Phil Everly, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Everly Brothers) (d. 2014)

The Everly Brothers: Pioneering Harmonies and Enduring Influence

The Everly Brothers, an iconic American rock duo, left an indelible mark on popular music with their distinctive steel-string acoustic guitar playing and unparalleled close harmony singing. Comprising brothers Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 1939 – January 3, 2014), the duo masterfully fused elements of rock and roll, country, and pop music, effectively pioneering the genre of country rock. Their vocal blend, often referred to as "brother harmony," was so seamless that it was sometimes difficult to distinguish one voice from the other, creating a rich, unified sound that became their signature.

Roots in a Musical Family

Don and Phil Everly were immersed in music from a very young age, having been raised in a profoundly musical family. Their father, Ike Everly, was a highly skilled and influential fingerstyle guitarist who even taught Merle Travis. Their mother, Margaret Everly, also sang and played guitar. The brothers began their public performances as children, first appearing on radio alongside their parents in the 1940s as "The Everly Family." This early exposure to various musical styles, including country, blues, and rhythm and blues, profoundly shaped their artistic development. While still in high school, their burgeoning talent captured the attention of influential Nashville musicians, most notably Chet Atkins. Atkins, a legendary guitarist and record producer, recognized their potential and became a crucial early advocate, helping to promote them for national recognition.

The Rise to Stardom: Chart-Topping Hits and Evolution

The Everly Brothers initiated their recording career in 1956. Their breakthrough arrived swiftly in 1957 with the release of "Bye Bye Love," a poignant song penned by the prolific songwriting duo Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. This track swiftly climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers in Stores chart, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 6 in the UK, solidifying their status as a national sensation. This initial success paved the way for a string of additional hits through 1958, many of which were also crafted by the Bryants, including the timeless classics "Wake Up Little Susie" (a No. 1 hit on both the US Hot 100 and UK charts), "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (which also hit No. 1 in both the US and UK), and "Problems."

In 1960, the duo made a pivotal move, signing with the prestigious Warner Bros. Records label. Their first single under this new contract, "Cathy's Clown," proved to be their biggest selling single to date. Co-written by Don and Phil themselves, it demonstrated their growing prowess as songwriters, topping both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. However, their career momentum faced an unexpected interruption when the brothers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961. While they continued to release hit singles through 1962, with "That's Old Fashioned (That's the Way Love Should Be)" being their last top-10 hit in the US, their output inevitably slowed during this period of service.

Challenges and Continued International Success

The mid-1960s brought a period of decline in the Everly Brothers' popularity in their native U.S. This downturn was attributable to a confluence of factors, including long-simmering legal and financial disputes with Wesley Rose, the CEO of Acuff-Rose Music, their powerful music publisher, regarding publishing rights and creative control. Simultaneously, personal challenges, including reported struggles with substance use, impacted their professional lives. Moreover, the rapidly changing landscape of popular music, marked by the advent of the British Invasion and the rise of psychedelic and folk-rock genres, meant their more traditional sound struggled to maintain mainstream appeal in America.

Despite these domestic challenges, the Everly Brothers maintained a strong and loyal following internationally, particularly in the U.K. and Canada. They continued to release hit singles and undertook highly successful tours throughout the 1960s in these regions, showcasing their enduring appeal beyond American borders. By the early 1970s, the increasing friction between the brothers led them to pursue solo recordings. The duo officially disbanded in 1973 following a public onstage breakup during a concert at Knott's Berry Farm in California, signaling the end of an era for their collaborative work.

Reunion, Enduring Legacy, and Accolades

A decade after their split, the Everly Brothers reunited in 1983 for a highly anticipated and successful comeback concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This reunion reignited their performing career, and they continued to tour and record periodically for decades. Phil Everly passed away on January 3, 2014, at the age of 74, with Don Everly following seven years later on August 21, 2021, at the age of 84, bringing an end to one of music's most iconic partnerships.

The influence of the Everly Brothers on subsequent generations of musicians is profound and widely acknowledged. Their innovative close-harmony singing and pioneering acoustic guitar arrangements served as a direct inspiration for many of the top acts of the 1960s and beyond. Notable groups heavily influenced by their sound include The Beatles, whose early vocal harmonies clearly drew from the Everlys' technique; The Beach Boys, known for their intricate vocal arrangements; The Bee Gees, especially in their early folk-pop phase; and Simon & Garfunkel, whose folk-rock harmonies echoed the Everlys' blend.

Their immense contribution to music has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and accolades:

Frequently Asked Questions About The Everly Brothers

What was unique about The Everly Brothers' harmony?
Their harmony, often called "brother harmony," was characterized by an extraordinarily tight and seamless vocal blend where their voices were nearly indistinguishable. They often sang in parallel thirds or sixths, creating a full, resonant sound that became a hallmark of their style.
Who wrote most of The Everly Brothers' early hits?
Many of their most iconic early hits, including "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie," and "All I Have to Do Is Dream," were written by the legendary Nashville songwriting couple Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.
Why did The Everly Brothers' popularity decline in the U.S. in the 1960s?
Several factors contributed to their decline in the U.S., including ongoing disputes with their music publisher (Acuff-Rose Music), personal struggles, and a shift in popular music tastes away from their traditional sound towards the British Invasion and new genres like psychedelic rock.
Which famous bands were influenced by The Everly Brothers?
Many prominent groups cited The Everly Brothers as a major influence, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Bee Gees, and Simon & Garfunkel, all of whom incorporated elements of their close-harmony singing and acoustic instrumentation into their own music.
When were The Everly Brothers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
The Everly Brothers were part of the very first induction class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, alongside other pioneers like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.