The definitive biography of the Everly Brothers, one of the greatest and most influential acts in popular music history, based on dozens of exclusive and archival interviews, as well as long-lost global reporting
In between the Elvis years and the rise of the Beatles, there was no bigger act than The Everly Brothers. From 1957-1962, they were among the highest selling pop acts in the U.S., with 11 Number One singles and over 35 high- charting records in all. In that time, they developed their own brand of rock 'n' roll and gentle pop balladry that leaned heavily on older, close harmony styles of country music singing. "Wake Up, Little Susie," "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Cathy's Clown," "Let it Be Me," – their hits were legion and their sweet and sour Appalachian-style harmonies influenced everyone from The Beatles to Simon and Garfunkel to the Beach Boys to Crosby, Stills, and Nash. "Blood harmony" refers to the kind of close harmony seemingly only obtainable by siblings, and Don and Phil Everly were the kings of it. Anytime you hear the style of harmony you hear in, say, the Beatles' "Please Please Me," you are hearing the sound (and impact) of The Everly Brothers.
The Everly Brothers-Don and Phil-are inducted members of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and progenitors of the hybrid Americana roots music format. Yet the duo have remained the only original, founding inductees of the Rock Hall without a penetrating, substantial biography. What books there have been-most published 30-40 years ago, reflecting perspectives of that time-have been either fan-written and surface-skimming or approached the Everlys with particular emphasis on their discography, more than their lived experiences.
Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Story is the first biography that's focused on the dramatic, complicated relationship of these two famous and strikingly talented brothers, and explores how the evolution of their relationship played out in the much- loved music they created-through some sixty years of performing. Their story is the story of American music, from their rural Kentucky origins to massive international fame, falling out of fashion in the wake of the rise of rock bands and singer-songwriters, and their many comebacks.
Written with reverence and insight, and featuring dozens of brand new and archival interviews with those who knew them best, as well as long-lost global reporting, Blood Harmony is a fitting ode to the brothers who made a huge impact on the modern music scene, celebrating how their creative "blood harmony" evolved to become an entry point into country music for millions around the world.
Barry Mazor is a long-time music and media journalist, and the author of several books, including Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music and Meeting Jimmie Rodgers: How America's Original Roots Music Hero Changed the Pop Sounds of a Century. He has also contributed to the volumes Oxford Handbook of Country Music, The Best of No Depression (2005), the Encyclopedia Britannica, The Grove Dictionary of American Music, The Encyclopedia of Country Music, and the Routledge Encyclopedia of the Blues. Mazor has been writing regularly on roots and country music for The Wall Street Journal since 2003, and was previously a senior editor and columnist for the "alternative country" music bible, No Depression magazine. His artist profiles, interviews, essays and music reviews have also appeared in The Oxford American,The Washington Post, the Village Voice, The New Republic, The Nashville Scene, American Songwriter, The Journal of Country Music, Fretboard, and Crawdaddy, among other publications. Mazor was the 2008 winner of The Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts grad
