The Everly Brothers. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame
Don Everly, one half of the country duo The Everly Brothers, has passed away at the age of 84.
Isaac Donald Everly was born on Feb. 1, 1937 in Brownie, Kentucky. His father Ike, who was a fingerstyle guitarist in search of a career in country radio, moved their family to Nashville in 1955.
Don eventually found success as a songwriter with “Thou Shalt Not Steal” for Kitty Wells, two songs for Justin Tubb, and another for Anita Carter.
He and his brother Philip signed with Cadence Records in March of 1957 and began to sing music that had not yet been heard in the country music realm. Tracks written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant that were overlaid with R&B rhythm patterns scored the duo a string of hits, including “Bye, Bye Love,” “Wake Up, Little Susie,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog,” and others. Only three months after signing their record deal, on June 1, 1957, they became Grand Ole Opry members.
In 1960, they switched to Warner Bros. Records and found even more success with “Cathy’s Clown,” “Ebony Eyes,” “Walk Right Back,” and “So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad),” among others.
The Everly Brothers. Photo: Ed Caraeff
Over the next ten years, the brothers found their fair share of hardships, eventually moving to California to experiment with new music before joint enlisting in the Marines. In 1968, they released Roots, a country-rock record that failed to find them a new wave of appeal, leading them to switch labels to RCA in 1970.
The duo split in July 1973, pushing Don back to Nashville as Philip stayed in L.A.
A decade later, the duo reunited in September of 1983 for a live concert album release on Mercury Records which led them to resume touring and recording together.
The Everly Brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The duo were also members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and recipients of the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement award.
“As a singer, a songwriter and a guitar innovator, Don Everly was one of the most talented and impactful artists in popular music history,” says Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “His influence reverberates through songs like ‘So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad),’ ‘I Wonder If I Care as Much,’ and ‘Cathy’s Clown,’ through open tunings and rhythmic sensibilities that helped give rise to Keith Richards and many others, and through the ethereal harmonies he conjured with his brother Phil.”
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