The Musicians That Dated Their Bandmates

There’s that saying that you should never mix business with pleasure. Most of the time, rock musicians who work with their partners experience a lot of downsides in their relationship, and it’s hard to run away from your problems during such. However, the perks of being in one are that there would be no time to miss your partner; there would be more time to be with each other and celebrate your love. Below is a list of several musicians who did just that – whether they broke up or remain in the name of love in the long run.

 

John Phillips and Michelle Phillips

John Phillips met Holly Michelle Gilliam when he and his band, the Journeymen, were on the road. Despite Phillips’ marital status, the two began an intimate relationship. In 1962, he married Gilliam after divorcing his first wife; she later legally changed her name to Michelle Phillips. The pair, together with Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, created the Mamas and the Papas in 1965. Their marriage ended in divorce and so was the group they created.

John McVie and Christine McVie

John McVie and Christine Perfect started dating, and eventually tied the knot, in 1968. Christine joined Fleetwood Mac formally two years later. The band did well, especially after the additions of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, but the McVies’ marriage could not last.

Sonny Bono and Cher

In a Los Angeles coffee shop in 1962, Cherilyn Sarkisian met Salvatore Bono. Bono was an employee of Phil Spector, the record producer, and Sarkisian was an aspiring vocalist at the time. They started off as pals, then lovers, and finally became the dynamic team known as Sonny and Cher. The dynamic duo was so well-liked that they were able to launch a successful variety show that aired for four years. Sonny and Cher divorced bitterly in 1975, despite their fame and fortune.

Robert Plant and Patty Griffin

Before collaborating on the same project, both Robert Plant and Patty Griffin had established impressive solo careers. While Griffin was a renowned folk singer, Plant became famous as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin. The two started working together in 2010 as members of the Band of Joy. They had a professional connection at first, but it became more personal as time went on. They called it quits in 2013.

Jack White and Meg White

The White Stripes, a garage rock band, were initially misidentified as a brother-and-sister act until they became famous. It was a cute lie; after marrying Meg White in 1996, Jack Gillis legally changed his name to White. In 2000, just a month before the release of their second album, De Stijl, they got a divorce.

Paul Kantner and Grace Slick

Grace Slick and Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane began dating in 1969 and remained together as a couple and in the band until 1975. In 1971, their daughter China was born. Slick and Kantner’s breakup didn’t stop them from working together; the two stayed in the band as Jefferson Airplane morphed into Jefferson Starship.

Chris Stein and Debbie Harry

Debbie Harry and Chris Stein’s romance began before the founding of Blondie in 1974. They went through incredible highs and lows together. Even though Blondie broke up and then quickly reunited, the two are still good friends.

Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks

The whirlwind affair between Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks is unmatched in the annals of rock couples. They started dating when they were each trying to make it big in the music industry. But on New Year’s Eve 1974, they joined Fleetwood Mac, and their lives would never be the same. Their rocky relationship, which ended in 1976, was the inspiration for some of the album’s most popular tracks.

Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney

Linda Eastman and Paul McCartney met in a London nightclub in 1967 and were married the following year. After releasing an album together in 1971 titled Ram, they went on to form Wings. Paul and Linda were married for 29 years, during which time they had three children. In 1998, she passed away from breast cancer.

Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks

Stevie Nicks dated another bandmate, Mick Fleetwood after her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham ended. At this time, Nicks was in a committed relationship, and Fleetwood was already married. The affair, which was certain to be unpleasant, fizzled out after a short period.