Sometimes, talent just runs in the family. Here, we take a look at some extremely famous and successful musicians who had equally musically-inclined children. Do you think these parents were ever jealous of their kid’s success? We aren’t sure, but we do appreciate the music that these families have made!
1. Johnny and Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash is the oldest daughter of Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto Cash Distin. Roseanne made her first studio recording debut on Johnny Cash’s 1974 album The Junkie and the Juicehead Minus Me. She has had various number-one hits on the Billboard Country Chart, including “Seven Years Ache,” “My Baby Thinks He’s a Train,” and “Blue Moon With A Heartache.” She has received a total of 12 Grammy nominations, winning one in 1985 for the song “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me.”
2. Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli
Although Liza Minnelli is often thought of first as the daughter of Judy Garland, she is a major star in her own right. When Minnelli was younger, she would accompany her mother Judy on tour and visited various film sets. Liza Minnelli won her first Tony at age 19 for her Broadway debut in Flora the Red Menace. Today, Minnelli is one of the few people to have EGOT status. She has won an Emmy, a Grammy Legend Award, an Oscar, and four Tony awards.
3. Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra
Frank Sinatra is one of the most successful crooners of all time, but did you know he passed his musical talents down to his daughter? His daughter Nancy Sinatra was also a successful musician in the 1960s, with hits such as “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” (1966) and “Sugar Town” (1967). The father-daughter duo even recorded a hit song together in 1967 called “Something Stupid,” which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
4. Nat King Cole and Natalie King Cole
Although Nat King Cole died when Natalie Cole was only 15, he passed on his love for music to her at a young age. When Natalie was only six years old, she got to sing on her father’s Christmas album, and by the time she was 11 she was performing. Over the span of four decades, Natalie Cole won nine Grammys in Jazz, R&B, Pop, and Traditional Pop categories.
5. Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen
Not only is Wolfgang Van Halen the son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, but he also was a key member of the rock band Van Halen from 2006 to 2020. Wolfgang was a bassist in Van Halen, while his father Eddie was the main songwriter and guitarist in the band. After his father passed away in 2020, Wolfgang decided to focus on a solo project, known as Mammoth WVH, in which he performs all instruments and vocals.
6. Willie Nelson, Jacob Micah, and Lukas Autry
Not only have Willie Nelson’s sons Micah and Lukas performed with their famous father, but the two are also part of their own successful bands. Lukas’s band is called Promise of the Real, and they have been Neil Young‘s regular backing band since 2015. Micah Nelson is part of a psychedelic-indie band known as Particle Kid, but also performs with his father and brother.
7. Bob Marley and Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and has gone on to have a successful music career just like his father. Ziggy has racked up a total of 15 Grammy nominations and won 8 Grammy Awards for his music.
8. Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus is known for a few things — his mullet, his hit song “Achy Breaky Heart,” and his daughter, Miley Cyrus. Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus starred in the Disney show Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2011. The show made Miley Cyrus a worldwide star, and she has since released many successful albums. Miley and Billy would often perform together during Miley’s shows.
9. Julio Iglesias and Enrique Iglesias
Julio Iglesias is one of the most commercially successful continental European singers in the world, and one of the top record sellers in music history, selling more than 100 million records worldwide in 14 different languages. Julio Iglesias’s son Enrique is also a very successful musician, but was determined to break into the business without his father’s help. He shipped his demos to a number of different music producers under the name Enrique Marinez, and eventually was able to become a worldwide star on his own terms. We love a self-made man!
10. Will, Jaden, and Willow Smith
Will Smith is best known for being both an actor and rapper, but his kids are making their own names in the music industry. Will’s daughter Willow Smith (also known as WILLOW) released her debut song “Whip My Hair” in 2010, which debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. She went on to release her debut album in 2015, including the single “Wait A Minute,” which continues to be popular today.
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Will’s son Jaden Smith started out as an actor, starring in the 2006 film Pursuit of Happiness with his father, and The Karate Kid in 2010. In 2010 he rapped alongside singer Justin Bieber on the track “Never Say Never,” and has gone on to release several more successful albums.