Music History

Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge married. They divorced in 1980.

Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson married in Malibu, California. Shortly before, Kristofferson had recorded the country number one hit “Why Me”, on which Coolidge sang backing vocals. Coolidge first met Kristofferson at Los Angeles airport when they were both traveling on the same flight to Tennessee; instead of continuing to Nashville as planned, Kristofferson got off with her in Memphis. During their marriage, Coolidge recorded five Billboard Top 40 singles, including the number 2 hit “Higher and Higher” and the number 7 hit “We’re All Alone”. The couple divorced in late 1979.

Nick Lowe married country singer Carlene Carter, stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, in Los Angeles. The wedding was later recreated in the video for Lowe's song “Cruel to Be Kind.” The couple divorced in 1990.

Twenty-two-year-old U2 singer Bono married his high-school sweetheart Alison Stewart, whom he had been dating since 1975, at All Saints Church in Raheny, Ireland. U2 bassist Adam Clayton was Bono's best man. The marriage endured despite the band's enormous success, and they had four children.

Paul Simon married actress Carrie Fisher after a six-year relationship. Their relationship inspired several of Simon's songs, including the title track of the album Hearts and Bones.

Singer Kirsty MacColl married producer Steve Lillywhite. In 1987, she sang on The Pogues’ classic “Fairytale Of New York”, which Lillywhite produced. They had two children together and divorced in 1994.

Madonna married actor Sean Penn in Malibu, California. Their marriage ended in 1989.

Sting married Trudie Styler at his estate in Wiltshire, England. They first met in 1977, when Sting was an aspiring musician and Trudie was trying to establish herself as an actress.

Longtime Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin married his third wife, Stephanie Haymes.

Fatboy Slim married BBC presenter Zoe Ball in Somerset, England. Before their separation in 2016, they attracted considerable attention from the tabloid media.