The Everly Brothers
Fathered by musician, Ike Everly, Phil and Don Everly formed harmony duo, The Everly Brothers who became hugely popular in the late 1950s. They got their first taste of performing, singing alongside their father and mother, Margaret on the radio as well as touring as the Everly Family.
Having progressed to performing as a duo the pair were signed to Columbia in 1956 however their one and only single for the label sold poorly and they were dropped. However when they signed with songwriters Acuff-Rose they were picked up by Cadence Records.
Their first single for the label, Bye Bye Love reached number 2 in the states despite being rejected by a number of acts including Elvis Presley. With that springboard the hits kept coming for the pair including; Wake Up Little Susie and All I Have to do is Dream.
The brothers toured with Buddy Holly and after Holly’s tragic death Phil Everly acted as pallbearer at his funeral. In 1960 the Everly Brothers signed to Warner Brothers for a multi-million dollar deal, their first single Cathy’s Clown became their biggest selling track to date.
The next two years saw a prolific run of form for the pair. Unfortunately a falling out with their management company meant that they lost their access to many of their songwriters. The pair were also enlisted in the US Marine Corps which took them out of the spotlight somewhat and they were unable to recreate their early success.
Their decline came to a head during an onstage falling out in California on the 14th July 1973. They did not speak for ten years while pursuing solo careers but reunited to record and tour in 1983. They go on performing.
