Phil Everly

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Phil Everly (1939 to 2014) was the younger half of The Everly Brothers, the duo he formed with his brother Don. He was born in Chicago, the son of the guitarist Ike Everly. In 1953 the family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, and the brothers later went to Nashville. Their career as a duo had already begun in 1951. In 1957 they signed with Cadence Records and had their first hit with Bye Bye Love, written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. The song had been turned down by thirty other artists and became their first million-seller.

Music and breakthrough

Cathy's Clown and All I Have to Do Is Dream are also among their big hits. Phil wrote When Will I Be Loved himself and worked with Don on songs such as The Price of Love. After quarrels the duo split up, and both brothers went solo from 1973 to 1983. In 1983 they came together again on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall in London. The album EB '84, produced by Dave Edmunds, followed. In 1986 they were the first duo to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Influence

The hallmark of the Everlys was the close harmony singing of two brothers, which had a great influence on later pop groups, above all through its harmony. Paul McCartney said that when he and John Lennon wrote their first songs, they imitated the Everlys: he played Phil, Lennon played Don.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1973Star Spangled Springer
• 1974Phil's Diner
• 1975Mystic Line
• 1983Phil Everly