Junior Sure Ain't Senior II

Part II of a Trilogy: From Liverpool to Kingston


In the previous chapter of our saga, depicting the fates of the bloodlines of a number of music’s most celebrated icons, we parted with a glimpse at the burgeoning recording career of Lisa Marie Presley, sole heir to the fortune and legacy of the King.

In 1965, Elvis, in his Bel Air home, found himself the awkward host for a visit - under heavy security - from The Beatles, who were at the end of their second U.S. tour. At first "lukewarm" (according to Presley biographer Peter Guralnick), Presley eventually told his guests, "Quite frankly, if you guys are going to stare at me all night, I’m going to bed." In the words of Presley pal Marty Lacker (a member of the storied "Memphis Mafia"), The Beatles "went nuts," and for the next few hours, the five musicians traded stories, joked, listened to records and jammed together, playing Elvis songs, Beatles songs and Chuck Berry songs. "I remember thinking later," Lacker noted, " ‘Man, if we’d only had a tape recorder.’ " Paul McCartney recalled, "It was one of the great meetings of my life." Afterward, John Lennon made it a point to tell Elvis’ close friend Jerry Schilling how much the evening meant to him, saying, "If it hadn’t been for him, I would have been nothing."

Julian Lennon, the first son of John Lennon, and only child of John’s first wife, Cynthia, was born John Charles Julian Lennon in 1963, named in part after John’s mother, Julia. Popular lore has it that the young Julian painted a watercolor portrait of a classmate named Lucy O’Donnell, haloed by stars, which inspired the lyrics for The Beatles classic "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." Julian later said he didn’t know "why it stood out from all my other drawings, but I obviously had an affection for Lucy at that age. I used to show Dad everything I’d built or painted at school, and this one sparked off the idea for a song…"

Julian’s musical debut came at the age of 11 when he played drums on the song "Ya-Ya" for his father’s album "Walls and Bridges." A decade later, he recorded an impressive first album, "Valotte," featuring the hit song "Too Late for Goodbyes." The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1985. Subsequent recordings were financial and critical disappointments, and throughout his career, Julian (right) endured unfounded speculations that he would join Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr for a quasi-reunion of The Beatles, rumors summarily quashed by the three then-surviving band mates in the 1996 "Beatles Anthology" documentary. McCartney wondered, "Why would we want to subject him to all of this?"

Julian saw his parents go their separate ways when he was five. McCartney allegedly penned "Hey Jude" for Julian as consolation in the wake of the divorce. (Paul reportedly changed the name in the title because "Jude" was easier to sing.) "Paul and I used to hang about quite a bit," Julian recalled, "more than Dad and I did. We had a great friendship going, and there seems to be far more pictures of me and Paul playing together than there are pictures of me and my dad."

John Lennon’s 35th birthday, October 9, 1975, witnessed the birth of son Sean Tarao Ono Lennon, with wife Yoko Ono. John doted on Sean as a full-time househusband, until his 1980 murder. A year later, Sean, at age 6, recited a story for Yoko’s "Season of Glass" album, continuing to collaborate with her on subsequent recordings. At 16, he co-wrote the tune "All I Ever Wanted" with Lenny Kravitz for the latter’s 1991 album "Mama Said."

In the late 1990s, Sean (right) became a member of the indie rock group Cibo Matto, playing bass guitar and singing backup, which led to a recording contract with Grand Royal Records. "I think I found the only label on the planet who doesn’t care who my parents are and what my name is," Sean commented. "That’s pretty rare in the music business!" His debut solo album, "Into the Sun," was released in 1998. The inspiration for his third and most recent recording, "Friendly Fire" (2006), was the death of a close friend. He has named Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys as major influences, along with the Brazilian combo Os Mutantes. Sean and Julian have shared a renewed relationship as half-brothers, spending time together on the former’s 2007 tour.

Paul McCartney’s daughter, Mary McCartney (born 1969), became a professional photographer (right), while her sister, Stella McCartney (born 1971), established herself as a high-profile fashion designer (left). Son James McCartney (born 1977) has striven to maintain a private life (below), although he is an accomplished musician, songwriter and sculptor. He played guitar on and co-wrote songs for his father’s solo albums, as well as accompanying Paul on his 2005 American tour. Recently, James was recording his first solo album with his father’s help for a 2008 release.

Dhani Harrison (born 1978), George’s lookalike (and only) son, is a lead guitar player and singer (right, with Ringo Starr). In 2001, he formed the band thenewno2, and he worked on finishing his father’s last album after George’s death in November of 2001.

Ringo Starr’s son, Zak Starkey (born 1965), earned a reputation as an unofficial member of Oasis, the British pop band that was often compared to The Beatles, sitting in as a frequent replacement drummer. (Left) He also played with The Who live and in the studio. Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey both praised him as the best drummer the band has had since Keith Moon’s death.

Zak’s daughter (and Ringo’s granddaughter) Tatia Starkey (born 1985), using the stage name Veronica Avant, plays bass guitar for a band called Belakiss (right). Zak tried to teach her piano when she was a little girl, but she would only run off. Incidentally, at 19, she was performing as an exotic dancer under the name Tasher (below).

Led Zeppelin’s drummer, John Bonham, died in 1980. Jason Bonham (born 1966) followed in his father’s footsteps (second from the right), even sitting in with Led Zeppelin for reunion performances.

Regarding The Who, guitarist Pete Townshend had three children with his former wife Karen. In the late 1990s, daughter Emma Townshend (born 1969) signed a recording contract with a branch of the Warner Group and released the album "Winterland" in 1998. (Right) She has since become a respected journalist and lecturer, writing magazine articles on the general arts, as well as gardening columns.

As for the bad boys of British rock, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger has fathered seven children (with four women), none of whom displayed any enduring interest in a career in music. Jade Jagger (born 1971) established herself as a fashion model and jewelry designer (left). Keith Richards himself married a model, Patti Hansen, and their two daughters, Theodora (born 1985) and Alexandra (born 1986), both became, not surprisingly, models (right).

Not unlike Mr. Jagger, Rod Stewart has had seven children, with five women. One daughter, Kimberly Alana Stewart (born 1979) became a model and fashion designer (below left). Her brother, Sean Stewart (born 1980), is described as a songwriter-musician-model (below right).

Liv Tyler (born 1977), the daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and singer-model-onetime Playboy Playmate Bebe Buell, initially was told that rock musician Todd Rundgren was her father, due to Steven’s drug addiction. After Liv (right) discovered the truth at the age of nine, she and Steven established a close relationship. She made a memorable appearance in the music video for the Aerosmith song "Crazy." Liv’s popular screen career has included roles in "Stealing Beauty," "Armageddon," the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Incredible Hulk."

Mia Tyler, Liv’s half-sister (left), is a plus-size model and actress who appeared on TV’s "Celebrity Fit Club," where she successfully dropped 18 pounds.

Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter, Kelly Osbourne (born 1984), became a recognizable presence on TV in the Emmy Award-winning reality series "The Osbournes." Her 2002 debut album "Shut Up!" featured a cover version of Madonna’s hit "Papa Don’t Preach." Despite being dropped by her record label, she recorded a hit duet with her father, reprising the Black Sabbath song "Changes."

In 2004, Kelly (right) launched her own trendy fashion line called "Stiletto Killers." That same year, she entered a Malibu rehab facility after admitting to an addiction to painkillers. In June of the following year, she relapsed and found herself in another treatment center. In the wake of her 2005 album "Sleeping in the Nothing," she refuted rumors she had ended her music career, insisting, "I’ve just recorded a version of ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.’ "

Donovan Leitch Jr. (born 1968), whose father, known simply as Donovan, recorded such flower power anthems as "Sunshine Superman," "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Mellow Yellow," is a core member of the band Camp Freddy (left) and a sometime actor. His sister, Ione Skye (born 1970), has enjoyed a screen acting career in such films as "Say Anything" (right) and "Zodiac" (which used "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" as a recurring theme).

Likewise, Ami Dolenz (born 1969), daughter of The Monkees drummer-vocalist Mickey Dolenz (three times a husband and father of four girls) became an actress, best known for her starring roles in the 1989 comedy "She’s Out of Control" and in "Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings."

Speaking of The Monkees, Mike ("Wool Hat") Nesmith’s son Jason Nesmith (born Michael Jason Nesmith) is a guitarist and former member of the heavy metal group Kills for Thrills. In the early 1990s, he formed the glam rock band Nancy Boy with the above-mentioned Donovan Leitch Jr. Jason (right) released a full-length album of his own, "Welcome to Pleasure Island," in 2001, followed in 2006 by "Portrait."

Sally Taylor, born Sarah Maria Taylor in 1974, was the subject of the song "Sarah Maria" on her father’s (James Taylor) album "Gorilla." Her mother is singer Carly Simon, who separated from James in 1983. Sally released her solo album, "Apt #65" in 2000. Along with her continuing music career, she is an ardent advocate for victims of land mines and founded "The Tranquillity Project" with her husband.

Ben Taylor (born 1977), the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon, released his first album, "Famous Among the Barns," in 1997 as The Ben Taylor Band, which he described as "neo-psychedelic folk funk." He believed the songs didn’t truly reflect his musical nature. Seven years later, his follow-up solo effort, "Another Run Around the Sun," was more acoustic in sound and proved to be more in tune with his roots, including vocals by his sister, Sally, and his mother.

Reflecting on his journey, Ben noted, "It took me a really, really long time to get into doing this…I tried my hand at a whole bunch of other stuff, from professional gardening to white-water rafting trips that I guided. I finally figured that nothing was going to be as potentially fulfilling as this."

Carole King’s renown as a singer-songwriter was crystallized with her landmark 1971 album "Tapestry." Daughter Louise Goffin (left) has put out five albums on major labels, as well as touring as a guitarist with Tears for Fears in 1997. Louise and Carole recorded a duet of the latter’s "Where You Lead" for the theme song of the TV series "Gilmore Girls."

As teenagers, Carnie Wilson (born 1968) and Wendy Wilson (born 1969), daughters of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson and first wife Marilyn, joined childhood friend Chynna Phillips to form the pop trio Wilson Phillips. They recorded two albums (the first selling 8 million copies) before parting ways in 1993. Carnie and Wendy collaborated on a Christmas album later that year, as well as an album with their father titled "The Wilsons" in 1997. Carnie, Wendy and Chynna reunited in 2004 for "California," an album of cover versions of songs by ‘60s and ‘70s West Coast artists.

Carnie Wilson’s lifelong struggle with obesity (at the height of Wilson Phillips’ popularity, her weight reached 300 pounds) was ruthlessly parodied by the late Chris Farley on "Saturday Night Live," while in the trio’s own music videos, she was often positioned behind the slimmer Wendy and Chynna. In 1999, her gastric bypass surgery, which aired live on the internet, resulted in the loss of 150 pounds and a 2003 nude layout in Playboy. Three years later, she found herself a contestant on TV’s "Celebrity Fit Club," where she lost 22 pounds, which she gained back. In early 2008, she promised to get back into her Playboy shape.

Chynna Phillips (born 1968) is the daughter of ‘60s icons The Mamas & the Papas’ John and Michelle Phillips. In the wake of the disappointing sales for the second Wilson Phillips album in 1992, Chynna left the group, blaming exhaustion. In 1995, she released a debut solo album, "Naked and Sacred." She has probably enjoyed more success as an actress, with parts in "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Say Anything" and the lead role in the 1989 made-for-television movie "Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer." She married actor Daniel Baldwin, with whom she has had three children.

Chynna’s half-sister, fashion model-guitarist-singer-actress Bijou Phillips (born 1980), daughter of John Phillips and former wife, actress-model-singer Genevieve Waite, and goddaughter of Andy Warhol, began modeling at the age of 13. Her debut album, "I’d Rather Eat Glass," was released in 1999, when she was 19. She toured with the Lilith Fair festival that same year.

Bijou (left) had a four-year relationship with Sean Lennon, which soured after she supposedly slept with Sean’s boyhood friend Max LeRoy, who subsequently died in a motorcycle accident. The circumstances proved to be the inspiration for Lennon’s aforementioned 2006 album, "Friendly Fire."

Bijou’s acting pursuits included a 2007 Scream Awards nomination for Scream Queen in "Hostel: Part II." Currently working on a second album, she has posted a number of demos on her My Space page.

Moon Unit Zappa was born in 1967, the eldest child of Frank Zappa (of Sicilian-Greek-Arab-French ancestry) and wife Adelaide (of Danish-French-Irish-Portuguese descent). Although her adult life included standup comedy, acting, magazine journalism and novel writing (her book America, the Beautiful, was published in 2001), she will always be best remembered for her vocal contributions, at the age of 14, to her dad’s 1982 single, "Valley Girl," featuring her exhaustive monologue of "Val-speak." One of Frank’s biggest hits, the tune popularized catch-phrases like "Gag me with a spoon!" and "Groovy to the max!"

Dweezil Zappa was born in 1969 as Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa, because the Los Angeles hospital refused to register him as Dweezil (a nickname Frank had given for his wife’s pinky toe). When he was five, Dweezil insisted on the legalization of the nickname, and an attorney made it official.

Dweezil appeared as a VJ on MTV in the 1980s and recorded solo albums with such Zappa-esque titles as "My Mother Is a Space Cadet," "Havin’ a Bad Day" and "My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama." He cited Eddie Van Halen as his favorite guitarist and emulated Van Halen’s singular finger-style.

For a number of years, Dweezil has involved himself with a musical project called "What the Hell Was I Thinking?", featuring solos by dozens of notable guitarists. Following several setbacks, Zappa commented in 2004, "It’s quite a crazy project," adding that he was still hoping to "record Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page as some of my final guests…"

As an actor, Dweezil appeared in the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi thriller "The Running Man" and the brat-pack flick "Pretty in Pink," as well as costarring with sister Moon on the short-lived TV sitcom "Normal Life," featuring Cindy Williams ("Laverne and Shirley") and Max Gail ("Barney Miller"). He also provided the voice of Ajax on the cultish animated series "Duckman."

Following relationships with actress Katie Wagner (daughter of actor Robert Wagner), "Pretty in Pink" star Molly Ringwald and Sharon Stone ("Basic Instinct"), Dweezil hooked up with singer Lisa Loeb ("Stay [I Missed You]"), co-writing songs with her, joining her on tour, and co-hosting a cooking show on the Food Network before their 2004 breakup. With wife Lauren, he welcomed daughter Zola Frank Zappa in 2006. That same year, he initiated the "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour, ending the shows with the promise, "There are so many songs we want to learn to play…See you next year!"

Musician-actor-novelist Ahmet Zappa (born 1974) was named after Ahmet Ertegun, one of two brothers who started Atlantic Records, a company that figured prominently in Frank Zappa’s early recording career. Musically, Ahmet co-wrote the song "Frogs With Dirty Lips" with his father and collaborated with brother Dweezil on a number of albums. The brothers recorded a cover version of the Britney Spears hit "Baby, One More Time" for the 2000 movie "Ready to Rumble," starring David Arquette, in which Ahmet also appeared. Ahmet and Dweezil costarred, if only briefly, on a TV program called "Happy Hour," which was canceled because of a copyright infringement due to the title.

The film rights to Ahmet’s first novel, The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless, were picked up by Disney, with an anticipated 2009 release. Subsequently, The Jim Henson Company hired Ahmet to write a treatment for a big screen version of the 1980s series "Fraggle Rock."

The youngest child of Frank and Adelaide, Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen Zappa (born 1979), performed in 1993 with the band Z (featuring siblings Dweezil and Ahmet) at London’s Marquee Club. In 2002, she started a knitting and crocheting enterprise. Frank Zappa asserted in a 1982 interview that Diva was so named because she was the loudest screamer in the hospital nursery.

In his brief 36 years of life, legendary reggae artist Bob Marley fathered 13 children, three with his wife, Rita, two adopted from her previous relationships, and eight with separate women. Of these, seven, like their father, have pursued lifelong careers in music.

(Right) David "Ziggy" Marley born 1968), the oldest son of Bob and Rita, is a four-time Grammy Award winner. In 1979, he, with sisters Cedella and Sharon and brother Stephen, made their recording debut with their father on the song "Children Playing in the Streets." Just two years later, this group of siblings, which became known as The Melody Makers, played at their father’s funeral. Incidentally, Ziggy and The Melody Makers are responsible for the jaunty theme song for the kids’ TV series "Arthur."

(Left) Besides playing with Ziggy as a Melody Maker, older sister Cedella Marley (born 1967) is a fashion designer. She started her own line of apparel called Catch a Fire, intending it to keep her father’s memory and message alive.

(Right) Stephen Marley (born 1972) won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for his debut solo album, 2007’s "Mind Control." (Left) Julian Marley (born 1975) put out his first solo album, "Lion in the Morning" in 1996, following it up with a world tour. Along with youngest brother Damien, he also toured with the 1997 Lollapalooza festival. Julian’s latest album, "A Time and Place," was released in 2003.

(Right) Ky-Mani Marley (born 1976) covered a number of his father’s songs on the 1996 album "Like Father, Like Son." His 2001 release, "Many More Roads," was Grammy-nominated for Best Reggae Album, but the award went to kid brother Damian’s "Halfway Tree."

(Below) Damien Marley (born 1978), Bob Marley’s youngest son, was nicknamed "Junior Gong" in deference to his father’s nickname "Tuff Gong." Only two when Bob died, Damien started performing at the age of 13. A three-time Grammy Award honoree, he is the first Jamaican to win two awards on the same night, both for his 2005 release "Welcome to Jamrock." While older brother Stephen produced much of his three solo albums (notably "Welcome to Jamrock"), Damien’s musical specialty, unlike his siblings, is a Jamaican vocal styling called "toasting," considered a predecessor of rap that relies on talking, or chanting, over a rhythmic beat.

As for the patriarch of this prodigious brood, a malignant melanoma metastasized to Bob Marley’s brain, lungs, liver and stomach, and he passed away in Miami on the morning of May 11, 1981, age 36. His last words to his son, Ziggy, were, "Money can’t buy life."