Shout-out to the rock and roll dads out there! Read on as guitar teacher Matt K. shares his top picks for famous dads known for rocking out, plus the best Father’s Day songs from them to play…
Does your dad love getting down to the classic tunes of rock & roll? If so, you’re in luck! We’ve put together the perfect playlist for your dad this Father’s Day. Whether he loves the oldies or the new school rock, this list has something for him.
Grab those headphones and let’s get rockin’!
What Are Some Good Father’s Day Ideas?
Music is a wonderful way to show appreciation for Dad on Father’s Day:
- Create a special playlist of songs that remind you of your dad—no matter the genre —and play it on Father’s Day morning before he wakes up, or have it playing during breakfast.
- These tunes can be old favorites, or pieces of shared nostalgia – adding in some extra magic to the already special day.
- Listening to music together is a great opportunity for some quality time, and it’s also something Dad can cherish forever.
All-in-all, making a Father’s Day soundtrack is an effortless yet meaningful gesture sure to make him feel loved and appreciated!
If you really want to impress Dad on his special day, you should take the time to learn some new songs to play him yourself! Sign up for guitar lessons. With guitar lessons, you’ll learn everything you need to impress your “old man”, plus some of the fun skills like the ones you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tKEkV7bB1E
Your Ultimate Father’s Day Song Playlist
Balancing studio time, touring, and constant press coverage is part of being a rock star. Add taking care of a kid or two (and doing it well) to the equation, and we have to wonder… how do famous musicians do it?
With Father’s Day coming up, it’s important to recognize all of the great dads out there, including the ones that make the music we love. Below, I’ve compiled a list of famous fathers, in no particular order, and which of their songs I’d add to a rock-heavy Father’s Day playlist.
1) Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney raised four children with his first wife Linda Eastman. Heather (Paul’s stepdaughter), Mary, Stella, and James. All of them have become successful in their own right. Heather is a well-known artist, Mary is a photographer, Stella is a fashion designer, and James just released an EP called “The Blackberry Train” back in May.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Yesterday”
2) Steven Tyler
Aerosmith’s frontman has four children. You may recognize at least one: Liv Tyler is an actress who has appeared in many hit films, including “Lord of the Rings”. Although his role as a father was not perfect — Liv wasn’t aware that Steven Tyler was her father until age 11 — they quickly made up for lost time. She even starred in Aerosmith’s music video “Crazy”.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Dream On”
3) Ozzy Osbourne
The Prince of Darkness has two children from his first marriage, and three children with second wife Sharon Arden: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. The latter two were featured on the reality show “The Osbournes” with the couple. Nowadays, Ozzy is more like the Grandfather of Darkness, with six grandchildren!
Father’s Day playlist song: the 1991 hit “No More Tears”.
4) Slash
Slash is Guns and Roses’ famous top-hat-wearing guitar wizard. He has two children with pretty cool names: London and Cash. They were born in 2002 and 2004, respectively.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
5) Zakk Wylde
Super-shredder Zakk Wylde makes this list because of the awesome names donned upon his children. He has three kids: Hendrix Halen Michael Rhoads, Hayley Rae, and Jesse. Although Jesse didn’t get a rock and roll name, Ozzy Osbourne is his godfather.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Stillborn” (below is a video of Zakk improvising over an Andy James track)
6) Travis Barker
Like Ozzy Osbourne, Blink-182’s drummer Travis Barker also had a reality television show. In “Meet the Barkers”, we got an inside look into this father and his home away from the rock life.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Stay Together For the Kids”
7) Kurt Vile
Kurt Vile is an indie rocker who helped form the band War on Drugs. He is now a successful solo artist who seems to be working on the next big thing constantly, but it’s pretty clear his family comes first; you can see his daughter steal the show in the video below!
Father’s Day playlist song: “Never Run Away”
8) Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen may be the coolest rock dad on this list. In 2006, Van Halen’s original bassist Michael Anthony was replaced by Eddie’s 15-year-old son, Wolfgang. Fast-forward to 6:40 in the video below and you can see them rocking out together.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Everybody Wants Some!!”
9) Thurston Moore
Sonic Youth’s singer/guitarist Thurston Moore attempted the near-impossible: he and now ex-wife Kim Gordon raised their child on the road. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Coco Hayley Gordon-Moore now fronts a band called Big Nils.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Superstar”
10) Carlos Santana
Guitar god Carlos Santana has three children: Salvador, Angelica, and Stella. Nowadays, Stella is following in his footsteps by releasing an album — although you won’t find any guitar solos here. Instead, she has a more soulful and R&B vibe to her music.
Father’s Day playlist song: “Black Magic Woman”
How to Put Together the Ideal Father’s Day Music Playlist
Father’s Day is coming up, and you want to make sure your dad has the best day ever. What better way to show your appreciation than by making a special Father’s Day playlist?
Picking out music to express how much you love your dad can be a daunting task, so here are some tips on how to create the perfect Father’s Day playlist for your dad.
Start With His Favorites
The first step in putting together an awesome Father’s day playlist is to start with your dad’s favorite songs. Ask him what his all-time favorite song is and then build off of that. You can also look at his current music library on Spotify or Apple Music to get an idea of what genres and artists he likes.
Include Some Classics…But Don’t Forget About the New Stuff
Once you have your dad’s favorites nailed down, it’s time to add some classics from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Think Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John—the list goes on! These songs will be sure to bring back memories for both you and your dad as you listen together on Father’s Day.
There’s no need to stick only to old songs! Don’t be afraid to throw in some modern tracks too; chances are there are at least a few that your dad loves that have come out in recent years (think Ed Sheeran or Bruno Mars). This will keep things fresh and fun while still ensuring that everyone has something they can enjoy listening to together.
Create a Father’s Day Playlist YouTube
There are plenty of tools available online that can help you curate the perfect playlist. For example, the YouTube Playlist Generator allows you to instantly put together a never-ending list of songs based on a specific genre or artist. Just type in “father’s day” and it will generate a list of songs tailored just for dads. It’s easy, quick and most importantly, free!
Use the Playlist Generator – Spotify ‘Father’s Day’
Another great way to assemble an awesome Father’s day playlist is by using Spotify. With its “Father’s Day” playlist generator, all you need to do is type in your father’s favorite artist or band and it will create an entire list of songs that he is sure to appreciate.
What is the Best Song to Dedicate to Your Dad?
Finding the best song to dedicate to your dad can be a daunting task, especially with the endless range of music out there. However, picking a song that resonates with your dad’s life is something special and incredibly rewarding.
It could be a classic rock anthem like “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin, or it could be something more unique like “My Hero” by Foo Fighters. Whatever you pick should make your dad feel celebrated for their achievements and for all that he has done for you.
Not only does this make for a great gift but it also gives an insight into all those little emotions we feel towards our dads, from admiration to love – these words captured by a perfect song say everything we want them to know without speaking a word.
No matter which song you choose, this Father’s Day, give your dad a gift he’ll never forget—a rocking playlist full of classic and modern hits from some of his favorite artists. Whether it’s Led Zeppelin or Linkin Park, there’s something here for every rock & roll loving father out there. So crank up the volume and get ready for a musical celebration like no other!
Still stuck? What about writing Dad a song yourself? That’s the best way to convey the unique emotions that only you can truly understand. Sign up for songwriting lessons today and get crafting!
Readers, who would you add to this list, and what other Father’s Day songs should be included? Vote for your favorite in the poll below, or let us know who you’d add by leaving a comment below!
Post Author: Matt K.Matthew K. teaches guitar, piano, and music theory lessons in Brooklyn, NY. He studied music composition at Mercyhurst University, and he has been teaching lessons for four years. Matthew is available to teach in-person lessons as well as online via Skype. Learn more about Matt here!
Sources: IMDb – Paul McCartney, IMDb – Liv Tyler, IMDB – Ozzy Osbourne, IMDb – Slash, IMDb – Zakk Wylde, IMDb – Travis Barker, MusicRadar, Refinery29, IMDb – Carlos Santana, Billboard
Suzy S.