R.I.P Phil Everly

One of the musical greats passed Jan. 3.  The Everly brothers were so innovative and their harmonies so sweet, they influenced a couple of generations of musicians who would follow including the Beatles, Paul Simon, and Graham Nash.  They were the musician's musicians.  They have been covered by the greats.  They were especially popular in Britain so it was fun to see how the Guardian reported Phil's death.

Much of their popularity was due to the fact they gave love and longing a sound track.  This was especially true of Dream, Dream, Dream,



and
Let it be me



What is so remarkable is that these brothers were already superbly polished by the ages of 18 and 20.  Of course, great musicians do not fall from thin air.  Both parents were professional musicians who of course, had friends in the music business.  Even so, the fact that a couple of kids helped reinvent music in the 1950s is remarkable.  Here are the Everly brothers as raw kids from a TV appearance in 1957.



Even now it is hard to remember the incredible cultural energy that was released by guys who took it upon themselves to innovate.  And to be perfectly honest, we haven't seen such energy in this country for a long, long time.

I, for one, miss it.

Fortunately, their memories will live on.