AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Everly Brothers

Artist:The Everly Brothers

Song:Cathy's Clown

Album:All-Time Original Hits

The Everly Brothers were one of the most popular groups of the late 50s. The 1960 single Cathy's Clown was their first hit after they switched from Cadence Records to Warner Bros. It's also their biggest hit because not only did it top the Billboard Hot 100 but it topped the R&B and British charts. It was also their final number one hit as by the mid 60s, the British Invasion had taken over. Don and Phil Everly grew up in the music business. Don was born in Brownie, Muhlenberg County, KY on Feb. 1, 1937 and Phil was born Jan. 19, 1939 in Chicago. Their dad Ike Everly played guitar and they were in his band when he performed. They were performing in Knoxville when Chet Atkins spotted them and had them record the 1956 single Keep a-Lovin' Me for Columbia. It went nowhere. Things picked up after Atkins introduced The Everly Brothers to Acuff-Rose Music owner Wesley Rose. He told them that if they signed a publishing deal, he would get them a record deal. That deal was with Cadence Records owned by Arthur Godfrey's musical director Archie Bleyer. The 1957 single Bye Bye Love was their first big hit. That song was written by Felice and Bordleaux Bryant. They wrote several hits for The Everly Brothers over the next couple of years. After three years with Cadence, The Everly Brothers moved to Warner Bros. It was a much bigger deal. Plus there was the possibility of film opportunities. At  the time, Warner Bros. Records was a new label. Cathy's Clown was the first single in 1960. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, the R&B Singles chart and the British chart. Don Everly wrote Cathy's Clown. Wesley Rose produced. Musicians were Hank Garland on guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano, Floyd Chance on bass and Buddy Herman on drums. Cathy's Clown was their final #1 single. They had some other top ten hits. But they had a falling out with Rose so they avoided Acuff-Rose. By the mid 60s, the British Invasion had taken over and most artists including The Everly Brothers weren't selling. This Rhino budget comp covers the Warner Bros. years. The boys were in the US Marines for a couple of years. After that they had drug problems. They made peace with Rose. But by that time it was too late. Then they left Warner Bros. for RCA. After recording two early 70s albums for RCA, The Everly Brothers split up and recorded separately until 1983. They reunited but by that time, they were a nostalgia act. Phil Everly died on Jan. 3, 2014 at age 74. Don Everly died on Aug. 21, 2021 at age 84. Here's The Everly Brothers performing Cathy's Clown on the Dick Clark Beechnut Show July 9, 1960.