The importance of the Everly Brothers in the history of rock music can never be overstated, yet strangely they’re not always the first names thought of as pioneers in the industry. Don and Phil Everly grew up in post-depression USA, in a musical family, and often appeared on local radio accompanying their guitarist father with their trademark vocal harmonies. The duo soon caught the attention of Columbia Records, who were starting to realise there might be some mileage in the “teenage” market. However a choice of a traditional country song proved unsuccessful with radio and the public at large – especially when pitched up against the new rising stars on the Sun label, such as Johnny Cash, who’s rough and ready sound was ahead of its time. Taking influence from the popular doo-wop sound of the Midwest, and mixing it up with Appalachian roots, traditional country music, and a little of the rock ‘n’ roll of their peers, the pair developed a sound that was entirely their own. By 1957 they’d hit number two the charts with their first release for Cadence Records, “Bye Bye Love”. As a clean cut alternative to Elvis Presley and Gerry Lee Lewis, the Everlys might have lost out in the heart-throb stakes, but their “parent friendly” approach ensured mainstream success . By the turn of the next decade they were amongst the highest earners in rock and roll in the world. Before long they were off to Warner Music, where they helped further the development of the country rock movement, however this compilation of the brothers’ early hits stands as a reminder of just how prolific they were in those early years, with tracks like “Wake Up Little Susie”, “All I Have To Do Is Dream” and the self penned “Maybe Tomorrow” included in this new 23 track compilation on the Vinyl Passion label.