Ah, the classic rock duo. While some outfits extend beyond their two main members, those two main members are the lifeblood of their respective bands. We think the following five rock music duos are some of the very best. And some of them are downright legendary, decades after their respective partnerships or bands broke up.
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1. The White Stripes
Rock music duos don’t get more legendary (at least in the 21st century) than The White Stripes. Jack and Meg White were once married and divorced, and The White Stripes exploded in popularity after they had broken up romantically.
Even with some love lost, these two knew how to collaborate like true powerhouses on stage and in the studio. “Seven Nation Army” may have been their biggest hit, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything boring in their limited discography.
2. The Black Keys
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney go together like two peas in a garage rock pod. These two came together after a failed first rehearsal for their new band back in 2001. When none of the potential new band members showed up to practice, these two formed what would become The Black Keys.
3. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen (Steely Dan)
Steely Dan was obviously much larger than Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. The band had a revolving door of members, mostly due to the fact that this famous jazz rock pair saw band members more as instruments or a means to an end.
Controlling behaviors aside, these two were impeccable together. They knew exactly how to pump out yacht rock stoner tunes for years, and their career longevity was very impressive.
4. Sonny and Cher
Rock music duos come and go, but the legacy of Sonny and Cher will live on forever. “I Got You Babe” is still one of the most loved songs of all time. And Sonny Bono and Cher weren’t just singers that sounded good together. They were also excellent collaborators and hosted their own variety show from the 1960s through the 1970s. And to think they first met in a coffee shop! Anything can happen.
5. The Everly Brothers
Rock music duos don’t always involve siblings. And sadly, becoming a famous rock star with your brother isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Don and Phil Everly made music together for years, somehow surviving everything from drug addiction to alcoholism to their careers plummeting before getting new life again. The Everly Brothers inspired countless rock contemporaries as well, from The Beatles to The Beach Boys.
Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Redferns
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