Local folks knew they were good, as boys, singing on the town’s two radio stations from 1945-’53. But they didn’t expect that in 1957, they’d top the rock ’n’ roll charts with “Bye Bye Love.”
This is great, Chuck. When their comeback album "EB '84" came out in 1984 there was a big article on them in Rolling Stone. To my surprise, it reported their dad's gospel show aired on KXEL AM 1540 in Waterloo before they went to Shenandoah. Did you ever run across that? Probably shouldn't be a surprise, I guess, since KXEL had a huge broadcast range, almost like WHO, and they had a ton of preachers on there for decades.
My first real exposure to them was in my early teens when they had a summer replacement show for The Johnny Cash Show on ABC -- another guy in both the country and rock 'n' roll halls of fame. I think their "Cathy's Clown" was years ahead of its time compared to other radio hits of that era and I love "EB 84's" "On the Wings of a Nightingale" which was written by Paul McCartney.
I saw "The Simon and Garfunkel Story" at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at UNI a few years ago and it sure wouldn't be a stretch to see a similar show on their "single greatest influence" according to Rolling Stone - the Everlys.
Pat, thanks for reading, and no, I did not know about the Everlys’ stop at KXEL in Waterloo before the family came to Shenandoah. I’ll pursue that, along with several other bits of new info about their history that have been sent to me after I wrote this latest column. BTW, their brothers’ song “Cathy’s Clown” was indeed a great one. But my fave has always been “Devoted to You.”
Thanks for a great history lesson on the Everly's. I don't know if you remember any of their kids from 1986 but Edan (Don and Venetia's son) has his 55 birthday today. he returned a few years ago bringing his daughter who was the same age as he was in 1986.
I was in Shen for that 1986 concert. I regret to say that I don’t remember that sterling intro, but I do remember their superb performance and sadly, the rain that abruptly ended it.
I grew up in SE Nebraska in that era and still have that sheet music. I don’t think I realized at that time they were from Shenandoah— not that far away!
The Iowa Boy in classic form!
A stage play sounds like a great idea!
This is great, Chuck. When their comeback album "EB '84" came out in 1984 there was a big article on them in Rolling Stone. To my surprise, it reported their dad's gospel show aired on KXEL AM 1540 in Waterloo before they went to Shenandoah. Did you ever run across that? Probably shouldn't be a surprise, I guess, since KXEL had a huge broadcast range, almost like WHO, and they had a ton of preachers on there for decades.
My first real exposure to them was in my early teens when they had a summer replacement show for The Johnny Cash Show on ABC -- another guy in both the country and rock 'n' roll halls of fame. I think their "Cathy's Clown" was years ahead of its time compared to other radio hits of that era and I love "EB 84's" "On the Wings of a Nightingale" which was written by Paul McCartney.
I saw "The Simon and Garfunkel Story" at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at UNI a few years ago and it sure wouldn't be a stretch to see a similar show on their "single greatest influence" according to Rolling Stone - the Everlys.
Pat, thanks for reading, and no, I did not know about the Everlys’ stop at KXEL in Waterloo before the family came to Shenandoah. I’ll pursue that, along with several other bits of new info about their history that have been sent to me after I wrote this latest column. BTW, their brothers’ song “Cathy’s Clown” was indeed a great one. But my fave has always been “Devoted to You.”
The Everly Bros. created a wave in '57 that crested at Teen Town in '64. Thanks Chuck. Two thumbs up!
Thanks for a great history lesson on the Everly's. I don't know if you remember any of their kids from 1986 but Edan (Don and Venetia's son) has his 55 birthday today. he returned a few years ago bringing his daughter who was the same age as he was in 1986.
Bravo, Chuck. How about a bound file of all your columns! Now that would be a gift for all Iowans!
Thanks for the memories, Chuck. And, yes, you should write the stage play!
Have you talked to Allison and Peggy about writing the stage play?!
Excellent!
I was in Shen for that 1986 concert. I regret to say that I don’t remember that sterling intro, but I do remember their superb performance and sadly, the rain that abruptly ended it.
I grew up in SE Nebraska in that era and still have that sheet music. I don’t think I realized at that time they were from Shenandoah— not that far away!