Everly Brothers: Did You Know?

Fun Facts & Lesser-Known Stories About The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers, comprised of Don and Phil Everly, are widely regarded as one of the most influential duos in the history of music. Their tight harmonies, blending elements of country, rock, and pop, helped shape the sound of early rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s and 1960s. With hits like “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” they paved the way for countless artists who followed. While their legendary harmonies and chart-topping songs are well known, there are some fascinating, lesser-known facts and stories about The Everly Brothers that even longtime fans might not be aware of. Let’s take a deeper look into the duo’s history and some fun facts about their incredible career.

1. Their First Break Came from Family Connections

The Everly Brothers came from a musical family, and it was this early exposure to music that set them on the path to success. Their parents, Ike and Margaret Everly, were musicians who performed on radio shows in the 1940s. The family would travel from town to town, performing on local radio stations as “The Everly Family Show.” It was through their father’s connections that Don and Phil got their first big break. Chet Atkins, a family friend and guitar legend, took an interest in the brothers and introduced them to publishers in Nashville. This connection led to their first recording contract with Cadence Records.

2. They Were Among the First Artists Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

In 1986, when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was established, The Everly Brothers were among the very first artists to be inducted. This honor placed them alongside musical icons like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Buddy Holly in recognition of their enormous contributions to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Their harmonies were so influential that groups like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Simon & Garfunkel credited The Everly Brothers as major influences on their own vocal styles.

3. They Hold the Record for Most Top 100 Singles by a Duo

During their peak years in the late 1950s and early 1960s, The Everly Brothers had an extraordinary run of hits. Between 1957 and 1965, they scored 35 Top 100 singles, more than any other duo in music history. Their unique blend of tight harmonies, catchy melodies, and rock ‘n’ roll energy made them consistent hit-makers. Songs like “Cathy’s Clown” and “Let It Be Me” are just a few examples of their wide-ranging appeal. Their success opened doors for future duos in the rock and pop world.

4. Their Hit “Bye Bye Love” Was Rejected by 30 Artists

One of the Everly Brothers’ biggest hits, “Bye Bye Love”, almost didn’t happen. Written by husband-and-wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, the song was rejected by over 30 other artists before Don and Phil Everly recorded it. After multiple rejections, the song finally found a home with The Everly Brothers, and it became their breakthrough single, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957. The song’s success catapulted them to stardom and marked the beginning of a long string of hits.

5. Their “Wake Up Little Susie” Was Banned by Some Radio Stations

The Everly Brothers’ 1957 hit “Wake Up Little Susie” was an innocent song about a boy and girl falling asleep at the drive-in movie and worrying about their reputation when they wake up. However, some radio stations in the United States banned the song, deeming its lyrics too suggestive for young audiences. Despite the controversy, the song became one of their biggest hits, topping the Billboard charts and cementing their status as pop icons. The backlash against the song may seem quaint by today’s standards, but in the conservative atmosphere of the 1950s, even the mildest hint of impropriety could stir controversy.

6. They Had a Famous Feud and Didn’t Speak for a Decade

Despite their success as a duo, the relationship between Don and Phil Everly was not always harmonious. The brothers were known for their sibling rivalry, which occasionally led to tension in both their personal and professional lives. In 1973, during a performance at Knotts Berry Farm in California, Phil smashed his guitar and stormed off stage, leaving Don to finish the set alone. After that incident, the Everly Brothers didn’t speak to each other for a full decade. During this period, they pursued solo careers, but neither experienced the same level of success they had as a duo. Fortunately, they reconciled in 1983 for a reunion concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which was a major success and led to a second phase in their career.

7. They Helped Launch the Career of Warren Zevon

In the early 1970s, as The Everly Brothers were branching out into solo projects, they gave a young songwriter and musician named Warren Zevon his first big break. Zevon, who would go on to achieve fame with songs like “Werewolves of London”, worked as the pianist and musical director for The Everly Brothers during one of their tours. He also wrote songs for the brothers, including “Carmelita”, which became a well-known song in its own right. This early collaboration helped launch Zevon’s career as a solo artist and songwriter.

8. They Were Among the First Acts to Incorporate Country Into Rock

Long before the genre of country rock became popular, The Everly Brothers were incorporating elements of country music into their rock ‘n’ roll sound. Their smooth harmonies and storytelling sensibilities were influenced by the Appalachian folk and country music they grew up listening to. Their blend of these styles helped pave the way for future artists, like The Byrds and Gram Parsons, who would expand on the fusion of country and rock in the late 1960s and 1970s.

9. They Have a Deep Connection to The Beatles

The Everly Brothers were a significant influence on The Beatles, particularly when it came to vocal harmonies. John Lennon and Paul McCartney often cited The Everly Brothers as a major inspiration for their early work, and it’s easy to hear the connection in songs like “Please Please Me” and “Love Me Do.” In fact, when The Beatles first arrived in the United States, one of the first things they wanted to do was meet their idols, Don and Phil Everly. The two groups eventually did meet, and their mutual admiration became a key part of their shared legacy in music history.

10. Their Songs Were Covered by a Wide Range of Artists

The Everly Brothers’ influence spread far beyond the world of rock ‘n’ roll, with artists from various genres covering their songs. Simon & Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, and The Beach Boys are just a few of the artists who have covered Everly Brothers classics over the years. Their songs, especially their harmonies, have stood the test of time, inspiring generations of musicians in genres as diverse as rock, country, and pop. Their timeless sound and emotional depth continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

The Everly Brothers not only shaped the sound of early rock ‘n’ roll, but they also helped lay the groundwork for countless musicians who followed in their footsteps. From their country influences to their legendary harmonies, Don and Phil Everly left an indelible mark on the music world. Despite personal struggles and sibling rivalry, their music remains a testament to the power of family and collaboration in creating some of the most enduring songs in rock history. One of The Everly Brothers' most meaningful lines comes from their classic song “All I Have to Do Is Dream”:

"Only trouble is, gee whiz, I'm dreaming my life away."

This lyric beautifully captures the longing and yearning for an unattainable love, a feeling of being lost in dreams that can’t become reality. It speaks to the universal experience of desiring something that seems just out of reach, and the melancholy that comes with living more in one’s imagination than in real life. The simplicity of the words combined with the emotional depth makes this one of the Everly Brothers' most touching and relatable lines.