Happy Birthday: Don Everly

Today we celebrate the birthday of the great Don Everly, who – along with his late brother Phil – was part of arguably the greatest pop/folk/country duo of the early rock ‘n’ roll era: The Everly Brothers. As you’d expect, we’ve got our official Everly Brothers playlist all revved up for your listening enjoyment, but to add a little extra music – and perhaps even some education – to this special day, we’ve also compiled five solo tracks from Don’s back catalog, all of which have flown under the radar for far too long.

1. “Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds” (1971): You may not have thought that you needed to hear a version of this classic cowboy tune through a psychedelic filter, but if you hit play on the below clip, that’s effectively what you’re going to get. This was Don’s first solo single, and say whatever else you wish, but you can’t deny that the guy was making an effort to step outside the box musically.

2. “Warmin’ Up The Band” (1974): Taken from his album SUNSET TOWERS, this tune was the only solo hit for Don, and using that descriptor is probably being generous, given that it never actually made it onto the Hot 100, instead only bubbling under at #110.

3. “Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again” (1976): First recorded by Lefty Frizzell, later covered by Don Gibson, this song didn’t change Everly’s pop chart fortunes, but it did prove him with a minor hit on the country chart, with the single hitting #55.

4. “Brother Jukebox” (1976): While it was no doubt a calculated decision by someone in the chain of command at ABC Records for Don to release a single with the word “Brother” in the title, it likely didn’t succeed as well as they’d hoped. Still, the tune about Brother Jukebox and Sister Wine did at least creep onto the country chart at #96.

5. “Let’s Put Our Hearts Together” (1981): A duet with Rachael Perer of the band The Dead Cowboys, this one-off single for Polydor Records didn’t end up going much of anywhere, unfortunately, and it’s a real shame. It’s got modern (for ’81) production, their two voices sound great together, and it’s catchy as all get-out. Guess there’s just no accounting for taste…