The Real Reason The Everly Brothers Broke Up

The Everly Brothers, one of the most influential musical duos of all time, left an indelible mark on rock’n’roll, country, and pop with their exceptional vocal harmonies.

Don Everly (born February 1, 1937, in Brownie, Kentucky) and Phil Everly (born January 19, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois) grew up in a musical household. Their parents, Ike and Margaret Everly were country musicians, and Don and Phil began performing with them from an early age.

In the 1950s, Don and Phil relocated to Nashville, where they achieved stardom with their hit single “Bye Bye Love” (1957). Written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and released on the Cadence Records label, this song marked the beginning of a remarkable career. The Everly Brothers’ music, characterized by great melodies and harmonies, seamlessly blended rock, country, folk, and pop elements, making their sound a global sensation.

Their influence extended to legendary groups and duos such as The Beatles, The Hollies, Peter & Gordon, and Simon & Garfunkel. This adulation, however, came with a price. The brothers faced immense physical and mental pressure, leading to drug use, especially for Don, who nearly succumbed to an overdose in the early 1960s. During this tumultuous period, they also served in the military.

The arrival of the British Invasion and a decline in the quality of their compositions led to a commercial downturn in their native U.S., although they continued to enjoy success in England with songs like “Love is Strange” and “The Price of Love.”

Despite releasing notable albums like Roots (1968), a country rock work, and Stories We Could Tell (1972), produced by Paul Rothchild and featuring collaborations with Ry Cooder, Clarence White, Graham Nash, David Crosby, John Sebastian, Warren Zevon, and John Barbata, the Everly Brothers did not achieve the commercial success they deserved. Internal tensions culminated in their acrimonious split in 1973.

Phil Everly passed away on January 3, 2014, in Burbank, California, at the age of 74, following a battle with lung disease.