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An old saying has it that an apple doesn't fall far from the tree. That apparently goes for Partridges, too.
Holly and Harry Partridge are the daughter and son of Andy Partridge, and in case the latter name is unfamiliar to you, be advised that Andy Partridge is best known as the leader of XTC (the British band that transformed from quirky new wave band of the 1970s into the doyens of Beatles-esque pop in the ‘80s and ‘90s), and one of the most respected songwriters of the late 20th century.
If Andy can be thought of an especially fruitful tree, then Holly and Harry are the sweet produce shaken from his branches, a pair of gifted siblings who have followed him in crafting creative careers. Holly Partridge's first brush with musical fame came in 1990 when she was still a wee thing enamored of her toy rocking horse, dubbed “Poppy.”
Her love of this wooden steed inspired her father to write “Holly Up On Poppy,” which two years later found its way onto XTC's “Nonsuch” album, produced by Elton John's old knob-fiddler, Gus Dudgeon. In 1999, Holly — now a teenager — sang background vocals on the song “Playground,” which was released a year later on XTC's final studio album, “Wasp Star.”
Flash forward a decade, and the now beautiful -- if resolutely wacky -- young woman was captaining her own band, the Shebeats. After they broke up last year, Partridge started a new band, “Streets and Houses,” penning high-energy and highly melodic pop rock that would even rock her Pop.
Meanwhile, younger brother Harry Partridge has established himself as an up-and-coming animator. Two of his films, “Saturday Morning Watchmen” and “The Justin Bieber Show,” have become viral favorites thanks to their bone-dry ironic wit and laser-accurate puncturing of animation cliches.
Harry Partridge is currently filming his first live-action film. It comes as no surprise that pop stars procreate; Screamin' Jay Hawkins alone sired approximately 57 children! But it's noteworthy how many children of popular musicians have followed in their parents' footsteps.
When British rock band Fiction Plane opened for the Police during their 2007 Reunion Tour, it was a family affair; lead singer Joe Sumner is the son of Sting. Rock iconoclast Frank Zappa gave the world guitar pyrotechnician Dweezil. Zak Starkey and Jason Bonham have banged out drumming careers in the tradition of their fathers (Ringo Starr and John Bonham, respectively). Both of John Lennon's sons, Julian and Sean, picked up guitars and microphones. Bob Dylan produced Jakob; Bob Marley produced Ziggy; Tim Buckley produced Jeff. Nor is the phenomenon restricted to rock musicians.
Johnny Cash's son, daughter and two stepdaughters all became musicians. Shooter Jennings is continuing the musical legacy of his father, Waylon Hank Williams begat Hank Jr., who begat Hank III. Thus are pop dynasties made
Is it nature, nurture or some alchemical combination of the two that has caused so many offspring to carry on their families' pop legacies? Whatever accounts for it, there can be no doubt these particular apples haven't fallen far.
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Notes is supported by the Gay and Lesbian Fund, helping the Girl Scouts build leaders throughout Colorado.
Craven Lovelace produces Notes, a daily cultural history of popular music, for KAFM 88.1 Community Radio, kafmradio.org. You can visit cravenlovelace.com for more of his musings on the world of popular culture.
Holly and Harry Partridge are the daughter and son of Andy Partridge, and in case the latter name is unfamiliar to you, be advised that Andy Partridge is best known as the leader of XTC (the British band that transformed from quirky new wave band of the 1970s into the doyens of Beatles-esque pop in the ‘80s and ‘90s), and one of the most respected songwriters of the late 20th century.
If Andy can be thought of an especially fruitful tree, then Holly and Harry are the sweet produce shaken from his branches, a pair of gifted siblings who have followed him in crafting creative careers. Holly Partridge's first brush with musical fame came in 1990 when she was still a wee thing enamored of her toy rocking horse, dubbed “Poppy.”
Her love of this wooden steed inspired her father to write “Holly Up On Poppy,” which two years later found its way onto XTC's “Nonsuch” album, produced by Elton John's old knob-fiddler, Gus Dudgeon. In 1999, Holly — now a teenager — sang background vocals on the song “Playground,” which was released a year later on XTC's final studio album, “Wasp Star.”
Flash forward a decade, and the now beautiful -- if resolutely wacky -- young woman was captaining her own band, the Shebeats. After they broke up last year, Partridge started a new band, “Streets and Houses,” penning high-energy and highly melodic pop rock that would even rock her Pop.
Meanwhile, younger brother Harry Partridge has established himself as an up-and-coming animator. Two of his films, “Saturday Morning Watchmen” and “The Justin Bieber Show,” have become viral favorites thanks to their bone-dry ironic wit and laser-accurate puncturing of animation cliches.
Harry Partridge is currently filming his first live-action film. It comes as no surprise that pop stars procreate; Screamin' Jay Hawkins alone sired approximately 57 children! But it's noteworthy how many children of popular musicians have followed in their parents' footsteps.
When British rock band Fiction Plane opened for the Police during their 2007 Reunion Tour, it was a family affair; lead singer Joe Sumner is the son of Sting. Rock iconoclast Frank Zappa gave the world guitar pyrotechnician Dweezil. Zak Starkey and Jason Bonham have banged out drumming careers in the tradition of their fathers (Ringo Starr and John Bonham, respectively). Both of John Lennon's sons, Julian and Sean, picked up guitars and microphones. Bob Dylan produced Jakob; Bob Marley produced Ziggy; Tim Buckley produced Jeff. Nor is the phenomenon restricted to rock musicians.
Johnny Cash's son, daughter and two stepdaughters all became musicians. Shooter Jennings is continuing the musical legacy of his father, Waylon Hank Williams begat Hank Jr., who begat Hank III. Thus are pop dynasties made
Is it nature, nurture or some alchemical combination of the two that has caused so many offspring to carry on their families' pop legacies? Whatever accounts for it, there can be no doubt these particular apples haven't fallen far.
===================
Notes is supported by the Gay and Lesbian Fund, helping the Girl Scouts build leaders throughout Colorado.
Craven Lovelace produces Notes, a daily cultural history of popular music, for KAFM 88.1 Community Radio, kafmradio.org. You can visit cravenlovelace.com for more of his musings on the world of popular culture.
