Legendary Families That Shaped Music History

Sibling acts have been a mainstay of the music industry for decades. From duos and trios to bands and groups, these legendary family acts have created music that has significantly impacted the entertainment industry and the listening public. Not all families work well together. Even some of these musical legends had issues, yet, they still managed to create beautiful music together.

To compile a list of the legendary family acts that shaped music history, 24/7 Tempo gathered information from various music sources such as the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Djrobblog.com, and the online site udiscovermusic. The list is not meant to be comprehensive but has attempted to spotlight those sibling performers who have made the biggest impact in music.

Sibling acts were successful in multiple musical genres, from Big Band and Pop to folk, soul, and rock. Their innovative style and harmonious performances have made many family groups among the most influential in music history. Through skilled musicianship or complementary singing, these siblings have reinvented songs and left a lasting mark. (These are 50 very popular songs that actually never got to be No. 1.)

• Their act: Helped create surfing-theme music in the 1960s
• Active: 1961-present

• Their act: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, concerts
• Active: 1959-2023

• Their act: Pop singing duo with a string of hits in the 1970s
• Active: 1965-1983

• Their act: Pop singing group Jackson 5; launched the career of Michael Jackson
• Active: 1964-1989; 2001; 2012-present

• Their act: Harmonious brothers act were pioneers of country rock
• Active: 1951-1973; 1983-2005

• Their act: The Bee Gees performed pop, disco, soft rock
• Active: 1958-2012

• Their act: Members of Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Active: 1968-1972

• Their act: Members of British rock group the Kinks
• Active: 1963-1996

• Their act: The Erwins collaborated with Natalie Maines to form the Chicks
• Active: 1989-present

• Their act: Members of the British rock group Oasis
• Active: 1991-2009; 2024 – present

• Their act: The Andrews Sisters singing group
• Active: 1925-1967

• Their act: Teen singing sensations in the mid-2000s
• Active: 2005-2013

• Their act: The brothers helped found the English band Radiohead
• Active: 1985-present

• Their act: Gospel harmonies propelled them to fame as The Statler Brothers
• Active: 1955-2002

• Their act: The sisters are the heart of the band Heart
• Active: 1973-1998; 2002-2016; 2019-2023

• Their act: The Sister Sledge had a huge hit with "We Are Family"
• Active: 1971-present

• Their act: The brothers formed the iconic metal band Van Halen
• Active: 1973-2020

• Their act: The brothers formed the Australian hard rock band AC/DC
• Active: 1973-present

• Their act: They formed the band, Ace of Base
• Active: 1987-present

• Their act: The Staple Singers' music was imbued with spirituality and social change
• Active: 1948-1994; 1999

• Their act: Founders of Allman Brothers Band
• Active: 1969-1976; 1978-1982; 1989-2014

• Their act: The Peterson sisters were part of The Bangles
• Active: 1981-1989; 1998-present

• Their act: They were called the Farriss Brothers before they became INXS
• Active: 1977-2012

• Their act: The Knopflers founded the British group Dire Straits
• Active: 1977-1988; 1990-1995

• Their act: Purveyors of LA funk
• Active: 1975-1982; 1984-2015

• Their act: Oakland-based R&B and soul act became known as The Pointer Sisters
• Active: 1970-present

• Their act: Two pairs of brothers helped create the quirky band Devo
• Active: 1973-1984; 1988-1991; 1996-present

• Their act: Sister quartet appeared as The Lennon Sisters
• Active: 1955-present

• Their act: Irish pop group The Corrs had success in the early 21st century
• Active: 1990-2006; 2015-present

• Their act: Wilson Phillips are the offspring of legendary rock parents
• Active: 1989-1993; 2001; 2004-2006; 2010-present

• Their act: Trio from Ohio were popular in the 1950s and 1960s
• Active: 1952-1968; 1986-2004