The B List: Brothers In Arms

9. James and Jason Cohen [Ryan Montbleau Band]

James Cohen has been drumming since he was young, while his younger brother Jason only started playing the keys when he was 16. Luckily Jason is a quick learner, thanks in part to the encouragement and tutelage of his older brother. In 1999 Jason met singer/songwriter Ryan Montbleau and soon introduced him to James. Ryan took a liking to the Cohen boys and enlisted their help when he formed a band. James and Jason are always on the road with the Ryan Montbleau Band, playing at least 150 shows a year.

8. Luther and Cody Dickinson [North Mississippi Allstars]

The Dickinson brothers along with bass player Chris Chew have played together as the North Mississippi Allstars since the mid ’90s. Both Luther and Cody Dickinson grew up watching their famous session musician father Jim play with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and the Replacements. They asked their pops to teach them guitar, but his response was “No. If I teach you then you’ll play like me.” Jim was right, as the Dickinson boys each own a unique sound to their guitar playing. The North Mississippi Allstars are on tour through the end of the year.

7. Oteil and Kofi Burbridge [Aquarium Rescue Unit]

Oteil and Kofi Burbridge grew up in Washington, D.C. playing any instruments they could get their hands on. The Burbridge boys finally got to play together in a band when Kofi joined the Aquarium Rescue Unit in the mid ’90s. After ARU disbanded, Oteil went on to join the Allman Brothers Band, while Kofi plays keys for the Derek Trucks Band.

6. Nathan, Caleb and Jared Followill [Kings of Leon]

Caleb, Nathan, Matthew and Jared Followill

Brothers Nathan, Jared and Caleb Followill formed Kings of Leon with their first cousin Matthew in 2000. Over the past seven years, the Kings have gained a huge devoted following, especially outside of the United States. With the release of Because of the Times the boys have finally started achieving the same level of success domestically as they have all over the world. Kings of Leon are currently on tour, and will play Red Rocks on Friday as part of the Monolith Festival.

5. Scott and Seth Avett [The Avett Brothers]

The Avett Brothers of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina may play instruments typically associated with bluegrass, but the sound that comes out is more Nirvana than Bill Monroe. Scott and Seth began writing songs together in 2000 and are beginning to gain national notoriety for their unique batch of originals. In May the boys made their television debut on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. — the Avett Brothers will be on the road through the end of the year.

4. Tim and Neil Finn [Crowded House and Split Enz]

New Zealand’s Tim Finn started Split Enz in 1971, but the band didn’t achieve commercial success until Tim’s brother Neil joined the band in 1977. Split Enz went on to sell a ton of records in New Zealand, Australia and Canada before breaking up in 1984. Neil Finn went on to achieve global success with the creation of Crowded House. After Crowded House broke up in 1996 the Finn Brothers pooled their talents in 1995 with the release of the creatively titled Finn. Neil and Tim have toured off and on since the mid ’90s, but who knows what the future will hold with the reformation of Crowded House.

3. John and Mario Cippolina [Quicksilver Messenger Service and The News]

Joey Covington, John Cipollina, Mario Cipollina, Buddy Cage, Steve Love

John Cipollina earned his stripes as the guitar player for Quicksilver Messenger Service. Everyone in the bay area scene including Jerry Garcia had nothing but the utmost praise for Cipollina’s playing. John’s younger brother Mario took up the bass, and played on QMS’s Solid Silver in 1975. Mario went on to gain fame and fortune as a member of Huey Lewis and the News. Sadly John passed away in 1989, but Mario still plays on recently appearing on Melvin Seals’ album.

2. Chris and Rich Robinson [Black Crowes]

Photo via bouche

The late ’80s were a virtual wasteland for rock music. Chris and Rich Robinson helped to save the genre when they formed the Black Crowes and released the legendary Shake Your Money Maker in 1990. Over the past 18 years the Black Crowes have gone on to become one of the best touring acts in the country, with a huge repertoire of amazing songs. The Robinson Brothers recently released their first acoustic album entitled Brothers of a Feather.

1. Duane and Gregg Allman [Allman Brothers Band]

Duane and Gregg Allman grew up playing music together in Jacksonville during the ’60s, and formed the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. Duane is one of the best guitar players to ever live, while Gregg has one of the most memorable voices in the biz. The Allmans went on to move to Macon, Georgia where they wrote songs that still get played every hour on classic rock radio, leading to their induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Duane was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971, but the band still carries on 36 years later.

Got any brother combos worth noting? We’d love to hear your take…

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0 Responses

  1. You last two commenters have some great suggestions — the Wootens, the Rose Hill boys and the Nevilles certainly qualify for some action here. But I really agree with Danny and think Nelson should have been #1. For shame, Scotty.

  2. Another great example, though not mainstream, is The Del McCoury Band. It has Ronnie and Rob and their dad, Del. Talk about raising the bar! They are not famous like the Allman’s are but, if you have ever seen them, you know how great they are.

  3. I second the Rose Hill Drive addition to the list. They’re terrific musicians and 2/3 of the best power trio in rock today (when Oysterhead is off our)!

  4. No honorable mention for Ween ;-)? Also the Slip has brothers in it right? There was someone else big I was thinking of, but now it is totally slipping my mind.

  5. neil finn also has two sons Liam and Elroy, who have both appeared live and on record with their dad.Liam is the opening act on the reformed crowdies tour and was in betchadupa before going solo.
    they’re bound to sing together, its in the blood.

  6. The article was great! The only brothers I missed were the Gallagher and the Neville bros… Apart from that an article cannot be a bad one if it contains the Black Crowes, North mississippi Allstars and the Allman Bros…. My alltime favorites, hell yeah.
    I think the most prominent ones are the Robinson brothers, oh yeah I know it is one sided thing to say, cause I am a mega-fan of the Crowes, but let’s admit guys Chris Robinson is one of America’s best singers today. he is the shit, the real thing, high fidelity and rock and roll!!!!
    Otherwise if anyone is into the 70’es kindda rock like me, listen to the Tacoma based band Post Stardom Depression, not too many people knowes about them, which is such a shame, but they are some kindda magical rough, tru, gritty, ass kickin rock, not like these modern day pimp wannabees like Kid Rock or Nickelback, or any of the trendy shit. I don’t wanna offend anyone here, Kid Rock and N.back is good, but I rather smell the money in their music then something real, or true… And there are plenty more while we are talkin about bands containing brothers: how about Rose Hill Drive, or the mighty AC/DC?

    Music is blessing, Music is salvation!
    Have a nice day! All of ya!

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