The Most Talented and Successful Family Bands in Modern History

At Number 10 – The Shangri-Las

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Originally two sets of sisters, this New York band performed between 1964 and 1966. The group consisted of identical twin sisters Marge and Mary Anne Ganse, and Mary and Betty Weiss. Their most successful hits were ‘Leader Of The Pack’ and ‘Walkin’ In The Sand.’

‘Leader Of The Pack’ became their first number one and the only hit song to include spoken-word, motorbike roars, the sound of glass smashing, and a singer crying. This was a feat no one else could pull off, but because of their obvious talent and popularity, The Shangri-Las were able to do so.

At Number 9 – The Andrews Sisters

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This group was made up of sisters LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty Andrews.  They were born in Minnesota to a Greek immigrant father and a Norwegian American mother.
They remained in the chart for over two decades, singing feel-good songs that warmed the hearts of their ever increasing number of fans.

The sisters were very popular during the Second World War, and sold at least 75 million records from about 600 recorded songs.  They achieved Top 10 status more than Elvis Presley, and did seventeen Hollywood films. This is more than any other singing group in motion picture history.

Their hits include, ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me),’ Cuanto La Gusta’ with Carmen Miranda, and ‘Jingle Bells’ with Bing Crosby.

At Number 8 – Oasis

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This is an English rock band.  The vocals are provided by brothers, Liam and Noel Gallagher. The guitar, bass and drums are played by other members (Paul Arthurs, Paul McGuigan and  Tony Carroll) of the band who’re not related.

Oasis has sold over 50 million records world-wide, and has had eight UK number one singles. They have 15 NME awards, 9 Q awards, and 5 Brit Awards. Their third album, ‘Be Here Now’ became the fastest selling album in UK chart history.

Their most popular hits include (‘What’s The Story) Morning Glory’ and ‘Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.’

At Number 7 -The Everly Brothers

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One of the best country bands of all time, brothers Don and Phil Everly were best known for their excellence at playing steel-string guitars, and their well orchestrated harmony singing. They became the most successful charting US rock and roll duo on the Hot 100.

This sibling band had  a great influence on rock and roll acts that followed them. The Beatles and The Beach Boys developed their early singing style by doing Everly covers.

Their most popular tracks are ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ and ‘All I Have To Do Is Deam.’

At Number 6 – The Carpenters

 
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This sibling musical band consisted of brother and sister Richard and Karen Carpenter.  They are officially ‘Carpenters’ but is usually referred to as ‘The Carpenters.’

In the seventies, among wild rock and punk music, they were known for their soft, breezy sound.  They became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, due to their three number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and their fifteen number one hits on the Adult Contemporary Chart. 

They also had twelve top 10 singles during their 14-year career, recording a staggering 11 albums, while also taking part in a television series.

Their most memorable hits include, ‘A Song For You,’ ‘Now & Then,’ and ‘Close to You.’

‘Close to You is a song that will always remain in my heart, as it’s a song my seven-year old daughter asks me to sing for her.  When she’s in a singing mood, this is also the song she recites to me.

“Why do birds suddenly appear

Every time you are near

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you…”

“…On the day that you were born

The angels got together

And decided to create a dream come true…”

 Perfection!

At number 5 – The Beach Boys

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Dennis, Carl and Brian Wilson were the brothers who made up this band, along with their cousin Mike Love and a couple of high school friends.  They formed in 1961 and rapidly gained popularity for the California-surfing and fast-cars culture they represented.

They had exceeding talent and became America’s best rock band in their time. They had thirty-six US top 40 hits, the most any US rock band has ever had, and fifty-six Hot 100 tunes, including four number one singles. According to Billboard Magazine, in terms of singles and album sales, The Beach Boys are the Number one selling American band of all time.

Their most successful songs included ‘Surfin’ Safari’ and ‘Surfin’ USA.’

At number 4 – Sister Sledge

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This band originated from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and formed in 1972.  It consisted of 4 sisters; Kim, Debbie, Joni, and Kathy Sledge.  (They have an older sister Carol, who is not in the music industry.) The siblings used to perform under the name, ‘Mrs Williams Grandchildren’ as they are granddaughters of the former opera singer Viola Williams.

 They entered the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with ‘Mama Never Told Me,’ and ‘Love Don’t You Go Through No Changes On Me.’ However, their biggest hits came in 1979 with two of the most well-known disco anthems, ‘We Are Family,’ and ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer.’

At number 3 – The Jackson 5

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My number three family band is the Jackson 5ive.  They were also originally called Ripples and the Waves before sticking with the name ‘The Jacksons.’

The family is from Gary, Indiana and was first formed with brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and  Marlon Jackson. They were active from 1966 to 1989 and sang their way through an impressive number of R&B, soul, pop, funk and disco tunes.

The Jacksons – one of the biggest pop-music bands of the 70s – was internationally popular and garnered fans from all walks of life. Little Michael was the heart throb with the angelic voice, who took over as lead for the band, from his older brother Jermaine.

The Jacksons became the first act in recorded history to have their first four major label singles reach the top of the American charts.

Some of their most popular tunes included ‘ABC,’ ‘Never Can Say Goodbye,’ and ‘Dancing Machine.’

At Number 2 – The Osmonds

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Another extremely successful family band is the Osmonds.  They are of English decent, from both their parents, but were born, lived, and mainly worked in the US. The band was made up of various members of the family at different periods of time, but the original band consisted of brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay.  These were later joined by Donny and Jimmy, and sister Marie.

They also had two older brothers George and Thomas who were both born deaf and did not form part of the sibling band. The Osmonds started performing in the early 60s, but their period of success came in the mid 1970s when they made the charts.

‘Crazy Horses’ was their main group hit, but Marie Osmond had a huge hit with ‘Paper Roses’ and Donny Osmond, with ‘Puppy Love.’

At number 1 – Bee Gees

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British siblings Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, made up this singing talent family band. They were born on the Isle of Man and lived in Manchester for a few years.  During their childhood, they moved to Brisbane, Australia where they got into the music business.

They recorded for a record forty years and were superbly successful during the late 60s and early 70s, with their love of disco music.

They kept their easily recognizable harmonies crisp and perfect. This was a talent many bands in their era did not do as well.  The musical brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1977. 

The Bee Gees’ have sold in the vicinity of 200 million records, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

There are too many favorites to mention here, but I think their most easily recognizable song is ‘Staying Alive.’

I often wonder what makes family bands so unique, so outstanding. Maybe it’s the fact that the singers have known each other all their lives and know not just the artist, but the person – which makes them gel so well together. Or is it because genetics has given them similar voices which blend naturally together.  The truth is, I do not know. 

Regardless of what it is, families make for superb bands, with perfectly synchronized harmonies, and voices that sound so good together, that the end product is in a word -sensational!