We can all take a lesson from Don Everly

Don said in one interview that he and his brother Phil were successful because they ‘never followed trends’, writes Chris Stevenson

The Everly Brothers, Phil, left, and Don, perform on stage in 1964 (AP)

As the tributes came in for Don Everly, some reports pointed to a 1986 interview with the Associated Press in which he said he and his brother Phil were successful because they “never followed trends”.

“We did what we liked and followed our instincts,” he said. “Rock’n’roll did survive, and we were right about that. Country did survive, and we were right about that. You can mix the two, but people said we couldn’t.”

The Everly Brothers had a number of hits around the globe in the late 1950s and early 1960s and influenced The Beatles – among many other musicians – who would obviously go on to be the biggest band in the world (although The Everly Brothers’ own fame in the US had waned somewhat by that point).

Rolling Stone magazine described the brothers as “the most important vocal duo in rock”, which is some accolade. Groups who also pointed to the influence of the duo were The Hollies, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

“Don lived by what he felt in his heart. Don expressed his appreciation for the ability to live his dreams,” a statement from Everly’s family said.

I like the idea that a whole career can be be created with this attitude – and that it can be rewarded. People are sometimes too afraid to “follow their instincts” but it can make a big difference. I can see the counter-argument might be Boris Johnson – an example of someone who seems to rely on his instincts more than anything else, when many would prefer he didn’t. However, whatever you think of him, it would be tough to say that making it to the role of prime minister was not a success.

But I’d rather see the positive in the words of Don Everly.

Yours,

Chris Stevenson

Editor, Voices