Top 10 Couple (Ex) Bands

Top 10 Couple (Ex) Bands | I Love Classic Rock Videos

20th July 1971: John Lennon with his wife, Yoko Ono in London. Photo by Central Press / Getty Images

The music industry has seen its fair share of couples who were also bandmates. Maintaining relationships under the spotlight requires strenuous effort, and artists are also people who cave in to such pressures. Here are our top 10 picks for ex-bandmates and ex-lovers who enjoyed the good times while they lasted.

 

10. The Mamas and The Papas

An American folk rock group who debuted in 1965, The Mamas and The Papas were best known for songs like “California Dreamin’” and “Monday, Monday”. The band consisted of married couple John and Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot. John and Michelle were married from 1962 but split up on 1970. The band ultimately broke up due to Cass Elliot’s intention of going solo.

The Mamas and the Papas arrive at Southampton, England. (Photo by Wood/Getty Images)

9. Siouxsie and the Banshees

Vocalist Siouxsie Sioux (Susan Ballion) formed the English rock band in London in 1976 with bassist Steven Severin. Drummer Budgie (Peter Edward Clarke) joined the band a year later. Sioux and Budgie decided to get married in 1991. However, the band split in 1996, while Sioux and Budgie continued to create material with their new band, The Creatures. The couple finally divorced in 2007.

Siouxsie and the Banshees circa 1977 – Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images

8. Blondie

Blondie is an American pioneer new wave band established in 1974 by vocalist Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. Other members include Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, and Gary Valentine. They are known for the hits “Heart of Glass”, “Call Me”, and “The Tide is High”. Stein and Harry had a romantic relationship in the ‘70s but broke up eventually. Blondie disbanded in 1982 but have gathered in 1997 and are active up to now.

Siouxsie and the Banshees circa 1977. – Ian Dickson/Redferns/Getty Images

7. Sonic Youth

An American rock band that was formed in 1981, Sonic Youth’s original members were Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Richard Elson. Moore and Gordon married in 1984 but divorced later in 2011. The band also broke up that same year.

Sonic Youth – Getty Images

6. No Doubt

No Doubt was formed in Anaheim in 1986 by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, and Adrian young. Stefani and Kanal were romantically involved for seven years, but broke up before the release of their Tragic Kingdom album. Although their relationship ended, the band remains active till today.

No Doubt at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards – Getty Images

 

5. Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac is a British-American rock band formed in 1967, disbanded in 1995, regrouped in 1997 and is active up to now. The original members were Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. Buckingham and Nicks had a romantic involvement for years but eventually broke up, due to internal pressures and Nicks cheated with Fleetwood. Christine McVie and John McVie were married in 1968 but divorced in 1976 during the band’s Rumours tour.

Fleetwood Mac – Getty Images

 

4. ABBA

ABBA is a Swedish pop group from Stockholm, formed in 1972, and is known for hits like “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen”. The group is made up of two couples. Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, were married from 1971-1980, while Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad, were married from 1978-1981. The band broke up in 1982 after both couples parted ways.

Abba – Terry Disney/Express/Getty Images

3. Ike and Tina Turner

Ike and Tina Turner were an RnB musical duo, who were also a married couple. Wed on 1962, the duo played until they split up in 1976 and divorced 2 years later.

Tina Turner and Ike Turner. – CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

2. Sonny and Cher

The husband and wife duo of Sonny and Cher started their career in 1964 with hits like “Baby Don’t Go” and “I Got You Babe”. Their professional and personal relationships ended with their divorce in 1975.

Soony and Cher – ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

1. The Plastic Ono Band

The Plastic Ono Band was formed by Yoko Ono and former Beatle John Lennon in 1969. The band performed with numerous artists and friends of the pair like Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They were active from 1969 to 1974 and went into dormancy until 2009 when Ono revived the band with son Sean Lennon as the Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band. Ono and Lennon were married from 1969 until 1980, when Lennon was murdered.

Ono and Lennon, 1971 – Getty Images