JOHN SEBASTIAN REMEMBERS THE EVERLYS
Don Everly, who passed away on August 21, 2021, at age 84, was the last surviving member of the legendary Everly Brothers. Younger brother Phil had predeceased him in 2014 at 75 from lung cancer.
While their early Cadence Records classics like “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog” and “Wake Up Little Susie,” were written by the famous songwriting team of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, after moving to Warner Bros. Records in 1960, Don composed their most successful single “Cathy’s Clown,” with Phil being the solo writer of “When Will I Be Loved.”
The Everlys established a vocal style that went on to influence generations of artists, including Simon & Garfunkel, Bee Gees, Eagles, Beach Boys, Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and that still resonates strongly in 2022. Beside harmonies that have been described as coming from heaven, Don Everly, a Nashville Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, was called “one of the best rhythm guitarists I have ever heard” by no less an authority than Keith Richards.
The Everlys’ hit-making days in America ended in 1962, although their records stayed moderately popular in the U.K. and other countries for a few more years. In 1966 they released a fine album
with The Hollies backing them on half
