Put your mind at rest: the Everly Brothers were really brothers, not just friends who wanted give the illusion of family togetherness. Born to entertainment veterans Ike and Margaret Everly, Don and Phil both acknowledged music as their calling from a very early age.

Setting off for Nashville in the 50s, the brothers soon wrote and released a single called "Bye Bye Love" that showcased their amazing harmony. That song was 1957's big hit, reaching the #2 spot in the pop charts, #1 on the country charts and #5 on the R&B charts. It didn't matter where you hung your hat, the Everly Brothers appealed to everyone.

The next three years brought a series of successes under the Cadence label, including the classics "Wake Up Little Susie," "All I Have to Do Is Dream," "Bird Dog" and "Let It Be Me." The hits kept on coming even after the duo's move to Warner Bros. Records and a brief stint as draftees in the Army.

The 60s brought new and exciting sounds to old fashioned rock n' roll and the Everly Brothers incorporated the stylings of British Invasion bands to their music. Unsurprisingly, singles from that time like "It's All Over" and "The Price of Love" went over really well in Dear Old Blighty.  The two brothers went back to a more countryfied (not to be confused with country-fried, which is different and delicious) sound with their album Roots and influenced many folk-rock artists in later years.

In the 70s, the Everly Brothers became regular staples on television variety and music shows and hosting their own program on ABC. A few years later, the two brothers went their separate ways and concentrated on their own solo careers, only to reunite for a hugely successful concert in London's Royal Albert Hall in 1983.

The Everly Brothers'  songwriting and clean, simple, yet beautiful music are rightly cited by many big name artists as a primary influence and guiding inspiration. Bob Dylan, the Beatles and the Eagles are but a few who took their cues from the two brothers.