Saturday, January 15, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

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BYE BYE LOVE: THE EVERLY BROTHERS

Posted: 15 Jan 2011 07:34 AM PST


Phil and Don Everly

Just recentl;y I have finished reading a ton of books on the history of rock n roll. Books about the Rolling Stones in particularly Life: Keith Richards and Marianne Faithfull's Autobiography.



Keith goes into great detail on the admiration and respect the Stones had for the Everly Brothers. The Everlys were big stars in the late 50's early 60's. The young Richards and the Stones opened for the Everly Brothers. Keith wrote about really loving their music. So do I...


Phil and Don Everly

In 1960 The Everly Brothers signed a ten-year contract with Warner Bros. and recorded a ton of hits for the next 10 years.Their influence continues to spread.



Both brothers were pretty good guitarists, they used a style of singing close harmony in which Phil and Don both sang a tune that could have been a plausible melody line.



The Everly style of close-harmony singing influenced so many of the American and British Invasion musicians including the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Hollies, Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Stills and Nash and the Byrds.



One of the most successful rock duos broke up somewhat acrimoniously in 1973, (Don was very serious and Phil not so much) only to come together ten years later at an emotional reunion concert on the stage of London's Royal Albert Hall. Subsequently, they resumed their partnership onstage and in the studio.

This is in contrast to classic harmony lines which, while working well alongside the melody, would sound strange if heard by themselves. One of the best examples of their close-harmony work is their recording of "Devoted to You".

In 1997, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004



The Everly Brothers have had a total of 26 Billboard Top 40 singles. They were among the first 10 artists (!!!) inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1986.

The Everlys still perform occasionally, despite having "retired" more than once. Recently the Everly Brothers joined Simon and Garfunkel as the featured act in the Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour of 2003 and 2004. They were not the opening act, rather Simon and Garfunkel opened their own show and had the Everlys come out in the middle for three or four songs.

For Paul Simon, it was not the first time he had performed prominently with his heroes. In 1986, The Everlys sang background vocals on the hit title track of Simon's landmark album Graceland.

Top Hit Singles

1957
"Bye Bye Love"
"I Wonder If I Care as Much"
"Wake Up Little Susie"
"Maybe Tomorrow"
"All I Have to Do Is Dream"
"Claudette"
"Bird Dog"
"Devoted to You"
"Problems"
"Love of My Life"
1959
"Rip It Up"
"Poor Jenny"
"('Til) I Kissed You"
"Oh What a Feeling"
1960
"Let It Be Me" /
"Since You Broke My Heart"
"Cathy's Clown"
"When Will I Be Loved"
1961
"Walk Right Back"

Sadly like so many other rock legends, the Everlys were affected by drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

Drug addiction by both brothers and Don's nervous breakdown were among factors leading to increasing acrimony between them. But the final straw came during a concert at Knotts Berry Farm in California--their last scheduled show together. Apparently, Don had gotten so drunk before the show that it had to be stopped midway through. Phil stormed off in anger and Don finished the concert by himself.

Resources
Musician Guide/The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers Rollingstone page
The Everly Brothers Wiki

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