More Than a Mother: Everly Brothers Matriarch Dies at 102
The passing of a performer’s mother is not always especially noteworthy, but Margaret Everly wasn’t just some performer’s mother. It’s also uncommon for a mother to outlive her offspring, especially when there are multiple of them, and when they lived long and fulfilling lives themselves. But when you have your children before you’re 20, and pass away ten days after you turn 102 like Margaret Everly did, it makes you a remarkable exception. Margaret Everly also lived one remarkable life.
Margaret Everly was much more than the mom of the famous Everly Brothers, whose impact on American music installed them as one of the very first members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and later landed them in the Country Music Hall of Fame as well. Margaret was the pillar and soul of a professional family band where Don and Phil Everly first got their start performing, and acted as her the biggest champion of her sons as they endured for acceptance and success in American music.
Born in Kentucky on November 25, 1919, Margaret Everly was married to her childhood sweetheart Ike by the time she was 15. Ike was working in the Kentucky coal mines when eldest son Don was born in Muhlenberg County on February 1, 1937. By the time Phil was born on January 19, 1939, Ike had relocated the family to Chicago where he performed as a singer and guitar player on radio stations WJJD and WLS during the era when radio shows were performed live.
But Chicago is not where the couple wanted to raise their two sons. They wanted them to grow up in a more rural environment. So in 1944, the family moved to Waterloo, Iowa where Ike continued to perform on the radio. Margaret had been joining her husband on radio programs to sing upon occasion for years, but in the late 40’s she went from a special guest to part of a family band with their two sons. By 1950 they were called “The Everly Family Show” featuring the exquisite blood harmonies the Everly Brothers would become famous for in subsequent years.
After performing regularly at numerous Midwest radio stations, the singing family eventually moved to Knoxville, TN in 1953. Father Ike was the leader on the band and taught their two sons how to perform and sing, but Margaret handled much of the booking and business affairs for the outfit. The move to Tennessee eventually helped facilitate the Every Brothers’ dive into the music business as a duo. As the brothers began to venture out on their own, Ike decided to retire from music and become a barber. It was Margaret who brought the boys to Nashville, and became their champion in town.
Producer Chet Atkins was a early believer in the Everly Brothers, but an early single in 1956 called “Keep A-Lovin’ Me” fizzled, and it looked like they may not make it. But Margret persevered for her boys, and kept knocking on doors to get them heard. It was working with song publisher Acuff-Rose, and partnering with songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant that resulted in the duo’s first big hit “Bye Bye Love.” The song put The Everly Brothers on the map in both rock and country, and soon they would be superstars.
As their careers took off, Margaret still worked behind-the-scenes as one of their champions. For decades, the bedrooms of both Don and Phil from when they were teenagers were kept just the way they were in Margaret’s Nashville home.
Phil Everly passed away in 2014, and Don Everly passed away earlier this year on August 21st at the age of 84, still survived by mother Margaret. Margaret Embry Everly died on December 6th. SheΒ will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Mausoleum in Nashville.
Big Tex
December 20, 2021 @ 8:07 pm
Bye, bye, love!
Venturacountryfan
December 20, 2021 @ 9:28 pm
RIP.
Are there any stories of how Margaret handled the periods when Don and Phil weren’t getting along?
David Harvey
January 4, 2022 @ 9:44 pm
We probably never will know and she likely took that info with her to the grave.
SRAvery
December 21, 2021 @ 6:38 am
Their pivotal records are still marvels of song, sound and setting. Timeless and perfect. RIP Margaret.
Dr. Jack Westfall
December 21, 2021 @ 10:23 am
What? No mention of Archie Blyer?
Michael
December 21, 2021 @ 3:48 pm
Wonderful sounds and music from the Everly bros. They influenced everyone in the rock/pop/country world and made my growing up so much better. There will never be anyone quite like them. Often emulated never duplicated.
Brenda
December 21, 2021 @ 11:35 am
Always loved hearing the Everly Brothers sing! They had such great harmony together β€οΈπππ₯°!
Mari Jo Oneill
December 21, 2021 @ 3:39 pm
I had “45” records in the era of the Everly Brothers, and still have them, but now I have CD’s to still play their great music. I still love their sound and always will. Im 78 and have now introduced my grandkids with their music, and they have become fans. I loved the era I grew up in 50’s music then the 60’s, after that I wasn’t a big fan of some of the music, but there was a lot I liked. Trends come & go but im glad I grew up when I did.
Keith
December 21, 2021 @ 4:31 pm
I think the Beatles wouldn’t have even tried without the influence of the Everly Bros they would admit that themselves
Keith
December 21, 2021 @ 4:37 pm
When I heard the Everly Bros I would stay with that song I would never turn the radio to another station they were so gifted and I will always love them God rest in peace Phil and Don and there mother Margaret too!!
JEAN KASCHUB
December 21, 2021 @ 7:10 pm
Everly Brothers were the greatest. I seen them in Vegas. I still have several of their β45β records. ππ
Kariann Hopes
December 23, 2021 @ 6:32 am
I also saw them in Las Vegas. It was a trip back to my childhood and youth years! They were just so awesome! <3
Ginny Whitfield
December 21, 2021 @ 7:55 pm
I think I have every word of every song of theirs memorized. I have always loved them.
Brenda Jennings
December 21, 2021 @ 9:14 pm
Oh my!!! Unchained Melody!!! π₯²
Grateful Drummer
December 21, 2021 @ 10:00 pm
Unchained Melody is the Righteous Brothers, not the Everly Brothers!!!
Helen
February 26, 2023 @ 1:29 pm
The first time I heard “Unchained Melody” was sung by Al Hibler in 1955. It is still one of my favorite songs!
Martin John Estrada
December 21, 2021 @ 10:05 pm
You’re thinking Righteous Brothers
Bill
December 21, 2021 @ 10:10 pm
That was the Righteous Brothers.
Keith
December 21, 2021 @ 9:30 pm
Gorgeous songs sung as no others could do! Idylic
Ruby lee
December 21, 2021 @ 9:43 pm
My best friend love the every bro l listened they were excellent l was loved Motown sound but l do like country music too Patti Kline and the Carter family
Beverly
December 21, 2021 @ 11:16 pm
They had a harmony that was blessed by God!! Michael had mentioned in an earlier post that their harmony was never duplicated an he is so very right. There are bands with great harmony…but then there was once the Everly Bros…who more than just out performed the greatness of those to come. I still have not heard any band come close.
Kariann Hopes
December 23, 2021 @ 6:36 am
I know the Bee Gees looked up to the Everly Brothers’ harmony. They influenced their music and delivery!
ROY
December 3, 2022 @ 1:52 am
VERY TRUE !! I WONDER WHY THE BEE GEES NEVER WROTE A SONG FOR THE BROTHERS LIKE PAUL DID….
Linda Dietzler
December 21, 2021 @ 11:37 pm
I loved the Beverly Brothers as d soon as I heard Bye Bye Love,Problems,All I have to do is Dream,beautiful song & hearing them sing it made it more pretty,Siver Hair Daddy Of Mine you can go on & on Cathy’s Clown I’ve never have heard anyone come close the way their voices harmonize together I’ve never grown tired of these 2 Brothers,my brother & I were lucky enough to see them in the early 90s we had great seats 5th row,right in the middle we were so please to see them up so close
Kariann Hopes
December 23, 2021 @ 6:38 am
For some reason my comments aren’t being recorded on this site.
Trigger
December 23, 2021 @ 8:38 am
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Thomas Vickers
December 23, 2021 @ 9:39 am
While the two brothers certainly were gifted singers, they also make the Marine Corps and fellow Marines extremely proud. Semper Fi.
JASON
December 29, 2021 @ 7:42 pm
R.I.P.
Lynda
January 1, 2022 @ 7:25 am
I never thought I would say itβ¦but music today is not what it used to be. I have unopened extended play records of the Everly brothers. I have always loved them
David Harvey
January 4, 2022 @ 9:42 pm
She lived a very long life and it must’ve been hard for her to outlive both her famous sons as well as her husband – no parent should ever have to bury their own offspring – but at least she will be reunited with them in God’s care.
ROY PRUYS VD HOEVEN
December 3, 2022 @ 1:59 am
MANY THANKS FOR THIS STORY ABOUT MARGARET EVERLY ! SHE WAS A REMARKABLE WOMAN WITH STRONG GENES ! HAVE OVERLIVED HER FAMILY…. I NEVER KNEW HER INFLUENCES ABOUT THE BROTHERS CAREER…. AS ALWAYS IKE EVERLY WAS MENTIONED ALSO BY DON AND PHIL…. HOPE THEY ARE A FAMILY AGAIN TOGETHER IN HEAVEN πππ.
I UNDERSTAND SHE WAS NOT BURRIED BESIDE IKE EVERLY AND PHIL EVERLY…..