Thirty greatest sibling acts in rock and roll history

12. THE B-52s – RICKY AND CINDY WILSON

Before Ricky Wilson died of AIDS in 1986, he played guitar for one of the most inventive bands in the country – the band that launched the Athens, GA music scene. His sister Cindy sang alongside Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider. They put out dance music unlike any band at the time and rather quickly took “Rock Lobster” from house parties in Athens to headlining CBGBs in New York. Ricky was a largely self-taught guitarist who helped perfect the band’s unique sound.

11. DIRE STRAITS – MARK AND DAVID KNOPFLER

It’s hard to compare Dire Straits to the other bands on this list because according to most accounts, David’s contributions were negligible. He left after the first two albums and though he did work on the third (Making Movies in 1980), most of his parts were eventually re-recorded by others. Still, he was there on tracks like “Sultans of Swing,” “Water of Love,” and “Lady Writer.”

You know, for a long time, the record for most pitching wins by two brothers in major league baseball was held by Christy Matthewson and his brother Henry. All 373 wins came from Christy. Henry did pitch a few games and so got to be included in the record. Well, Mark Knopfler may be the equivalent of Christy Matthewson when it comes to guitar players, but I can say very confidently that David contributed far more to Dire Straits’ early success than Henry Matthewson.

10. THE REPLACEMENTS – BOB AND TOMMY STINSON

As we hit the top ten, I have some explaining to do. See, I have already downgraded INXS and Stone Temple Pilots in part because the brothers in those bands were not the driving creative force in the group. Well, that applies to The Replacements as well.

Paul Westerberg was the dominant voice. He wrote most of the songs. He sang most of the songs. And he played a pretty good guitar.

So why are The Replacements so high? In part because I think they are pretty much the greatest post-punk band of the ‘90s, who both gained and suffered from their reputation for drunken, inconsistent performances. Also because on much of their best work, Bob Stinson’s guitar is integral to that sound.

Bob would be essentially fired from the band due to reckless substance abuse. Or due to creative differences. Take your pick. The band had continued success for a few more years until Westerberg went solo. But they were at their edgy best when Bob was acting as a hard rock counterweight to Westerberg.

9. PANTERA – VINCENT AND DARRELL ABBOTT

Had they ceased to exist prior to vocalist Phil Anselmo’s arrival in 1986, Pantera would be a minor metal footnote. By the time Anselmo was fully incorporated, for 1990’s Cowboys From Hell, they were redefining just how heavy metal could be. Anselmo’s shrieking helped, but the band was carried by the Abbott brothers – known to the world as Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell.

Vinnie could get huge sound out of his double bass kit and contributed plenty of high-powered fills. That’s when Darrell wasn’t shredding in the very best of metal fashions. Darrell’s genius could come out in unexpected ways – such as his lovely little coda at the end of the Black Sabbath cover “Planet Caravan.”