Greetings,
I know I've said this in the past, but I'm not a big fan of kids. Really, I'm just not a fan of undisciplined kids, and that's the majority of what you get today. I usually say that if you have no desire to even attempt to be a good parent, don't even do it. There are some people, though, who are something of a good parent simply by the genes they pass on. I must say that the offspring of very talented people, especially artists, are some of my favorites. Even more especially, singers. So after some thought, I came up with a list of my most very favorite of these musical legacies. And here they are.
#10. Alexa Ray Joel (daughter of Billy Joel) - A lot of people could say they watched this little girl grow up. And a lot of people wondered which of her parents she would end up resembling, since there was constant talk of how different they looked from one another, but I was curious which of their professions she would follow. Turns out, she is a musician, though she has grown into quite a beautiful young woman and could have been a model. I haven't heard much from her, but what I have heard is very good. She is a talented pianist, songwriter and singer. One that will no doubt lead to great things of which both parents would be proud.
#9. Jakob Dylan (son of Bob Dylan) - A lot of artists are forced to stay in the time where we are most reminiscent of them. It makes us sometimes forget how great they were. This happened to Jakob Dylan and his band The Wallflowers. Technically, they are considered a nineties band, which I think might make people believe that they were only good in the nineties. Not true. Talent does not abandon someone so easily, and it did not do so to Jakob Dylan. Everyone was just so into calling him Bob Dylan's son that we may have overlooked just how good he was and still is.
#8. Bonnie Raitt (daughter of John Raitt) - Though Bonnie did not follow in her father's direct footsteps by becoming a Broadway star, she did most likely get her musical chops from him. It didn't hurt much that her mother was also a pianist. I respect her so much because, after being something of an under the radar artist for twenty years, she gained much commercial and critical acclaim with her Nick of Time album. It proves that one should never give up on their dreams no matter what.
#7. Natalie Cole (daughter of Nat King Cole) - I know that over the last twenty years, many have begun to think of the "Unforgettable" duet as possibly the most sappy thing they've ever heard, not to mention the most predictable song used for the Daddy/Daughter dance at weddings. But if we go back to when it happened, we can see that it is not sappy but sentimental. After not wanting to sing her father's songs, Natalie Cole learned to embrace her legacy and let it become her own.
#6. Teddy Thompson (son of Richard and Linda Thompson) - Yes, I mentioned both parents here because they are both well-known musicians. Maybe not in this country, but there is a big world out there. I talked about Teddy Thompson when I reviewed the Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man documentary, saying that his performance was my favorite. Still feel that way. And he has some of the best music to which I've ever been privileged to listen. His voice is unlike anything I've heard, having a gentle power that fits his songs so well. His music is definitely worth checking out.
#5. Adam Cohen (son of Leonard Cohen) - Speaking of which. I sort of knew about Adam Cohen and his music, which had never been overwhelmingly successful. But with the release of his recent album, Like a Man, I easily fell in love with him. He has managed to carry on a legacy while maintaining his own identity. It's tough to do those things and accept them. With this album, he does so beautifully.
#4. All the Gibb children (daughters and sons of Barry, Robin, Maurice and Andy Gibb) - Yeah, I couldn't pick just one, so I picked them all. Honestly, with a family so full of musical brilliance, how could I not? Of course, I know more about some of them than others, which usually how it goes, but I just love this family so much. And a lot of the kids are carrying on the legacy of their fathers by way of their own music and they're doing a great job at it. Although, while I do love them all, I must admit I have a special place in my heart for Robin's son, Spencer. Don't ask me why. That's just how it is.
#3. Lucy Walsh (daughter of Joe Walsh) - And she was born to rock! Sorry. I had to give a little shout out to where I first saw her. It was an MTV show called Rock the Cradle where the offspring of legendary musicians competed with each other. Sadly, Lucy did not win . . . to them. To me, she was the best, not only through her musical gifts, but also with a personality that could draw anyone in. Since then, I have become such a huge fan of her music. As a lyric snob, I have definitely taken notice of her great talent in that area. She has developed a pretty good following, but she gets nowhere near the amount of recognition she deserves. If people would just look into her music, they would all love it, too. And love her.
#2. Jeff Buckley (son of Tim Buckley) - I hope I don't cry as I write this, since Jeff Buckley is one of my favorite yet most bittersweet artists. We have seen the greatness that was and mourn for the greatness we knew would have been. It is so sad that sometimes someone has to die to become a legend when they deserved to be one living and breathing.
#1. Julian Lennon (son of John Lennon) - No kidding, he's number one. Isn't it obvious? And, at this point, I think it's okay. I mean, he's nearly fifty years old, EVERYONE knows what a superb musician he is, and I think most people are over comparing him to his father. I know I am. Of course, we are probably always going to think of John Lennon when we think of Julian. They are father and son after all. But when I think of the beautiful music he has made in his life, I can so easily put thoughts of any other person aside and just listen to what he has created. He may have been denied the length of "top of the charts" success that he deserved, but I doubt anyone who cares to really take a listen will ever deny him the respect as a musician he has earned. And though certain people have tried to destroy the tradition of great music that he was first with which to continue on, Julian has always carried himself with such grace and dignity that would make anyone proud.
And may the legacies live on. Remember, if you would like to be a good parent, and you have some serious music skills, by all means, reproduce. Because if that can lead to us getting more people like those on my list, I welcome it.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
