Boomers are contemporaries of rock'n'roll, and as they both age we witness a new phenomenon of the culture; we see rock stars take the stage with their offspring.
For the spring of 2008, the progressive rock attraction Yes announced that its Close To The Edge And Back tour would include classic alumni Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White, but Rick Wakeman's keyboard role would be filled by his eldest son Oliver.
Led Zeppelin reformed for a tribute to Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones recruiting Jason Bonham, son of John, to sit in on drums. Rumors of a major tour continued, with Foo Fighter Dave Grohl prepared to take Jason's place, if asked.
As that developed, Van Halen added dates to their tour with the lineup of Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen and the son of Eddie and Valerie Bertinelli, Wolfgang. Eddie's no stranger to the concept of father and son rock stars. In Randy Bachman's book, he related how Van Halen set Randy's son, Tal Bachman straight on Bachman Turner Overdrive. Tal wasn't particularly impressed with his dad's band. Eddie pointed out that when BTO was having hit records and sellout concerts, he was standing on street corners handing out flyers for Van Halen's club appearances. The significance was not lost on the younger Bachman.
The Who has toured with Ringo Starr's first-born son Zak Starkey sitting in for the deceased Keith Moon.
And it's not just sons of rock stars who are stepping into the limelight. Glam rock icon Alice Cooper has performed with his daughter Calico. Former Genesis front man Peter Gabriel toured with his daughter Melanie as part of his entourage.
Some even suggest a reunion of the Fab Four Family with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Julian Lennon and Dhani Harrison playing together.
And the fact is that this phenomenon doesn't necessarily stop there. With bands like The Rolling Stones aging well into their sixties, it's entirely possible given the rock'n'roll lifestyle and the artistic genes involved that there could be a decent act in which rock legends play with their biological grandchildren.
