Dad Rock: Musical Dads, Musical Kids

Whip out the extra-wide, golf ball adorned ties and crank up the grill, for Father's Day is upon us. If you're still looking for the perfect gift, fear not, because Victrola's got you covered. Maybe you've got a dad who digs the classics, spinning his vintage vinyl in his mid-century man cave that'd look a lot nicer with an Eastwood Signature front and center. Though, maybe your dad is the tech guy in the neighborhood, always sure to run out and grab the latest gadget on the market. He'd be sure to love our Stream series of connected turntables. In honor of Father's Day, we're celebrating a different kind of dad rock, taking a look at some vinyl records by musician dads and their equally musical offspring. 

Hot Rats (1969) — Frank Zappa/My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama (1988) — Dweezil Zappa

Frank Zappa was one of the most inventive musicians of his era, offering up a unique blend of satire and stellar musicianship. An early icon of progressive rock, Frank included elements of jazz and funk, as well as traditional rock music to create his sound. A virtuoso guitarist, he passed those skills down his son Dweezil, a prolific shredder in his own right. In recent years, Dweezil has toured as Zappa Plays Zappa, a celebration of his late father's music, featuring several of his longtime bandmates. 

Natty Dread (1974) — Bob Marley/Love is My Religion (2006) — Ziggy Marley

There is probably no artist more synonymous with their genre than Bob Marley is with reggae. Marley popularized the genre worldwide, with his infectious smile, effortless stage presence, and political activism coming to define him. His son, Ziggy, has worked hard to follow in his footsteps, self-releasing music heavily inspired by his father's work. Additionally, Ziggy has continued his father's legacy of philanthropic activism, founding several charitable organizations that work to forward his and Bob's goals of peace. 

Only the Lonely (1958) — Frank Sinatra/Start Walkin' (1976) — Nancy Sinatra

Your dad loves Frank Sinatra. They all do. Whether they're 35 or 85, they all dream of wearing a fedora and smoking cigars with the Rat Pack in Vegas. Only the Lonely is one of Frank's best. One of popular music's early vocal superstars, Frank was able to use his voice like an instrument, possessing a clarity to his voice that was unparalleled. Nancy, his daughter, became an icon of the Swinging Sixties, releasing hits like "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" during the height of the mod revolution. 

Unforgettable (1952) — Nat King Cole/Unforgettable...With Love (1991) — Natalie Cole

Nat King Cole came to prominence in the 1940s as a jazz pianist, but soon became more known for his voice, a silky-smooth baritone. "Unforgettable" became his signature tune, a song that featured his soft, calming tone, but also showcased his restrained vocal power. His daughter, Natalie, inherited his vocal talent, blending pop, jazz, and R&B stylings. In 1991, she released Unforgettable...With Love, a tribute to her father, covering many of the standards he popularized and embracing his vocal jazz style with ease. 

Struggle (1976) — Woody Guthrie/The Best of Arlo Guthrie (1977) — Arlo Guthrie

Traveling and performing throughout most of the '30s and '40s on a guitar emblazoned with "This Machine Kills Fascists", Woody Guthrie became known as a tireless champion of the oppressed. Struggle is a compilation of some of his best work, a masterpiece of folk music, featuring stories of American workers that were typical of his repertoire. Guthrie inspired folk revival musicians like Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, as well as his own son, Arlo. Arlo became well known for his 1967 satire, Alice's Restaurant, later adapted into a film he starred in.