The Best Rock Couples To Grace The Stage
If there's one thing more impressive than being a rockstar, it's being a rockstar couple. There's something invigorating about seeing two artistic souls join forces. Some musician couples collaborated from the start and drifted apart, like Sonny and Cher. Others began solo and came together later on, like Johnny Cash and June Carter. Whether their relationship spanned decades or was cut short, their love certainly burned bright on the stage. Read on to see some of the most rockin' couples throughout history.
Joan Ignited Bob's Career
When Joan Baez met Bob Dylan in 1961, she was emerging as the "Mother Earth" of rock music and Bob was a nobody. Joan was one of the first to see into Bob's incredible talent as a songwriter and invited him to join her onstage in 1963.
Though their relationship didn't last long-- ending around 1965-- the impact both musicians had on one another's career was everlasting. Joan put Bob in the spotlight, and he inspired her with his lyrics. The two last performed together in 1984.
June And Johnny Remained Together Until The End
Anyone who has seen the movie Walk The Line already knows the touching love story between June Carter and Johnny Cash. Both were already famous musicians at the time they met and began performing together.
Though they were both married when they met, they formed a deep friendship, and each divorced in 1966. Johnny proposed to June during a live performance in 1968, and the pair remained married until they both passed in 2003. They have one son together who is also a musician and songwriter.
Nick And Valerie Paired Up For 50 Years!
Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson arrived on the music scene back in the 1960s as a songwriter/producer and a performer pair. Having written songs for Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, the pair joined Motown in 1966.
They went on to right hits like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Every Woman." Simultaneous to writing and producing, the pair also performed with groups, as solo artists, and as a duo. They married in 1974 and remained together until Nick passed in 2011.
Courtney And Kurt Were Grunge Royalty
Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain were the sweethearts of the '90s grunge era. Kurt was the lead singer of Nirvana and Courtney was the frontwoman for the band Hole when they met in 1990. As if by fate, both bands released their debut albums in 1991.
Courtney and Kurt tied the knot in 1992 and their daughter was born later that year. Their relationship fueled negative media attention towards the new parents. Nevertheless, both continued to emerge as the prince and princess of grunge music. They remained married until Kurt took his life in 1994.
Sonny And Cher Achieved Fame As A Duo
Cher was a 16-year-old high school dropout and Sonny was a 27-year-old songwriter when the pair met in Hollywood. Sonny introduced Cher to Phil Spector, who began her music career. Shortly thereafter, Sonny and Cher married and embarked on both solo and duo careers.
Their hit "I Got You Babe" launched the couple into music stardom in 1965. After establishing themselves musically, Sonny and Cher developed their own comedy show that further expanded their fame. Though the two divorced after almost a decade of marriage, they remained close until Sonny passed in 1998.
Yoko And John Met At A London Art Gallery
John Lennon first met Yoko Ono at a gallery in London, where she was setting up her art exhibit. Though Lennon was married at the time, that didn't stop the two from delving into a romantic relationship. The two began recording Two Virgins in 1968, the same year that Lennon's divorce was finalized.
After The Beatles disbanded, Lennon and Ono turned their full attention towards political activism. After temporarily separating, the two reunited and welcomed son, Sean Lennon, in 1975. They remained married until Lennon's life was taken in 1980.
Sean And Charlotte Have Their Own Record Label
Following in his parent's footsteps, Sean Lennon has collaborated with his partner, Charlotte Kemp Muhl, since 2008. The pair met in 2005 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival when Charlotte was just 17 and Sean was 29.
A successful model with various musical talents, Charlotte bonded with Sean over their shared love of music and history in the limelight. They formed the band The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger and the record label Chimera Music and have spent more than a decade as romantic partners.
Stevie And Lindsey Joined Fleetwood Mac Together
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were high school sweethearts who embarked on their music career together. After their band Fritz broke up, they recorded an unsuccessful duo album. When Mick Fleetwood heard one of their tracks, he invited Buckingham to join Fleetwood Mac.
Buckingham insisted that he wouldn't join without Nicks, so they both joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974. Sadly, their relationship ended in 1977 and both dealt with the pain by writing heartbreak anthems like "Dreams" and "Go Your Own Way." Both went on to have successful careers and have occasionally performed together over the decades.
Faith And Tim Were Love At First Sight
The chemistry between Faith Hill and Tim McGraw is one that never seems to fade. The pair met while on tour in 1996 and, though they both had wavering engagements, they fell for one another. After becoming pregnant, the couple got married just months after meeting.
Determined to put their relationship first, Hill and McGraw have made a pact not to be apart for more than 3 consecutive days. Both have successful solo careers and often tour together.
Bruce And Patti Fell In Love On Tour
They say that behind all great men is a great woman, and that certainly seems to be true in Bruce Springsteen's case. Bruce met Patti Scialfa at a bar in New Jersey in the early '80s. Impressed by her talent, he asked her to tour with his E Street Band in 1984.
Fast forward four years and Bruce is unhappily married to actress Julianne Phillips. Bruce once again asked Patti to join him on tour, and this time they fell in love. Bruce divorced Julianne, married Patti, and the two have been playing together ever since.
Mick And Marianne Helped One Another's Careers
In the mid-'60s, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull were both a part of the London music scene. It was at a Rolling Stones launch party that a producer discovered Marianne. She collaborated with Mick and others to write her first major hit, "As Tears Go By."
In 1965, Marianne left her husband and moved in with Mick. The two developed a relationship that lasted until 1970. During their time together, Marianne inspired various songs from Mick, including "You Can't Always Get What You Want," and "Wild Horses."
Debbie And Chris Formed Blondie
Deborah Harry met Chris Stein when both joined The Stilettoes in 1973. The two began dating and, a year later, formed a new band called Angel and the Snake. After their first couple of shows, they renamed the group Blondie.
Blondie grew to international success before disbanding in 1982, but Debbie and Chris remained an item until 1989. Despite their breakup, they both returned to Blondie when the band reformed in 1997, and the exes have been jovial bandmates ever since.
Paul Made Linda A Musician
Linda Eastman was a photographer covering the music scene when she met Paul McCartney at a Georgie Fame concert in 1967. They spotted one another from across the room, and two years later, they were married.
In 1971, Paul and Linda formed the band Wings. Despite Linda's lack of experience, Paul put her on the keyboard, and the band managed to find success over the next decade. Paul and Linda had four children and remained married until she passed in 1998.
Jack And Meg White Remained A Duo After Their Divorce
Jack Gillis and Meg White met while seniors in high school at a restaurant near Detroit. The young couple got married in 1996, and Jack took Meg's last name. Though Jack was a seasoned veteran at the drums, Meg only began playing them in 1997.
Her fresh and natural talent inspired Jack, and the duo formed The White Stripes. They were signed to the garage punk label Italy Records in 1998, and by the early 2000s, the pair was on the US charts. Though Meg and Jack divorced in 2000, they worked together as The White Stripes until 2011.
Gwen And Gavin Had A 20-Year Relationship
Like Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were both lead singers of '90s rock bands when they met. Ironically, Gavin briefly dated Courtney while on a break from Gwen in 1995. Nevertheless, Gavin and Gwen married in 2002, the same year his band, Bush, disbanded.
Gwen left her band, No Doubt, in 2004 to pursue a solo career whilst Gavin formed a new band, Institute. Two years later, Gwen and Gavin welcomed their first child. The couple had two more children before parting ways in 2015.
Zooey And Ben Had The Same Manager
Years after breaking into the film industry, Zooey Deschanel made use of her musical talents as one half of the duo She & Him. Zooey and her bandmate, M. Ward, happened to end up with the same music manager who represented Death Cab For Cutie, lead by Ben Gibbard.
Thus, the pair met through their mutual manager in 2006 and began a relationship in 2008. Just one year later, Zooey and Ben married. The pair filed for divorce just two years later.
Thurston And Kim Formed And Disbanded Sonic Youth
Thurston Moore was a member of The Coachmen when he met Kim Gordon at the band's last show. The two became a couple and one year later, they formed the band Sonic Youth. Kim was 27-years-old at the time and had never played an instrument!
It wasn't until 1990 that the band made their first commercially successful record, Goo. Recognized as a key influence of the grunge movement, Sonic Youth toured with Nirvana in 1991. Sadly, Thurston and Kim divorced in 2011, at which point Sonic Youth disbanded.
Josh And Brody Outlasted Angry Fans
Brody Dalle was the frontwoman of her band, The Distillers, when she bonded with Queen of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme. Brody was going through a tough divorce from Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong at the time. Josh began receiving threats from Tim's fans for dating Brody, but that didn't stop the love birds.
Brody and Josh wed in 2005, the same year The Distillers broke up. The couple has pursued various musical projects independent of one another and have three children.
The Beastie Boy And The Punk Feminist
Adam Horovitz, better known as Ad-Rock of The Beastie Boys, was with actresses Molly Ringwald and Ione Skye before meeting punk rocker Kathleen Hanna in 1997. The lead singer of the feminist band Bikini Kill was just what rapper Ad-Rock needed, and the two wed in 2006.
In addition to working with The Beastie Boys, Adam has used his skills as a guitarist to perform with various artists. Meanwhile, Kathleen began her solo work after Bikini Kill disbanded in 1998.
Regine Chassagne & Win Butler
Regine Chassagne was singing jazz at her alma mater, Concordia University when she was approached by Win Butler. Having already founded Arcade Fire, Win knew Regine was the band's missing ingredient.
Three years after meeting and becoming bandmates, the two wed in 2003. Arcade Fire released their debut album in 2004 to the praise of critics. Since then, their albums have received numerous awards, including a Grammy for Album of the Year in 2011. The couple welcomed their first child in 2013.
Gwen Stefani + Blake Shelton
At first, when these two started dating after both being coaches on NBC's The Voice, fans were all pretty shocked. As odd as it may be, the pop-rock queen and the country star are quite adorable together. They also have a ton in common. Aside from them each being at the top of their respective genres, they may have bonded over their divorces.
Gwen split from husband Gavin Rossdale while Blake split with country star Miranda Lambert, and they may have been leaning on each other for emotional support. Marriage and baby rumors are flying but only time will tell!
Avril Lavigne + Chad Kroeger
If there was one relationship we just didn't understand, it was the marriage between pop-punk queen Avril Lavigne and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger. While the marriage may have lasted for two years, their split was amicable. Lavigne even defended her ex-husband after Facebook’s Mark Zukerberg dissed Nickelback’s music back in 2016.
She posted to Twitter, "Many people use your products — some people love them and some people don't. Either way, you're allowed your musical opinion however, your jab at Nickelback is in poor taste." Ouch!
Eminem + Nicki Minaj
Two of the biggest names in rap have been linked to many people within their careers but lately, rumors have been swirling that Eminem and Minaj might be a thing after the release of Eminem's new track, "Big Bank" featuring Minaj. Nicki even posted an Instagram video of her lip-synching the controversial lyric, “Told them I met Slim Shady, bag the Em/ Once he go black, he'll be back again.”
After a fan in the comments asked if the two were dating, she replied, “Yes,” while Em later chimed in, “Girl, you know it’s true.” So, is there a new rap super couple? Well, not so fast. Em later teased at a show in Boston that he may be interested. We’ll see how this plays out.
Tupac + Madonna
Madonna is known for her eccentric behavior so when fans found out in 2015 that she dated rapper Tupac back in the mid-nineties, so many questions arose. An uncovered letter from the late star revealed that race was the big factor to their breakup. The letter was reportedly penned during Tupac's time served at Clinton Correctional Facility for sexual abuse charges, dated January 15, 1995.
Addressed simply to "M," the letter expressed his sorrow for the way things ended, stating, “For you to be seen with a black man wouldn’t in any way jeopardize your career, if anything it would make you seem that much more open and exciting. But for me at least in my previous perception, I felt due to my 'image’ I would be letting down half of the people who made me what I thought I was.”
Fergie + Justin Timberlake
Okay, this one we can actually get behind if we didn't already love JT with Jessica Biel. Turns out, Fergie and Timberlake dated back in 1998. Fergie downplayed the whole thing, saying that it wasn’t that serious. The pair later collaborated on The Black Eyed Peas 2003 track, "Where Is The Love?" but it was three years after the song’s release that Fergie opened up about the brief fling to Cosmopolitan.
“One of my good friends was dating J.C. Chasez, and so we’d all hang out with NSYNC. Justin and I would go out together and have fun and make out. We went to Hawaii together, but we were never serious. He was Mr. Right Now.”
Pink + Joey Fatone
If this isn't the most adorable one yet, we don’t know what is! In 2013, Pink revealed to Glamour that she briefly dated NSYNC member Joey Fatone. "Joey Fatone was in love with me," she said, referring to the pop star. “He took me to Friendly’s on a date and he bought me an ice cream. Such a sweetheart. He asked my dad’s permission!”
As if we didn’t already love him to pieces! The ice cream, though! Too cute! Pink later married Carey Hart.
Mariah Carey + Nick Cannon
The overall consensus of the whole Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon relationship went from 'WTF' to ‘OMG how cute are they together?!’ The couple married and had twins but later divorced after six years of marriage. They’re both still supportive of one another and it’s quite obvious they had something really special together.
While the eleven-year age difference may have played a role in the couple’s divorce, celebs are here to prove that age ain’t nothing but a number and true love always remains. We wish them the best.
Lana Del Rey + G-Eazy
You might be familiar with G-Eazy's current flame, Halsey, but turns out the rapper dated Lana Del Rey shortly before his public relationship with the Hopeless Fountain Kingdom singer. After meeting at Coachella in April, the couple broke things off in September 2017, later leading Del Rey to have some pretty public rants on stage about the rapper.
It is also rumored that her songs "White Mustang" and “In My Feelings,” off the singer’s 2017 Lust For Life album are about the G-Eazy, while sources say that “Him and I,” G-Eazy’s smash hit with Halsey, was originally set to have Lana on vocals. So much drama! Let’s just enjoy the music.
Billy Corgan + Jessica Simpson
We know you read that and just went huh? but this one had us shocked too. Turns out the Smashing Pumpkins frontman had a little thing with pop-turned-reality star, Jessica Simpson. In a 2010 interview, Corgan shared that Simpson had asked him to help her out on the theme song to her VH1 show, The Price of Beauty. He wound up writing part of the show's opening, but shied away from revealing any details on their so-called "romance."
However, Simpson did not hold back her feelings, stating, "I definitely will marry an artistic man. I don't have a physical type. I have an emotional type. When you have yourself together, I don't care what you look like at all."
Chris Martin + Jennifer Lawrence
After Coldplay's Chris Martin’s heart wrenching divorce from Gwyneth Paltrow, we were quite surprised to see him out and about with The Hunger Games star, Jennifer Lawrence. The on-again-off-again couple were linked together for about a year but due to Martin needing time to spend with his family while working with his busy work schedule, their romance was short-lived.
Sources say age differences may have played a part, and that Lawrence was tired of him being so noncommittal, but never say never for a possible reunion in the future.
Benji Madden + Cameron Diaz
The Good Charlotte rocker and actress have both been linked to some interesting choices but we never thought these two would end up together. Madden and Diaz married in 2015 and sources say that this is the romance that really made her feel as if he came into her life at the right time, feeling like she was finally on even ground.
"Her years with Benji have been enlightening for her," says a Diaz source. “She has become a new person with more self-confidence and grounding. Cameron needed something different in her life, more substance and a relationship where she felt loved.”
Janet Jackson + Matthew McConaughey
Pop icon Janet Jackson and actor Matthew McConaughey reportedly had a fling after meeting at the 2002 GRAMMYs. Some reports even say that he was spotted the next morning leaving her house carrying his shoes.
Janet has hinted that the rumors were true while McConaughey later stated, "I met her at the GRAMMYs and found her to be a very, very sweet lady. We swapped some good music and she's a dear lady. She's a sweetheart but we're not dating, we're just friends." Hmm. Guess we'll never know.
Cher + Tom Cruise
Clearly, these two believe in life after love! Back in 2013 on Watch What Happens Live, Cher admitted to host Andy Cohen that Tom Cruise was in her "top five best lovers." Whaatt?! The singer went on to describe Cruise as a “great, lovable guy,” while revealing that their relationship (which took place in the mid-1980s) had gotten pretty “hot and heavy” back in the day.
We guess if she could turn back time she'd still be dating Tom Cruise, eh? OK, we’re done with the puns..
Britney Spears + Colin Farrell
Pop darling Britney Spears has dated a lot of questionable guys during her career but once news broke in 2003 about her relationship with actor Colin Farrell, nothing made sense. While the Dublin native wooed America with his Irish charm, insanely good looks, and wild antics, Spears was the last person we thought he'd hook up with. Or, maybe not?
Despite the major PDA, both were incredibly coy about the relationship, even dodging rumors about a possible publicity stunt. Their flirtation later fizzled out, but imagine what that would have been like if they had stuck it out!
Rihanna + Shia LaBeouf
Well this one threw us for a loop. Actor Shia LaBeouf admitted that he had hooked up with singer Rihanna back in 2007. Though the affair was brief, we can't help but imagine what that pair would have been like, considering ’07 was the height of Rihanna’s "Umbrella" days.
“It never got beyond one date. The spark wasn’t there,” shared LaBeouf in 2009. “We weren’t passionate about each other in that way, so we remain friends.” Clearly, separating amicably is the way to go.
Camila Cabello + Matthew Hussey
The lovely Camila Cabello is always so bubbly and full of good vibes so it is only natural that her beau is all of those things and more. But as much as we're intrigued by her current relationship with dating expert Matthew Hussey, we can’t help but wonder how on earth these two got together.
While the singer keeps her private life to herself, she basically made their relationship official when caught smooching Hussey backstage at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards before her performance. Billboard captured the special moment and shared it to Snapchat, though it has been questioned if the two knew they were on camera.
Nick Lachey + Kim Kardashian
Leave it to Kim K to get the cameras involved. Turns out, Nick Lachey went out on a date with the reality star back in 2006, but the fame-hungry Kardashian just couldn't help herself as she somehow managed to call the paparazzi.
Lachey shared this anecdote with Details magazine in 2013, stating, "Let’s just say this: We went to a movie. No one followed us there. Somehow-mysteriously-when we left, there were 30 photographers waiting outside." Looks like some things never change.
Taylor Swift + Tom Hiddleston
Taylor Swift has dated some worthy gentlemen but her fling with actor Tom Hiddleston still has us scratching our heads. Months after her breakup with EDM star Calvin Harris, Swift eventually put an end to her 12-week whirlwind of a fling with Hiddleston in September 2016.
Reportedly, Swift's track, "Getaway Car," featured on her 2017 release, Reputation, chronicles her reasoning for leaving Harris to start a fling with Hiddleston, later realizing both were bad ideas. It all worked out in the end as we now see Swift madly in love with current flame, Joe Alwyn.
Nick Jonas + Priyanka Chopra
Yet again, another huh? moment…yet oddly enough, these two look quite adorable together. After news recently broke that the Quantico star was dating Nick Jonas, fans went into a frenzy, dying to uncover any new details they could find on this budding romance. An insider has shared that the two stayed in touch after hitting it off last year, but they're keeping it casual for now.
Last year, the two posed together at the MET Gala, but Chopra later explained that they were merely both dressed by Ralph Lauren so decided to hang together. There may be a 10 year age difference here but this might actually turn into something.
Ben Harper + Laura Dern
You might be surprised to learn that actress Laura Dern and musician Ben Harper were married for five years and had two children. The two met at one of Harper's concerts in 2000. Dern was reportedly 'blindsided’ by the entire divorce, as she read about the end of her relationship in the newspapers while away filming.
"I left our home to work on a movie, and while I was away, my boyfriend got married, and I’ve never heard from him again," she shared. “It’s like a sudden death. For no one has there been any closure or clarity.”
