionne Warwick was a certified, Grammy Award winning legend of this same genre, performing hits like “Walk On By” that thrilled legions of fans. Then, there’s Dionne’s first cousin, Whitney Houston, the daughter of Cissy who became one of, if not the voice of her generation. All told, it’s an enviable dynasty of singers with some truly incredible songs under their collective belts.

#4: The Osmonds

It’s somewhat of a misconception that it’s only Donny and Marie Osmond who have seen success from this famous musical family. The Osmonds were actually an incredibly successful group for their day, writing and performing music that could fluctuate from bubblegum pop to a surprising turn into hard rock with the epic-sounding “Crazy Horses.” Meanwhile, that group’s youngest sibling, Jimmy, would go on to enjoy a solo career of his own, earning both platinum and gold record awards for his efforts. It’s admittedly Donny and Marie that have retained the biggest public profile over the years, however, and deservedly so, since the siblings’ natural charm has resonated with their fans for decades.

#3: The Bach Family

It isn’t solely within the world of modern popular music that we can find evidence of major familial dynasties. The legacy of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach, for example, was continued on via the work of not one, but four of the man’s sons. The works of Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Philipp Emanuel, Johann Christoph Friedrich, and Johann Christian all contributed to classical music’s progression throughout the years, while at the same time reminding generations about the importance of their father. Thus, it was the Bach Family that helped shape the future of classical music, directly influencing how many of us view it today.

#2: The Gordy Family

It truly seemed as if there was nothing Berry Gordy couldn’t do within the entertainment industry. He was a legendary songwriter who was responsible for composing such iconic hits as “Shop Around” and “Money (That’s What I Want).” He was a manager and producer whose vision steered the sound of Motown for decades, inspiring countless creative hearts and minds. Berry Gordy’s children also worked within these parameters, from Rockwell’s novelty-hit success with “Somebody’s Watching Me” to Stefan Gordy, a.k.a. Redfoo, rockin’ parties worldwide alongside his group LMFAO. There’s also singer Rhonda Ross Kendrick, whose mother was Diana Ross and Kerry Gordy, who followed his father’s footsteps into executive management.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Wilsons

The Beach Boys, Wilson-Phillips & Vocal Harmony Heaven

The Zappas

Frank Zappa’s Genius & a Complicated Family Dynamic

The Gibb Brothers

Andy Gibb & The Bee Gees Ruling the Pop Charts

The Cyruses

Miley Cyrus’ Career Outdoing Her Dad By a Country Mile

#1: The Jacksons

There is, unfortunately, a long history of parental meddling within the affairs of their successful children. Joseph Jackson was perhaps one of the most infamous of these controlling figures, a manager for his undeniably talented family. And sure, it’s Michael Jackson that everyone knows the best, together with his sister Janet, but it’s also important to remember just how big a deal The Jackson 5 were back in the day. Jermaine Jackson probably enjoyed the third most successful solo career out of this group, one that peaked in the early ‘80s, while Tito Jackson’s children went on to form the pop boy band 3T in 1994.

Can you think of any other famous instances of familial nepotism in music? Let us know in the comments!