The Everly Brothers: No More Harmony

Publicity photo of the Everly Brothers. Their television show was a summer replacement for Johnny Cash's. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you think of how rock and roll music began in the 1950s, you think of the pioneers:  Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others.  When you think of an act whose songs and sound have influenced so many in rock and country from the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel to the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, the one most often mentioned were Don and Phil Everly.  The Everly Brothers.

Born into a family of musicians, the Everlys started out as country troubadours singing their high harmonies on stage and on radio.  The hits came when they started combining their rockabilly sound with made-for-Top 40 radio lyrics of teenage lament.  Most of them became classics:  "Bye Bye Love", "All I Have to Do Is Dream", "Cathy's Clown", "Wake Up Little Susie", and countless others.

With the hits came success for the Everlys.  Changing record labels.  Touring around the world.  Many TV appearances, including a 1970 variety series on ABC which was a summertime replacement for "The Johnny Cash Show".  This did not always go down so well between the brothers, especially when their careers were in decline and the hits stopped coming.  They've had drug problems.  They've also been known to storm off the stage at concerts, only to be coaxed back together later on.

Then the accolades started coming for the Everlys.  They were one of the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.  They were also recipients of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, though they've never won the real thing during their careers.

The Everly Brothers act is no more.  Phil died of a form of cardiovascular disease caused, some say, by his smoking.  He was 74.  Don is 76.

The Everlys' influence continues today in a recent album of covers sung by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and Norah Jones.  And it may continue to influence and inspire musicians for as long as there is music.  Just like Elvis, Buddy, Chuck and Jerry Lee.