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Are the Jackson 5 really related? Discover 6 bands’ origin stories
Published on April 19, 2025
Credit: Mick Haupt
Just because someone presents themselves as "brothers" in the showbiz, does not mean they are related by blood. The same goes for many other fake relationships invented for the sake of having a compelling storyline for the public. The following six bands suggested a family connection among its members. Can you tell which ones were real?
The Jackson 5
Credit: Call Me Fred
Let us start this list with a very popular American pop band formed in the 1970s, and responsible for launching the career of Michael Jackson. Were the Jackson 5 really related?
The Walker Brothers
Credit: Jace & Afsoon
The Walker Brothers were an American pop group from the 1960s that made it big in Great Britain where they had several Top 10 albums and singles there, including the No. 1 hits "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)".
The Beach Boys
Credit: Rita Malçok
The Beach Boys were formed -unsurprisingly- in California in 1961 and swept over the country with their brand of surf pop-rock with great hooks and distinctive vocal harmonies.
The Doobie Brothers
Credit: Mick Haupt
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band also formed in California, in 1970, and also known for having great vocal harmonies and their flexibility in performing across numerous genres.
The Bee Gees
Credit: Greyson Joralemon
The kingpins of the disco era, The Bee Gees were a musical group formed in 1958, famous for songs like "Stayin’ Alive", "How Deep is Your Love", or "Night Fever".
The White Stripes
Credit: Duncan Shaffer
The White Stripes were an American rock duo comprised of a drummer and singer/guitar player formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1997 and responsible for the hit song "Seven Nation Army" among other famous tunes.
The Jackson 5? Brothers
Credit: Mathew Browne
Yes, the Jackson 5 was a family band started by members of the Jackson family and it included Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson. The band was even managed by their father, Joe Jackson.
The Walker Brothers? Not really brothers.
Credit: Valentino Funghi
No, the Walker brothers were not really brothers and they adopted the moniker as a show business touch even though they were unrelated. The band was responsible for launching the career of Scott Walker -who apparently liked the pseudonym enough to make it his own- one of the greatest and most elegant voices of rock and roll.
The Beach Boys? Three brothers, a cousin, and a friend
Credit: John Price
The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and a mutual friend, Al Jardine, for good measure.
The Doobie Brothers? Nope, unrelated.
Credit: Clay Banks
The Doobie Brothers have been around for a long time now and have had many members among its ranks but no, they are not related by blood to each other. The name was suggested by a mutual friend a the start of their career.
The Bee Gees? Yep, three actual brothers.
Credit: Edward Howell
Yes, the Bee Gees were formed by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Their name is the initials of Barry Gibb, spelled phonetically.
The White Stripes? A divorced couple.
Credit: Brooke Cagle
This one takes the cake as the strangest one. Drummer Meg and singer/guitarist Jack claimed to be brother and sister at the start of their career but it was soon found out that they were actually a former couple who had divorced and kept playing together.