Eric Clapton and George Harrison became musical collaborators in the late 1960s, writing and recording many songs together. Clapton ended up falling in love with Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, and eventually married her in 1979, following her 1977 divorce.
Billy Joel’s first two bands, The Hassles and Attila, were collaborations with drummer Jon Small. Joel moved in with Small and his wife, Elizabeth Weber, in 1969. He developed feelings for Weber and, after she left Small, he married her in 1973.
Have any other famous musicians married the former spouse of one of their bandmates, writing partners, or other musical collaborators?
Johnny Ramone marrying Linda Daniele, who had formerly dated Johnny’s bandmate Joey Ramone, might qualify.
Anita Pallenberg was in a relationship with Brian Jones, founder of the Rolling Stones. The two of them went on a holiday in the late 60s to Morocco, with Keith Richards.
Jones started abusing Pallenberg physically, and Richards broke it up. He and Pallenberg went back to London. They were together for about a decade.
After soul legend Sam Cooke was shot and killed in 1964, his guitarist, Bobby Womack, married Cooke’s widow, Barbara Cooke.
Then Barbara found out that Bobby was secretly involved with her (and Sam Cooke’s) daughter, 17-year-old Linda. Furious, Barbara picked up a gun and fired it at Bobby, grazing his head. The marriage was over. And mother and daughter never spoke again.
The relationship between Linda and Bobby did not last. However, Linda ended up marrying Bobby’s brother, Cecil Womack.
Bobby Womack went on to become hugely successful in soul music. Cecil and Linda also hit the soul charts, recording as Womack and Womack.