Family affair

Over Thanksgiving break I was reading Questlove’s book “Mo’ Meta Blues” (2013). He talks about how, as a kid, he would travel around with his musician parents and he and his sister would often play music with them when they performed. As a child he would make comments about his travels, detailing airplane rides and hotel rooms to his friends who didn’t relate to him and his experiences. He talks about long weeks on the road and making 1 a.m. runs to hotel vending machines -- one of which ended with him running into all of the members of KISS (in full makeup and wardrobe) while they were getting off an elevator, startling little Questlove and causing him to scream and run away.

I can relate to this story on a certain level. I missed numerous days of school when I was young to be on the road with my mom and there were many times when my dad and I would play with her in her shows. Even if it was just for a song or two, she would call me from the stage to join her under the lights. There we were, just like any other family band; my dad on percussion and me singing with my mom or reluctantly playing the cowbell. My uncle also jumped up on stage sometimes with his ukulele to sing sweet and comedic songs. It’s a family affair.

This made me think of some of the family bands that have made it big. As a little kid I was obsessed with "The Partridge Family" (1970 - 1974) and rented the show on VHS countless times at the local video store from a man named Russ, who adorned his afro with a tiara on Tuesdays. However, much to my dismay, I learned that they weren’t actually a family. And that most of the singing was overdubbed by other people. It was like learning the truth about Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. Growing up can be so hard.

Some famous (and real) families throughout music history include The Cowsills, The Allman Brothers (who I thought were called the “Almond” Brothers all throughout my young life), The Lennon Sisters and even The Von Traps (some families endure more stress than others). Some modern family bands include Kings of Leon, Tegan and Sara, Arcade Fire, The National and The Avett Brothers.

Playing music with your family is a very special experience. However, once fame and recognition are involved, it can be a very tumultuous journey. If one member of the band skyrockets to fame, how does that affect the other familial band members? There are always those ones that are overshadowed or underappreciated. There aren’t any biopics being made about Michael Jackson’s brothers and nobody believed Laurie Partridge when her braces were picking up radio signals that affected her piano playing.

I think there is a reason that family bands have such a history of success. Oftentimes there is an undeniable chemistry when people who have such a close connection play music together. But this can also be said of any relationship, whether it be that of friends, lovers or relatives. Music can also bring people together who don’t already have a connection (see: any movie about an inspirational music teacher who motivates a group of ne’er-do-well teenagers, such as “Sister Act 2” (1993), “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (1995), “Music of the Heart” (1999), etc.).

The clichés exist for a reason. There is an unassailable power within music and a lot of that lies with the people who share it. Through music we can share some of the magic that we know exists in the world. And in a sense, we are all one big family band.