Musical talents, it seems to me, runs in families. I make this assumption not only because no one in my family can sing a note - my sisters and I are hoping to soon release our first album Like Fingernails on a Chalkboard - but also because certain families are just musically inclined. There s fictional singing families like The Brady Bunch, and real life singing families like the Von Trapps.
There s everything from siblings who can sing, like the brothers from Hanson, to mother and daughter acts, like The Judds. Musical ties are often family ties, and sometimes the greatest singing acts can thank their DNA instead of their lucky stars. The following is our list of The Best Family Musical Acts, those that are the mother of all talent.
The Jackson 5: The Jackson family is to music what the Kennedy family is to politics. Arguably the greatest family musical act of all time, not only did the Jackson 5 spawn the King of Pop, but the Jackson 5 was, in itself, one of the largest phenomena s in music history. A band that began in 1962 in Gary, Indiana, the Jackson 5 was formed by the family patriarch, Joseph Jackson.
After being signed to the Motown label, the Jackson 5 became the first group to have their first four singles climb to the top of the charts. They eventually went on to become among the most well received bands in the business, and a band, continuing until 1990, that transcended decades. The Jackson 5 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
The Osmonds: Some are a little bit country and some are a little bit rock and roll. The Osmonds were made up of brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, and for some amount of time, Donny, and Jimmy. After starting their careers at Disneyland, The Osmonds became regular faces on The Andy Williams Show and broke through to the charts with their hit, One Bad Apple.
The group as a whole went on to achieve both critical and fan success, particularly in the United Kingdom, remaining one of the few acts to retain boy next door images while playing rock. Donny Osmond, as well with his sister Marie, each became solo artists and starred together in a variety show called Donny and Marie. The variety show remained on air for three years and helped them gain international success as a duo.
The Everly Brothers: A literal band of brothers, Isaac and Phil Everly formed a duo in the 1950s and quickly put the concept of steel string guitars and harmony on the map. Starting off performing with their parents, who were country musicians, the Everly Brothers made it on their own by taking their country roots and meshing them with rock and a natural talent for songwriting. Their legacy remains one of the greatest in music: they had a total of 26 Billboard Top 40 Hits, they were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1997, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rolling Stone Magazine, in 2004, included them in their list of 100 Greatest Artists of all Time, listing them at number 33.
The Carpenters: Made up of a brother and sister who did away with sibling rivalry and, instead, sang love songs to one another, The Carpenters were record breakers and trend setters. A group comprised of Karen and Richard Carpenter, The Carpenters crafted themselves as leaders in the genre of soft rock.
They added melodies and harmonies to their music, creating something that was both unique and appealing. One of the most influential and important Adult Contemporary acts of all times, The Carpenters produced a record fifteen number one songs and remain one of the best selling musical artists of all time. What could have been, however, no one will know: Karen Carpenter, at the age of 32, died on February 4, 1983 of cardiac arrest, brought on by her battle with anorexia.
On October 12, 1983, The Carpenters received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Pointer Sisters: Originally made up of four siblings, The Pointer Sisters eventually became a trio, consisting of June, Anita, and Ruth Pointer. Sister Bonnie left the group to pursue a solo career.
During the 1970s and the 1980s, The Pointer Sisters saw success that transcended genres; they brought pop, country, jazz, dance, rock, and rhythm and blues together successfully. Their biggest hits include He s so Shy, Slow Hand, I m So Excited, and Jump. They received Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or a Group with Vocal, and Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices.
They were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005. In Spring of 2006, June Pointer died of cancer. Her sisters were at her bedside.
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