This Day In 1986: The Everly Brothers get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

32 years ago today, Don and Phil Everly received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but here’s a little bit of irony for you: today also happens to be the one-year anniversary of the day we lost the man who delivered the short and sweet speech to induct the duo.

The Everly Brothers had been one of the hottest acts of the early rock ‘n’ roll era, spending a good chunk of the 1950s in the upper reaches of the Billboard charts, and they did pretty darned well during the ‘60s as well, but in 1973 the duo decided to take a break from each other and do some stuff on their own. After a decade of solo work, Don and Phil got back together on September 23, 1983 for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, after which they reentered the studio and continued onward with their work together.

As such, 1986 found them releasing a new album, BORN YESTERDAY, which was likely the impetus for them to suddenly secure a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Everlys had their semi-new friend Tom Petty say a few words, and while he was doubtlessly honored to have been asked, he made the speech as quick and painless as possible:

“It’s a great honor for Don and Phil to ask me here today, and it’s very nice to see an award like this going to people who really deserve it, and so…let’s just get on with it and give it to them!”

From there, the brothers themselves took the stage.

“This is really exceptionally important to me,” said Don. “I live here in Hollywood – I live in North Hollywood – and I love this area. I love California. I’ve walked these streets many times wishing I had a star, and I’m very proud to have one now.”

“We came to Hollywood about 30 years ago from Tennessee, and I remember the first day out here,” said Phil. “And I’m going to remember this day forever, too.”

If you’d like to see the Everly Brothers’ star, we can steer you in the right direction: you can find it on the south side of the 7000 block of Hollywood Boulevard.