STARTING THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS AS CHILDREN, THE EVERLY Brothers have retained their popularity longer than most singing duos.
Born in Brownie, Ky., they started their professional careers when Don Everly was eight years old and Phil was six. It wasn’t until about twelve years later that the brothers had their first big hit, “Bye-Bye Love.”
Since that first hit in 1957, the Everlys have sold over 35 million singles, have appeared on most network television shows in the U.S. and Great Britain, and have done concert tours in most European countries and parts of the Orient.
In town recently for a two-week engagement at the Cellar Door, the Everlys proved to capacity crowds that their brand of country-rock hasn’t lost its appeal.
During an interview between shows, Don and Phil talked about some of their likes and dislikes. “I like an audience to listen,” Don said. “The days of screaming crowds are over.
“It’s more satisfying to appeal to adult crowds,” he continued. “I never enjoyed the screaming bit. It’s not a good showcase for talent.”
When asked how their music has changed over the years, Phil said, “We’re still basically a country-rock group. That’s what they called us in the beginning and that’s what we are now. Our music definitely is not rock ’n’ roll.”
On the Warner Bros.-Seven Arts label, the Everlys have recorded fif-teen albums, including their newest release, “Roots.”
Some of their hit singles over the years include “Wake Up, Little Suzie,” “This Little Girl of Mine,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog,” “Problems,” “Till I Kissed You,” “Claudette,” “Let It Be Me,” “Cathy’s Clown,” and “Walk Right Back.” During their Cellar Door engagement, they sang their old numbers plus songs from their recent albums. But they all have the Everly Sound.
Don is married to former film actress Venetia Stevenson. They were married at the San Diego Naval Training Center on Feb. 13, 1962, on the day Don completed boot camp for the Marines. Phil, also a former Marine, has been married six years.
On tour a good part of each year, Don admits that traveling can be bothersome. “Traveling gets you down every now and then, but for the most part we like it,” he said. “But we’d rather stay in a club for an extended period than do one-nighters.”
The Everlys have used the same excellent back-up band for the last four years. Consisting of electric guitar, electric bass, and drums, the band adds a great deal to the stage show.
One can only hope the Everly Brothers will come back to the Cellar Door and that when they do, the Georgetown night spot will have been allowed to expand its size.