The Everly Brothers, Donald, born in Brownie, Kentucky on February 1, 1937 and Phillip, born in Chicago, Illinois on January 19, 1939 were brought up in a musical family. Their father and mother were singers and had their own radio show in Iowa in the 1940's. Don and Phil were added to the act when they were five and seven, respectively. They traveled the area as The Everly Family.
After high school, and on their own, the Everly Brothers caught the attention of country music legend, Chet Atkins, who got them signed with Columbia records in 1956. Although their only single for the label was unsuccessful, they continued on improving their tight harmonies.
In 1957, Archie Bleyer signed them to his Cadence Label. They toured with Buddy Holly in 1957-1958. Phil was one of the pallbearers at Buddy Holly's funeral. Don was reportedly too upset to attend the funeral.
In 1960, they signed a ten year deal with Warner Brothers Records. During this time, they set up their own record label, Calliope Records, so they could do solo work. Phil formed the Keestone Family Singers, in 1962, which featured Glen Campbell and Carole King. Their only single flopped and Calliope Records folded.
Joining the Marine Corps Reserves kept them out of the spotlight for a while and when they returned, they failed to have the success that preceded them.
On the charts, The Everly Brothers had over twenty-five Top 40 hits (only Hall & Oates have more as a duo group) with three of them going to number one. Here are The Everly Brothers twenty biggest hits, according to Billboard's Weekly Top 40 Charts:
On the charts, The Everly Brothers had over twenty-five Top 40 hits (only Hall & Oates have more as a duo group) with three of them going to number one. Here are The Everly Brothers twenty biggest hits, according to Billboard's Weekly Top 40 Charts:
1. All I Have To Do Is Dream - 1958 - Their biggest single went to number one for five weeks and was accomplished in just two takes. Chet Atkins is featured on guitar. Other charted versions include those by Richard Chamberlain, Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The B-side, "Claudette" also went to #30 on the charts.
2. Cathy's Clown - 1960 - The brothers first single for the Warner Brothers label went to number one for five weeks. In 1989, Reba McIntire covered this song and went to number one on Billboard's Country Music charts.
3. Wake Up Little Susie - 1957 - Although this single was banned in Boston, it still managed to be The Everly Brothers first number one song. During Simon and Garfunkel's "Old Friends" tour in 2003-2004, they brought the brothers onstage to sing this song with them.
4. Bird Dog - 1958 - The B-side of this single, "Devoted To You' went to number 10 on the weekly charts.
5. Bye Bye Love - 1957 - Their first hit single also enjoyed success on Billboard's Country Charts by going to number one. George Harrison recorded a version of this song for his "Dark Horse" album. His added lyrics, referencing his wife, Pattie Boyd leaving him for Eric Clapton, did not gain critical acclaim.
6. Problems - 1958 - The B-side of this single, "Love of My Life" went Top 40. Both songs appear on the album "The Everly Brothers' Best."
7. 'Til I Kissed You - 1959 - Written by Don, a cover version by Connie Smith went Top 10 on the country charts in 1976.
8. Crying In The Rain - 1962 - Written by Howard Greenfield and Carole King, who wrote the song in one day when they switched writing partners. Carole was teamed with Gerry Goffin and Howard with Jack Geller. Carole and Howard never collaborated on another song, but gave The Everly Brothers this Top 10 hit.
9. Let It Be Me - 1960 - Originally a French song written in 1955, The Everly Brothers took a translated version into the Top 10. Dozens of cover versions have been recorded, but the most successful is by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett in 1964 when they went to #5 on the charts.
10. So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) - 1960 - The B side of this pretty ballad is the Little Richard rocker, "Lucille," which went to #21 for the brothers.
11. Walk Right Back - 1961 - Written by Sonny Curtis while he was in basic training. Anne Murray had a country hit with it also. The B-side "Ebony Eyes" also went Top 10.
12. When Will I Be Loved - 1960 - Written by Phil, the most notable cover of this song came in 1974, when Linda Ronstadt released it from her "Heart Like A Wheel" album and taking it to #2. The B-side of the Everly Brothers version was a cover of the Gene Vincent classic, "Be-Bop-A-Lula."
13. Ebony Eyes - 1961 - John D. Loudermilk's lyrics, about a boy who loses his love in a plane crash, were too upsetting for the BBC and the song was banned. However, in the U.S., it went Top 10, as did its B-side, "Walk Right Back."
14. That's Old Fashioned (That's The Way Love Should Be) - 1962 - This was The Everly Brothers last Top 10 single.
15. Devoted to You - 1958 - Not only a pop hit, but a country hit and a #2 R&B hit as well for the brothers. Other cover versions include those by Carly Simon and James Taylor and by Mike Love and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.
16. Take A Message To Mary - 1959 - This song is about a guy in jail who is trying to get a message to Mary, but he doesn't want her to know where he is. The B-side, "Poor Jenny" was also a hit.
17. Don't Blame Me - 1961 - A hit for Ethel Waters in 1933, this version was part of a four-song EP released that also included the songs, "Muskrat," "Walk Right Back" and "Lucille" for the brothers.
18. Lucille - 1960 - Originally recorded by Little Richard in 1957, other cover versions of this song include those by The Beatles, AC/DC, and The Flying Burrito Brothers.
19. Poor Jenny - 1959 - Featured on the album "The Everly Brothers 20 Greatest Hits."
20. Like Strangers - 1960 - Their last single for the Cadence label sat outside the Top 20 at #22. They did fare better in the U.K. where they went to #11 with this single.
Bouts with drugs for both Everly Brothers, especially Don and personal problem, along with the British Invasion, all but ended their string of hits. An attempt to go back to their "country" roots only provided them with minor success.
By 1973, animosity towards each other caused the breakup of The Everly Brothers. It was reported that they did not speak to each other for a decade, except at their father's funeral.
They both continued to work solo. Don recorded a duet with Emmylou Harris in 1979 and had some success on the country charts. Phil recorded more and did well writing songs for the Clint Eastwood movies, "Every Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way You Can."
In 1983, Don and Phil reunited with a reunion concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
They also sang vocals on the title track to Paul Simon's album, "Graceland." The Everly Brothers were a big influence on Simon and Garfunkel. During their "Old Friends" Reunion Tour of 2003-2004, Simon and Garfunkel invited Don and Phil onstage to sing together.
In 1986, The Everly Brothers were among the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
They received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Phil was married for a time to Archie Bleyer's daughter, Janet, who sang with The Chordettes.
Don's daughter, Erin, was married for a short time to Axl Rose of Guns 'N Roses.
Although they claim to be retired, The Everly Brothers still perform occasionally together, bringing their tight harmonies to new audiences.
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