Rockers who are keeping it in the family
February long weekend — otherwise known as Family Day weekend, it’s a muchneeded stat day off between New Year’s Day and Easter. Since it’s a day to honour the familial unit, I hoist a beer to mine (cheers!) and we thought we’d run down a few of our favourite rock artists that play in the same bands as their siblings.
Gotta start with AC/DC. Maybe the most-beloved family connection in hard rock. Angus Young got all the press over the years with his duck walk and schoolboy outfit — but brother Malcolm Young was always an integral part of the Aussie band. In fact, rhythm guitarist and songwriter Malcolm was often called the leader of the band. He, unfortunately, had to retire for health reasons in 2014 when he — fittingly — was replaced by nephew Stevie.
Kings of Leon are a family band out of Nashville comprised of brothers Caleb, Nathan, and Jared along with cousin Matthew. For a time, they were squabbling like many families do. You could blame the success (and sometimes hand-in-hand hedonistic lifestyle) that came with massive songs like “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody,” but they say they’re getting along much better now, with the release of their newest album “Walls” and its successful first single “Waste a Moment.”
Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson are classic rock sisters who’ve survived many changes in the musical landscape. Their ’70s virtuoso style was pushed to the side by punk and new wave in the early ’80s — they made a comeback with a foray into the synthrock/hair metal realm in the mid-1980s (like so many others) — then Nancy took a break from the biz to raise her family. Another comeback came after the turn of the millennium when members of Alice in Chains and Guns N’ Roses became involved with the group. The Wilson sisters are also a big part of the Seattle music scene with their Bad Animals studio being used by the likes of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.
The brothers Van Halen are the one constant in that band. Guitarist Eddie and drummer Alex have run the merry-go-round of lead singers (Dave returning twice – or was it thrice? And will Sammy return to the fold in 2017? And what of Gary Cherone of Extreme? Yeah, I forgot about that five minutes, too). Also keeping it in the family are original party animal Michael Anthony was replaced on bass by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang.
The Black Crowes have had almost 20 members in their lineup over the years, but the Robinson Brothers, Chris and Rich, have always been the driving force behind the group. They first formed the band when in high school in Georgia in the 1980s. Their debut, “Shake Your Money Maker,” has sold more than three million copies since its 1990 release. They broke up a couple of years ago but the two brothers continue to make music in separate projects.
Stone Temple Pilots have always had their singer as the focal point — be it the late Scott Weiland with his commanding stage performance and much documented substance abuse battles or the controversy over Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington replacing him behind the mic to the lengthy search for a new singer in the current day. The brothers DeLeo, guitarist Dean and younger sibling/bassist Robert, have provided the rhythm section and (somewhat) steady controls behind it all.
I couldn’t finish this column without a mention of the dysfunctional Gallagher brothers in Oasis. There’s no denying their talent, but it’s tough to keep singer Liam and string slinger bro Noel on stage together for longer than half a gig at a time, it seems. I saw them once in Toronto, and sure enough, by the halfway point of the show Noel had to take over on vocals as Liam was nowhere to be seen. No idea what happened that night, but it certainly wasn’t the first time.
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“I couldn’t finish this column without a mention of the dysfunctional Gallagher brothers in Oasis. There’s no denying their talent, but it’s tough to keep singer Liam and string slinger bro Noel on stage together for longer than half a gig at a time, it seems.”