Musical Dads of Musical Kids

Carlos Santana's guitar virtuosity has been a mainstay of the rock music scene since 1966. Son, whose instrument of choice is keyboard, fronts the Salvador Santana Band and collaborated with his dad on the elder Santana's Supernatural album. Both of Salvador's grandfathers were accomplished musicians, too.

Drummer Ringo was riding the crest of Beatlemania when his first child came along in 1965. Son Zak has come into his own as drummer for The Who and Oasis. Dad wanted son to be a doctor or lawyer, but he did still give son his first drum kit and lesson.

James Taylor and Carly Simon had two kids during their 11 year marriage. With that genetic heritage, it was inevitable that both son Ben and daughter Sally would inherit a good dose of musical ability. Both are singer-songwriters like their parents.

Dad built a career as one of the reigning guitar gods. Among other instruments, son Wolfie plays bass -- and well enough to earn that spot on the Van Halen reunion tour in 2007-08. Dad has actively encouraged son to pursue a musical career.

Dad is a keyboardist known best for his work with progressive rock bands Yes and Strawbs. Son Oliver inherited a penchant for keys, and has worked with his dad's former Yes bandmate, Steve Howe. Son was to have manned keyboards for the canceled Yes 40th anniversary tour in 2008.

As a veteran of Eagles and a successful solo artist, Joe Walsh could have opened a lot of doors for a daughter who wanted to gt into the music business. But daughter Lucy Walsh says her dad thought it was important for her to make it on her own merits, without his calling in favors on her behalf. A classically trained pianist, daughter Lucy became a singer-songwriter. She toured with Ashlee Simpson in 2005, and has recorded two albums

Dad was singer, songwriter and bass player for The Beach Boys. Both daughters (whose mother, Marilyn Rovell, was a singer for The Honeys) inherited their parents' musical talents and have had careers performing together (with musical kid Chynna Phillips in Wilson Phillips) and as solo artists.

During a three-decade career, Frank Zappa produced records, designed album covers, composed music in multiple genres, directed films, and recorded more than 60 albums. He also co-created four musically-inclined children. Son Dweezil Zappa, guitarist and former MTV VJ, perpetuates his dad's music with his band, Zappa Plays Zappa. Daughter Moon Zappa sang "Valley Girl" with her dad, and later recorded with Dweezil. Son Ahmet Zappa has recorded three albums, two with Dweezil. Daughter Diva Zappa co-wrote "Chana In De Bushwop" with her dad.

Dad was well-known for his sometimes funny, sometimes dark, sometimes issue-oriented lyrics. Since Warren Zevon's death in 2003, son Jordan has performed previously unreleased songs of his dad's on two tribute albums, and has released an album of his own material that he describes as "organic rock."