The childhood home of the Everly Brothers is on display in Shenandoah, where the annual Shenfest will take place this weekend. Photo: Travel Iowa
Writer: Michael Morain
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
Sure, you’ve heard of the Everly Brothers. But do you know the Everly son?
Edan Everly returns to Shenandoah this weekend to sing a few rock ‘n’ roll hits by his dad and uncle and accept a key to the city where they grew up. His concert with the Killer Vees (relatives of 1960s artist Bobby Vee) is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Shenandoah High School auditorium.
Edan, 53, is the son of Don, who died last month in Nashville. Don’s brother, Phil, died in 2014. You can visit their childhood home, which locals moved about 15 years ago to a spot next to the Shenandoah Historical Museum.
This weekend you can also visit the State Historical Society of Iowa’s mobile museum, which will be in town for Shenandoah’s sesquicentennial and the annual Shenfest, complete with a parade, car show, pancake breakfast, film screening and more.
So there’s plenty to sing about, right along with Edan Everly.
“He sounds just like his dad,” says Bill Hillman, who owns the Depot restaurant near the Everly house.
He helped organize the Everly Brothers reunion concert, back in 1986, when 8,500 fans crowded into town. As he recalls, “it was kind of a big deal.”
