Rockblog

Is being a rock star an hereditary job? It sure seems that way. 

I’m not talking about a rock star’s children following them into show business. This is a common and understandable occurrence. After all, the children grow up in a creative household, know the ups and downs and ins and outs of the business, and are not likely to be encouraged to become doctors or accountants when they show an interest in music or showbiz.

What I’m talking about is stepping straight into your father’s position.

We’ve seen Jason Bonham behind the Led Zeppelin drumkit on a few occasions filling in for his late father, John Bonham. Oliver Wakeman is now on keyboards for progressive rockers Yes in place of his father, Rick Wakeman.

And the latest news out of Russia is of Ritchie Blackmore’s son, Jurgen Blackmore, playing with former Rainbow members in a band called Over the Rainbow.

Have we seen the end of new rock bands as old rockers pass the family business on to their offspring? How long before Jack Osbourne is fronting Black Sabbath, or Nick Simmons wears the Kiss demon makeup and fills his father’s platform shoes?

And the biggest question: Does having a family member take over lend any more credibility to having a replacement in the band?

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