Phil Everly

Induction Year: 2001

Birth Name: Philip Everly

Birth Date: 01-19-1939

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Although Don Everly is often regarded as the more dominant songwriter, it is younger brother Phil who wrote the most successful of all the Everly Brothers' self-composed songs. Phil's "When Will I Be Loved" was initially released by the brothers and became a hit for them in 1960. In 1975, it was revived by Linda Ronstadt and became a massive hit on both the pop and country charts. It has also been sung by more than 20 other artists.

Phil and Don were the sons of country entertainers Ike and Margaret Everly. Like his older brother, Phil became part of the Everly family act. Billed as "Baby Boy Phil," he began performing with his parents at age six. Ike and Margaret traveled from radio station to radio station, taking jobs in Kentucky, Iowa and Tennessee. Phil was born during the couple's stint in Chicago.

Ike's friend Chet Atkins took the brothers under his wing when the teenagers moved to Nashville. In 1955, Phil and Don began their recording career with four unsuccessful songs for Columbia Records.

With the help of Atkins, the Everlys became songwriters for Acuff-Rose Publications. The company's Wesley Rose arranged for them to get a contract with Cadence Records. With a catchy blend of ethereal vocal harmonies and rhythmic energy, the Everly Brothers first became country hit-makers, then rock & roll stars beginning in 1957.

In 1960, the Everly Brothers became the first artists to be offered a million-dollar recording contract when they signed with Warner Brothers Records. Their co-written "Cathy's Clown" became their first hit for the company. With three million copies sold, it was also the biggest selling record of their career.

The brothers continued to record steadily for Warner Brothers throughout the rest of the decade. The duo began recording for RCA in 1972 but broke up a year later. Phil signed his own contract with RCA and issued his first solo album in late 1973. He recorded six more solo records in the 1970s and '80s. His self-composed "Dare to Dream Again" became a Top 10 adult contemporary hit for him in 1981.

After a decade of estrangement, the Everly Brothers reunited in 1983. In 1986, they were among the inaugural inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1997, they were given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

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Song Catalog

 

"(Girls, Girls, Girls) Made to Love"

The Everly Brothers1960 
Eddie Hodges1962 #14 pop
NRBQ2003 
 

"Angel of the Darkness"

(written with John Durrill)

The Everly Brothers1988 
 

"Brown Eyes"

(written with John Durrill)

The Everly Brothers1988 

"Dare to Dream Again"

Phil Everly1981 #9 adult contemporary, #63 country
 

"God Bless Older Ladies"

(written with Terry Slater)

Phil Everly1976 

"Gone, Gone, Gone"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1964 #31 pop
The Ventures1965 
Fairport Convention1987 
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss2007 
 

"Green River"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1972 
 

"I Don't Want to Love You"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1967 
 

"It Only Costs a Dime"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1965 
 

"It's All Over"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1965 
Cliff Richard1967 
 

"Kiss Your Man Goodbye"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1966 
 

"Living Alone"

Phil Everly1979 

"Man with Money"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1965 
The Who2000 
 

"New Old Song"

(written with Terry Slater)

Phil Everly1975 
 

"Old Kentucky River"

(written with Terry Slater)

Phil Everly1975 
 

"Sweet Grass County Montana"

(written with Terry Slater)

Phil Everly1973 
 

"Sweet Southern Love"

(written with Joseph Edward Sauseris)

Phil Everly1981 #42 adult contemporary, #52 country

"The Price of Love"

(written with Don Everly)

The Everly Brothers1966 
The Status Quo1969 
The Move1970 
Bryan Ferry1976 
Poco1982 
The Nighthawks1991 
The Cactus Brothers1993 
Roxy Music1994 
BR5-492001 
Buddy Miller2002 
The Kinleys2004 

"When Will I Be Loved"

BMI Country Song of the Year 1976

The Everly Brothers1960 #8 pop
Manfred Mann1966 
Gram Parsons1969 
Sandy Denny1972 
Dave Edmunds1974 
Linda Ronstadt1975 #1 country, #2 pop
Tanya Tucker1975 
Rockpile1980 
The Little River Band1988 
Donna Fargo1990 
Vince Gill1994 
Fleetwood Mac1995 
Rebel Hearts2000 #75 country
Ricochet2004 
Angela Hacker2007 
 

"You're My Girl"

The Everly Brothers1965 

Other Media

Phil Everly

Induction Year: 2001