Biography of The Everly Brothers

Don (b 1937) and Phil (b 1939) were sons of guitarist Ike Everly, said to be a teacher of finger-picking legend Merle Travis. As children, the brothers starred on an early radio program with their parents, going solo when their folks retired in the '50s. After recording in a country-duo style for Columbia with scant results, they switched to rock & roll on the Cadence label and had an immediate smash with "Bye Bye Love," going on to score over 25 Top 40 pop hits between 1957 and 1964. Their unerring harmonies melded well with crisp arrangements featuring top Nashville session players (among them Chet Atkins) and a bountiful supply of top-notch material, most of it coming from the prolific pens of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. By the late '60s, the strain of touring, lack of record sales, and drug problems all led to their eventual and much-publicized split in 1973. Both recorded solo albums without success and reunited in 1983 to much critical acclaim, recording new material and touring with superb backup from a band led by guitarist Albert Lee. A major influence on any White rock & roll group singing two-part harmony (from The Beatles on down), they continue to impress and delight fans the world over. ~ Cub Koda