Walk Right Back tells the story of the singing duo who were hailed as the most successful duo of all time, The Everly Brothers - Don and Phil. The show relates the musical journey of the two brothers and how their parents supported them plus the fall-outs, managerial hitches and the ups and downs of fame.
It was a full house with a mixed audience of all ages, showing just how popular The Everly’s music still is. A quote from Paul McCartney was displayed on the opening credits of the video projection on the stage backdrop saying, ‘Phil Everly was one of my great heroes, when me and John Lennon began writing songs, I would be Phil and John would be Don’.
The set was constant with a dais for the keyboard player and drummer. ‘Everly’s’ – Jake Byrom (Don) and Luke Wilson (Phil) fronted the band on retro mics with guitars throughout; band members, Michael Clancy (guitar and vocals), Peter Ravenhill (bass), Curtis Lavender (keyboards, guitar and vocals) and Chris Webb (drums and vocals) were tremendous support with solo spots for Clancy and Lavender adding to the enjoyment.
A screen projection on the stage backdrop displayed various stills and videos of past musical stars in their heyday with posters and vintage newspaper clippings from the 1950’s and 1960’s. The use of dry ice and coloured spotlights was used throughout.
The Everly’s story was told by Luke and Jake in chronological order relating the mood and feel of the time during the rock and roll era of the 1950’s which eventually overtook the popular country music of stars such as Hank Williams and Chet Atkins.
The two lead vocalists, Luke and Jake, outstandingly relate the story in-between delivering outstanding vocals and heart-wrenching storytelling with many lyrics of the songs bringing a tear to many eyes in the audience. The duo ensured that the audience felt involved and engaged in the show, which connects not just to the music, but to the story and family bond as well. Both have fantastic voices, together their voices are wonderful and their stage presence as both themselves and the Everly brothers, is outstanding.
The duo opened with ‘Temptation’ before singing The Everly’s first number one hit which was turned down by over 30 other recording artists including Elvis, ‘Bye, Bye Love’, which sold over one million copies. Their second big hit came next, ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ which caused some outrage at the time because the lyrics were thought to be too raunchy and then they followed with the hit which was in the charts for half a year, ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’. All the Everly’s hit songs are included such as, ‘Love Hurts’, ‘Let It Be Me’, ‘Love Is Strange, and Cathy’s Clown,
Guitarist Michael Clancy performed fantastically as Buddy Holly singing hits such as ‘Not Fade Away’ (which was written for the Everly Brothers who turned it down) and keyboard player Curtis Lavender shone brightly as Roy Orbison, singling some of his hits including ‘Only The Lonely’. All six band members are incredibly talented and the group gel together well demonstrating their talents.
After a short interval, the band returned to the stage with Luke and Jake wearing black tie and dinner suits depicted the Everly’s at the Royal Albert Hall reunion after a 10 year hiatus due to their fall-out. A special tribute to Albert Lee was included along with a Buddy Holly montage.
As expected at the end, the audience wanted more, and we were able to enjoy ‘Lucille’ and ‘Bye Bye Love’ again with the audience joining in.
The evening was a delight and truly memorable, the band and two main vocalists had the audience in the palm of their hands from start to finish encouraging audience participation and cracking jokes with repartee throughout. The music was outstanding and performed to perfection by the two lead vocalists and the band. As a whole, the production really excels and it is pulled together brilliantly, they are all having fun and work really hard throughout.
This production is packed with highs and lows and took the audience on a wonderful sentimental journey of life’s highs and lows through beautiful music with its lyrics and melodies. If you were lucky enough to have grown up with this music or just love The Everly Brothers, this is definitely the show for you. It is a cross between a rock concert, a biography and a nostalgic journey into the 1950’ and 1960’s.
This was a one-night show, but Walk Right Back is on a UK tour throughout 2025 and into 2026.
Catch it if you can for a nostalgic and enjoyable evening of musical entertainment. https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/walk-right-back-the-everly-brothers-story-1
Reviewer – Anne Pritchard
On – 15.05.2025
No comments:
Post a Comment