35 jaar geleden: reünie-concert van The Everly Brothers in The Royal Albert Hall

The Everly Brothers came back for a reunion concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 23, 1983 after a decade of not speaking to each other. The Telegraph sent Environment Editor and author Charles Clover to cover the concert and here is the review that appeared in the paper on September 26.

“The young groups keep splitting up, the older ones seem to be getting together again.
Last week saw the brief teaming-up of the Yardbirds guitarists Clapton, Page and Beck, and other guests, playing distinctive cameos from their separate careers. Then came an event of even greater potency, the apparently lasting reunion of Don and Phil Everly, the ultimate Fifties pop duo, who were thought not to have passed the time of day for 10 years.
Though surprising, there was no doubt that their reconciliation concert, held for sentimental reasons at the Albert Hall, was a triumph. Looking neither young nor old, two smooth well built figures in dinner jackets with acoustic guitars, the Everlys (Don 46, Phil 44) performed a catalogue of their hits with such immaculate phrasing and delicate, glistening harmonies that it was as if hearing them for the first time.
History has now vindicated the well-crafted pop song, and the Everly’s songs have lasted better than many of the self-penned efforts of their Sixties imitators, Dylan, the Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young included.
Given added punch by an English rock band including the excellent Albert Lee on guitar and Pete Winfield on piano, the Everlys ranged from the folk songs their father taught them, through slightly syrupy country like Devoted To You, to their greatest and most inimitable songs, All I Have To Do Is Dream, Bye Bye Love, Bird Dog, Cathy’s Clown.
Their now mellower voices, Phil’s as always about a third of a note higher than Don’s, reinvested the songs with the idealism and heartache which made them great, and the band gave a lean backing of irrepressible bounce. It was a performance with a sense of occasion. And with Phil’s hit with Clift [sic] Richard still in mind, there is no reason why the Everlys should not be successful all over again.”
En The Telegraph eindigt met de vraag: “Were you at the concert? Please add your memories in the comment section…” Een oproep die ik graag overneem. Het hoeft zelfs niet in The Royal Albert Hall zelf te zijn geweest, misschien ben je net als ik gaan kijken naar het optreden in dat industriepark in het Kortrijkse?