It stands to reason that, in music, the family that plays together stays together, although that’s not always the case.
For every Kings of Leon, Haim, Jonas Brothers, Jackson 5, Osmonds, Isley Brothers, Bee Gees or Hanson that stand the test of time, there are other family-based groups where the grueling and interdependent nature of rock stardom has led to dissension in the ranks.
Sometimes those arguments between siblings are brief and forgiving. On other occasions, wedges are forged and sides are taken, resulting in either a permanent breakup of an act; a launch into new creative horizons; or hopefully a reconciliation.
Here are seven well-known acts whose internal bickering between has led to either unexpected ends or surprising detours
The Everly Brothers: Don & Phil Everly
The Everlys' close-knit country pop and rock 'n' roll harmonies — which netted immortal chart-toppers "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up, Little Susie" and "All I Have To Do Is Dream" — inspired everyone from the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. As such, it's difficult to fathom that the Don and Phil Everly were so at odds for the better part of a decade that they'd spend entire evenings together on stage without exchanging a word.
A 2014 Los Angeles Times article reported that "vastly different views on politics and life," drove a wedge between Don and Phil. The brothers broke up at least twice; their first estrangement followed a 1973 show at the California theme park Knott's Berry Farm, when Phil smashed his guitar and walked offstage.
That split resulted in separate careers up until a 1983 reunion at London's Royal Albert Hall and the recording of several albums, including EB'84 with producer Dave Edmunds.
Phil Everly died of pneumonia in 2014 at the age of 74, while Don succumbed to undisclosed causes at the age of 84 in 2021.
It is unknown if the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipients ever reconciled.
The Louvin Brothers: Ira & Charlie Louvin
Grand Ole Opry legends and brothers Charlie and Ira Louvin are known for such songs as "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" and "Hope That You're Hoping."
Born in Henagar, Alabama, the Louvin's country, bluegrass and gospel sound developed from their strict Baptist upbringing. Yet the brothers preached one philosophy in song, Ira, who complemented Charlie's guitar on mandolin, lived another: His inability to resist vices — drinking and womanizing — prompted Charlie to go solo in 1963.
Ira continued to lead a colorful life: his third wife shot him four times in the chest and twice in the hand after he allegedly tried to kill her with a telephone cord- but Louvin survived.
However, it was a 1965 car crash that eventually claimed Ira and his fourth wife, Anne: they were killed by a drunk driver.
The tragedy cut short any chance of a duo reunion, although Charlie enjoyed several Top 40 country hits through 1971.
The Louvin Brothers were enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
The Kinks: Ray & Dave Davies
English rock rebels the Kinks have sold more than 50 million albums since forming in the '60s, although most of their hits — "Lola," " You Really Got Me," "Apeman," "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" and "Come Dancing" among others — stemmed from the pen of Ray Davies.
Contrary to popular belief, brother Dave says he is good with that equation — but admits that the relationship between them is naturally tumultuous.
Dave Davies explained the dynamics of his relationship with Ray to The Daily Mail in 2017, describing it as "a married couple who have just reached the end of the road."
"You know when one partner gives and gives and the other takes, and finally you realise (sic) you can’t do it any more?’
"You can’t divorce your brother, though. ‘No, you can’t. So we are stuck with each other, but I think I’ve accepted that this is just the way our relationship is.
In a separate interview with The Daily Express in 2011, Ray agreed. "When we were together it was aggressive, violent, powerful but we triggered off each other."
Still, the dust-ups between them were legendary, leading to a two-decade rift.
As recently as 2018, there's been talk that Ray and Dave Davies had buried the hatchet and were intent on reuniting the Kinks... but here we are in 2023 and that possibility seems no closer to reality.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: John & Tom Fogerty
After American rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) formed in El Cerrito, California in 1959 (they began as the Blue Velvets and rechristened themselves several times before settling on CCR in 1968), it was clear that lead singer, guitarist and songwriter John Fogerty was calling the shots — including acting as the band's manager.
CCR included Fogerty's brother Tom, who played rhythm guitar; bass player Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford. Following a particularly lucrative period between 1969 and 1970, John decided that Tom would no longer sing lead on or co-write any song while he was in the band, despite previously handling lead vocals and collaborating on some pre-CCR material.
"He cut Tom Fogerty out from singing," Clifford told AZ Central in 2015. 'Without Tom...there wouldn't have been a Creedence Clearwater Revival. When Tom graciously gave up the vocals to his younger brother, he had no idea that he would never be singing another song again. So Stu and I and Tom were always at odds with John about that."
Tom Fogerty left after 1970's Pendulum, and apart from a 1980 reunion during his wedding reception, CCR never performed again. He died in 1990 after contracting AIDS from HIV-infected blood during a transfusion during back surgery, and was posthumously inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Heart: Ann & Nancy Wilson
One of the top female-led rock bands in modern music history thanks to hits like "Magic Man" and "What About Love," Heart has been the role model for thousands of musicians.
But the first public signs of friction between sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson occurred in August 2016, when Ann's husband Dean Wetter was arrested for assaulting Nancy's 16-year-old twin sons after he boys reportedly left open the door to his RV.
Rolling Stone reported that the siblings hadn't spoken to each other since the 2016 tour ended, but relations have eventually warmed up. The sisters reunited for Heart's 53-date Love Alive tour in 2019 - and more recently, Nancy joined Ann Wilson and her band Tripsitter on stage October 10 in Santa Rosa California to perform "Barracuda." They received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.
Ann Wilson has continued to release solo albums and front her band Tripsitter, while guitarist Nancy has formed Nancy Wilson's Heart.
In a 2022 Guitar World interview, Ann said she and Nancy are "okay," but have different ideas for the future of Heart. "We haven't figured out a compromise yet," she admitted.
The Black Crowes: Chris & Rich Robinson
Sometimes, money and control carry more weight than people insinuate.
Guitarist Rich Robinson left the Black Crowes in January 2015 due to an alleged ownership agreement with brother and vocalist Chris. Both men divided and conquered with solo careers but remained largely incommunicado for almost five years.
But in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, both Rich and Chris credited their children with healing the rift between them.
"My daughter, Cheyenne (now 11), was like: ‘What’s the deal with you and Uncle Rich, and why don’t I know my cousins?’"Chris told the paper. "Those are the kind of questions that will make you think and reflect."
"Definitely. Kids are honest and curious, and they don’t have issues like Chris and I did," Rich said in a joint interview with his brother. "So, as Chris said, that opened a door (to reconciliation)."
Together again since 2021, the Black Crowes will be shaking their moneymakers opening the final Aerosmith tour, once Steven Tyler's larynx heals.
Oasis: Liam & Noel Gallagher
While backstage in 2009 in Paris, the tumultuous in-fighting between Oasis' Liam and Noel Gallagher reached new heights; a violent fistfight that drove a nail into the coffin of the band.
Noel's statement: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. 'People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer."
This was the last in a number of physical altercations that had taken place over the years during tours. Since the split, Noel has been recording and touring with his band the High Flying Birds while Liam first took to the road and studio with Beady Eye, which split in 2014; he's now performing solo.
However, Liam has reportedly expressed interest in reuniting with Noel and strike up Oasis, though whether there have been any private conversations towards this end remains to be seen.
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