Don Everly, the elder of the Everly Brothers and last surviving member of the iconic duo, has died aged 84 at his home in Nashville, Tennessee. Phil Everly died in 2014 at the age of 74.
The news was confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, who didn’t reveal a cause of death but shared a statement from a family spokesperson, saying: “Don lived by what he felt in his heart.”
“Don expressed his appreciation for the ability to live his dreams … with his soulmate and wife, Adela, and sharing the music that made him an Everly Brother.”
In the late 1950s, the pioneering duo arrived on the airwaves with a seductive blend of country and pop, marked by the brothers’ dreamy harmonies that were credited with inspiring pop culture monoliths like the Beatles, The Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel.
Despite rumours of an often tumultuous off-stage relationship, between 1957 and 1962, the Everly Brothers’ impossibly catchy, pitch-perfect harmonies earned them 15 Top 10 hits in the US, including All I Have To Do Is Dream, Bye Bye Love and Wake Up Little Susie.
The Everly Brothers | Bye Bye Love on The Ed Sullivan Show
In 1986, the duo was among the first-ever Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, and in 1997 received a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys. To this date, no other duo has had more Top 100 hits.
Understandably, Rolling Stone once described the Everly Brothers as “the most important vocal duo in rock.”
Music icons around the world have paid tribute to the trailblazing rocker via social media. See below.
Don Everly of the Everly Brothers passed away today at age 84.
— The Beatles (@BeatlesEarth) August 22, 2021
The Everly Brothers’ magical and haunting harmonies influenced countless musicians including Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles.
His voice was described as “the most beautiful sound you’ll ever hear” pic.twitter.com/5maQIJilkX
We have now lost Don Everly. Touring with Phillip and Donald was literally thrilling. To have the privilege of singing with their breathtaking iconic voices was one of the great gifts of my career. Godspeed, Donald. I love you. pic.twitter.com/Vr8c9ikWAY
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) August 22, 2021
Very sad day. Both of the Everlys were part of my musical life growing up. We were inspired by their wonderful records and their singing and their voices. Wake Up Little Suzie was my favorite as a kid. #DonEverlyRIP #doneverly https://t.co/a4hH0i2vaf
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) August 22, 2021
Along with his wife Adela, Don Everly is survived by his mother, Margaret, son Edan, and his daughters Venetia, Stacy and Erin. RIP.
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