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The Everly Brothers

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

The Everly Brothers were an American duo, consisting of the brothers Don and Phil Everly. They were known for their playing on steel-string acoustic guitars and for their singing in close harmony. They combined rock and roll, country and pop and are regarded as pioneers of country rock. As children they sang on the radio in Iowa in the 1940s with their parents, and later they were spotted in Nashville by Chet Atkins.

Music and breakthrough

Their first big hit was Bye Bye Love, number one in the spring of 1957. In 1958 came Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have to Do Is Dream and Problems. In 1960 they signed with Warner Bros. and made Cathy's Clown, their best-selling single. In 1961 the brothers joined the Marine Corps Reserve, and afterwards their success in the United States declined. In England and Canada they continued to have hits. In 1973 they split up, and in 1983 they reunited.

Influence

The duo's influence was great. The harmony singing and the acoustic guitars echoed in The Beatles, The Beach Boys, the Bee Gees and Simon & Garfunkel. In 2015 Rolling Stone ranked them number one on its list of the twenty greatest duos of all time. In 1986 they were included in the first class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Don Everly received an award for the guitar intro of Wake Up Little Susie. Phil died in 2014, Don in 2021.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to All I Have to Do Is Dream and notice how the two voices keep singing very close together. Can you hear how the acoustic guitar carries the song?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists