The Everly Brothers, The #64 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Two

 (Continued from Part One...)

The Everly Brothers signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1960, believed to be one of the most lucrative recording contracts to that time.   The Brothers released the album It's Everly Time in 1960.  It was their first Top 10 album.

 

The Everlys released a single from their album A Date with the Everly Brothers, and rocketed to #1 for five weeks.  "Cathy's Clown" sold over one million units.

 

A popular album track is the original version of "Love Hurts".

 

The duo went back to The Fabulous Style of the Everly Brothers for another single, "When Will I Be Loved", which peaked at #3 in Australia, #4 in the U.K. and #8 in the United States.

 

The Everly Brothers released the album It's Everlys Time in 1960, which yielded the #7 hit "So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad").

 

The duo released the compilation The Golden Hits of the Everly Brothers, which contained "Walk Right Back", a #7 hit.

 

The flip side, "Ebony Eyes", peaked at #8.

In 1961, the brothers upset Rose when they recorded the Bing Crosby song "Temptation", which Rose did not publish.  Rose attempted to block the release of the single but was unsuccessful.  As a result, Rose denied the brothers access to all of the Acuff-Rose songwriters, including the Bryants.

From 1961-64, the Everly Brothers recorded songs by other artists. They also launched their own label, Calliope Records.  Don recorded several solo songs under the name Adrian Kimberly, while Phil started the Keestone Family Singers, which included Carole King and Glen Campbell.

 

The brothers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961.  "Crying In The Rain" was released as a single after they enlisted, and it made it to #6.

 "That's Old Fashioned (That's The Way Love Should Be)" became the group's final Top 10 song in 1962.  

After active duty, the Everly Brothers resumed recording but with little success.  Only three of 27 singles afterwards made the Hot 100.  However, this gem from 1967 hit #1 in Canada and is a fan favorite. 

In 1964, they patched up differences with Rose and began working with the Bryants, but no further hits ensued.  

In 1970, they served as summer replacement hosts for Johnny Cash's television show and signed a recording contract with RCA Victor Records.  

The Everly Brothers began a tour in 1972, with the final performance slated for July 14, 1973 at Knott's Berry Farm in California.  However, Don told a reporter beforehand that he was "tired of being an Everly Brother", and during the show, Phil smashed his guitar and walked off stage.  The brothers did not talk to one another for years.

Don and Phil recorded solo from 1973 to 1983 with little fanfare.  They finally smoothed their differences and reunited for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 23, 1983.  

 

The Everly Brothers recorded the album EB '84 in 1984.  "On The Wings Of A Nightingale", written for them by Paul McCartney, became a #9 Adult Contemporary hit.

In 1986, the Everly Brothers were inducted into the initial class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  That same year, they also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard.

In 1997, the Everly Brothers received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.  In 1998, the duo recorded "Cold" for the play Whistle Down the Wind, their final studio recording.

In an historic set of appearances that featured two of the all-time top recording duos, the Everly Brothers joined Simon & Garfunkel for their Old Friends reunion tour in 2003 and 2004.  The concerts featured all four performing the Everly Brothers' first hit "Bye Bye Love", which Simon & Garfunkel had recorded in 1970 for the album Bridge Over Troubled Water.

The Everlys were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.

Phil Everly died on January 3, 2014 of lung disease in Burbank, California.

Many superstars have credited the Everly Brothers as a major influence, including the Beatles, the Bee Gees, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and the Hollies.

The Everly Brothers hold the all-time record for most Hot 100 singles by a duo.  They scored 36 career hits, with 15 of those reaching the Top 10 and three #1 songs.

The Everly Brothers have sold an estimated 90 million records.  "All I Have To Do Is Dream" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003, while "Bye Bye Love" was inducted in 2006.