Remembering Phil Everly

Bob Giusti- [email protected]

Phil Everly passed away last week. He was the younger brother (by just 2 years) of the legendary Everly Brothers duo. Sadly,this news comes on the heels of country great Ray Price's passing. It seems we're losing the greats on a monthly basis, but its the passing of time that has proven how influential these artists are.

Like Price, Phil and his brother Don started singing live on the radio. In the Everly's case it was to wake up the farmers on their family's variety hour on KFNF in Shenandoah, Iowa back in the early forties when the boys were just 5 and 7. 
As they were developing the tight dual diatonic harmonies that would become the archetype for bands like The Beatles and Beach Boys, Phil and Don also became quite good at guitar picking inspired by their father Ike. Ike came from a coal miner's family and he and 3 of his 4 brothers escaped the mines by learning to play hot blues guitar riffs from what would have been all black performers of the time. Like their father, Phil and Don would emulate one of their rock heroes, Bo Diddly with a syncopated tribal like strum underneath such hits as "Bye Bye Love" and "Wake Up Little Susie".

When they grew to teenagers the brothers moved to Nashville,Tennessee to try and get on what they considered the pinnacle of success; the stage of the Grand Ol' Opry. They would hang in the infamous side alley ready to provide a quick impromptu performance for one of the Opry's regular performers. One of those, the late virtuoso guitarist Chet Atkins liked what he heard and turned the boys in the right direction, introducing them to producers and writers who helped launch their hits (eventually after a failed Columbia record) on the Cadence label.
In 1973 the duo split up for what would be a ten year hiatus, launching solo albums to critical acclaim unmatched by an under performing sales record. Eventually the brothers would reunite in 1983 for a triumphant return that was captured live at The Royal Albert Hall.
It is a rarity to find an act whose blood ties become so essential to the sound (the Kings of Leon come to mind as a contemporary example) that the sound becomes an influence on countless imitators, some, who actually master their own version (Tom Petty?), most who just wish they could connect to one.
So it is with sad heart that I say goodbye to Phil Everly, and Ray Price, and the future greats who will eventually pass. Where is their legacy going? I haven't found it on America's Got Talent or The Voice that's for sure. As the poet said, maybe it is myself I mourn for.