Band Mates Who Are Also Best Friends

If you’re lucky, you’ll get along with your bandmates; but if you’re really lucky, you’ll find your best friend for life: that one kindred spirit who makes you feel at home wherever the tour bus takes you!

The following partners-in-crime share more than just a stage: they share years of friendship with someone who allows them to unleash their inner child/rockstar. Most friendships have ebbs and flows, but the following six duos never have had a long-lasting feud. Their friendships… rock.

Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins


The energy between Grohl and Hawkins is infectious; they’re like two jumping beans who move at the same time. “I’m in this huge rock band. I make way more money than I ever should make doing what I do. And I get to be in a band with my best friend,” Hawkins told Modern Drummer. Sounds ideal! Watching their synchrony in this interview with Howard Stern will put a goofy grin on your face.

Anthony Kiedis and Flea


Hey cameramen, stop cutting to the interviewer so we can focus on the the mad love between Flea and Kiedis! We’re pretty sure these two funky hooligans were separated at birth; everything about their body language in this video spells comfort. Just imagine being a fly on the wall when these wild bffs let loose in the ’90s!

Bruce Springsteen and Clarence Clemons


These musical soul mates were a match made in rock ‘n’ roll history whose friendship delved much deeper than their careers. “My pal was a tough act but he brought things into your life that were unique and when he turned on that love light, it illuminated your world,” Springsteen said in Clarence’s eulogy. “I was lucky enough to stand in that light for almost 40 years, near Clarence’s heart, in the Temple of Soul.”

Iggy Pop and David Bowie


David Bowie found the Yin to his Yang with diamond-in-the-rough, Iggy Pop. Despite the contrast of their personalities, their friendship and collaboration shined as brightly as their respective careers. “[David] salvaged me from certain professional and maybe personal annihilation,” Iggy told Rolling Stone. “David’s Friendship was the light of my life.”

André 3000 and Big Boi


André and Antwan (better known as Big Boi) first met in high school, where they formed OutKast. The hip hop group may have taken a hiatus in late 00s, but their friendship never has: “We’re brothers before music,” Big Boi told The Huffington Post. “We were brothers before this, and we’re going to be brothers for life.” Big Boi elaborates on their friendship in the interview above.

Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal


These exes maintain a healthy friendship and have been creating music together for over 25 years. Had Tony and Gwen never broken up, No Doubt’s breakout album Tragic Kingdom would have had far fewer songs. Gwen penned “Cool,” a track on her debut solo album, as a tribute to her friendship with Tony. Aw!