The Children of Rock 'n' Roll: Stories of 20 Musical Offspring

Let's say your mother or father is a famous singer, songwriter or producer, and you want to be famous, too. In theory, you could use that parent's connections to score a record deal, but you want to do this without any parental advantage. Here's the thing, though: You can't help but have an advantage because it's in the genes. And now that Michael Jackson's 11-year old daughter Paris reportedly want to become a singer, she could do worse than to follow the the careers of these notable musical progeny.

Jakob Dylan
Since Bob Dylan influenced scores of now-famous musicians, you'd think he'd naturally have an impact on his own son. But Jakob has said he is more influenced by REO Speedwagon and the Clash: "We were aware of what my father did for a living, but it wasn't much of a topic around the dinner table." The younger Dylan eventually fronted the Wallflowers, and though the band name didn't capitalize on his lineage, he did have help from producer T-Bone Burnett -- a family friend.
Watch 'One Headlight'

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Ben Taylor
Taylor had seriously considered becoming a gardener, intentionally trying to avoid a music career. But when your parents are James Taylor and Carly Simon, well, you're just wired to sing. And he happened to be good at it. Born in 1977 -- the peak of his parents' careers -- Ben used to watch cartoons in the studio while his parents recorded in another room. After giving gardening a shot, Ben finally gave in, turning to music in his early 20s. Now he's a pro, just like his sister Sally.
Watch 'Wicked Way'

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Norah Jones
When she first started getting press, Jones was uncomfortable talking about her famous father, sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, and her sitar-playing half-sister Anoushka. "You probably know them better than I do," she once said. While her father and sister specialized in Indian music, the Texas-raised Jones specialized in jazz, having studied piano at the University of North Texas. Her debut album, 'Come Away With Me,' was a huge hit in 2002, winning eight Grammys, including record and album of the year.
Watch 'Don't Know Why'

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Julian Lennon
Born just after Beatlemania took hold in the UK, Julian remembers Beatles fans screaming outside his family's estate in England. When father John divorced mother Cynthia, however, Julian's interaction with his dad would become limited to a couple of calls a year. Yet John remained a major influence. "Dad and I were getting closer as I got older," he said shortly after his father was murdered. "I was getting to understand him more." In 1984, Julian would score two US Top 10 singles from his debut LP, 'Valotte,' which included songs written with his father in mind.
Watch 'Too Late for Goodbyes'

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Miley Cyrus
Musical offspring seldom live up to their forebears' fame. But in her short career, Miley has eclipsed the success of father Billy Ray. Miley beat out 1,000 aspiring actresses for the lead role in 'Hannah Montana,' which led to musical stardom. Still, credit Dad for paving the way. After the success of 'Achy Breaky Heart' wore off, he reinvented himself, also becoming an actor. Now the Cyruses act together (he plays her dad on the show) and sing together (the two did a duet on the appropriately titled 'I Learned From You').
Watch 'Party in the USA'

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Arlo Guthrie
While some famous offspring downplay family ties, Guthrie is more than willing to talk about his dad. And why not? After all, Woody Guthrie was the godfather of folk, having influenced Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, among others. Unfortunately, Woody became seriously ill soon after Arlo was born and was hospitalized during much of his son's childhood. Just two weeks before Woody died, though, he was able to hear Arlo's soon-to-be hit song 'Alice's Restaurant.' Soon after, Arlo sealed his own reputation as a folk celebrity at Woodstock.
Watch 'Alice's Restaurant'

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Ziggy Marley
In addition to being a reggae pioneer, Bob Marley left the world with a musical family -- one that often performed with him onstage before his death from cancer in 1981. Several of his kids formed the Melody Makers, which won two Grammy awards. But it was Ziggy who went solo first and notched a hit with 'True to Myself.' Ziggy has said that Bob gives him validation in his dreams.
Watch 'True to Myself'

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Jeff Buckley
The Buckleys are both infamous for dying young -- Tim at 28 and Jeff at 30. In the 1960s, Tim melded folk, psychedelic rock and jazz in a career that led to a cult following. His son was born in 1966, the year he released his first album and parted ways with his wife and son, Jeff. "I never knew him," Jeff said. "I met him once, when I was 8." More than two decades after his father died of a heroin OD, Jeff was building a considerable following. Then in 1997, he drowned while attempting to swim in the Mississippi River.
Watch 'Hallelujah'

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Enrique Iglesias
Enrique and Julio Iglesias are easily the most successful parent-child duo, selling a combined 260 million albums worldwide. Yet Julio never knew his son was interested in a music career until he actually had one. Enrique was studying business at the University of Miami when he dropped out and began sending out demos as Enrique Martinez. He told his father about his decision to quit college -- a move that upset his dad, a law school grad himself -- when he landed a record deal.
Watch 'Hero'

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Nancy Sinatra
Nancy had no problem using her father's influence to launch her career -- she even signed wigth his label, Reprise Records. Still, she developed her own sound, becoming a symbol for strong women in the '60s. She made her TV debut on a show hosted by Ol' Blue Eyes -- and featuring guest star Elvis Presley. In 1966, she recorded 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin', a far cry from anything Dad -- who didn't care much for rock music -- had recorded.
Watch 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin''

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Nelson
Former teen idol Ricky Nelson had missed most of his sons' lives. But when they turned 18, in the fall of 1985, Gunnar and Matthew moved in with their dad. The new living arrangement was paying off -- the twins were getting along great with their father -- but three months into it, Ricky's chartered DC-3 crashed outside DeKalb, Texas, killing the 45-year-old Nelson and six others. Five years later, Nelson released its debut album, which included four top 40 hits.
Watch '(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection'

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Dweezil Zappa
The artsy and provocative Frank Zappa was known not only for the unusual names he gave is children -- Moon Unit, Ahmet, Diva and Dweezil -- but also for his sophisticated music. So when Dweezil, an accomplished guitarist, rehearsed for a tour of Frank Zappa covers in 2005, he practiced 14 hours a day for over a year. Dweezil has been an MTV VJ, had a TV show with sis Moon Unit and a cooking show with ex-girlfriend Lisa Loeb. But the 'Zappa Plays Zappa' album, which included a Grammy-winning single, is his crowning achievement.
Watch 'Peaches en Regalia'

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Natalie Cole
Long before she famously duetted with her deceased father, Nat 'King' Cole, Natalie was already a successful singer. Not that she needed to be. When her version of 'Unforgettable' was released, she was already receiving $500,000 of her dad's royalties every year. Still, Natalie wanted to make her own career, which she did -- first as an R&B act in the '70s and later as an adult contemporary artist. Her 1991 album 'Unforgettable -- With Love' featured songs made famous by her father, who died when she was just 15.
Watch 'Unforgettable'

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Wilson Phillips
This group's members was spawned from Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and John and Michelle Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas. Wilson sisters Carnie and Wendy had gravitated toward acting and modeling when Chynna Phillips persuaded them to do a charity record with other famous offspring. That fell through, but the women then formed a successful vocal trio. Phillips was recently in the news when she supported her half- sister, Mackenzie Phillips, who accused her late father of having a prolonged sexual relationship with her.
Watch 'Hold On'

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Lisa Marie Presley
At age 3, Lisa Marie would practice rock star poses and wail into a fake microphone in front of a mirror. With that kind of showmanship -- and a father named Elvis -- she seemed destined to be a star herself. But life wasn't always easy for Lisa, who, at 9, was at Graceland when her father died in 1977. Years later, she dealt with drug abuse, her father's legacy and that weird marriage to Michael Jackson. She didn't actually release her first album until she was 35. And in 2007 she did a duet, Natalie Cole-style, with her dad on 'In the Ghetto.'
Watch 'In the Ghetto'

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Rockwell
Kennedy Gordy had a pretty good music connection: His father, Berry, founded Motown and was an accomplished songwriter. But when Kennedy set out to make a name for himself, he actually changed his name to avoid charges of nepotism. Then he signed to Motown -- somehow -- without his father's knowledge. Of course, being Berry Gordy's son still helped: His big hit, 'Somebody's Watching Me,' includes vocals from childhood friends Michael and Jermaine Jackson.
Watch 'Somebody's Watching Me'

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Jason Bonham
Bonham was just 15 when his father -- Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham -- died in 1980. Subsequently, as a young drummer, Jason had his own success, playing in a band that opened for Queen, Meat Loaf and AC/DC. And when Led Zeppelin performed together in 1988, Bonham provided his father's beats. "I read an article where Jakob Dylan refused to talk about his father, Bob, at all," he said. "And I thought, 'How strange.' I mean, I would never be able to do that. My name is Bonham, and I'm proud of it."
Watch 'Wait for You'

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Shuggie Otis

This son of R&B pioneer Johnny Otis was once asked to join the Rolling Stones. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist early in life, at age 15 he played guitar on his dad's 1969 R&B hit 'Country Girl.' His career was so promising he not only turned down the Stones but also David Bowie, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Billy Preston. His 1974 album 'Inspiration Information' -- on which he played almost every instrument -- was recently rereleased.
Watch 'Strawberry Letter 23'

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Rufus Wainwright
Loudon Wainwright III is best known for his song 'Dead Skunk.' But family has always been figured in his songs, having written 'Your Mother and I' and 'Rufus is a Tit Man' and having collaborated with both son Rufus and daughter Martha, who were raised by their musician mother, Kate McGarrigle. Recently, Rufus toured with another celeb son, Sean Lennon. "Sean has had to come to terms with the problem that certain people come for sheer morbid curiosity," Rufus said. "I just get the occasional 'Loudon Wainwright -- 'Dead Skunk' guy!'"
Watch 'Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk'

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Kelly Osbourne
No one ever considered the Prince of Darkness a family man until he became a reality TV star. While 'The Osbournes' softened Ozzy's image, it also introduced two of his three kids to the masses. And with exposure comes opportunity. On 'The Osbourne Family Album' -- a compilation of songs tied to the show -- Kelly performed a cover of Madonna's 'Papa Don't Preach,' which officially launched her music career. Later, she would record 'Changes' -- a Black Sabbath song -- with her father.
Watch 'Papa Don't Preach'