The Everly Brothers

The sons of two Kentucky country musicians, The Everly Brothers recorded their first single "Keep A-Lovin Me" in 1956, under the aegis of Chet Atkins, but did not become successful until 1957 when they began working with songwriting partners Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and the Cadence record label.

They had a hit with the single "Claudette", written by Roy Orbison. Working with the Bryants they had a number of hits in the US and the UK, the biggest of which were "Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up, Little Susie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", and "Bird Dog". In 1960, when they signed with Warner Brothers, their hits continued with "Cathy's Clown". Following the British Invasion, however, the Everlys recorded only sporadically and usually with more emphasis on the country sound, epitomised by 1968's Roots.

With soft, mainly acoustic guitar backing, sweet close-harmony vocals, non-threatening lyrics, and clean-cut white faces, their commercial success was unimpeded by any perceived threat to society, unlike some other performers of the era, and indirectly helped aid the wider acceptance of rock and roll music.

The Everly Brothers have had a total of 26 Billboard Top 40 singles. In 1986 they were among the first 10 artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. The Everly Brothers have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. They still perform regularly as a duo around the world.

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