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Musical Dads of Musical Kids

Take a dip in the classic rock gene pool

By Dave White, About.com

What do three of the four Beatles have in common with founding members of Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and The Byrds?

They are among the artists who have fathered sons and daughters who have inherited some of their dads' musical ability. Here's our Father's Day tribute to those musical dads and their musical kids.

Dad: Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman photo by Scott Gries / Getty Images
Kid: Devin Allman

Dad Gregg is a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, with talent as a vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist. Son Devin is a founding member of the rock band Honeytribe, where he exercises the guitar and vocal talents he inherited from his father.

Dad: John Bonham

John "Bonzo" Bonham, courtesy Atlantic Records
Kid: Jason Bonham

Dad was Bonzo, the drummer for Led Zeppelin from its formation until his death in 1980. Son Jason has manned the drum kit several times in recent years for one-off Zep performances, and has also played with UFO, Ted Nugent and Paul Rodgers.

Dad: Delaney Bramlett

Courtesy Rhino Records
Kid: Bekka Bramlett

Delaney Bramlett was half of Delaney & Bonnie in the late '60s and early '70s. He was an accomplished songwriter and mentor to artists like Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Duane Allman. Daughter (of both Delaney and Bonnie) Bekka has been strongly influenced by both parents as vocalist with Fleetwood Mac, Faith Hill and Vince Gill.

Dad: Harry Chapin

Courtesy Elektra Records
Kid: Jen Chapin

Dad was a singer-songwriter with a dozen albums and songs like "Cat's In The Cradle" and "W*O*L*D" to his credit before his death in 1981. Daughter has sung with Bruce Springsteen and her own Jen Chapin Trio.

Dad: Jim Croce

Courtesy Atlantic Records
Kid: A.J. Croce

Jim Croce was just beginning to taste success as a singer-songwriter with songs like "Time in a Bottle" and "I Got a Name" when he died in a plane crash in 1973. Son A.J. has recorded six albums and has toured with Carlos Santana, Rod Stewart and Ray Charles, among others.

Dad: David Crosby

David Crosby photo by Bryan Better / Getty Images
Kid: James Raymond

Dad got top billing with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and was a founding member of The Byrds. He has also performed with his son, a singer-songwriter-producer and leader of his own James Raymond Quartet.

Dad: Donovan

Astrella Celeste & Donovan photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Kid: Astrella Celeste

Donovan was one of the poet laureates of the Flower Power movement with songs like "Universal Soldier" and "Catch the Wind." Dad and his singer-songwriter daughter Astrella Celeste perform together frequently. She has also performed with artists like David Gilmour and Graham Nash.

Dad: Bob Dylan

Jakob Dylan photo by Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images
Kid: Jakob Dylan

Bob Dylan's musical legacy stretches back almost 50 years and includes a huge catalog of classic songs he has written and sung. Son Jakob is lead singer and principal songwriter for The Wallflowers, a Los Angeles-based rock band.

Dad: Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb photo by Jo Hale / Getty Images
Kid: Spencer Gibb

Dad Robin and his Gibb brothers were the Bee Gees, scoring worldwide sales of over 200-million between 1965 and 2001. Son Spencer sings and plays guitar with 54 Seconds, an alt-rock band based in Austin.

Dad: Arlo Guthrie

Courtesy Rising Son Records
Kid: Sarah Lee Guthrie

Daughter is actually the third generation of Guthrie musicians, her dad Arlo having followed in the footsteps of his dad, Woody. Like father (and grandfather), daughter Sarah Lee writes, plays guitar and sings, most often with her husband, Johnny Irion.

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