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.)
Brian, Dennis, Carl Wilson
- Their act: Helped create surfing-theme music in the 1960s
- Active: 1961-present
Tom and Dick Smothers
- Their act: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, concerts
- Active: 1959-2023
Karen and Richard Carpenter
- Their act: Pop singing duo with a string of hits in the 1970s
- Active: 1965-1983
Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael Jackson
- Their act: Pop singing group Jackson 5; launched the career of Michael Jackson
- Active: 1964-1989; 2001; 2012-present
Don and Phil Everly
- Their act: Harmonious brothers act were pioneers of country rock
- Active: 1951-1973; 1983-2005
Barry, Robin, Andy, Maurice Gibb
- Their act: The Bee Gees performed pop, disco, soft rock
- Active: 1958-2012
Tom and John Fogerty
- Their act: Members of Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Active: 1968-1972
Dave and Ray Davies
- Their act: Members of British rock group the Kinks
- Active: 1963-1996
Emily and Martie Erwin
- Their act: The Erwins collaborated with Natalie Maines to form the Chicks
- Active: 1989-present
Liam and Noel Gallagher
- Their act: Members of the British rock group Oasis
- Active: 1991-2009; 2024 – present
Maxene, LaVerne, Patty Andrews
- Their act: The Andrews Sisters singing group
- Active: 1925-1967
Kevin, Joe, Nick Jonas
- Their act: Teen singing sensations in the mid-2000s
- Active: 2005-2013
Colin and Jonny Greenwood
- Their act: The brothers helped found the English band Radiohead
- Active: 1985-present
Don and Harold Reid
- Their act: Gospel harmonies propelled them to fame as The Statler Brothers
- Active: 1955-2002
Ann and Nancy Wilson
- Their act: The sisters are the heart of the band Heart
- Active: 1973-1998; 2002-2016; 2019-2023
Joni, Kathy, Debbie, Kim Sledge
- Their act: The Sister Sledge had a huge hit with “We Are Family”
- Active: 1971-present
Eddie and Alex Van Halen
- Their act: The brothers formed the iconic metal band Van Halen
- Active: 1973-2020
Angus and Malcolm Young
- Their act: The brothers formed the Australian hard rock band AC/DC
- Active: 1973-present
Jonas, Jenny and Linn Berggren
- Their act: They formed the band, Ace of Base
- Active: 1987-present
Mavis, Cleotha, Yvonne Staples
- Their act: The Staple Singers’ music was imbued with spirituality and social change
- Active: 1948-1994; 1999
Duane and Gregg Allman
- Their act: Founders of Allman Brothers Band
- Active: 1969-1976; 1978-1982; 1989-2014
Vicki and Debi Peterson
- Their act: The Peterson sisters were part of The Bangles
- Active: 1981-1989; 1998-present
Andrew, Jon, Tim Farriss
- Their act: They were called the Farriss Brothers before they became INXS
- Active: 1977-2012
Mark and David Knopfler
- Their act: The Knopflers founded the British group Dire Straits
- Active: 1977-1988; 1990-1995
Louis and George Johnson
- Their act: Purveyors of LA funk
- Active: 1975-1982; 1984-2015
Ruth, Anita, Bonnie, June Pointer
- Their act: Oakland-based R&B and soul act became known as The Pointer Sisters
- Active: 1970-present
Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh; Bob and Gerald Casale
- Their act: Two pairs of brothers helped create the quirky band Devo
- Active: 1973-1984; 1988-1991; 1996-present
Dianne “DeeDee” Barbara, Peggy, Kathy, Janet Lennon
- Their act: Sister quartet appeared as The Lennon Sisters
- Active: 1955-present
Andrea, Sharon, Caroline, Jim Corr
- Their act: Irish pop group The Corrs had success in the early 21st century
- Active: 1990-2006; 2015-present
Carnie and Wendy Wilson
- Their act: Wilson Phillips are the offspring of legendary rock parents
- Active: 1989-1993; 2001; 2004-2006; 2010-present
Phyllis, Christine, Dorothy McGuire
- Their act: Trio from Ohio were popular in the 1950s and 1960s
- Active: 1952-1968; 1986-2004