20 Singers and musicians who have famous parents

It’s no secret that the music industry is full of talented artists who have made a name for themselves through their hard work and dedication to their craft. However, there are also many singers and musicians who come from famous families, and have inherited their parents’ musical talent.

It’s not uncommon for children of celebrities to follow in their parents’ footsteps and become famous themselves. In the world of music, there are many examples of singers and musicians who have famous parents. In this article, we will take a closer look at 15 such individuals, including Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke, Nancy Sinatra, Jaden and Willow Smith, Natalie Cole, and Julian and Sean Lennon.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, known for his hit song “Achy Breaky Heart.” Miley began her career as an actress, starring in the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.” She later transitioned to a music career, releasing hit singles such as “Wrecking Ball” and “Party in the U.S.A.”

Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias is the son of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. He began his music career in the 1990s, releasing hit singles such as “Bailamos” and “Hero.” Iglesias has won numerous awards for his music, including several Grammy Awards.

Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke is the son of Canadian actor Alan Thicke. He began his music career in the early 2000s, releasing hit singles such as “Lost Without U” and “Blurred Lines.” Thicke has also worked as a songwriter and producer for other artists.

Nancy Sinatra

Nancy Sinatra is the daughter of legendary singer Frank Sinatra. She began her music career in the 1960s, releasing hit singles such as “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” and “Sugar Town.” Sinatra has also worked as an actress and television host.

Jaden and Willow Smith

Jaden and Willow Smith are the children of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Both have pursued music careers, with Jaden releasing his debut album “Syre” in 2017 and Willow releasing her debut single “Whip My Hair” in 2010.

Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole is the daughter of legendary singer Nat King Cole. She began her music career in the 1970s, releasing hit singles such as “This Will Be” and “Unforgettable.” Cole has won numerous awards for her music, including several Grammy Awards.

Julian and Sean Lennon

Julian and Sean Lennon are British musicians and siblings who have both had successful music careers. They are the sons of legendary Beatles member John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia Powell. Julian had several hit singles in the 1980s, including “Too Late for Goodbyes” and “Valotte,” while Sean has released several successful albums, including “Friendly Fire” and “Into the Sun.”

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne is the daughter of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon Osbourne. Growing up, Kelly was exposed to the music industry at an early age and even made appearances on her family’s reality show, “The Osbournes.” However, Kelly didn’t start her music career until later in life, with her debut album “Shut Up” releasing in 2002. She followed up with her second album “Sleeping in the Nothing” in 2005, and has also dabbled in acting and fashion design.

Despite her famous last name, Kelly has been open about the struggles she faced in the music industry due to her father’s legacy. In an interview with The Guardian, she stated “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think my name played a part in getting me signed. But it’s also made it 10 times harder for me to be taken seriously.” However, she has also expressed gratitude for the opportunities her last name has given her, stating “I’m never going to deny that my dad’s name helped me out a lot. But once you get in the door, you’ve got to prove yourself.”

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright, born in 1973, is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter known for his operatic voice and eclectic music style. He is the son of Canadian folk singer-songwriters Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III.

Zoe Kravitz

Zoe Kravitz, born in 1988, is an American actress, singer, and model. She is the daughter of rock star Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. Kravitz has released music under the band name Lolawolf.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins, born in 1989, is an English-American actress and model. She is the daughter of English musician Phil Collins. While she is primarily known for her acting career, Collins has also released a spoken word album and contributed to various soundtracks.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney, born in 1971, is an English fashion designer known for her eponymous fashion line. She is the daughter of former Beatle Paul McCartney, and has collaborated with various musicians on fashion and music projects.

Jakob Dylan

Jakob Dylan, born in 1969, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the son of Bob Dylan, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Jakob Dylan is best known as the lead singer of the band The Wallflowers.

Norah Jones

Norah Jones, born in 1979, is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She is the daughter of Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar and concert producer Sue Jones. Norah Jones has won multiple Grammy Awards for her soulful, jazz-inspired music.

Dhani Harrison

Dhani Harrison, born in 1978, is an English musician and composer. He is the son of Beatles guitarist George Harrison, and has released music under his own name as well as with the bands Thenewno2 and Fistful of Mercy.

Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa Marie Presley is the daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley and actress Priscilla Presley. She followed in her father’s footsteps and pursued a music career, releasing her debut album “To Whom It May Concern” in 2003. She has since released two more albums, “Now What” in 2005 and “Storm & Grace” in 2012.

Similar to Kelly Osbourne, Lisa Marie has also faced challenges in the music industry due to her famous last name. In an interview with CBS This Morning, she stated “It’s a blessing and a curse because there’s a lot of expectation and you have to live up to that, but at the same time, it’s also, I think, given me a platform to speak and to be heard.”

Jacob Collier

Jacob Collier, born in 1994, is a British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He is the son of British musician and composer Patrick Collier. Jacob Collier’s music blends elements of jazz, pop, and R&B.

Chet Hanks

Chet Hanks is the son of actor Tom Hanks and actress Rita Wilson. He is a rapper and actor who has appeared in several films, including “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” and “Project X.”

Jesse Johnson

Jesse Johnson, born in 1960, is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is the son of Motown session guitarist Herman Johnson, and is best known for his work with the band The Time and his collaborations with Prince.

Lily Allen

Lily Allen’s father is actor Keith Allen and her mother is film producer Alison Owen. She rose to fame with her debut album “Alright, Still” in 2006, which featured hit singles such as “Smile” and “LDN.” She has since released four more albums and has also dabbled in acting and fashion design.

Despite not having as famous of a last name as Kelly Osbourne or Lisa Marie Presley, Lily has still faced criticism for her father’s public persona. In an interview with The Independent, she stated “I always had the sense that people assumed I was privileged or spoilt because of who my dad was. That’s frustrating because I had a really poor upbringing…My dad’s been quite a notorious figure in the press, and that has put people off me.”

Theodora Richards

Theodora Richards, born in 1985, is an American model, artist, and musician. She is the daughter of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, and has released music under the band name Teddy’s Secret.

With such a legacy, it is no surprise that these musicians and singers have inherited their parents’ talent and creativity. While some have chosen to follow in their parents’ footsteps and pursue music careers, others have found success in different creative fields. Regardless of their path, these individuals have proven that talent runs in the family.

Overall, these three singers demonstrate both the advantages and challenges of having famous parents in the music industry. While their last names may have opened doors for them, they also had to work hard to prove themselves and overcome any preconceived notions about their talent.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com