Phil Everly RIP

PHIL EVERLY, one half of the legendary country-rock duo The Everly Brothers, died today of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; he was 74. The inimitable harmonies of Phil and brother Don fueled hits like “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Cathy’s Clown,” “When Will I Be Loved” (which Phil wrote) and “All I Have to Do Is Dream”—and profoundly influenced multiple generations of singer/songwriters. The Everlys’ musical career began in earnest in the late ’50s; they toured with Buddy Holly and the Crickets until Holly’s death in 1959. Though their career slowed after the British Invasion, the siblings continued to record and tour through the ’60s and early ’70s, though a feud divided them for a decade. Phil pursued a solo career and collaborated with various artists prior to reuniting with Don in 1983 for a Royal Albert Hall concert that produced a live album and video. During this period of resurgence the brothers recorded a song written for them by Paul McCartney, sang on lifelong admirer Paul Simon’s Graceland and were among the first 10 acts inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Country Music Hall of Fame induction, Hollywood Walk of Fame star and myriad other honors followed. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Simon & Garfunkel and other superstars have variously paid tribute to the Everlys, and 2013 saw the release of Foreverly, a loving homage to the pair’s Songs Our Daddy Taught Us by the unlikely duo of Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones. In addition to his musical work, Phil launched the musical instrument accessories venture Everly Music Company with his son Jason. He’s survived by his wife Patti, his four children and brother Don. (1/3p)