Everly Brothers to reunite in London

Press, 5 July 1983, Page 6

Everly Brothers to reunite in London

NZPA-Reuter Nashville The Everly Brothers, rock ’n’ roll pioneers remembered for such hits as “Bye, Bye Love” and “Wake Up, Little Susie,” are reuniting on stage after 10 years separation. A September concert in London will be the first time the two have sung together since 1973, when they broke up on stage at Knotts Berry Farm near Los Angeles. Phil Everly, aged 44, said by telephone from his home in Hollywood that they made their decision in the last few weeks in Nashville, where lives his brother, Don, aged 46. Their heyday began in 1957 with the hit song, “Bye Bye Love,” and continued with hits such as “Wake Up Little Susie,” “All I Have to Do is Dream,” “Bird Dog,” “Problems,” “(Til) I Kissed You,” “Let it be Me,” “Cathy’s Clown,” “When Will I be Loved” (later

recorded by Linda Konstadt), “Devoted to You,” “So Sad,” “Walk Right Back,” and “Crying in the Rain.”

They have said they broke up for personal reasons involving their families, but Phil Everly still is not ready to elaborate. “I will just mark it down and forget the yesterdays and move on to the tomorrows,” he said. Phil Everly said the reunion concert probably will be recorded for cable television in the United States and other countries, and also probably will be recorded for an album. There are likely to be follow up concerts, he said. The two chose the Royal Albert Hall in London because “we did a show there with Dad once.”

The brothers are among the founders of rock ’n’ roll, with Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. Their high harmony and pounding guitar-playing

led 'to teen-age riots at theatres. The Beatles once referred to themselves as the English Everly Brothers. Bob Dylan was quoted as saying, “We owe these guys everything. They started it all.” Their parents, Ike and Margaret, were country performers and took their sons along to harvest festivals, revivals, square dances, and tent shows. After interrupting their careers to serve in the United States Marines in the mid-19605, they concentrated on television and had a summer replacement show on C.B.S. in 1970.

After breaking up, they pursued solo singing careers.

“I have loafed mostly,” Phil Everly said. “I have done some writing, but mostly just lived about the house and watched the children grow up. Jason is 16 and Christopher is eight,” he said.