The Most Memorable Family Acts in Music History

Published: June 5, 2024 by 24/7 Tempo Staff

Families – we all have them and some of us get along famously with them, like many of the groups listed here, while others might prefer to keep their interactions and reunions to a bare minimum. Whether you love your siblings, or squabble from time to time, there’s no denying the outstanding chemistry many musical family acts have when they get together. They may not always be harmonious outside of the recording studio, but when they get together and perform, its perfection.

Sibling vocal collaborations have been a pillar of the music industry for decades across all genres, and many family acts, from pairs and bands to large groups, have proven to be among the most enduring in the business.

To find the most unforgettable family acts in music history, 24/7 Tempo derived information from various music sources such as the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), the online site udiscovermusic, and Djrobblog.com. The list is not meant to be comprehensive – there are hundreds of sibling singing acts – but it has attempted to spotlight those sibling performers who have made the biggest impact in music.

Musical success has been enjoyed by sibling groups across many various musical genres, from Big Band, soul, and country to rock, easy listening, and punk. Their unique, innovative style and melodious 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.

Female acts feature prominently on this list and two of the earlier women’s acts – the Andrews Sisters and the McGuire Sisters – achieved success in the 1940s and 1950s. The Andrews Sisters were the most successful female act of the first half of the 20th century, while the McGuire Sisters had two No. 1 hits, “Sincerely” and “Sugartime.” (These are 50 very popular songs that actually never got to be No. 1.)

Brian, Dennis, Carl Wilson

The Beach Boys had four No. 1 hits with songs that celebrated the carefree life in California.

Music Group: The Beach Boys
Known for: Helped create surfing-theme music in the 1960s
Performed: 1961-present

Tom and Dick Smothers

Music Group: The Smothers Brothers
Known for: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, concerts
Performed: 1959-2023

Karen and Richard Carpenter

Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images

Music Group: The Carpenters
Known for: Pop singing duo with string of hits in the 1970s
Performed: 1965-1983

Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael Jackson

The Jackson 5’s Christmas album returned to the top 10 this past holiday season for the first time since 1984.

Music Group: The Jackson 5
Known for: Pop singing group that launched the career of Michael Jackson
Performed: 1964-1989; 2001; 2012-present

Don and Phil Everly

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Music Group: The Everly Brothers
Known for: This harmonious brothers’ act were pioneers of country rock
Performed: 1951-1973; 1983-2005

Barry, Robin, Andy, Maurice Gibb

Australian group the Bee Gees posted nine No. 1 hits in the 1970s in the disco and rock genres.

Music Group: The Bee Gees
Known for: Pop, disco, soft rock
Performed: 1958-2012

Tom and John Fogerty

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Music Group: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Known for: Unique blend of rock ‘n roll, swamp rock, and rhythm and blues known as “roots rock”
Performed: 1968-1972

Dave and Ray Davies

The English rockers rode the British Invasion wave to America in 1964.

Music Group: The Kinks
Known for: Satirical and observational style reflecting British culture and lifestyle
Performed: 1963-1996

Emily and Martie Erwin

The Dixie Chicks stoked controversy by criticizing President George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq.

Music Group: The Dixie Chicks
Known for: Bluegrass and country
Performed: 1989-present

Liam and Noel Gallagher

Music Group: Oasis
Known for: Cited by Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful UK act during the late 90’s and early aughts.
Performed: 1991-2009

Maxene, LaVerne, Patty Andrews

Source: Hulton Archive / Archive Photos via Getty Images

Music Group: The Andrews Sisters
Known for: Harmonizing vocals, big band style
Performed: 1925-1967

Kevin, Joe, Nick Jonas

Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

Music Group: The Jonas Brothers
Known for: Teen singing sensations popularized on the Disney Channel in the mid-2000s
Performed: 2005-2013; 2019-present

Colin and Jonny Greenwood

Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

Music Group: Radiohead
Known for: Different style of rock
Performed: 1985-present

Don and Harold Reid

The Statler Brothers have had four chart-toppers on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs list.

Music Group: The Statler Brothers
Known for: Gospel harmonies
Performed: 1955-2002

Ann and Nancy Wilson

Music Group: Heart
Known for: Music influenced by hard rock, folk, and heavy metal
Performed: 1973-1998; 2002-2016; 2019-2023

Joni, Kathy, Debbie, Kim Sledge

Sister Sledge’s song “We Are Family” was the anthem for the World Series-winning Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.

Music Group: Sister Sledge
Known for: Their huge hit, “We Are Family”
Performed: 1971-present

Eddie and Alex Van Halen

Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

Music Group: Van Halen
Known for: Bringing hard rock back to the forefront
Performed: 1973-2020

Angus and Malcolm Young

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

Music Group: AC/DC
Known for: Creative influence on the new wave of British rock bands, like Def Leppard
Performed: 1973-present

Jonas, Jenny and Linn Berggren

Swedish group Ace of Base topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994 with the single “The Sign.”

Music Group: Ace of Base
Known for: Only Swedish band to have a double number one album in the U.S.
Performed: 1987-present

Mavis, Cleotha, Yvonne Staples

Chicago-based group best known for their 1970s hits “Respect Yourself”, “I’ll Take You There”, “If You’re Ready (Come Go with Me)”, and “Let’s Do It Again.”

Music Group: The Staple Singers
Known for: Music imbued with spirituality and social change
Performed: 1948-1994; 1999

Duane and Gregg Allman

Quintessential Southern rock band Allman Brothers were known for songs such as “Whipping Post” and “Ramblin Man.”

Music Group: the Allman Brothers
Known for: Creating the Southern rock genre
Performed: 1969-1976; 1978-1982; 1989-2014

Vicki and Debi Peterson

The Bangles hail from California and recorded the hits “Manic Monday” and “Walk Like An Egyptian.”

Music Group: The Bangles
Known for: All-female rock band
Performed: 1981-1989; 1998 – present

Andrew, Jon, Tim Farriss

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

Music Group: INXS (formerly called the Farriss Brothers)
Known for: Their ability to blend genres like rock, pop, and funk; new wave/pop style
Performed: 1977-2012

Mark and David Knopfler

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

Music Group: Dire Straits
Known for: Unique sound and introspective lyrics
Performed: 1977-1988; 1990-1995

Louis and George Johnson

They worked with Billy Preston and Quincy Jones before forming The Brothers Johnson.

Music Group: The Brothers Johnson
Known for: Purveyors of LA funk
Performed: 1975-1982; 1984-2015

Ruth, Anita, Bonnie, June Pointer

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

Music Group: The Pointer Sisters
Known for: Oakland-based R&B and soul act
Performed: 1970-present

Mark and Bob Mothersbaugh; Bob and Gerald Casale

Source: Karl Walter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

Music Group: Devo
Known for: Satirical social commentary, deadpan surrealist humor, kitschy science fiction themes
Performed: 1973-1984; 1988-1991; 1996-present