The Louvin Brothers
USA, 1947–1963
Ira and Charlie Loudermilk of Alabama, usually called the greatest duet act country music has had. Ira's high harmony sits so close above Charlie's lead that the two sound like one strained voice; the sacred records are frightening and the secular ones are worse. Ira's temper and drinking ended the act in 1963.
MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced The Louvin Brothers and 3 artists The Louvin Brothers influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced The Louvin Brothers?
- The Delmore Brothers — The Louvins were raised on the Delmores, and their close harmony takes the smoothness of it; they recorded a whole tribute album to them in 1960.
- The Carter Family — The Carter Family is among the acts the brothers grew up on.
Which artists did The Louvin Brothers influence?
- The Everly Brothers — The Everlys' harmony is the Louvins' brought into rock and roll - the same two-part blend at a lighter weight.
- Gram Parsons — Parsons took the Louvins' songs into rock, several of them as duets with Emmylou Harris.
- Emmylou Harris — Harris took the Louvins' material back to country audiences: her 1975 reading of 'If I Could Only Win Your Love' was her first top ten country hit.