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The Everly Brothers music biography continued...

Everly. They toured with their parents around the South and Midwest and performed on the family radio show throughout their childhoods. In the summer of 1955, still teenagers, they left for Nashville and secured a professional songwriting gig. They signed as singers with Cadence Records in 1957, and soon after released "Bye Bye Love," a song that had been rejected by scores of performers. The Everly's interpretation shot to number 2 on the country chart and established them as a viable crossover act. Over the next three years with Cadence (which they left in a dispute over royalties) they would go on to average a Top 10 hit every four months, including four number one hits: "Wake Up Little Susie," "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Cathy's Clown," and "Bird Dog." Some of their most successful records — "Till I Kissed You" (number four, 1959) and "When Will I Be Loved" (number eight, 1960) — were written by Don or Phil Everly themselves, and established the Brothers as true artists in every sense of the word. At the height of their fame, they switched to Warner Brothers Records with cumulative record sales up to that point totaling $35 million.



The Everly's success with the new label did not last long. In June 1962 their string of hits ended with "That's Old-Fashioned" (number nine, 1962). They remained major stars in England, but their careers declined precipitously in the U.S. despite continued releases on Warner Brothers. The brothers were also battling personal demons like drug addiction and Don's hospitalization for a nervous breakdown. Eventually, they split up acrimoniously, and subsequent solo attempts were unsuccessful. In 1983 the brothers reunited onstage at London's Royal Albert Hall for a triumphant concert that was chronicled in a widely aired documentary. Even though the brothers have not produced studio albums since 1989's Some Hearts, they continue to tour and perform. Holding the record for the most Top 100 singles by any duo, their legacy is secure.