Walk Right Back: The Everly Brothers’ Story is a tribute concert with a difference, providing a deeper look into the lives of musical duo Don and Phil Everly, and their place in rock and roll history alongside stunning performances of their greatest hits and those of some of their musical contemporaries.
James Hudson and Luke Wilson step into the brothers’ shoes and also talk us through their history, from humble beginnings in Knoxville, Tennessee, to grand stadiums and concert halls, with a side of management disputes, drug issues and infighting.
Projections are used for rapid scene changes and also to help tell the story, with newspaper headlines and quotes from other performers such as Beatle, Paul McCartney, who were inspired by the Everly Brothers used to show their place in musical history.
While audiences can learn plenty about the brothers from the show (although it seemed that many fans at the New Wimbledon Theatre hardly needed a reminder), it does not attempt to be a biopic musical. Instead, it is clearly a loving tribute to the brothers and their music. Hudson and Wilson speak in their own accents when narrating the brothers’ story, barring the occasional attempt at an American accent for emphasis, and their love for the performers who they are emulating is palpable throughout.
As well as Everly Brothers hits including such favourites as Bye Bye Love, All I Have To Do Is Dream and Cathy’s Clown, the audience is also treated to hits from Buddy Holly (played by lead guitarist Thomas Wright) and Roy Orbison (Curtis Lavender). These bring up the tempo and go down well with the crowd.
In fact, the whole show goes down a storm, with the heart the performers put into their music echoed back at them from the audience. For any fan of the Everly Brothers, or anyone looking to learn a little more about an important piece of rock and roll history, Walk Right Back is sure to provide a night to remember.
Walk Right Back is touring across the UK until June 2025. For more information and tickets, follow the link here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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