Biography
Phil Everly first gained fame alongside his brother Don in the Everly Brothers, though he also pursued a modestly fruitful path on his own. During the 1950s the duo ranked among rock’s most popular and influential acts, with tracks such as “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Take a Message to Mary” highlighting their youthful appeal and signature vocal blend. Toward the decade’s close their commercial momentum eased, even as new singles continued to chart at lower peaks; the quality of their work held steady while listeners turned toward groups like the Beatles, who openly admired the siblings’ style. By the late 1960s the pair had turned toward their country heritage, producing the album Roots, whose selections later stood as enduring country-rock benchmarks. Few listeners noticed, however, and in the early 1970s the brothers found themselves performing at supper clubs and amusement parks. Tension erupted during one of those 1973 engagements, prompting an onstage split after which each embarked on a solo route.
Phil’s debut solo effort, Star Spangled Springer, appeared that same year and revisited the roots-oriented terrain of the Everlys’ final joint recordings, earning modest critical praise. Follow-up sets Phil’s Diner in 1974 and Mystic Line in 1975 met with little enthusiasm. He also took an acting role in Clint Eastwood’s Any Which Way But Loose and contributed songs as a writer for other artists. Reconciliation came in 1983, when Don and Phil reunited for a charged performance at Royal Albert Hall; that year Phil additionally issued his final solo album on Capitol. The brothers remained together long enough to cut three further studio albums through the mid- and late 1980s, after which they continued touring internationally at state fairs and community colleges. On January 3, 2014, Phil Everly died at age 74 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Phil’s debut solo effort, Star Spangled Springer, appeared that same year and revisited the roots-oriented terrain of the Everlys’ final joint recordings, earning modest critical praise. Follow-up sets Phil’s Diner in 1974 and Mystic Line in 1975 met with little enthusiasm. He also took an acting role in Clint Eastwood’s Any Which Way But Loose and contributed songs as a writer for other artists. Reconciliation came in 1983, when Don and Phil reunited for a charged performance at Royal Albert Hall; that year Phil additionally issued his final solo album on Capitol. The brothers remained together long enough to cut three further studio albums through the mid- and late 1980s, after which they continued touring internationally at state fairs and community colleges. On January 3, 2014, Phil Everly died at age 74 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Albums
