It was 65 years ago today (March 1st, 1957) that the Everly Brothers recorded their first Top 10 hit, “Bye Bye Love.” The song peaked at Number Two later in 1957 and was the first of 26 Top 40 hits the duo would score over the next 10 years. Over the remainder of the decade the Everly's went on to inspire a legion of up and coming rock musicians, including the Beatles, the Hollies, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, among countless others.
“By Bye Love” was originally written for Elvis Presley by husband and wife team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, but he turned it down. The Bryant's went on to write the Everly's greatest 1950s hits, including their first two Number Ones, “Wake Up Little Susie” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” and many more classic songs Don and Phil Everly recorded for Cadence Records.
During the sessions for the song, which was produced by Archie Bleyer, Don began strumming the song's distinctive guitar intro in frustration at the brothers' blowing a take. Bleyer realized how great a hook it was and tacked it on to the beginning of the track.