Don Everly, the surviving member of The Everly Brothers, has died today age 84.
A spokesperson for his family confirmed the news today to the LA Times. He reportedly passed away at his home in Nashville earlier today, with no cause of death confirmed.
He is survived by his mother, Margaret, his wife Adela, and his children Edan, Venetia, Stacy and Erin.
“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,” his family said in an official statement.
Don, born 1st February 1937, was the first born son of Ike Everly – a miner turned musician.
In the 1930’s the Everly family moved to Chicago in order for Ike and his wife Margaret to pursue a career in music. The pair performed as a country duo. During this time, the family realised the harmonising talent of their two sons, Don and Phil, and began making music as a unit.
The family hosted a radio show together in the 1940’s, which gained traction, then allowing Ike and his two sons the opportunity to travel to Nashville, where the two sons signed a record deal together.
It was then in 1957 that The Everly Brothers was formed. The duo earned fame for their complex harmonies.
In the first five years of their career together, the brothers achieved 15 top ten hits, including ‘Bye Bye Love’, ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’ and more. Over the course of their career together, they would release 21 albums. Don also released a few albums as a solo artist.
They would later be one of the first bands to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986, alongside Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Buddy Holly. 15 years on, the duo were then inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
Phil died in 2014 due to pulmonary disease at the age of 74.
