When I was growing up, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were amongst the biggest stars in the entertainment industry. They were stars of music and movies and they had family that wanted to follow in their footsteps. As it turned out, both of Frank Sinatra’s children (Nancy and Frank Jr.) had some success as singers. Dino, Desi and Billy were popular from 1964-1969. Dino was Dean Martin’s son and Desi was the son of Desi Arnez (Ricky Ricardo) and Lucille Ball.  Jerry Lewis’s son, Gary had success as Gary Lewis and the Playboys. There were other offspring from major stars that tried to make their mark in the entertainment industry from that time but few had any real success. This brings us to the subject of this blog…

Back in April (2018) I saw Dweezil Zappa in concert here in Charleston. Dweezil is the son of the late Frank Zappa and an accomplished, no, amazing guitarist in his own right. Born in 1969, he learned guitar from Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai and released his first single at age 12. In the late 1980’s, he was an MTV DJ. He played in various bands along the way and in 2006 he began touring as, “Zappa plays Zappa,” honoring his dad’s music while bringing it to a new generation of fans. Dweezil has appeared several times in the traveling All Star tribute, “Experience Hendrix.” While he’s not a chart topper, he continues to fill halls and clubs honoring the music of his late father and has a loyal and growing following.

This got me to thinking about the offspring of some of rock’s most famous musicians and where they are making their mark in the music and entertainment industry. Today’s blog is not to be all inclusive but I wanted to highlight what some of our favorite musicians’ children are up to these days. I will overlook some out of ignorance and others out of time restraint. However, I would welcome any info you may have that shines the light of the offspring of a favorite musician.

To begin with, John Lennon has two children and both have had some To begin with, John Lennon has two children and both have had some commercial success. In my opinion, his oldest son, Julian, has had more success than half-brother Sean. Julian is the son of Julia Lennon, born in 1963 in Liverpool. He was the inspiration of several Beatles’ tunes including, “Hey, Jude,” and, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”He began his solo career in 1984 and had a hit with, “Too Late for Goodbye,”where he sounds a lot like his father. His last album came out in 2014. He has had success in business outside of his music. Sean is the son of Yoko and was born in 1975 in NYC. He performed in the Plastic Ono Band with his parents and in a number of little known bands. He has released two albums, “Into the Sun,” (1998) and, “Friendly Fire,” (2006). His most recent project is the Claypool (Les) Lennon Delirium. Last October they released, “South of Reality,” which can be found on most music services.commercial success. In my opinion, his oldest son, Julian, has had more success than half-brother Sean. Julian is the son of Julia Lennon, born in 1963 in Liverpool. He was the inspiration of several Beatles’ tunes including, “Hey, Jude,” and, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”He began his solo career in 1984 and had a hit with, “Too Late for Goodbye,”where he sounds a lot like his father. His last album came out in 2014. He has had success in business outside of his music. Sean is the son of Yoko and was born in 1975 in NYC. He performed in the Plastic Ono Band with his parents and in a number of little known bands. He has released two albums, “Into the Sun,” (1998) and, “Friendly Fire,” (2006). His most recent project is the Claypool (Les) Lennon Delirium. Last October they released, “South of Reality,” which can be found on most music services.

Bob Dylan’s most famous family member has to be son, Jacob, who was born in 1969. He had critical and commercial success with The Wallflowers in 1992 with the hit, “One Headlight,” and other tunes from the album, “Bringing Down the House.” Here’s hoping that we hear more from him and that his voice doesn’t degenerate as his father’s has.

Fans of the Allman Brothers have a trio of the band’s offspring who have embraced their fathers’ legacies and are making their mark in the business. Devon Allman, son of Greg, was born in 1972. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has a fine singing voice. He toured for years with Devon Allman’s Honeytribe and is currently touring with Dickey Betts’ son, Duane, who was born in 1983. Their band, the Devon Allman Project, appear to have a bright future as musicians. Recently, they have welcomed Berry Oakley, Jr. (1973), son of original bassist Berry Oakley, on the stage to play with them. Stay tuned for what they have to offer lovers of live music.

The brightest light in the Allman Brothers’ universe belongs to Derek Trucks, nephew of original ABB drummer Butch Trucks. Derek was born in 1979 and impressed the Rock and Roll world as a teenager, sitting in with numerous artists and bands, he joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1999 and remained with them until the band called it quits in 2014. He started the Tedeschi-Trucks Band in 2010 with his wife Susan Tedeschi. She is an accomplished singer and guitar player. Their big band of 10 or more is a staple of the summer festival circuit. Their debut album, “Revelator,” won a Grammy award for Best Blues Album in 2012. Theirs’ is a performance not to be missed.

If you’re an Eagles fan, you have to be excited about the next generation. On their recent tour the band unveiled two new Eagles, Vince Gill and Deacon Frye. If the names are familiar, Deacon is the son of the late Glenn Frye. Born in 1993, he joined the band in 2017 and has been getting critical acclaim for his guitar playing and his voice. Check out a YouTube video of, “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” During the most recent tour, Will Henley, Don’s 20 year-old-son, played guitar out of the spotlight while waiting to enroll in college.

Another rising star is Lukas Nelson, son of American treasure, Willie Nelson. Born in 1989, he has toured with his father’s band as well as his own band, the Promise of the Real (POTR). On this summers’ traveling Outlaw Music Festival, Lukas played with his dad’s band as well as his own. He and POTR are also serving as the back-up band for Neil Young on his latest album and tour dates. Willie’s youngest son, Micah, born in 1990, has his own band Particle Kid. While Lukas is more in the vein of his father’s country roots, Micah is a visual artist with more of a jazzy, folk-a-delic edge to his music. Particle Kid released their latest album, “Everything is Bullshit,” in 2017.

The Grateful Dead family has two rising stars in music and entertainment. Phil Lesh, the oldest member of the band, turns 79 in March. His son, Grahame, plays lead and rhythm guitar in his own band Midnight North and as part of the Terrapin Family Band (his dad’s band). He was born in 1987 in the latter days of the Grateful Dead. The Terrapin Family Band is the house band at Terrapin Crossroads, father Phil’s music venue in Marin County, Ca. Justin Kreutzman is the son of GD drummer Bill Kreutzman. Born in 1970, he ran around backstage during the heyday of the band’s rise to legendary status. Justin took a different path in life, embracing the art of movie making. As a filmmaker and documentarian, his credits include Executive Producer of, “The Other One: The Long Straight Trip of Bob Weir,” and co-producer with Martin Scorsese of the Grateful Dead documentary, “Long Straight Trip.” He has also been behind the camera for reality shows, “The Bachelor,” and, “The Bachelorette,” as well as many rock documentaries.

Now that you have reached the end of this blog chapter, it is my hope that you are saying, “How could he have left out…..?” I would love to hear about other siblings worth noting. Just let me know who I should research. This subject has the possibility of an encore.

#TheKidsAreAllright #DweezilZappa #FrankZappa #JohnLennon #JulianLennon #SeanLennon #BobDylan #JacobDylan #AllmanBrothersBand #GregAllman #DevonAllman #DickyBetts #DuaneBetts #BerryOakleyJr #DerekTrucks #Eagles #GlennFrye #DeaconFrye #DonHenley #WillHenley #WillieNelson #LucasNelson #MicahNelson #ParticleKid #GratefulDead #PhilLesh #GrahameLesh #BillKreutzman #JustinKreutzman #DoYouBelieveInMagic

Like us on Facebook at DoYouBelieveInMagic . Your comments are sought out and will be answered!