60s Rock Icons Split Mid-Show in Historic 52-Year-Old Finale

In July 1973, The Everly Brothers carried out what would later be considered one of the last—yet most notorious—performances of their iconic journey.

The famous rock-and-country pair, recognized for popular tracks such as "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and "Bye Bye Love," intended to go on a short break following years of constant performing.

Nevertheless, prolonged internal conflicts, within Don and Phil Everly and their management had already begun to strain their relationship.

Their intention was to take a two-year hiatus, allowing Don to focus on a solo career and providing both brothers with room to heal. Yet, what was meant to be a short break eventually became a ten-year separation.

The final planned performances prior to their break took place during two events at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, on July 13 and 14, 1973.

The initial night passed without issues, yet the following evening concluded with an intense on-stage separation, signaling a significant shift for the group.

According to Saving Country Music , Don was very drunk when he went onstage that night. Warren Zevon who accompanied the show on keyboards later remembered the chaotic evening.

I had witnessed Don performing while sick with the flu and a fever of 103 degrees. I had never heard him make a wrong note or act unprofessionally before an audience. However, that particular evening, he came onto the stage completely intoxicated. He was staggering and out of tune, and I recall Phil attempting to restart songs multiple times. It was humiliating.

Seemingly annoyed, Phil broke his guitar during a performance and walked away from the stage. When leaving, he allegedly said to the organizer, "I'm truly sorry, Bill. I need to leave. I can't return to the stage with that guy again."

Don tried to keep the performance going, but audiences were shocked when he said to the crowd, "The Everly Brothers passed away ten years ago."

After taking a two-year break, they ended up not performing together again for ten years, although the siblings stayed in touch during most of this period. They finally came back together on September 23, 1983, for a return performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Later on, Don recalled that famous performance during an interview with Rolling Stone expressing that it was "one of the most sorrowful days of my life."

That evening, I was halfway intoxicated — the one and only time I've ever been drunk on stage in my entire career. I realized it was the final night, so on my way out, I had some tequila, some champagne — began celebrating the end. It was truly like a wake," he described at the time.

Everyone assumed that night was simply an argument between Phil and me. They weren't aware that we'd been putting in countless hours behind the scenes for years. We had never gone anywhere without working; we’d never experienced true freedom. We were connected like a pair of matched horses. It's amusing how the media ignored us for ten years, yet suddenly became interested in this situation.